Best ATV plow options

[cobb]

I would like some input on blades or snow plows for an ATV.  I have what I need locally to clear the home yard, but am looking for some input on putting a blade on the front of my 4-wheeler to clear snow at the cabin.  I plan on going with a smaller blade to deal with the most snow, especially since I am using a Honda Rancher 350.  But things I would like to consider is the modes of lifting the blade, such as a winch, manual, or a dedicated electric motor lift.  What about lift height and chassis clearance, usually more is better?  I will be trailing the 4-wheeler to the snow bound cabin and have to unload it with the plow, ready to go to clear the driveway, which may be after dark and I just need to get the a minimal drive cleared with no issues.  I do not want to deal with a chassis clearance problem either when unloading, or a blade lift height issue to clear the trailer/ramp.

Any thoughts or info learned from your experiences, no matter how costly or embarrassing would be appreciated. 

[Randy Kaar]

i have a honda foreman 450 with a 4 ft plow, i use the winch
for raising and lowering. i think mine would have plenty of clearance.
but a friend gave me a lift kit for free, so i put it on. i have never
had a problem moving snow! you just want to move the snow way
off to the side of your driveway so you have room for snow for the
next snowfall.

randy

[cobb]

a friend gave me a lift kit for free

I assume you mean a manual lift.  I am leaning towards a manual lift, I didn't want to use my winch.  I just want to get the most clearance as possible with what ever setup I use so that the blade setup doesn't interfere with loading and unloading from a trailer.

The other issue I am facing is that I am planning to put on a skid plate.  Last month we where clearing trails at our Becida property and I tore some cables out of the engine case, not a pretty situation, so I am putting on a skid plate.  From the setups that I have seen, I do not think that I can have the skid plate and plow installed at the same time.

[deadeye]

I do know you can use a skid plate and a plow on a Yamaha.  Also, the advantage of the winch control is you can set the max depth of the plow.  This is very useful when plowing on softer ground. It prevents the blade from digging in and stopping you.  The manually operated blades just ride on the ground/surface but nothing stops them from going down. 

[cobb]

the advantage of the winch control is you can set the max depth of the plow.  This is very useful when plowing on softer ground. It prevents the blade from digging in and stopping you. 

Thanks, this seems so obvious, but it never occurred to me. 

So maybe an independent electric lift would be a better option.

[The General]

I use the winch on mine.  I believe the brand I have is cyclone or cycle country I don't remember without looking.  I have a Foreman 500 and when the gravel driveway isn't frozen yet it will plow the gravel right along with the snow so being able to set the depth is imporant.  I have never had a clearance issue.