All,

I'm a new ATV owner. I bought a Polaris ATP 500 H.O. about a week ago. I've had it out for it's first trail ride and I am suitably impressed at how well such a large machine handles on the trail.

In a couple of months, the snow will start flying here in earnest. I've purchased a plow kit which will be installed at the dealership in a couple of days. I've never plowed snow with an ATV or truck, so any info or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Shane

 

keep your speed up but not to fast just get it rolling off the blade but make sure you know whats under the snow yur plowing . Handle bars jammed into your chest can really hurt .

 

Be sure to push back the snow as far as you can. After several snowfalls and as the season wears on, you'll need that space to keep pushing the snow into.

When you do run out, you can "ramp up" the snow by lifting the blade slowly and riding the blade up the snow bank.

Always use low gear when plowing, using high may accelerate the ATV in overheating the engine.

Set your skid plates on a level surface so that the wear bar is just slightly above the ground, say about a 1/16 or so.

Plow markers, or flags, are a great way of judging the width of your plow cut.

In real deep snow, take out smaller amounts, at higher blade heights, then lower and re-plow to progressively remove the snow.

These are just a few tips I can think of off hand. I had a 00 400 SE Kodiak with a 48" Warn plow that I used alot and gained some good experiance on. I now have a 05 Grizz with a 54" Warn plow that I'll be using this winter.

 

Whatever kind of pile you are pushing the snow into, don't slam into it with the blade.
Even with 4-wheel drive, chains on the back are awsome. A lot less wear and tear on the machine to, especially in heavy snow.
Keep your momentum up, not necessarily your speed and only use about 2/3 the width of your blade. Don't take a full bite if you don't have to, it will only spill out the sides anyway.
Try and get as much snow off the machine as you can before putting it away. If you don't, it will melt and then freeze everything solid.

 

any of you snowplowers ever try siping your tires? or throwing a few bags of sand on the racks?

 

I've never tried siping, but I can't imagine that it would do much good, considering the resistance of the snow.

Weight on the racks definitely does help, but nothing compares to tire chains, especially if you chain up all 4 tires.

NOTE: If you use rear chains with a 48" blade, don't get too close to chainlink fences, or the rear chians can tangle with the fence, and be REALLY difficult to disengage from the fence. It messes up the fence too.

 

I have a 2000 grizz 600 and plow a private drive about 3/4 of a mile long, like the other gentleman said set your blade just above ground level (1/16)to (1/8)"turn blade to the right and line yourself up so your left front tire is just over center line put her in low range (depending on the depth of the snow) and let her rip, Id say 10 to 15 mph goto end turn around and go back the other way just to the left of where your left front tire was before. turn around again and pick up line with say 2/3 of blade repeat until done working your way all the way to the edge of the road or drive. it takes 2 trips down and back for me but our drive is quite narrow just enough room for 2 cars to pass.you will know when you are going to fast cause the snow will start coming up over the blade and into your face, refreshing!!!. if yours doesnt come equipped with athumb control i would get one then you dont have to take your hands off the bars thanks

 

Thanks for the info so far. Any further insight would be appreciated. It's starting to dust snow here already. Nothing to plow of course, but the day will come. Anybody have a belt-drive Polaris machine and plow snow? Anybody plow snow with a belt-drive at all? I'm thinking that running in low will mean belt engagement won't be a big deal.

Thanks Again!
Shane

 

The Grizzly is belt driven and I have no problems.

Vinnie, are you talking from experience?

 

Uh, who, me?

Well, maybe.

Okey, YES I AM. (Talking from experience)

Are you happy now? lol

Notice that I now have a 60" blade.

Now I'll be fine, as long as I don't catch the fence with the corner of the blade...


(BTW, many years ago I used to live in Lisbon ND)