[vart]

I used to have a 2001 Yamaha Kodiak 400 that I bought new and loved it. Used it for exploring the Idaho woods and Arizona outback with zero issues until my divorce in 2012 and the ex took it.

I found the midsize 400cc to 500cc machines to be much more capable in the woods on the tight trails with enough power to haul out game.

I bought a new Honda Pioneer 500 UTV in 2018 and found it to be not nearly as capable off-road, loud, tippy, and just not a good fit for what I wanted to do. I sold it and bought a Kawasaki KLR650 for running to work and back and some light backcountry riding.

When my dad died in May, I inherited his 2006 Arctic Cat 400 ATV. It came with a snow plow. I have used it to help clear his driveway, and found that it worked OK, but was a bit underpowered. It has 400 miles or so. All original...

My daughter and son-in-law are moving back to Idaho on Saturday and will be renting a home in the country with a fairly steep 100yd driveway. The landlord said they are on their own for clearing the driveway of snow. They have a 4wd Toyota Sienna minivan. I assured my daughter that I would be able to come out and clear their driveway for them.

I am not sure if my little Arctic Cat will be up to the task.

I was planning on selling it and buying a new ATV since I just don't like how it handles, and I find anything belt-driven to be less than reliable. I can get around $6000 for it around here, and was looking at new machines in the $8k range.

I have little experience in plowing snow, but it seems a heavier machine with lockers and no belt would be better. But, I don't want the added width and size of a 700+cc machine that would compromise it's nimbleness off-road.

Any suggestions for an ATV that is compact, but is built like a tank and would be well-suited for plowing snow and getting around in the woods?

 

[Chip S.]

Let SIL worry about it.

 

[vart]

Let SIL worry about it.

SIL is both a millenial and getting out of the Air Force. I'm just amazed that he can operate a minivan.

 

[Chip S.]

time to grow the F up, lol
just give him the one you have, IDK

 

[rick25s]

Some belt-driven machines are less than reliable, but not the Grizzly and Kodiak. I know because I have wasted many days dragging just about ever other brand out of the trail systems. Yamaha has that system perfected. If it breaks, it was extreme abuse. I plow with a grizzly 550 I've has since 2010. It's not that fluffy lake effect snow like buffalo NY either, it's that miserable New England snow that a mix of rain and snow. If you know anything about New England snow storms, it seems to stay around 32 degrees with heavy snow, then rain, then snow, then deep freeze. Total pain in the a**.

I have experience with about every 4 wheeled machine since 1986, when 3 wheelers were thrown off the market. My family says I have an unnatural obsession with ATV's. If you want the weight, you need the width, not obnoxious width, just non-mod grizzly width. They have a front-diff locker, and the rear is always locked. I am a very technical terrain rider which is very hard on a machine, and never broke a single part on a Yamaha ever.

Here is a video of me plowing out of a storm, with like 14-18" of somewhat damp snow. ...and that is nowhere as bad as many other storms I plowed out of.

fyi, I don't think grizzly's are the best because I own them, I own them because they are the best for my purposes: Plowing, technical trail riding, and work around the house. Note that I mentioned all three of those things. If I only wanted a workhorse, I would have a Honda Foreman. I am not a one-brand blind-following snob, I just know all about these machines.

 

[yellolab]

I had a Polaris Sportsman in Vermont. I used it plowing my long driveway, exploring, keeping the logging roads clear, dragging out deer, etc etc. Generally, I beat on it pretty bad, and it took the abuse.
I would just get the heaviest major mfg one that's out there is your are plowing. the weight is beneficail for traction reasons, and also VERY helpful when it comes time to push back the snowbanks, which I did every spring when the melt started.

 

[rick25s]

I had a Polaris Sportsman in Vermont. I used it plowing my long driveway, exploring, keeping the logging roads clear, dragging out deer, etc etc. Generally, I beat on it pretty bad, and it took the abuse.
I would just get the heaviest major mfg one that's out there is your are plowing. the weight is beneficail for traction reasons, and also VERY helpful when it comes time to push back the snowbanks, which I did every spring when the melt started.

I can vouch for that. I know many people that use a sportsman for that. It's more economical than a grizzly too. My technical rides are what tips me to the grizzly. The no-slip CVT and non-electronic native engine braking is priceless for steep rocky trails (especially descending). That is probably something not very important to the original posters uses.

Just to clarify, I'm not putting down your machine in my previous comment, I think I'm referring to a much higher lever of "abuse" than you are. I would NEVER treat a machine like I see people doing around here. It actually looks like they, with all their useless performance mods, are intentionally trying to break sh**. Almost Whistin' Diesel kind of stuff.

 

[Doc Holliday]

You guys and your fancy ATVs for pushing snow, back in my day -

 

[rick25s]

You guys and your fancy ATVs for pushing snow, back in my day -

View attachment 1218429

I paid my snow shoveling dues. Now I’m old and lazy


Growing up, I did all the lawn mowing and snow shoveling for my parents. When I moved out, my dad had to step up and do it……..he bought a lawn tractor and snowblower. Lol.

 

[desertfox7266]

2006 Honda Rancher here, been plowing for years with it. Would like a larger Honda Rincon for trails but doubt I'd get rid of the Rancher.

 

[pgg00]

 

[Code54]

What about another Kodiak, 700 or the 450. We have 2 Kodiak 450s, one SE (come with Diff lock) and one base model. Both are really nice machines, super maneuverable, and easy to ride. The SE also have power steering which is awesome for plowing.