Top ATV for Snow Plowing

Winter can be the most scenic of seasons, particularly if you live in a region that gets a lot of snow. There’s nothing quite like looking out of your window to see rooftops and hills covered in white, children making snowmen, and taking that first step into a blanket of seamless snow… There is however a drawback to this kind of weather: blocked driveways that can take hours to shovel. You may have become accustomed to shoveling snow manually, and if so – we salute you. However, we also feel your pain – this is time-consuming, inconvenient, and tiring. ATVs can be a fast and convenient way to plow snow, especially if you have a driveway that gets several feet of snow during the winter. ATVs beat manually moving the snow as they require less physical effort on your behalf, but they also do a more effective job. A good ATV for snow plowing should be reliable, sturdy, and above all, it needs to have enough traction to grip and move the snow. You’ll need something that has a fuel-injected engine for starting the ATV up on cold, frosty mornings and power steering for easy low-speed steering. You’ll also want something robust and durable, that will see you through many winters to come. ATVs can be incredibly useful and are growing in popularity, which means more choice and more competitive prices. But this can also be pretty overwhelming – which is the best snow plowing ATV brand? What size engine is more suitable for plowing snow? How do I install the snowplow? Fear not though, as that’s where we come in. We’ve put together a list of the leading ATVs on the market for plowing snow, complete with a handy Buyer’s Guide and a Frequently Asked Questions section which should answer all of your burning questions, so you spend less time browsing and more time plowing… In a hurry? Then you can check out our top pick below…

Snow Plowing ATVs – Top Model Compared

Image	Product	Features	Price
OUR TOP PICK	HONDA FOURTRAX FOREMAN 4X4 ES EPS	Beltless, wet-clutch transmission Torque-sensitive EPS Easy reverse button Handlebar-mounted light	Check Price On Amazon
EDITOR’S CHOICE	2020 YAMAHA KODIAK 700	Reliable, robust ATV brand Towing power of 1322 lbs Front and rear suspension 25 inch Maxxis tires	Check Price On Amazon
BEST VALUE	KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE 750 4X4I EPS	Fuel-injected twin engine 1,250-lb towing capacity Responsive acceleration and CVT Various drive modes	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	2020 POLARIS® RANGER XP® 1000	32% larger drive belt for durability Fuel-injected 999cc engine Power steering 1,500lb capacity and 2000lbs towing power	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	MASSIMO MSA 550 4WD 493 cc	493 cc 32 HP EFI liquid-cooled engine Speeds of over 40MPH All-terrain tires Hydraulic disc brakes Front & rear suspension	Check Price On Amazon

Top 5 Snow Plowing ATVs

Can ATV Wheel Spacers Improve Snow Plowing Performance?

Advantages of ATV wheel spacers significantly enhance snow plowing performance. By using wheel spacers, one can achieve more stability and traction, which helps avoid the ATV getting stuck in snow. This improvement in stability and grip makes the snow plowing task easier and more productive, enhancing both maneuverability and operational efficiency.

Buying Guide for the Best ATVs for Plowing Snow

Buying an ATV is an investment, so check out our points below for all the things you should consider when choosing a vehicle…

Engine power and size

When it comes to plowing snow, engine displacement and horsepower (hp) are not actually a priority. Most engines will plow snow, but a good ballpark figure is something around 400cc or higher. ATVs are powerful machines, and even a smaller or moderate vehicle will be able to handle pushing snow. You also need to consider maneuverability, as a larger machine may be more difficult to handle and turn. Once you get to engines around the 800-700cc mark, there’s hardly any difference between the power as the figure increases. Generally, a 500cc will get the job done even in the height of winter when you have a lot of snow to shift, so don’t get sucked into buying more powerful – and often more expensive – machines. You may want to consider a more powerful machine if you’re going to be towing heavy items though, or if you want speed for trail riding. However, don’t forget that a bigger engine equals a higher fuel consumption, which will bump up the cost of running and using your ATV.

Weight

Rather than power, weight is actually the most important thing to consider in an ATV, as the weight of the vehicle is what will provide it with better traction and momentum. It will also provide the ATV with better stability and reduce the risk of it toppling over.

Traction

As we said above, a heavier vehicle supplies more weight and as a result, more traction. Traction will enable you to shift more snow and will provide you with a better grip when working on slippery surfaces. This is why a smaller engine under 400cc will be problematic. It’s not so much that it won’t have the horsepower to plow the snow, but rather that it won’t have the required traction.

Momentum

Any ATV will be able to shift the light, powdery type of snow, however wet, heavy snow is a different ball game altogether. This is where momentum comes in. Momentum is what you get when you combine mass (weight) with velocity (speed). While traction and the weight of the vehicle should weigh your ATV down enough so it can push heavy snow, you’ll need that little bit of speed to really give you the power required to push anything that gets in your way.

Tires, chains, and studs

• You can also improve the traction of your ATV by assessing its tires. Soft, rubber tires will provide grip and increase traction on your vehicle. Some people swear by deflating their tires to improve traction on snow, however, the downside of this is that the ATV will be harder to steer, and it will also result in more wear and tear on the steering components.
• Another option is to add chains to your tires. Chains improve traction on snow and ice and reduce the risk of your tires spinning, these also work well on gravel surfaces. However, chains can damage seal-coated surfaces due to their roughness, and they won’t work very well on hard surfaces like asphalt, as two hard surfaces rubbing together doesn’t provide adequate traction. Chains will also wear your tires down more quickly than usual and decrease your overall speed.
• Tire studs are also an additional way to improve traction on your ATV. They’re cheap to buy and while they are not as effective as chains, they are more forgiving and won’t wear your tires down as much. They also work well on ice or packed snow.

The right plow

You will of course have to buy your snow plow separately, and therefore it’s essential that you choose the right one for your needs and your vehicle. Snowplows are great for plowing and moving more than just snow – they’re also good for clearing fallen leaves in the fall, spreading mulch on your lawn, and for cleaning debris or dirt off roads. When you’re choosing a snowplow, read the specification carefully and consider things such as the fit for your ATV, ease of installation, and durability. Snowplows differ in size but for ATVs they generally have a length of around 50”- 60”. Look for something heavy-duty that is made from a strong, durable material such as steel. Read More: How Much Snow Can You Plow With an ATV?

Tips for plowing snow with your ATV:

1. Firstly check your ATV is sturdy enough to plow snow, otherwise, you risk overloading it if you add a snowplow.
2. Change the oil and check tire pressure – cold weather conditions are harsh on even the most durable of vehicles, so check your ATV is in good working order before adding the plow.
3. Make sure the depth and angle of the plow are adjusted to reflect the amount of snow you plan on plowing.
4. Avoid very heavy or deep snow, or tackle this bit by bit.
5. Be wary of items hidden underneath the snow.
6. Follow the natural slopes and contours of the area you’re plowing.
7. Clean all of the snow and dirt off your ATV to keep it in optimum condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ATVs good for plowing snow?

Yes! If you have an ATV with a fuel-injected engine, good traction, and power steering, then it can do a great job of tackling a snowed-in driveway. If you fit a strong snow plow on your ATV, it’ll be far more efficient and effective than shoveling the snow manually, plus it can be used for a plethora of other tasks around your home and yard, too. However, the plowing ability of your ATV also depends on the engine size and the weight of the vehicle. Engine power isn’t everything- any ATV with an engine of 400cc and above will get the job done, the main thing is that your ATV has enough weight to it, as this improves traction.

How do I install a snowplow on my ATV?

There are 3 major components involved here: the mounting plate, the plow tube, and the plow blade. The installation will vary depending on the make of your snowplow and ATV, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. You’ll need a jack to raise the ATV up so that you can install the mounting plate, which is usually secured with U-bolts. Then you will need to attach the plow tube, and you’ll have a set of pins and latches that will secure this to the front of the ATV. Lastly, you’ll be ready to install your plow blade.