Best Snow Plow: The [year] Guide to Snow Plowing with ATV, UTV & Truck (2024)

It’s difficult to picture a blinding snow storm when the sun is shining and you’re sipping an ice cold drink, but it’s coming.

Clearing the snow from a large driveway can be back breaking work. If you’re lucky there might be a better solution sitting in your garage.

Pickup trucks, ATV’s, and UTV’s can make short work of a snow-filled driveway.

I have a neighbour that’s had an ATV for a couple of years now, but until he saw me with a plow attached to mine, he never really considered the obvious.

He’d been shovelling that large driveway by hand with a snow shovel when he didn’t have to.

We struck up a conversation, I explained to him how affordable snow plows for ATV’s and UTV’s really are and we’re going to look at them in our snow plow reviews.

Plows for pickup trucks are a little more expensive, but they’re a worthy investment as well.

If you’re thinking about buying a plow for your vehicle there are a few important things you need to understand before you start shopping.

You can save yourself a headache if you educate yourself ahead of time. That’s why we put this guide together.

This is the definitive guide to snow plowing for any type of vehicle.

Contents

Definitive Guide to the Best Snow Plow

In this article, we’ll identify the key features you should be looking for when purchasing a snow plow for an ATV, a UTV, or a pickup truck. We’re also going to review some of the best products on the market so you can make an informed decision.

There are many plows out there and the choices are very different depending on the vehicle you’re attaching it to.

Blade Size

One of the first things to consider when you’re looking to buy a snow plow is the size of the blade. Blades for ATV’s and UTV’s are typically between 48 inches and 72 inches.

As a rule, it’s best to choose the largest blade your machine can handle. ATV’s are lighter so your maximum blade size will be about 60 inches. A UTV can normally accommodate a 72-inch blade.

Manual or Automatic Lift

There are two different ways that a truck lifts a plow on a vehicle. They can be lifted using a manual mechanism or they can be lifted using an automatic configuration.

The automatic designs are certainly more convenient, but they’re also more expensive.

Manual plows have a lift bar assembly that the owner physically pulls on to lift the blade. It works, but it does require some physical exertion. That means it can be a potential safety hazard.

The automatic designs use a winch system and do not require any physical effort by the user making them much easier to use and much safer.

Hydraulic Turn

When you attach a plow to any vehicle – an ATV, a UTV, or a truck – it’s going to make clearing a driveway a much easier prospect.

There are devices you can buy for your plow that will actually pivot the blade to the left or the right.

These hydraulic turn mechanisms allow you to direct the snow in any direction you like without turning your vehicle, but again, they will add significantly to the cost.

The Right Tires

If you’re adding a plow to an ATV or a UTV the type of tires you place on that vehicle will make a big difference in how effective it is in removing snow.

The stock tires that typically come with these vehicles are okay, but there are plenty of aftermarket choices with better tread that are a bit larger and more effective.

These give you better purchase on the snow.

Chain Up?

In extreme weather situations, even the best snow plows will have trouble no matter what type of tires you’re using.

An alternative solution is to add a set of tire chains on your tires. These chains will give you traction in just about any weather conditions.

It’s important to check your local laws though, as many jurisdictions ban the use of tire chains on their roads.

Plow Wear Bars

At the bottom of a snow plow is an extra guard that protects the blade from wear.

If you’re considering a plow that does not have an adequate plow wear bar it’s one you should avoid.

Fortunately, they’re a standard item on most plow blades on the market.

Plow Markers

Have you ever watched a truck with a snow plow at work and wondered what those strange antennas where on the ends of the blade? They actually do serve an important purpose.

These antennas are actually plow markers that allow the operator to see where the edges of their blade are. This can be critical in whiteout conditions.

Weight in the Back

There is one problem that all manufactures of snow removal vehicles have – they’re usually a little too light in the backend.

Attaching a heavy plow blade to the front end of an ATV, a UTV, or a truck can really throw the balance off.

If you do purchase a snow plow blade for your vehicle, it’s a good idea to add some weight to the back.

Sand bags or something similar are ideal for this purpose.

Easy Attachment

Most people that purchase snow plow blades want to be able to take them off when winters over.

Some of them can be difficult to remove though, so it’s certainly something to keep in mind at the time of purchase. It really shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

The best way to know for sure is to take a good look at the reviews for the plow you’re planning on purchasing.

Blade Materials

There are varieties of materials that are used by manufacturers of snow plows. The most common are poly blades, stainless steel blades, and mild steel blades.

The poly blades are popular these days because snow will not stick to the blade in most conditions – they are more expensive though.

Stainless steel is also common because of its rust resistant properties, but keep in mind this type of steel can be damaged more easily by rocks and debris.

The mild steel option is still a good choice because these types of blades are very durable and long lasting.

Plow Shape (V vs Straight)

The traditional straight plow blade is still the most popular choice these days and they do a great job.

It’s just that V plow blades are a little bit more efficient.

These innovative blades allow you to direct the snow where you want it and they’re better at slicing through ice and hard snow.

What’s Your Budget?

Snow plow blades can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

The best snow plows will cost you a little more, but they’ll also last you ten years or more.

A cheap blade may only give you a couple of years of use. They’re a great option if you’re on a tight budget, but if you can afford the investment in a quality plow, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Snow Plow Reviews

We wanted to make this article useful no matter what type of vehicle you’re planning to attach a plow to.

With that in mind, we decided to review a couple of the best plows for each type of vehicle.

We’ll start with a couple of snow plow reviews for ATV’s, followed with a couple for UTV’s, and we’ll end by reviewing snow plows for pick-up trucks.

</p><h3>Extreme Max 5500.5010ATV Plow</h3><p>

The Extreme Max 5500.5010 is one of the best snow plows for ATV’s you’ll find under $500.

It’s a 50 inch wide blade that’s about 16 inches high making it ideal for most ATV’s.

Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com

It’s attached on the frame behind the wheels that allows you to use the full power of your ATV to move snow more effectively.

If you’re on a tight budget, but you still want a quality product this is a good choice.

This snow plow is made from grade 50 steel that will resist wear and stand up to heavy use.

It is a standard straight blade plow so if you have your heart set on one of the more advanced V shaped blades this one isn’t what you’re looking for.

For those that just want affordable steel plow blade for the winter, the Max 5500.5010 is one of the best ATV snow plows around.

Additional features for this plow include a wear bar, a universal mounting system that works on any ATV, and a push tube assembly.

The blade is also covered with a black powder coating that helps prevent rust and it comes with a 1 year warranty.

It would be nice to see the manufacturer extend the warranty a little bit, but it’s still a good deal for a blade priced under $500.

The only other issue that some consumers have had with this plow is that it can be a little difficult to assemble.

Made from durable grade 50 steel
Universal mounting attachment
Attaches behind the wheel for better plowing power
Black powder coating prevents rust

Limited 1 year warranty
Difficult to assemble

There aren’t many better options if you’re in the market for an affordable snow plow blade than the Max 5500.5010.

This is one of the best-rated ATV snow plows for a reason. It’s a quality product that will provide its user with years of use.

</p><h3>Swisher 2645R 50-Inch Universal ATV Plow Blade</h3><p>

You can do a lot worse than the Swisher 2645R if you’re on the hunt for a snow plow blade for your ATV.

This is a 50 inch wide blade that will fit on almost any ATV with its universal mounting system. At just over 100 pounds, it’s also quite manageable.

This one typically retails at around the $500 range, which means it fits in most budgets.

Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com

This Swisher blade uses 1/8 inch steel in its construction so it is quite durable. It features a straight blade ATV plow blade that’s designed for use in heavy snow falls.

One of the most attractive features of the 2645R is that you can attach it to your ATV without any tools.

On the negative side, the universal mounting kit you’ll need to attach it is not supplied.

Other features of this blade include an angle selection system and a double lock system that keeps it in place.

While it was one of the best ATV snow plows, it does have its critics. The most common complaint is that it’s a little too heavy for smaller ATVs.

Can be mounted on any ATV
Solid steel construction
Attaches without tools
Angle selection system with double locking mechanism

Final Thoughts

Using a snow plow as your main snow removal tool is a lot more convenient than shovelling by hand and it’s well worth the investment. It’s important to get the right plow for your vehicle though.

An ATV plow for example should never be more than 50 inches wide as it would be difficult to navigate with anything larger.

There are plenty of different models on the market for any type of vehicle so it certainly pays to shop around. Any of the plows in this guide are great choices.