Questions? Email Us or call (888)-657-9997
(Hours: M-F 8am - 6pm Central)

  • Friend Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Twitter
  • Watch Us on YouTube
Free Shipping Limited Lifetime Warranty

ProMark Offroad Blog

Keep Snow from Sticking to a Plow Blade

Written By: Esther
November 23rd, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , ,
ATV snow plow

Keep snow from sticking to your plow blade.

Got a problem with snow sticking to your ATV plow blade? Here are some suggestions from PlowSite.com to help you out.

Plow Maintenance

The first culprit to check for when snow sticks to your blade is rust. Instead of a slick surface, rust and pitted surfaces act like Velcro to collect snow and hold it in place. Remove rust and coat the blade thoroughly with rust-resistant paint to maintain the plow and make it last as long as possible.

Anti-Stick Paint

If your ATV plow blade is in good shape but the snow is still sticking, try coating the blade with a product designed to make the blade slick. Special paints provide a slick finish that makes the blade look wet. You may need to use several coats and reapply the paint every few years, depending on how often you plow with your ATV.

Anti-Stick Coating

Anti-stick coating products like Fluid Film or Sno-Flo are even easier to apply. These products serve several purposes, including protection against corrosion, snow and ice buildup prevention, and lubrication for better blade performance. You can also coat your headlights, electrical connections, and other plow parts for extra protection.

Auto paste wax is another way to slick down the plow blade. You will need to reapply the wax when it wears off and becomes less effective.

Other solutions, such as no-stick cooking spray, must be reapplied often and can create a buildup of greasy residue on the plow blade over time. Avoid sprays that can attract dust, grime, and dirt.

Poly Plow Blade

When it comes to choosing a plow blade, here’s one more thing to keep in mind: snow rolls off a poly plow blade easier than a steel blade. When it comes time to upgrade your plow system, you might want to consider a poly blade.

Tags: , ,
Posted in ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »

ATV Plow Tips and Maintenance

Written By: Esther
February 2nd, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
ATV Snow Plow

The better you take care of your ATV plow,
the longer it will last.

If you want your plow to work at peak performance, it’s important to know how to properly maintain and operate your plow. These operating tips are geared specifically towards the X-Force poly plow, but they also apply to most other ATV plows and brands.

  • To get the best performance from your plow, set the suspension on your ATV to the stiffest setting.
    • a
  • When plowing snow or dirt into a pile, back up slightly before raising the plow.
    • a
  • Check the bolts, nuts, and fasteners for wear and tightness on a periodic basis. Replace or tighten hardware as needed.
    • a
  • Inspect all metal parts on the plow and mount on a regular basis. Replace parts that appear rusted or deformed.
    • a
  • Inspect the winch cable for excessive fraying, cut strands, and other damage prior to use. Make sure the cable doesn’t rub on any sharp edges.
    • a
  • Use plow skids to keep the plow blade from scratching the road surface and to make the wear bar last longer.
    • a
  • Adjust the plow skids to the proper clearance. For plowing on gravel, adjust the skids so that the edge of the wear bar will be just above the gravel while plowing (usually about half an inch). For plowing smooth, level surfaces, adjust the skids to the same height as the edge of the wear bar.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »

Why Does My Plow Slip Down? Winch Back-Driving and Cable Nesting

Written By: Esther
February 22nd, 2010 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »Tags: , , , , ,

Lately we’ve been hearing from customers who are having problems with their ATV plow slipping down as the winch line creeps out. This problem can be caused by one of two things: 1) winch back-driving, or 2) cable nesting.

Troubleshooting Winch Creep on ATV Plows

Troubleshooting Winch Creep on ATV Plows

Winch Back-Driving

a

If your ATV winch is controlled by a mechanical brake (and not a dynamic brake), there is a chance you may be experiencing back-driving when the plow is in the up position. Winches with mechanical brakes are designed to slip under excessive load to protect the winch gears. Under the weight of a heavy plow blade, the cable may slowly creep out and allow the blade to slip down a few inches.

If this happens, simply spool in the winch line to take up the slack. Using a snatch block can also reduce the load on the winch and prevent the plow from slipping.

Cable Nesting

Cable nesting is when the winch cable becomes tangled up on the drum like a bird’s nest. As you plow, the cable can slowly tighten around the drum as it works its way into the inner layers of cable.

If this happens, spool out the cable until all the messed up layers are unwound. Then spool the cable back onto the drum in tight, even rows.

How Do I Know if My Winch is Back-Driving or Nesting?

Since both back-driving and nesting cause the plow to slip, the two can easily be confused. The best way to find the cause of the problem is to observe the winch drum as the plow slips. If the drum turns, the problem is back-driving. If the drum does not turn as the winch line creeps, then the problem is cable nesting, where the winch line needs to be properly re-spooled around the drum.

Plow Winch Troubleshooting

Symptom Possible Causes Solution
Winch line creeps out,
causing the plow to slip down		 1. Winch back-driving
2. Cable nesting		 1. If drum turns, winch in slack, reduce load, or double line.
2. If drum does NOT turn, re-spool cable in tight, even rows.

Related Posts:

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in ATV Snow Plows, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »

Roller vs Hawse for Synthetic Plow Rope

Written By: Esther
December 23rd, 2009 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows, Synthetic Winch Rope | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,

10-foot Synthetic Rope for ATV Plows

10-foot Synthetic Rope for ATV Plows

If you use a winch to power your ATV plow, it’s important to make sure that the cable is protected. Synthetic rope is highly recommended for plowing; however, any plow line—synthetic or steel—requires regular maintenance to keep it in working condition and prevent it from breaking.

a

With synthetic rope, it’s best to use an aluminum hawse fairlead. Aluminum is a softer material than steel, which means that you can sand it smooth if it happens to get any rough spots. As you raise and lower the plow, the synthetic cable may wear a groove in the aluminum hawse. If this happens, simply sand down the groove with fine grit paper.

a

This ability to sand down rough spots or gouges is what gives the aluminum hawse an advantage over the steel roller. The chrome finish on a roller fairlead prevents you from being able to sand it down. If you use a roller fairlead with your synthetic rope, any sharp edges that develop can shred the rope, and the only way to prevent this is to replace the roughed-up fairlead with a new one.

Use an aluminum hawse with synthetic rope.

Use an aluminum hawse with synthetic rope.

Keep a close eye on the condition of your hawse. If any rough spots develop, sand them down immediately. A roughed-up hawse is a sure way to break your synthetic rope, so check the rope and hawse regularly.

a

Another important part of maintaining a synthetic plow rope is to keep the rope free of debris that could scuff up the hawse. Abrasive material on the rope can cause the rope to break if it rubs on the hawse.

Also, watch the angle of the rope as it raises and lowers the plow. A steep angle can cause premature wear on the rope. Make sure the rope isn’t rubbing on any edges, such as the winch housing, plow parts, or the ATV.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in ATV Snow Plows, Synthetic Winch Rope | No Comments »

ATV Plow Maintenance and Operation

Written By: Esther
December 21st, 2009 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , ,

The better you take care of your ATV plow, the longer it will last.

The better you take care of your ATV plow, the longer it will last.

How long your ATV plow lasts is directly related to how well you take care of it. If you want your plow to last for years of use, it’s important to know how to operate and maintain the plow to keep it in the best shape possible.

a

1. Check the Bolts

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your ATV plow is to check for wear and tightness of all bolts, nuts, and fasteners. If any bolts are rusted, stripped, or deformed, replace them immediately. Tighten any loose nuts and bolts.

2. Inspect the Plow

Also inspect all other parts of the ATV plow and lift. Make sure all parts are free of rust and in good working condition. Check all rotating or moving parts. They should be free of debris and any other obstructions.

3. Inspect the Winch or Electric Lift

If you use an ATV winch to operate your plow, perform regular maintenance on the ATV winch and keep a close eye on the condition of the cable. If the cable appears frayed or worn, replace it immediately. If you plow using steel cable and it wears out quickly, you may find that you have better luck with synthetic plow cable. It’s more forgiving of the repeated flexing motion that happens when you raise and lower the plow blade.

4. Adjust the Plow Skids

Plow skids will also prolong the life of your plow. Without skids, the plow blade will mark up the driveway surface, and the wear bars will erode faster than normal. For decorative surfaces and pavers, adjust the plow skids so that the edge of the wear bar will float just above the surface. For level driveway surfaces, set the plow skids at the same level as the edge of the wear bar.

5. Stiffen the Suspension

Also note that you’ll get the best results using your plow if you set the ATV’s suspension to the stiffest setting. It’s easier on your ATV and will help both your ATV and plow last longer.

Tags: , ,
Posted in ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »