I ordered the deluxe plow frame option with my Sportsman 500 with the manual lift cause I couldn't afford the winch option now. My machine has not arrived yet. I thought I remembered my dealer saying I couldn't use a winch with the deluxe frame, but tmbk2 says he has a winch so either the dealer was wrong or I was confused - yes? Some day I'd like to get a winch, of course. I've heard they are slow for plowing. Does the plow "drop" or unwind slowly. How long to raise or lower? I see Polaris has an extremely expensive electric actuator ($500). The winch would serve double duty. While on winches do folks recommend that easy on easy off option Polaris sells so you can also put it on the back. Any cheaper sources for winches?

 

You can use the winch on the plow.
As I recall the manual lift is @ $150
add another 200 and you have a winch.
HIGHLY SUGGEST A WINCH

The multi-winch is great,I would have gotten it
but I have the double tube bumper(wont work)

 

The quick release for the plow is a must. Is there any other? I have the polaris 60" plow and it handles anything I can throw at it. I bought a 1500lb ATV Superwinch at a Harbor Freight scratch and dent sale for $60. Handle bar mount switch too. It is very quick to raise and lower, at least as fast as doing it manually.

The Superwinch was new and still sealed in the box. I never could find anything wrong with it. It's pulled me out a few times and buddies, friends, neighbors etc. many many times. It is well worth the money. If you get a winch, get a ****** block too. I also carry two 25 foot coiled lengths of 1/4 steel cable, just in case. But now I'm getting off topic so I'll quit here.

BTW, I also had a jeep with a plow. The ATV does as good a job and IS more fun! Enjoy!

 

A couple more questions on the plow set up: my dealer recommends the manual lift cause its faster, but several folks like the winch. Also, it appears from pictures that if you have the deluxe plow frame with a manual lift you can't have a winch mounted for other purposes even if you didn't use it to lift the plow. Any comments appreciated.

 

It's not the first time a dealer gives STUPID advice.
I cant think of any reason he would tell you that??

As for the pictures your looking at,
I have the winch
and I have the plow.
I have no problems wth them

 

I have the county plow with E-Z lift. It is fast and easy to lift the blade. I also have 27" tri-claw/bi-claw and they will not slip. It is a great set up for me.
Thought this might help

 

I've been plowing for three years now and I'm not too far from you Hillcat. I can't speak for the Polaris machines but I've had a Big Bear and now a Kodiak Auto with a Warn Winch and 5' Mooseplow and it rocks! I can't imagine manually lifting a plow full of heavy wet snow or one narrower than the quad for that matter. Remember when you angle the 4' one it will be narrower than your wheel width and your tires will be out in the snow and NOT behind the plow getting traction! Tires are everything in my opinion and stock ones haven't measured up in my experience. I now run Titan 589's and they rarely slip giving me the traction to push a full blade with as much as a foot of snow. When you lower the plow with a winch it just drops and fast. But when you lift it be careful not to overlift or you'll snap the cable. This is experience speaking, trust me and it will happen in the middle of a storm so you better have cable clamps. Only problem I see is you're out in the weather with the quad in that nasty freezing rain and wet snow. If the jeep has a roof it's definately a bonus but the quad will get you into tight spots reducing the back breaking shoveling experience. Last winter was a tough one here and I was thankful that I pushed back my piles early leaving room till the very end of winter when I had to finally bring in a loader to make me a little more room. Good luck!