Powersports / Winter
ATV and UTV Snow Plow Buying Guide: Blades, Mounts and Lift Systems
An ATV or UTV with a plow is one of the most practical ways to clear a long driveway, a farm lane or a small lot without buying a dedicated plow truck. But a plow is a system, not just a blade: the mount, push frame and lift method all have to suit your machine. This guide explains each part, how to size the blade, and the setup details that decide whether plowing is quick work or a fight.
The parts of a plow system
Most ATV and UTV plow kits are made from four major pieces plus wear parts. Understanding them makes it much easier to compare kits, or to buy pieces separately on the used market.
Mount plate
Bolts to the machine's frame. Always model-specific. The weak link if you buy the wrong one.
Push tube / frame
Connects the mount to the blade and transfers pushing force. Often universal within a brand.
Blade
Steel or poly moldboard with a curved face that rolls snow off to the side.
Lift system
Raises and lowers the blade: winch, electric actuator, or a manual lever on some small setups.
Wear bar
Replaceable strip on the blade's bottom edge that takes the scraping wear.
Skid shoes and markers
Optional shoes set blade height over gravel; markers help you see blade edges.
Sizing and choosing the blade
Width
When a plow is angled to push snow to the side, its effective clearing width shrinks. If the angled blade is narrower than your machine, the tires drive on unplowed snow, pack it down, and leave ridges. Measure your machine's outside tire-to-tire width and choose a blade that still covers it when angled.
As a general range, ATV plows are commonly sold in roughly 48 to 60 inch widths, while UTV plows typically start wider and go up from there. A wider blade isn't automatically better: it moves more snow per pass but needs more traction and power, especially in wet, heavy snow. For smaller or lower-powered ATVs, a moderate width is easier to push.
Material
| Blade material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Strong, common, typically less expensive, easy to repair | Heavier; paint chips lead to rust; snow can stick unless coated or waxed |
| Poly (plastic face) | Snow slides off easily, won't rust, lighter | Usually costs more; can crack in some impacts depending on design |
Angling and trip
Most budget plows angle manually by pulling a pin and swinging the blade, which means getting off the machine to change direction. Power-angle kits let you angle from the seat, a big time saver for frequent plowing. Also look for a trip mechanism: springs that let the blade tip forward when it catches a hidden obstacle, such as a raised slab or curb, protecting the frame and the mount.
Front mount vs center (mid) mount
On ATVs especially, you'll often choose between a mount at the front of the frame and one under the center of the machine.
- Center mounts push from underneath the machine, closer to its center of mass. Many owners find they push more effectively and keep the machine more stable. They can reduce ground clearance and are sometimes fiddlier to attach.
- Front mounts are usually quicker to connect and disconnect and keep the underbody clear, which matters on rough ground. They can make steering lighter on the front wheels while pushing heavy snow.
On UTVs, front-mounted systems are typical. Whatever the style, the mount plate must be the one designed for your make, model and year. Using the wrong mount, or drilling to make one fit, can damage the frame. Search with your exact model; mounts for popular machines appear on eBay, and the model number guide in our powersports VIN lookup article helps confirm what you have.
Lift systems: winch or actuator
Winch lift
Many ATV and UTV plow setups use the machine's winch to raise and lower the blade. It's inexpensive if you already have a winch, but plowing involves many short lift cycles, and the main winch line can get worn, overloaded or wound unevenly. Many owners switch to a short plow strap in place of the main line during winter and use a winch with an auto-stop or a plow-specific controller to avoid over-pulling. For winch selection basics, see our ATV and UTV winch guide.
Electric actuator lift
Actuator lift systems use a dedicated linear actuator to raise and lower the blade. They save wear on the winch and often allow more precise control. Some are bolt-on kits; others require running wiring to a switch. If any wiring is involved and you're not comfortable with it, have a powersports shop install it, and follow the kit's instructions exactly.
Manual lift
A few simple setups use a hand lever. They're inexpensive and reliable but tiring for anything bigger than a short driveway.
Traction, weight and the machine itself
A plow only works as well as the machine can push it. Before buying a bigger blade, check these:
- Tires: Worn tires spin on packed snow. Tread designed for mud or snow grips better; see our ATV and UTV tire guide.
- Chains: Tire chains sized for your ATV or UTV tires transform traction on ice and packed snow. Our chains vs cables vs socks comparison covers the tradeoffs.
- Ballast: Some owners add weight to the rear rack or cargo bed for traction. Stay within the manufacturer's rated load limits.
- 4WD and differential lock: Use them as your owner's manual directs.
- Cooling and belt drive: Low-speed, high-load pushing works CVT belts hard. Use low range if equipped and follow your manual's guidance.
- Maintenance: Plowing adds hours fast. Our UTV maintenance schedule helps you stay on top of fluids and inspections.
Pre-season plow checklist
- Inspect the mount and push frame for cracked welds, bent tubes and missing pins or clips.
- Check all bolts on the mount plate. They loosen from vibration and repeated impacts.
- Look at the wear bar. Replace it before it wears into the blade itself.
- Test the lift: winch line or strap condition, actuator operation, and switch function.
- Check trip springs for cracks or loss of tension.
- Touch up paint on steel blades and consider a coat of wax or a slick coating so snow slides off.
- Mark the route. Stake hidden curbs, drains and edges before snow covers them.
Plow technique matters too: plow early and often rather than waiting for deep accumulation, push snow well back from the edges early in the season to leave room for later storms, and keep speed low near obstacles. Check local rules before operating on public roads or sidewalks.
Frequently asked questions
What size snow plow do I need for my ATV?
Pick a blade that still covers your ATV's tire-to-tire width when angled. ATV blades are commonly sold around 48 to 60 inches. Smaller or lower-powered machines push moderate widths more effectively, especially in heavy wet snow.
Is a center mount better than a front mount?
Center mounts often push more effectively and keep the machine stable, while front mounts are usually quicker to attach and keep the underbody clear. Either works well if the mount is designed for your exact model.
Can I use my winch to lift a plow?
Yes, it's common. Many owners use a short plow strap in place of the main winch line to save it from wear, and a winch with an auto-stop or plow controller helps prevent over-pulling.
Do I need tire chains to plow with an ATV?
Not always, but chains greatly improve traction on packed snow and ice. Good tires and appropriate ballast within rated limits also help.
Bottom line
For most owners, a moderate-width blade on the mount made for your exact machine, with a plow strap or actuator for lifting and good traction, beats the biggest blade you can find. Inspect the mount, wear bar and lift before the first storm, and plow early and often.
More winter and powersports parts guides are on the Parts Catalog blog. For general wear items, see our ATV and UTV parts guide, or browse the Powersports category.