Recommendations for UTV with Plow

[Ron H]

After 30-years with the ’91 Dodge 2500 plow I’ve repaired repeatedly (mostly the plow assembly) and the last umpteen years only using it a handful of times each winter, I’m exploring a UTV with plow. Watching some videos, they seem stout, some with nice plow adjustment features. My driveway is about ¼-mile long. I’d want one with a cab. Being retired, I’m able to keep up more often with plowing when necessary to avoid too much accumulation on the ground.

There have been around 5 times I can remember over 30-years here when the Dodge couldn’t handle some major snowfalls. Relations with heavy equipment had to come clear the driveway.

Lol, I know it is July, getting an early start. If anyone has recommendations on what I should be looking to buy or avoid, I’d appreciate the advice.

 

[PlymCrazy]

We bought a Honda Rancher 420 new back in 2007.
Installed a 2500lb Warn winch and a plow.
Our driveway is about 200' long and I have plowed exclusively with this machine for the last 18 years.
My only complaint is that it sure can get cold at times lol.
I'm interested to see what others recommend as well, as I may upgrade at some point.

 

[DeltaV]

We bought a Honda Rancher 420 new back in 2007.
Installed a 2500lb Warn winch and a plow.
Our driveway is about 200' long and I have plowed exclusively with this machine for the last 18 years.
My only complaint is that it sure can get cold at times lol.
I'm interested to see what others recommend as well, as I may upgrade at some point.

View attachment 1884906


View attachment 1884907

Room for chains on the rear wheels?

Just curious...I no longer live in upstate N.Y.
I used a JD790 and ran aggressive agri tires on all 4 corners along with chains on the rear during the snow season.

 

[PlymCrazy]

Room for chains on the rear wheels?

Just curious...I no longer live in upstate N.Y.
I used a JD790 and ran aggressive agri tires on all 4 corners along with chains on the rear during the snow season.

That's not something I've ever considered nor entertained. The 4WD has always sufficed. But I suppose chains would work if you had to have them.

 

[DeltaV]

That's not something I've ever considered nor entertained. The 4WD has always sufficed. But I suppose chains would work if you had to have them.

I had 4WD locking too, but I needed chains to drive on ice.

 

[Ron H]

interested to see what others recommend as well, as I may upgrade at some point.

Thanks much. I’m mowing the yard today and hotter than blazes; but yeah it must have gotten COLD running your machine. Doing the grass today as the next two-days are going to be hotter and more humid.
Sounds like your Honda sure gave you plenty of good service. Reckon your next one might have a cab?

 

[PlymCrazy]

I had 4WD locking too, but I needed chains to drive on ice.

I never saw a need for chains with this machine.
I've encountered mixed opinions about 4-wheelers and plowing throughout the years.
But I've had a pretty decent experience.
I tried not to wait for accumulation to get so deep that the machine would be overwhelmed, it definitely ain't a truck.
Once my son got old enough to operate it, he'd help staying out ahead of the snow with this machine as well.

But I definitely could appreciate something enclosed with some heat to plow with these days.

 

[PlymCrazy]

...Reckon your next one might have a cab?

Yes sir, I most certainly reckon. And hopefully the reckoning comes true lol.

 

[68gtxman]

I bought a subcompact backhoe (everyone needs one of these!), and added a snow blower and cab on it. My driveway is 600 feet long and then there is a shared private road for another 800 feet. I take care of all of this (and even paved it all twice). I take the cab off in summer because it gets too hot. I do not recommend using the tractor/backhoe to cut the lawn though. A zero turn seems to be best for that.

 

[Ron H]

bought a subcompact backhoe (everyone needs one of these!)

That’s a great setup you have and you’re right, I’m in need of a backhoe now for some mound leveling with large rocks underneath. A friend’s son has a Kubota similar to yours. He has brought it over twice. Thanks much for the advice.

 

[SlingLow]

At my development in Woodland, WA (elev. 1,700), I bought a rear mount snow blower for my 30 hp Kubota tractor. At my brother's off-grid property near Mt. St. Helens, WA (elev. 2,700) he uses a Polaris Ranger with tracks and a plow, and his buddy next door uses a front mount snow blower on a Kubota tractor. My other off-grid buddy Rick in Bumf**k Nowhere, WA (elev. 4,400) also uses a UTV with tracks and plow.

None of these options are cheap with the Polaris being the most expensive. My brother ordered it up new with the cab, heat, a/c, wipers, tunes, front and rear winches, tracks, and probably some other stuff. It's pretty bad ***!

Ranger without the plow:

Ricks ride:

Rick and his place:

Of course the advantage of a tractor is the ability to use other implements like a brush hog, auger, backhoe and this grader that I had made the way I wanted it.

 

[Ron H]

At my development in Woodland, WA (elev. 1,700), I bought a rear mount snow blower for my 30 hp Kubota tractor. At my brother's off-grid property near Mt. St. Helens, WA (elev. 2,700) he uses a Polaris Ranger with tracks and a plow, and his buddy next door uses a front mount snow blower on a Kubota tractor. My other off-grid buddy Rick in Bumf**k Nowhere, WA (elev. 4,400) also uses a UTV with tracks and plow.

None of these options are cheap with the Polaris being the most expensive. My brother ordered it up new with the cab, heat, a/c, wipers, tunes, front and rear winches, tracks, and probably some other stuff. It's pretty bad ***!

Ranger without the plow:
View attachment 1885612
Ricks ride:
View attachment 1885610
Rick and his place:
View attachment 1885619

Of course the advantage of a tractor is the ability to use other implements like a brush hog, auger, backhoe and this grader that I had made the way I wanted it.
View attachment 1885613

Wow, you and your brother got THE setup, where you reside you are prepared! Thanks

 

[SlingLow]

Wow, you and your brother got THE setup, where you reside you are prepared! Thanks

That's not all. My goofy bro and buddy Bruce recently installed this in case you need to make an emergency call on the way up the mountain. This is behind 2 locked gates about 5 miles from the nearest electricity.

Got a quarter?