Five tips for buying a snow plow

No need to do back-breaking work shoveling snow off your driveway if you have an ATV and a plow. What, no plow?

Here are some tips for buying a plow and understanding how a plow works, thanks to GoWarn.com, an online retailer of ATV plows, winches, and related off-road products. 

1. Understand the components required. Several parts work together to create an ATV plow. The ATV owner who starts with only the ATV needs to select a base assembly, mounting kit, plow blade, and lifting mechanism. 

2. Look for complete ATV plow kits. Riders who aren’t comfortable shopping for these parts individually should look for complete ATV plow kits. These kits include the blade assembly, mounting kit and plow blade, but the lifting mechanisms are sold separately. Manual lift kits are available, but many ATV owners use an ATV winch to raise and lower the plow blade.

3. Measure any space constraints. ATV owners should analyze their ATV storage space and the places where the ATV plow will be used. Plow blades range in width from 50 inches to 72 inches. The larger blades clear more snow at one time, but they also can be difficult to fit through narrow alleyways, paths or driveways. 

4. Consider any physical limitations. Those who have physical limitations should automate their ATV plow as much as possible. An ATV winch and a power pivot are two tools that ease the physical demands of snow plowing. The ATV winch functions as the raising mechanism, replacing a manual lift lever. The power pivot rotates the plow blade back and forth, allowing the rider to change directions without getting off the ATV. 

5. Know the accessories available. For example, in heavy snow conditions, blade side walls control run-off and plow blade markers improve visibility.

For more info, visit GoWarn.com.