Since their inception, ATVs have been favorite tools for plowing snow, carrying gear, and performing other outdoor work. However, modern ATV manufacturers currently produce certain vehicles explicitly designed for snowplowing and other mechanical work.
Typically, these ATVs are reliable, with robust transmissions and gas-powered engines to ensure consistent functionality in cold environments. In exchange for these design elements, ATVs with snowplows or designed for plowing are typically not as fast or maneuverable as sport ATVs or more generalized utility ATVs.
However, an ATV with a snowplow attachment is an excellent idea if you need a specific vehicle to help you plow snow quickly and efficiently.
Naturally, there are plenty of things you should keep in mind before purchasing an ATV with a snowplow or simply an ATV designed for this kind of heavy work. Specifically, you should consider the following:
Certain ATVs designed to work with snowplows will include plows as accessories in their purchases. Others will require you to purchase secondary or separate snowplows that you can then attach to your primary ATV.
Either way can work, but keep in mind that separate snowplows can easily run you between $150 and $500 depending on their quality, the shape of their blades, and more. In general, if you can find an ATV designed for snowplowing with a plow already built into its front, you will save yourself time and money.
You can find ATVs with snowplows from various places, including outdoor vehicle shops, specific brand retailers and dealerships, and used ATV marketplaces like ATVtrader.com. However, if you plan to purchase a used snowplowing ATV from another marketplace, like Facebook or Craigslist, schedule an inspection of the vehicle before putting your money down so you can catch any mechanical problems that might be present.
The Yamaha Grizzly is a well-designed and powerful ATV designed to meet all your needs. A new 2021 model just came out, and it can be purchased for $10,199 to start. It features power steering and a 686cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine, offering plenty of power and maneuverability to churn through even heavy snowfields without too much difficulty. However, it doesn't come with a snowplow by default, so you will need to buy one separately. Used Yamaha Grizzlies can be purchased for as little as $3,099.
Another Yamaha ATV with power steering, this ATV is well-known for its durability and consistency. It uses a single-cylinder engine, and it is more efficient than the average CVT transmission. While it is still belt-driven, it is among the most long-lasting in the industry. Even better, Yamaha provides a 10-year belt warranty just for this component.
Also, riders will appreciate the 54-inch plow system and optional large windshield, which you can purchase as an accessory. The vehicle has a handlebar-mounted work light, as well. Thus, you can see the snow in front of you, even in low-light environments or past your snowplow. The brand-new Kodiak 700 EPS ATVs can be purchased for $9,099, and used models will run you $6,499 on average.
Honda makes some of the best ATVs with snowplows in the industry because of their new transmission type. Indeed, this vehicle features a beltless and wet-clutch transmission which offers superior efficiency and durability in snowing environments.
This vehicle also features power steering and an electric shift program that lets you change gears at the push of a button. This reliable ATV line is a workhorse machine through and through. The new Honda FourTrax ATVs can be purchased for a base price of $7,399, and used models can be found starting at around $5,099.
Kawasaki’s Brute Force 750 line of ATVs is a phenomenal choice for snowplowing. Due to its V-twin engine, it provides plenty of power even if your ATV comes to a dead stop. The vehicle also has high torque, which is an excellent feature for low-speed snowplowing.
Thanks to its fuel injection, the Brute Force 750 is very easy to start in the cold and includes a 54-inch plow system with an optional windshield to keep snow out of your lap. New vehicles can be purchased for a starting price of $8,999, and the used Kawasaki Brute Forces are about the same due to their newness.