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ProMark Offroad Blog

Choosing an ATV Plow Lift System

Written By: Esther
January 4th, 2012 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
Electric Winch

An ATV winch makes it easy to raise and lower your plow blade.

If you already own on ATV, why not put it to work in the winter with an ATV snow plow kit? You can clear your driveway, your neighbor’s driveway, and the sidewalks with less than half the time and effort it takes to shovel. Plus, it’s a lot more fun.

To operate your ATV plow, you’ll need some type of lift, either a manual hand lift, an electric winch, or an electric lift kit.

1. Manual Lift

A manual plow lift is simple to use and install. Fewer parts mean that it’s less likely to break and easier to fix if it does. The manual hand lift makes it quick to lift and lower the plow blade with very little effort. It’s also the cheapest option, unless you already own a winch.

2. Electric Winch

If you already own an ATV winch, you can put it to work raising and lowering the plow. Using the thumb switch is the only effort needed to lift and drop the blade. We recommend choosing a winch with a mechanical brake. ProMark ATV winches with a mechanical brake include the XT Series and Outback Series.

If you don’t already own a winch, you might want to consider purchasing one. An ATV winch comes in handy for recovery, landscaping, yard work, forestry, and farm chores, as well as plowing snow.

3. Electric Lift Kit

Special lift kits are available for operating a snow plow. They save wear and tear on your electric winch, and they provide an extra boost of power. Since these electric lifts are designed specifically for lifting and lowering a plow, they are less versatile than an electric winch.

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ATV Plow: Straight or V Blade?

Written By: Esther
November 1st, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | 1 Comment »Tags: , , ,
ATV plow

ATV plow with straight blade

The other week, a customer contacted us on Twitter about needing a V-plow for his Arctic Cat Prowler. “Do you carry the V-Plow?” he asked. “Didn’t see it and not sure if I want it yet.”

While a V-plow on an ATV is good for some applications, such as clearing sidewalks or breaking through hard-packed snow, overall a straight blade beats out a V blade for most ATV plows.

If you’re clearing a narrow walkway, a V-plow will get the job done in one pass. But with down-and-back passes to plow a driveway, a straight blade is more efficient. Using a fixed V-plow for multiple passes means that you can only use half the blade, which takes twice as long.

Although a V plow ATV is better for breaking through hard-packed, deep snow, it’s better to plow with the storm than let the snow pile up and crust over. The heavier the snow, the more important it is to plow with the storm. Your ATV and plow blade can only handle so much weight.

As a bonus, straight ATV plows are cheaper than V plows. If it’s a larger snow carrying capacity that you’re looking for, upgrade your straight blade with a set of plow wings.

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Posted in ATV Snow Plows | 1 Comment »

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.
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  • When plowing snow or dirt into a pile, back up slightly before raising the plow.
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  • Check the bolts, nuts, and fasteners for wear and tightness on a periodic basis. Replace or tighten hardware as needed.
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  • Inspect all metal parts on the plow and mount on a regular basis. Replace parts that appear rusted or deformed.
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  • 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.
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  • Use plow skids to keep the plow blade from scratching the road surface and to make the wear bar last longer.
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  • 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.

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ATV Plow Kit Review

Written By: Esther
January 17th, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows, Customer Testimonials | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,
Eagle ATV Plow

The Eagle Original ATV plow makes plowing in deep snow fast and easy.

We love hearing from our customers, whether it’s a suggestion for a new product, feedback on our existing products, or just to let us know how things are working out. The following comment is from one of our customers who bought an ATV plow kit. After using the kit to plow out after some heavy snowstorms, he contacted us to let us know how the plow was holding up under harsh winter conditions.

“Hello. I recently purchased an ATV plow kit from you. All too often we hear nothing but negative comments from people when things go wrong, and seldom positive when things are right. Well, after installing the plow kit and now using it in rather deep snow, I must say that I’m impressed with it. The blade angle adjustment is well engineered, yet simple and very effective. I’m very satisfied with my purchase of this kit and the quality of the kit, not to mention it’s priced right. My neighbor also has a 4×4 ATV and was shocked when he saw the amount of snow I was moving in a very short period of time. He is now considering purchasing a plow kit. If so, it will be from your company… Great product.”

- Bob Litzinger

Bob bought the Eagle Original ATV snow plow kit, starting at just $360 with free shipping to the lower 48 states.

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Tips for Plowing Snow with an ATV

Written By: Esther
January 12th, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | 1 Comment »Tags: , , , ,
ATV snow plow

For deep snow, plow in layers.

Plowing Deep Snow with an ATV

For heavy snowfall, plowing with the storm is the best way to go. But we know that doesn’t always happen. So when there’s already 10 inches on the ground and you’re just breaking out the plow, here are a few tips to make sure your ATV plow setup can handle the job.

For plowing deep snow, only lower the plow half the depth of the snow. For example, if there are 10 inches of snow on the ground, only lower the plow 5 inches. Plow the top layer of 5 inches, and then lower the plow to the ground and remove the bottom 5-inch layer of snow.

When plowing at an angle with deep snow, only plow half the width of the plow to prevent the snow from spilling off the side of the plow.

When plowing a snowbank, square up the ATV to the snowbank and plow across the bank. Don’t plow with your blade or ATV at an angle to the snowbank. The force of hitting a snowbank at an angle can break your plow.

Other ATV Snow Plow Tips

We recommend installing a second winch on the rear of your ATV in case you get stuck in a snowbank, high centered, etc. For aggressive plowers, a rear winch is a big deal if you happen to get stuck.

One of the trends we’re starting to see for plowing is replacing the winch line with a 2-inch strap or seat belt. The wider strap spreads out the stress and saves your winch line for recovery use only. We recommend doing this if you have problems with your winch line breaking.

Winch Line Stopper

A winch line stopper keeps your hook from getting winched into the fairlead.

Recommended Plow Accessories

There are a few ATV plow accessories that can make your life easier. You’ll find some of them on your own, but here are three that we recommend:

  1. Large bottom roller fairlead

    2. Constant use at a sharp angle can make your winch line wear out faster. A large bottom roller can reduce the stress on your winch line.

  2. Winch line stopper

    3. Since you can’t see the winch line while you’re plowing, a rubber stopper prevents you from winching the hook into the fairlead.

  3. Plow wings

    4. They make your plow job cleaner, faster, and easier by keeping snow from spilling off the sides of the plow blade.

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Posted in ATV Snow Plows | 1 Comment »

Choosing an ATV Winch for Snow Plowing

Written By: Esther
January 5th, 2011 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows, Choosing a Winch | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,
Eagle Original Mount ATV plow

A winch with a mechanical brake is better for plowing because it prevents the line from bleeding out.

In order to use your ATV plow, you need some type of lift mechanism. The three options you can choose from are a manual hand lift, a 12V electric winch, and an electric lift system. Some plow kits—such as the Cycle Country plow and Eagle Gen II plow—require an electric winch or lift, in which case a manual lift is not an option.

Why Use an ATV Winch for Plowing?

Since a large number of ATV owners already have winches installed on their machines, an electric winch is the simplest and most affordable option for lifting your plow. And if you don’t have a winch installed yet, it still might be one of your best options because of the fact that you can use it for offroad riding, landscaping, yard work, and plenty of other applications. A winch is good for more than just plowing.

1500 lb Winch

The 1500 lb XT winch comes with a mechanical braking system that's ideal for snow plow use.

Which ATV Winch Is Best for Plowing?

Some ATV winches are better for plowing than others. One of the differences between winches involves the type of braking system: mechanical or dynamic. A mechanical brake is a physical brake that works similar to the way the brakes work on your car. The mechanical brake stops the drum from turning when there is a load on the cable. A dynamic brake is built in to the winch. It uses the resistance from the winch motor to prevent the drum from turning. Hoisted weight may cause the winch line to bleed out on a winch with dynamic braking.

Winches with mechanical brakes are better at holding a load, which makes them a better option for plowing snow. With a mechanical brake, you won’t experience the plow slipping or line bleedout that you might experience with a dynamic brake.

What Size ATV Winch for Plowing?

Generally, almost any winch capacity will work for plowing. Even a light duty 1500 lb winch has more than enough power for most plow setups. If you plan to use the winch for more than just plowing, check out our article on choosing an ATV winch for tips on figuring out what size winch you need.

A mechanical brake is the key factor in choosing an ATV winch for plowing snow. The following ProMark Offroad winches come with mechanical braking systems:

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ATV Plow Kits

Written By: Esther
December 6th, 2010 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,
ATV Plow

The Cycle Country ARM plows come with a universal mount, push tube, and blade. Just add an electric winch or lift kit, and you're all set for plowing season.

If you want to move dirt or snow with your ATV, you’re going to need an ATV plow kit. For a complete snow plow package, you’ll need the following components:

  1. Model specific or universal mount
  2. Push tube
  3. Plow blade
  4. Lift system (manual lift, electric winch, or electric lift)
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Model Specific or Universal Mount

No matter what kind of snow plow you choose, you’re going to need some type of mount plate to secure the plow to your ATV. Most plow kits require a model specific mount. This type of mount is manufactured specifically for your make and model, so it provides the most secure mounting base. Some plow kits, such as the Cycle Country ARM plow, come with a universal mount. This means that the plow kit can be transferred between ATVs, so if you upgrade your bike or swap the plow between bikes, you don’t need to buy a new model specific mount to attach the plow.

Push Tube

The push tube is required to connect the plow blade to the mount bracket, which in turn connects to the ATV / UTV frame. Push tubes are made from heavy duty steel tubing. Some push tubes include multiple blade angle positions and three-way adjustments.

Plow Blade

Plow blades come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. ATV plow blades are available in sizes from 48 inches to 60 inches wide. A 50 to 54 inch width is the most popular size. A 60 inch width demands the extra power and weight of a large bore ATV. UTV plow blades are typically available in sizes from 60 inches to 72 inches wide.

Plow blades are usually made from steel, poly, or aluminum. With advances in technology, plastic and aluminum blades are just as durable as steel. Different styles include V-shaped, straight, and state plow (also known as a country plow).

Lift System

You also need a way to lift the plow blade. If you already have an electric winch installed on your ATV, that’s the easiest route to go. You also have the choice of installing an electric lift system or a manual lift.

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Snow Plows from Cycle Country and Eagle Now Available at ProMark Offroad

Written By: Esther
November 15th, 2010 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,

It’s that time of year again! Get ready for the snow with an ATV / UTV snow plow system from ProMarkOffroad.com. We have 3 options available, including the Eagle original plow, the Eagle front-mount plow, and the ARM plow system by Cycle Country.

All three snow plow systems include a quick latch for drive-up attachment. The plow detaches quickly and easily when it’s no longer needed.

Choose your plow system based on what you need, whether it’s a universal plow shared between two ATVs, undercarriage protection, choice of blade sizes, a lightweight blade option, or high ground clearance. Use our snow plow wizard to build your system.

See the requirements, options, and benefits for each plow system below:

Original Eagle Plow

Eagle Original Snow Plow

The Eagle Original snow plow offers undercarriage protection.

Snowplow System Requirements:

  1. Model specific mount
  2. Push tube
  3. Plow blade
  4. Lift system (manual lift, electric winch, or electric lift)
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Available Options:

  • 50″, 54″, and 60″ steel blade for ATVs
  • 60″, 66″, and 72″ steel blade for UTVs

Benefits:

  • Secure Mounting – The multi-point mount underneath your machine provides a secure application.
  • Quick Latch – Install your plow in minutes with the quick latch bracket system. The bolt-on attachment bracket can be removed in the off season for extra ground clearance.
  • Undercarriage Protection – The base mounting plate acts as a skid plate for extra protection year round without affecting ground clearance.
  • Choice of Blade Sizes – With 3 blade widths for ATVs and 3 blade widths for UTVs, you can choose the blade size that best fits your application.

Eagle Front-Mount Plow

Eagle Front-Mount Snow Plow

The Eagle Front-Mount snow plow offers high ground clearance.

Snowplow System Requirements:

  1. Model specific mount
  2. Push tube
  3. Plow blade
  4. Lift system (electric winch or electric lift required)
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Available Options:

  • 50″, 54″, and 60″ steel blade for ATVs
  • 60″, 66″, and 72″ steel blade for UTVs

Benefits:

  • High Ground Clearance – Since the plow system uses a front mount, you won’t lose any ground clearance, even with the mount on year round.
  • Quick Latch – Install your plow in minutes with the quick latch bracket system.
  • Secure Mounting – The model specific mounting plate offers a stronger application than most universal plow mounts.
  • Choice of Blade Sizes – With 3 blade widths for ATVs and 3 blade widths for UTVs, you can choose the blade size that best fits your application.

Note:

The Eagle Front-Mount plow requires an electric winch or electric lift system to operate.

A.R.M. Cycle Country ATV Plow

Cycle Country ARM snow plow

The Cycle Country ARM snow plow offers a lightweight blade option and universal fit for all ATVs.

Snowplow System Requirements:

  1. Universal mount (clamps onto the A-arm)
  2. Push tube
  3. Plow blade
  4. Lift system (electric winch or electric lift required)
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Available Options:

  • X-Force 52″ poly blade
  • Bear Force 52″ steel blade
  • ATV only (no UTV option)

Benefits:

  • Universal Fit for All ATVs – Planning to sell your ATV in the future or upgrade to a newer model? The A.R.M. snowplow system transfers between years and models. No model specific mount is required.
  • Easy to Install – This snow plow kit clamps onto the A-arm, with no drilling or fabrication required.
  • Speed Latch – A quick latch system allows for drive-up attachment. The plow detaches quickly and easily when not needed.
  • Lightweight Blade Option – Cycle Country offers two blade choices. The poly blade is lightweight and easy on driveway surfaces, while the traditional steel blade comes with a long history of strength and durability in the plowing world.

Note:

The A.R.M. System reduces ground clearance by several inches. You may wish to remove the plow mounting hardware from your ATV before riding off road.

The A.R.M. Cycle Country plow requires an electric winch or electric lift system to operate.

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ATV Plow Weight

Written By: Esther
January 19th, 2010 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
Compensating for the Weight of the Plow

A heavy ATV plow may require a stiffer suspension using spring spacers.

A heavy ATV plow may require a stiffer suspension using spring spacers.

Depending on the size of your ATV and the weight of your plow, you might find that even the stiffest suspension setting isn’t enough to compensate for the weight of the plow. One of the easiest ways to fix this is to add spacers to the front and rear springs. It’s a quick fix, and the spacers can just as quickly be taken out when plow season is over.

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Stiffening the suspension with spacers will keep the plow blade from bottoming out on hills and steep driveways and improve the performance of your ATV when a heavy plow is attached.

Why Spacers Are Better Than HD Springs

Heavy duty springs are another option to stiffen the suspension, but spacers are preferred, since they can easily be inserted or removed as needed. When you have the plow on, you can install the spacers. And when plow season is over, you can just as easily remove the spacers for a better ride. (HD springs tend to make for a harder ride and tougher handling.) Spacers are also easier to install than new springs because they don’t require you to take anything apart. Just jack up the bike and install the spacers.

Keeping It Even

It’s best to keep the front and rear suspension at the same stiffness, so if you add spacers to the front springs, you’ll also want to add them to the rear. Since the spacers will raise the machine in the front end, make sure the rear is raised to the same height.

Adding Rear Weight

Another way to compensate for the extra plow weight on the front of your ATV is to load a few sandbags on the rear rack. The rear weight will help with traction and keep the plow from scraping the ground on steep grades. Make sure you strap down the sandbags to secure them in place.

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ATV Plow FAQ

Written By: Esther
January 4th, 2010 | Filed under ATV Snow Plows | No Comments »Tags: , , ,

ATV Plow with 52-inch Blade

ATV Plow with 52-inch Blade

What size plow blade should I get?

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Most ATVs are roughly 48 inches wide. In order to clear a path wider than your ATV, you’ll need at least a 50-inch blade. Also, remember that if you angle the blade, the width of the cleared path will narrow.

Plow blade size also depends on the size of your ATV. Smaller ATVs (less than 500cc) may struggle under the weight of a 50-inch blade. In that case, you’ll want to go with something smaller. Larger ATVs (500cc or more) should easily be able to handle a 60-inch blade or longer. The biggest utility quads can handle even more—up to a 72-inch plow blade.

A smaller blade is lighter, easier to maneuver, and—if you use a manual lift—easier to lift. Larger blades are heavier and less maneuverable, but they cut a clean, wide path to get the job done quicker.

Straight plow blade or angled?

Straight blades are the best fit for general plowing needs. They keep the snow (gravel, dirt, etc.) in front of the ATV rather than falling off to the side. They are the best option for pushing materials straight forward and for leveling ground.

An angled plow blade (wider at one end than the other) is best for moving snow or other materials off to the side as you plow. This prevents snow from building up in front of the ATV and creating heavy loads.

What about the extra weight?

Because of the weight of the ATV plow and winch, you will need to up the suspension to the stiffest setting. Most shocks should be able to handle the extra front load, but if the stock shocks don’t cut it, you might need to look into aftermarket shocks.

What about traction?

Most 2WD quads and some underpowered 4WD ATVs will require tire chains for better traction. Two chains are good. Four chains are better. Make sure you have adequate clearance, especially if you chain up the front tires.

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