How To Use ATV Snow Plow
A snow plow is one of the absolute best additions to add on to your ATV to make it start doing more for you. This makes the machine go from fun and recreation to getting work done in the middle of winter, plus it saves a lot of future back pain.
The good news is, it’s not too difficult to use a snow plow on an ATV. It’s a practical and well-designed accessory that will increase your life efficiency by tons. There are a few things to know before heading out into the snowy world, and we’re here to help.
Do the Preparations Beforehand
Before you even see snow this year, you want to make sure that everything is in working order. This will prevent you from having to completely fix your rig before using your ATV to plow snow.
Check your ATV’s oil levels, tire pressure, electrical system, and give your ATV a fighting chance against the snow. Try and do this when it’s still relatively nice out to avoid the frigid temperatures that winter will bring.
Check Your ATV’s Power
Make sure you have the right ATV for the job! Some snow plows require a lot of power behind them, especially if you live in a heavy snow environment. Avoid overloading your ATV by checking the manufacturer’s specifications before going out into the snow. This will save you a lot of trouble in the future, and possibly help you avoid breaking your rig.
Set the Plow Height
Ensure that you have the plow set at the right height to not damage the surface below the snow, as well as making sure the ATV can handle the depth of snow you’ve set it to. This might change as you move from one surface to another, so it’s important to keep at the forefront of your mind.
Set the Angle
Finding the right angle depends on the surface you’re working on and where you want the snow to end up. Pay attention to the contour of the ground and which direction you would like to push the snow and set the angle accordingly.
Look Out for Hidden Obstacles
Maybe your kids have left toys out from the summer months or maybe the tree in the front yard dropped some limbs with the heavy snow. It can be hard to see, but keep this in mind rather than blazing through at the fast speed possible. A hidden obstacle can lead to getting hurt or damaging your plow.
Consider marking any permanent landscaping features that you want to look out for when the snow hasn’t arrived yet. This will make your life much easier in the future.
Go with the Grain
Plow with the contour of the land you’re on top of. This will provide an even surface in the end and make for the quickest work possible. Not only will following the slopes make your life easier, it will also avoid damaging the blade of the snow plow on any uneven surfaces.
Clean Up
Finally, make sure you give your ATV a good cleaning job at the end of the day. This will ensure that the rig is ready for the next big dump of snow. The best maintenance is always preventative, and that means keeping things tidy after use.
Ice and snow clumps can continue to freeze and make it harder for moving parts to function on the next use. Try and store your ATV in a heated space, or at least do a thorough job of tidying up after use.
