What to Know Before You Buy an ATV or UTV Snow Plow: A Buying Guide
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When you set your sights on plowing, you know you need gear that’s big enough for the job. And yet, if you plan on clearing snow from sidewalks and other narrow walkways – a truck or SUV might actually be too big for the job.
If you want to plow a sidewalk without scraping the plow across the grass on either side, or clear snow from a residential driveway without leaving deep truck tire prints in your wake, then an ATV, UTV, or even riding lawnmower snow plow is the perfect solution.
How Do You Know Which is Right for You?
The plow that will best suit your needs it always going to be dependent on one thing: your needs! How big is your job? If you need to be out for several hours clearing snowdrifts, the comfortable seat and enclosed heated cab of a UTV may be essential. Plus, since UTVs are wider than most ATVs, the available plows are wider as well. This means you’ll be pushing more snow with each stride of your Polaris, Kawasaki, John Deere Gator, or other Utility Terrain Vehicle.
An ATV on the other hand, is quite a bit narrower. This is perfect if you plan to plow sidewalks, camping trails, and other narrow pedways. Chances are, the type of plowing you’ll be doing has already been mirrored in the type of machine you own. Golf courses and municipalities tend to have a few UTVs on hand for traversing parking lots, while camp sites and neighborhoods might be more likely to have an all-terrain vehicle or two, or perhaps a riding lawn mower.
What About Summer Time?
For many first-time plow owners, the question that lingers in their minds is: will this put my four-wheeler or side-by-side out of commission for the summer months? And the simple fact is: no, it won’t! Plows like the Nordic UTV Plow or the Nordic ATV Plow are designed to install just as easily as they uninstall. But you may never want to uninstall it once you realize these composite rubber plows can be used to pack paver bricks and push water off of tarps all summer long.
How Do I Find a Good ATV or UTV?
With so many ATVs and UTVs on the market, you certainly have a lot to consider. If you’re just buying one for the first time, find a local dealer that can answer questions and help you get a feel for what is in your budget. The most popular name in UTVs is Polaris, followed by Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and John Deere. And while John Deere hasn’t thrown their hat into the ATV ring, the most popular ATVs will also be from Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to wait for a professional snow plow service to free you from the falling snow, you don’t even have to own a big truck. All you need is four wheels, a motor, and a plow. Have any other questions about how to get set up and clearing snow with your off-road ride? Give one of our product experts a call at 855-386-6896 – we’d love to hear from you!