I'm looking for input on snow/dirt plow. I have been looking at Polaris's 48 inch plow and the Moose 60 inch. It's going on a 99 sportsman 500. How heavy are these plows? I'll be using a winch for the lift. What should I expect to pay for each of these plows and the mount kit?



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Four_Play aka davidg

 

I have a 99 Sportsman as well.It is equipped with a 48 inch Cycle Country plow that is operated manually.My Sportsman has 26 inch Mudrunner tires to compliment the traction for heavy plowing/mudding.This set-up is VERY good at mudding and snow plowing.Im sorry,but since I dont have the winch,I cant help you with that type of lift.====BILL

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My CC plow with installation cost 400 dollars.==BILL

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I can only offer my impression of using the Polaris 48” blade, but it’s had a lot of use. Like you are anticipating, I use the winch to raise and lower it.

On of the weakest points of any adjustable angle blade is the pin, stop, whatever, that locks the blade angle. If you bump or hit something immovable it’s this piece and corresponding mechanism that takes the worst of it. And the farther out on the end of the blade the “hit” is taken the more likely it is to damage these parts due to the vastly increased leverage on the ends. That’s the one and only reason I’m using the 48” and not the 60” blade. With a half-mile of gravel road to clear and three 100+ yard driveways with added parking areas, I’ve wished for a wider blade many times. I just don’t trust the wider blade when I often hit “surprises” as I’m pushing snow. The design of this mechanism on the Polaris blade isn’t the heaviest I’ve seen but in 4 winters of plowing in the rough it’s never given me a hint of trouble. I’ve seen the Cycle Country blades and their design for blade angle lock looks heavier than Polaris’.

The worst problem I have pushing snow in the gravel and sandy soil we have here is the design of the “shoes” that hold the blade up off the grade. The standard round shoes are too small and allow the blade to dig rather than scrape the surface. It’s been a problem with all the (5) blades I’ve used to push snow around here over the years. My solution was to make a larger shoe out of ¼” plate steel, turned up at the front like a ski and tack welded to the blade at the front top edge. This makes it nonadjustable but once I’ve found the height that works I’ve no need for further adjustment. It’s not used for pushing anything but snow.

Keep an eye on your winch cable if you’re going to do much plowing with it. After a few hours mine will start to get “hung” on the spool from all the up and down action. I respool mine after an extended stint of plowing and sometimes find it necessary halfway through the job.

FloodRunner, on the Wisconsin River (Come enjoy our Trail Pix!)

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

Does anyone have any opinions on which brand of plow is heavier duty between cycly country, polaris, and moose?

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Four_Play aka davidg

 

i think the moose plows are built the best, i have a moose country plow 50" on my polaris magnum 325 4x4, and it works great, i have plowed so much i went throught 3 takes of fuel so far, and it holds up pretty good.

The only suggestion is, spend 32$ i beilve and get rubber spacer for your springs upfornt so it dosen't sag, it isn't nessacery, but i personly don't like it.

hope it helps you

 

Four_Play,

You may want to think about the lift system you use. The other guys can confirm or deny this ...

I have a friend with a 300 Honda 4x4. He has used a manual lift and winch lift over the years. He much prefers the manual lift. It provides an instant lift of the blade.

He found that fiddling with the winch control (especially with winter gloves on) was tedious, and the plow lifted too slowing for his liking. He found that there was a delay while he raised the blade before reversing. With the manual lift he raises the blade instantly and starts backing up right away.

To each his own. Maybe the others with plows can shed some light on the lift speed issue.

DJ

 

I have the 48" Cycle Country with manual lift. If I had to start all over again from the beginning I would probably choos the Moose. I saw one and really liked it. My second choice would be the new 52" state plow from Cycle Country, which is what I will get if I need a new blade since I already have the mounting hardware, pushtubes etc.

Yes I am cheap.

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Eric Baatz 1996 Suzuki KING QUAD Remember the KING Lives!! Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts Remember it does not matter what we ride, just that we ride!!

 

Our local dealer in Decatur Il was/is offering a special on a 50" Moose plow with hand lift for $400 installed. I bought a year old 50" moose plow off an Explorer for $200 but I had to modify the hand lift to make it work. I am very pleased with it on my 325 mag.

Mr.Mag. Where did you find the rubber bushing for your springs? My Mag has a great ride but it does squat when you lift the plow.

Thanks
Dan Daugherty
jdddorty@fgi.net

 

I ordered the 50 inch moose plow and mounting kit from dennis kirk. Should be here tomorrow or the next day. The mount kit may take a little longer. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I get to use it.

Does anyone know how high the blade will be in the full up position?