ATV snow plow opinion?

[Snoranger]

Even my chained up tractor can’t move the the whole snow pile at once if we get a warm snap between storms that locks it into a big ice chunk.

That’s what the neighbors Bobcat is for.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That’s what the neighbors Bobcat is for.

Nah, I just push it back so I have room to grow. If I do get full by the propane tank I have a reserve off to the side of my garage for overflow.

 

[Josh B]

Nice thread fellas. It's been a long time since I've been in any snow banks or blizzards(76-77 in SD) but it's still been an interesting read

 

[G8orFord]

how wide is a 60 at full angle?

Cos(A) * Width

Cos(30) * 60" = 51.96"

 

[Curious Hound]

Cos(A) * Width

Cos(30) * 60" = 51.96"

I stand corrected. For some reason, I was thinking that the common "3x4x5" triangle had 30°, 60° and 90° angles.

Oops

 

[racsan]

get a 2nd tractor. one can never have too many tractors

 

[91stranger]

How does that timberwolf do plowing snow? I have a bear tracker which is the same thing essentially and always wondered if it could even plow anything over a few inches lol. Do you use tire chains? I remember I used to use an 80 lb heavy bag for weight on the back rack and then drag a couple tires behind my quad to clear the driveway. Couldn't do squat without decent weight on the back but then again i'm running stock semi-bald tires lol. This guy has it figured out with minimal supplies and it seems to work pretty damn good.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Lol that pic reminds me of when i worked at a lumberyard. If we needed to clear the pad for trucks we'd grab a bundle of 16 ft lumber and a forklift. Actually worked pretty decent. Better then the regular plows.

Either way, id consider another tractor but ive already got 2. My cub and my dads 8N. I hate pulling the plow with the 8 n cause of how the driveway is setup at the old house. Plus, going backwards to plow properly sucks.

The cub does good after i loaded the tires, and its much eaiser to get started in sub zero weather, but its a back breaking 3 hour job to switch implements. Plus the quad will clear faster then the tractors...an important consideration when its windy and 5*.

I think im gonns split the difference and get a 54 inch plow with the regular center mount plow. I talked to an atv guru buddy of mine who said i was worrying way to much, and i have had a bad habit of completly underestimating the abilites of the thing.

 

[G8orFord]

Cos(A) * Width

Cos(30) * 60" = 51.96"

LOL, it wasn't meant as a "correction". I was just giving Rusty the formula so he could work it himself if he wanted to look at different plow widths. I'm a Land Surveyor, so I'm pretty familiar with triangle formulas.

 

[Snoranger]

How does that timberwolf do plowing snow? I have a bear tracker which is the same thing essentially and always wondered if it could even plow anything over a few inches lol. Do you use tire chains?

Is the Beartracker 4x4? My Timberwolf is. The week my daughter was born, we had 3 snow storms for a total of 45” of snow. I came home from the hospital after each storm was over to clear the driveway. The T-wolf handled it like a champ. I had to do it in 2 passes in the higher snow drifts, but what what do you expect from a little machine.

Rusty - I measured both plows. The plow on the Timberwolf is 48”. The plow on the Grizzly is a 54”. The griz just barely clears it own path at full angle, but it’s almost 50” wide with the aftermarket rims and tires. A 54” on a Polaris 500 should be perfect. Good choice.

I found the easiest way to hang the center mount plow is to lift it with the winch and let it hang. Then you can reach under and move it around to get the rear pins in. (I’m assuming you’ll be using a winch to lift/lower.) Speaking of winches, I change out my synthetic cable for a cheap Harbor freight tow strap every winter. I got a 20’ strap, cut it in half, and duct tape it to the winch drum. The strap holds up for about 2-3 seasons, then I use the other half... it saves my expensive synthetic cable from getting worn out quickly.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I have heard of using a strap instead of the line. Its a good idea.

Actually a winch is my next thing im gonna order in the next few weeks, a plow setup after that assuming no more expensive mechanical breakdowns.

Over the past few months ive replaced springs front and rear, new ball joints/bushings, rear wheel bearings, a CV, pulled the trans to install a new reverse chain, 2 inch lift, 27 inch zillas and ITP delta black steel rims. Ontop of the numerous other things ive had to fix since buying it back in 2018.

Yes as much as i got into it i coulda bought a new 570 or something and been done, but, giving neglected old motorized beings new life is what i seem to do best. Plus its cool cause you dont see alotta old sportsmans still out on the trail.

 

[Snoranger]

You’d have just as much money into repairs in a new 570...
2 of my buddies sold their 570 and stopped riding because of the amount of money their 570s cost them. One went through 2 belts, 1 battery, a clutch, and 3 wheel bearings... on a 2 year old Polaris with under 400 miles. The other guy had a radiator go, dumped all the coolant, overheated and wasted a motor a few months after the warranty ended.
The older sportsmen were built better.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You’d have just as much money into repairs in a new 570...
2 of my buddies sold their 570 and stopped riding because of the amount of money their 570s cost them. One went through 2 belts, 1 battery, a clutch, and 3 wheel bearings... on a 2 year old Polaris with under 400 miles. The other guy had a radiator go, dumped all the coolant, overheated and wasted a motor a few months after the warranty ended.
The older sportsmen were built better.

I do agree with that. My buddies 2014 570 has had a very easy life and hes had quite a few issues, including an exploded front diff just out of warrenty.

Ive read forums where guys claim 20,000 miles on these old 500s with no motor issues.

 

[Snoranger]

I do agree with that. My buddies 2014 570 has had a very easy life and hes had quite a few issues, including an exploded front diff just out of warrenty.

Ive read forums where guys claim 20,000 miles on these old 500s with no motor issues.

That’s why I bought a Yamaha. 8 years and the only thing I’ve ever changed was the oil and filter... still has the original battery. I should probably change that just for preventative maintenance.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That’s why I bought a Yamaha. 8 years and the only thing I’ve ever changed was the oil and filter... still has the original battery. I should probably change that just for preventative maintenance.

My old polaris has recoii backup lol.

Hes a polaris nut and talked me into buying one. I was honestly looking at hondas.