The best snow plows for ATVs turn a recreational quad into a driveway-clearing machine for a fraction of what a truck with a plow costs. We spent the last two winters going through the top kits on the market, reading owner reports, and checking fitment against the machines people actually own.
That research turned up a lot of good hardware and a lot of confusion. Most of it comes down to three things: matching blade width to your snow load, matching the mount to your ATV frame, and budgeting a winch with a real line brake. Get those right and almost any of the kits below will clear a normal residential driveway.
We also leaned on what owners report on ATV forums, because the fitment details matter more than the spec sheets. If you are still choosing a machine first, our guides to the best utility ATVs for farms and the best ATVs for trail riding cover the platforms these plows bolt onto.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for the Best Snow Plows for ATVs in 2026
The three below are the kits we would put on our own machines first. Each one solves a different problem, and the differences matter more than the spec sheets suggest.
Kolpin Switchblade 17-0000
- Builds at 48 or 60 inch stamped steel
- 5-position blade angle
- Universal under-body mount
Extreme Max UniPlow 50
- One-piece 50 inch steel blade
- Push tube mounts behind the wheels
- UniMount fits 90%+ of ATVs
Denali Plows 60 Inch Kit
- 11-gauge steel blade
- Rear stabilizer bars resist folding
- Mount covers 95%+ of ATVs
Quick Overview: Best Snow Plows for ATVs in 2026
All ten kits we examined, side by side. Blade width is the first filter, but mount style and whether a winch is included decide how much work the install will be.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Kolpin Switchblade Plow 17-0000 |
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| Extreme Max UniPlow One-Box 50 |
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 Bad Dawg Groundhog MAX Disc Plow |
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 Camco Black Boar 48 Inch Kit |
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 ECOTRIC 48 Inch Universal Kit |
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 Massimo 60 Inch Universal Kit |
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| Denali Plows 60 Inch Universal Kit |
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 Polaris 52 Inch Glacier OEM Blade |
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 Neutron Kings Peak 50 Inch Kit |
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 Kolpin Expedition Plow in a Box |
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1. Kolpin Switchblade Plow 17-0000: The Best All-Round ATV Snow Plow
Kolpin ATV Switchblade Plow – 17-0000
Blade: stamped steel at 48 or 60 inch
Weight: 112 lb
Angle: 5 positions
Pros
- Stamped steel blade builds at 48 or 60 inch
- Square tube steel chassis with reinforcements
- 5-position blade angle for controlled throw
- Handles snow plus gravel and dirt
- Owners report it survives hard winters
Cons
- Written instructions are confusing with mismatched part numbers
- Buyers report 4 to 5 hours for assembly and install
- Very heavy at 112 lb to maneuver
- Skids hold the blade roughly half an inch off the ground
- Winch sold separately and effectively required
The Switchblade is the kit we kept coming back to across two winters. It is a stamped steel blade that you build at either 48 or 60 inch width, which means one plow can serve a narrow walkway and a wide driveway depending on how you assemble it.
At 112 lb it is the heaviest thing in this group, and you will feel that during installation. Owners overwhelmingly describe the steel as sturdy and durable, with a square tube chassis that has survived repeated Michigan winters without complaint.
The one genuinely frustrating part is documentation. Buyers repeatedly report mismatched part numbers and poor photos in the written instructions, and most of them still rate the finished plow highly once it is together. Budget an evening, an impact driver and a second pair of hands.
The included skids run roughly half an inch off the ground, which some owners modify for a lower scrape. The five-position blade angle gives good control over where the snow goes, which matters more than people expect when you are clearing a drive with a mailbox at the far corner.
Who the Switchblade suits best
This is the plow for someone who wants one kit that handles both a sidewalk and a full drive, and who does not mind a Saturday of assembly. The adjustable width is the feature owners mention most often as the reason it stays on the machine year round.
When to choose something else
If your ATV is under 500 cc, drop the build width to 48 inch and leave it there. If you refuse to run a winch, pick a lighter kit, because this one is effectively impossible to lift by hand at 112 lb.
2. Extreme Max UniPlow One-Box 50: Best Value ATV Plow
Extreme Max 5500.5010 UniPlow One-Box ATV Plow System with UniMount Kit – 50″
Blade: 50 inch one-piece steel
Weight: 95 lb
Mount: UniMount universal
Pros
- Push tube ties into the frame behind the wheels
- UniMount fits over 90 percent of ATVs
- Quick-release pins make seasonal swaps a two-minute job
- Spring trip mechanism protects the blade
- Owners in the trade call it heavy duty for the money
Cons
- Assembly is labor intensive at 4 to 5 hours
- Instructions have errors and poorly labeled parts
- Included U-bolts may not fit every frame
- Sheet metal is thinner than some competing plows
- Wear bar and skid feet are seasonal consumables
The UniPlow does something the other universal kits mostly do not: it mounts the push tube behind the wheels and ties it into the horizontal frame rails. That detail is why owners say it is far less likely to bend an ATV frame during a heavy push.
At 95 lb it is still a two-person lift, but the bolt-together design means you can build it on a bench and carry it out in pieces. The UniMount itself fits more than 90 percent of current ATVs, including older machines that no direct-fit plow covers anymore.
Owners with older machines are the biggest fans. Reviewers mention fitting it to ATVs that fell off every other compatibility chart, and the quick-release pins mean putting it on for the storm and taking it off in spring takes minutes rather than an evening.
The spring trip mechanism does its job well against hidden obstacles under snow. The wear bar and skid feet are consumables, and owners running heavy seasons replace them once a year, so treat them as a maintenance item rather than a defect.
Why we rate it best value
You get a one-piece 50 inch steel blade, a powder-coated finish and a one-year warranty in one box, and the behind-the-wheel mount is genuinely better engineering than most kits at twice the price. For residential clearing it does everything the Switchblade does at 17 lb less.
Where it falls short
The sheet metal is thinner than the heaviest kits, so if you hit frozen rock regularly you will want to check the blade for flex. And the U-bolts supplied do not fit every frame, which is the most common reason a first-time install stalls.
3. Bad Dawg Groundhog MAX: Best for Food Plots, Not for Snow
The GroundHog MAX GHMAXNOKIT ATV Disc Plow
Type: tow-behind disc plow
Weight: 19.5 lb
Width: 21 inch discs
Pros
- Light at 19.5 lb so it stores on a front rack
- Adds no length or meaningful weight
- Cuts real food plots where a tractor cannot reach
- Tolerates rocks and roots without damage
- Works well in sandy soils at speed
Cons
- Needs a heavy duty 2 inch receiver hitch
- Essentially requires 4WD
- Struggles in heavy clay and wet soils
- Discs are only as wide as the implement
- Mounting bolt can loosen under load
Worth being blunt about this one: the Groundhog MAX is not a snow plow. It is a tow-behind disc implement for breaking ground and tilling food plots, and it will not move a driveway.
We include it because the search for an ATV plow keeps turning up tillage equipment, and plenty of owners are pairing it with one of the real snow kits above. At 19.5 lb it stores on a front rack and adds nothing to the machine’s footprint.
Buyers in sandy or previously worked soil love it. It cuts genuine plots in ground no tractor can reach, tolerates rocks and roots, and the discs can be cleared and reused rather than replaced.
The installation is where the drama lives. It needs a real 2 inch receiver, not a factory hitch, and owners report factory receivers spreading and failing under load. Four wheel drive is close to mandatory, since buyers on two wheel drive report getting stuck on level ground.
Who should buy it
If you are clearing land for food plots on remote acreage and your ATV is already set up for it, this does the job cheaply and without stressing the front end. Combine it with a real snow blade for winter work.
Who should skip it
Anyone buying a plow for snow. In heavy clay or wet sandy clay the discs clog, and the working width is only 21 inch, so you cannot get close to trees or obstacles without cutting into them.
4. Camco Black Boar 48 Inch: Easiest Install of the Lot
Black Boar Camco ATV Snow Plow Kit | Features a 48-inch Adjustable Straight Blade and Adjustable Tension Safety Trip Springs (66016)
Blade: 48 inch 2mm steel
Weight: 88 lb
Angle: 4 positions per side
Pros
- Installs in under an hour for most people with basic tools
- Powder-coated steel survives collisions
- Angle adjustment is quick and effective
- Drops in and out with lynchpins in about two minutes
- Grade 8 hardened bolts supplied
Cons
- Thin side rails can bend sideways under angled loads
- Blade mounting plate is a known weak point
- Blades often arrive dented from transit
- Written instructions are weaker than the install video
- Pins can be stiff to remove
Camco built this kit to be installed by one person in an afternoon. The brand’s install video does most of the work, and owners with only basic tools report finishing in under an hour, which is rare in this category.
Once installed it performs well. Owners report fitting it to Hondas, Can-Am Outlanders, Yamaha Grizzlis, Polaris machines and Arctic Cats, and the quick-pin system means the blade drops off in about two minutes at the end of the season.
The adjustable-tension trip springs let you tune how easily the blade trips over a buried obstacle, and the reversible wear blade extends service life without buying a part. Grade 8 hardened bolts and spacers come in the box, which is more than many competitors include.
Two structural weaknesses do come up repeatedly. The thin rails attaching the blade to the hitch can bend sideways under angled plowing loads, and the blade-to-blade mounting plate is a known weak point. Some owners add gussets as cheap insurance.
Who it suits best
Anyone who wants a plow on the machine tonight rather than next weekend. If you are new to plow kits, the video-guided install removes the usual half-day of frustration.
What to watch for
Blades often arrive dented or scratched from inadequate packaging, so inspect the moldboard before you mount it. You will also need a winch, which is not included.
5. ECOTRIC 48 Inch Universal Kit: Best Budget Blade, Push Tube and Mount Combo
ECOTRIC ATV Snow Plow Blade Kit
Blade: 48 by 17 inch stamped steel
Weight: 88 lb
Angle: 5 positions
Pros
- Complete package includes blade push tube and mount
- Stamped steel blade handles deep snow
- 5-position angle for windrowing either way
- Pivot handle push tube improves lift leverage
- Sells hard in the category with strong demand
Cons
- Does not fit Can-Am Outlander models
- Welded skid plates may require drilling
- Generic brand with less long term field history
- Mount kit is a mid-mount design
The ECOTRIC kit arrives as a genuine one-box solution: 48 by 17 inch stamped steel blade, square tube push tube and universal under-body mount, all in a single package. Nothing else to hunt for.
The stamped steel holds up in deep snow and uneven terrain, and the five-position angle adjustment lets you windrow to either side or push straight. The pivot handle on the push tube gives you better leverage during lift and angle changes than a plain tube.
Fitment is where you have to do your homework. It does not fit Can-Am Outlander models, and ATVs with welded skid plates can require drilling to mount the mid-mount kit. If your frame has a factory skid plate, measure twice.
The other caveat is field history. The brand is newer than the legacy names in this category, so long-term parts availability is not yet proven. Everything in the box is solid for residential driveway work.
Why it makes the budget list
You are not buying a bare blade. The push tube and mount are in the same box, so the total cost to get a working plow is lower than assembling a kit piecemeal.
When to look elsewhere
Outlander owners should skip it entirely. If your ATV has welded skid plates and you do not want to drill, budget for a kit with a different mounting approach or have a dealer check fitment first.
6. Massimo 60 Inch Universal Kit: Widest Blade in the Lineup
Massimo 60-Inch Universal ATV/UTV Snow Plow Kit – Steel Blade with Push Frame and Mount Plate, 5-Position Angle Adjustment
Blade: 60 inch heavy-duty steel
Angle: 5 positions
Clearance: 1 to 3 cm
Pros
- Blade is heavy enough to stay down under load
- Owners cleared 8 to 11 inches of snow
- Universal plate fitted a Can-Am Outlander without mods
- Push frame flexes instead of breaking on impact
- Marker poles included for roadside visibility
Cons
- Assembly and mount fitting take two to three hours
- One order shipped with no instructions at all
- Transit damage and missing hardware reported
- Fiberglass marker pole snaps easily
- Sellers sometimes patch fitment issues
This is the widest blade we tested, and for a long driveway or a two-car parking pad it moves a serious amount per pass. Owners report clearing 8 to 11 inches with it, which puts it firmly in the heavy-snow conversation.
The blade carries enough weight to stay down under load rather than riding up over packed drifts, and the push frame is designed to flex on impact instead of snapping. The adjustable ground clearance of 1 to 3 cm lets you set the scrape height to suit a gravel drive.
Fitment impressed us more than expected. Owners fitted the universal plate to a Can-Am Outlander and a CFMOTO ZForce without modification, which is not a given on a 60 inch kit. The fiberglass marker poles are a nice touch for working near a road.
Installation is the honest drawback. Two to three hours is typical, and the heavy skid plate has to be held in position while you fit the U-bolts, which is genuinely frustrating without a second person. Some owners work around it by sliding the plate in from a box.
Who should buy the 60 inch
Riders on a 500 cc or larger machine with a long drive, a parking pad, or a lane that sees real accumulation. The width and blade weight are the reason it handles deep snow well.
When 60 inch is too much
On a small engine it overwhelms the machine. If your ATV is under 500 cc, this width is the wrong call, and the same goes for narrow bodies where a 60 inch blade fouls the front wheels on a tight turn.
7. Denali Plows 60 Inch Universal Kit: Thickest Gauge, Toughest Blade
DENALI PLOWS® 60″ Universal ATV Snow Plow Kit. Heavy-Duty 11-Gauge Steel Blade Rips Through Wet Snow and Ice.
Blade: 60 inch 11-gauge steel
Weight: 102 lb
Mount: fits 95%+ of ATVs
Pros
- 11-gauge steel with rear stabilizer bars resists bending
- Universal mount fits over 95 percent of ATVs
- Complete kit includes wear bar skids and hardware
- Mount moves between machines if you change quads
- Sold through hundreds of dealers for parts support
Cons
- Heaviest kit here at about 102 lb
- Universal fitment can need frame modifications
- One in ten reviews is a single star
- Weight makes installation a two-person job
Blade gauge is the whole argument for the Denali. Its 11-gauge steel is noticeably heavier than the 14-gauge steel used by several kits in this roundup, and the rear stabilizer bars keep the blade from folding on impact in wet, heavy snow.
Owners in heavy-snow regions report the blade holding its shape on packed drifts where lighter blades curl. It was developed for Minnesota conditions, and that shows up in the structure rather than the marketing.
The kit is genuinely complete. Blade, wear bar, push tubes, universal mount, adjustable skid feet and hardware all ship together, so the install is a project rather than a scavenger hunt. The mount fits 95 percent of ATVs on the market and can move to a different machine later.
It is also the heaviest item we tested at about 102 lb, which makes it firmly a two-person job. Around one in ten reviews is a single star, and those complaints cluster around fitment modifications and the sheer weight.
Who it suits best
Owners who plow wet, heavy, compacted snow and hit ice and frozen gravel. If blade deformation is your main worry, the gauge difference is real and visible.
What to consider first
Make sure you can lift 102 lb with help, and check your frame before assuming the universal mount drops in. If parts availability down the road matters to you, the dealer network behind this brand is a genuine plus.
8. Polaris 52 Inch Glacier OEM Blade: Best for Older Sportsman and Ranger
Polaris 52” Steel Glacier Plow Blade 2879639 2014-2020 ACE Sportsman 1000 570 850 XP SP X2 OEM
Blade: 52 inch OEM steel
Weight: 52 lb
Fits: 2014 to 2020 Polaris
Pros
- Highest satisfaction score in this roundup at 86 percent five star
- Lock and Ride allows tool-free install and removal
- OEM steel is heavier duty than most aftermarket
- Extra-tall moldboard stops snow spilling over the top
- Only 52 lb so one person can handle it
Cons
- Vehicle specific to 2014 to 2020 Polaris platforms
- Blade only so a push frame must be bought separately
- Older model years miss current generation ATVs
Nothing else in this list scored as high. With 86 percent of reviews at five stars, this OEM Polaris blade is the best-regarded product we examined, and a chunk of that reflects how convenient Lock and Ride mounting is.
You install and remove it with no tools, and you can clear packed snow off the moldboard without unbolting anything. The extra-tall design piles snow higher and stops it spilling over the top, which means fewer passes.
At 52 lb it is also the lightest plow blade in the roundup, which matters if you are working alone. OEM steel construction is heavier duty than most aftermarket blades of the same width.
The catch is scope. This is a blade only. You need a separate push frame and mount kit, and it fits 2014 to 2020 Polaris ACE, Sportsman 570, 850 and 1000, XP and Sportsman X2 platforms. Give Polaris your VIN to confirm fitment before you buy.
Who it suits best
Owners of a covered-generation Polaris Sportsman or Ranger who want factory fitment and tool-free seasonal changes. If your machine is current generation, keep looking.
What to budget for
The push frame and mount kit are sold separately, so treat this as half a plow purchase. Confirm your model year before committing, since this does not extend to newer Polaris machines.
9. Neutron Kings Peak 50 Inch: Lightest Blade You Can Lift Alone
Neutron Kings Peak Snowplow – 50in, Complete Universal Kit
Blade: 50 inch powder-coated steel
Weight: 53 lb
Angle: 5 positions
Pros
- Steel feels heavier than expected at this price
- Kit includes blade mount plate angle plates and hardware
- Lightest plow here at 53 lb for solo handling
- Mounting and angle plates are 1/4 inch steel
- Fits older ATVs including a 1998 Yamaha Big Bear
Cons
- Will not fit Polaris quads built after 2001
- Universal holes take trial and error to find
- Skid mounts are the weakest area
- Base plate install is hard without ramps or a lift
- Skid plates usually must come off
Half the weight of the heavy kits, and owners keep saying the steel feels heavier than expected. The blade and the 1/4 inch steel mounting and angle plates give it a solid feel that does not match the entry-level positioning.
At 53 lb you can lift it yourself, which changes the ownership experience. Nobody on the forums wants to wrestle 100 lb of plow hardware alone in the cold, and this one sidesteps that entirely.
It also fits older machines that most kits ignore. Owners report installing it on a 1998 Yamaha Big Bear and a 2005 Honda Foreman Rubicon, so if your quad has some age on it this is worth a look.
Polaris owners should note the hard limit: the metal underguard on Polaris machines built after 2001 blocks this mount style entirely. And the base plate is genuinely difficult to fit unless the ATV is on ramps or a lift, since the skid plates have to come off.
Who it suits best
Solo owners with older Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki or Arctic Cat ATVs who want a plow they can put on and take off without help. The complete hardware kit in the box is a plus.
When to pick another kit
If you own a post-2001 Polaris, this will not mount. Skid mounts are also the weakest area, and some owners weld angle brackets as reinforcement, which tells you something about them under load.
10. Kolpin Expedition Plow in a Box: Complete Package, Thinner Steel
Kolpin ATV Expedition PLOW in A Box
Blade: 52 inch 14-gauge steel
Weight: 93.6 lb
Mount: easy on and off
Pros
- Blade push tube and mount all ship together
- 14-gauge steel with a double layer center resists flexing
- Reversible wear bar doubles service life
- Dual trip springs and adjustable skid shoes protect the ATV
- Easy on and off push tube for seasonal removal
Cons
- Lowest rated of the group at 4.1 stars
- Thinner 14-gauge steel than the Denali blade
- Smallest review base here at 65 reviews
- Weighs 93.6 lb which is more than expected
The Expedition has been built since 2011, and it is still a complete package: blade, push tube and mount arrive together. The 52 inch blade has a double layer of steel through the center section, which is where straight blades usually flex.
The reversible wear bar is the detail owners praise most. Flip it when one side wears down and you double its life at no cost, and the dual trip springs with height-adjustable skid shoes protect both the plow and the machine.
It scored lowest in our group at 4.1 stars, and the reason is mostly the 14-gauge steel. That is thinner sheet than the Denali’s 11-gauge, and it shows up in owner comments about flex under heavy loads.
The review base is also the smallest here at 65, which means less long-term field history to lean on. The push frame mounting is easy on and easy off, which is genuinely convenient for seasonal use.
Who it suits best
Riders who want a single box with everything inside and plan to plow moderately. The reinforced center section and reversible wear bar handle residential driveway work without drama.
When to choose something heavier
If you push frozen snow, ice or gravel regularly, step up to thicker gauge steel. And if you care about long-term parts support, a brand with a smaller track record is a harder sell.
How to Choose the Right ATV Snow Plow
Start with blade width. Measure the width of your ATV across the body and the track of the front tires. A 50 inch blade suits a 48 to 50 inch machine, a 60 inch blade suits a 55 inch or wider body, and pushing past your machine’s width means the blade hits the front wheels in every turn.
Match width to engine size. The rule owners repeat most often is simple: do not go above 50 inch below 500 cc. A 400 cc single will bog down with a wide blade in deep snow, and the strain shows up in the CV joints and tie rods rather than the engine.
Decide steel or poly. Steel is heavier and more abrasion resistant, which matters with grit and rocks on a treated drive. Polyurethane is lighter, quieter and will not scratch paint or plastic, and it flexes on impact, but it wears faster against gravel and can crack in extreme cold.
Understand mount types. A front mount bolts to the frame ahead of the wheels and can carry a wider blade, but it adds weight at the very end of the ATV. An under-mount tucks under the chassis, keeps the center of gravity better and preserves ground clearance. A UTV quick-attach hitch is the simplest system if your machine has one, because the plow is a loose implement rather than a fixed frame attachment.
Buy the winch with the plow. Most kits here ship without one. For plowing you want a unit with a line brake, adequate capacity for the loaded blade, and a synthetic rope if you plan to raise and lower it hundreds of times a season. Cheap winches without a line brake will not hold a blade in the raised position, and that is the single most common complaint in plow forums.
Check the frame before you buy. Welded skid plates, plastic body panels and unusual frame tubing are where universal mounts fail. If your machine has a welded skid plate or you own a Can-Am Outlander with certain kits, plan on drilling or skip that kit entirely.
Winch Cable, Solenoid and Line Brake Problems
Raising and lowering the blade is the most repeated complaint we found across plow forums, and nearly all of it traces back to four things. If your winch will not hold the blade up, work through these in order before replacing hardware.
1. Check the free spool first. Turn the key on, pull the remote, and see whether the drum turns freely with no load. A seized or gummed free spool is the cheapest fault to fix and one of the most common.
2. Listen for the solenoid click. If the motor runs but the blade will not move, the solenoid is likely not getting full power. Corroded connectors and a weak ground at the battery are more common than a dead solenoid itself.
3. Inspect the cable or rope. Cable wears fastest where it enters the fairlead and at the drum, and owners report fraying there after a single hard season of repeated cycles. Synthetic rope stretches more but resists abrasion and kinking better.
4. Verify the line brake. A winch with no line brake, or a brake that has been bypassed, will not hold a raised blade, and a blade that drops while you are under it is dangerous. Replace the brake rather than working around it.
5. Consider upgrading to synthetic. Several owners on Arctic forums run double-rigged winch straps with under-mount plows specifically to avoid steel cable failure. A synthetic rope plus a rated hook is the cheapest safety improvement you can make.
Relating all of this to a plow choice: the kits with a spring or tension-adjustable trip mechanism, such as the Camco Black Boar and the UniPlow, put less shock through the winch because the blade yields before the cable does.
Which Plow Fits Your ATV?
Fitment is machine-specific, so use this as a starting point and confirm with the manufacturer before cutting a skid plate. Several kits below cover the majority of quads on the market with their universal mounts.
Polaris Sportsman, Ranger and General: the OEM Glacier blade fits 2014 to 2020 Sportsman 570, 850 and 1000, XP and Sportsman X2 platforms directly. The Neutron Kings Peak will not mount on Polaris machines built after 2001 because of the metal underguard, so skip it there.
Honda FourTrax, Rancher and Pioneer: the Camco Black Boar, Denali and Neutron kits all report fitting Hondas, including older models such as a 1998 Yamaha Big Bear and 2005 Honda Foreman Rubicon on the Neutron.
Yamaha Grizzly and Kodiak: the ECOTRIC and Massimo kits report successful fits on Yamaha platforms, and the Camco Black Boar owners specifically list the Grizzly. Remember that a Kodiak at 46.5 inch wide constrains you to a 50 inch blade, not 60.
Can-Am Outlander: this is where fitment splits hard. The ECOTRIC kit explicitly does not fit Outlanders, while the Massimo universal plate fitted an Outlander without modification according to owner reports. Check your model year carefully.
Kawasaki Mule, Suzuki King Quad and Arctic Cat: the Denali and Camco kits have the broadest reported fitment across these brands. Avoid drilling on a Mule unless you are prepared to reinforce the skid plate, since forum owners report bent mounts from exactly that.
CFMOTO and side-by-sides: the Massimo kit reports fitting a CFMOTO ZForce without modification, and the 60 inch blade suits wider side-by-side bodies better than a mid-size quad.
ATV Snow Plow Installation and First Plow-Out
Budget an afternoon for the assembly and an evening for the mount. The two are separate jobs and the mount is usually the harder one.
1. Assemble the plow on a bench. Bolt together the blade, push tube, trip springs and wear bar before it goes anywhere near the ATV. This is the step most owners skip and then regret.
2. Lift the ATV safely. Use ramps rated for the machine’s weight or a lift. Kits at 88 to 112 lb are awkward to fit one-handed at ground level.
3. Remove the skid plates. Most under-body mounts require this, and several also require drilling on machines with welded skid plates. Confirm before you start.
4. Fit the U-bolts or mount plate. Check the supplied hardware against your frame gauge. Included U-bolts do not fit every frame, and a hardware store trip is common.
5. Set the skid height before the blade is mounted. Adjust the skid shoes so the scraper edge rides at the level you want for your surface, whether that is pavement or gravel.
6. Mount the blade and set the angle. Start centered, then set your preferred angle and tighten the pins. Test the trip springs under load before the first real push.
7. Plow forward, not backward. Angle the blade so snow rolls off the side rather than pushing straight ahead into a wall. Slow passes matter more than power.
Our newer riders guide covers the machine side of the equation, and the best ATVs for beginners roundup is worth a read if you are buying a used quad to plow with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best plow for an ATV?
The Kolpin Switchblade is the best all-round choice for most riders, because its stamped steel blade builds at either 48 or 60 inch width and uses a universal under-body mount. Riders with a lot of wide, heavy snow should look at a 60 inch steel kit such as the Denali or Massimo, while smaller machines suit a 48 or 50 inch blade.
What is the ideal size plow for an ATV?
A 48 to 50 inch blade suits normal residential snow and any ATV with an engine under 500 cc. A 60 inch blade is the right call for 6 to 12 inches of accumulation or lake-effect bands on a machine of 500 cc or more. Never exceed the width of the ATV body, or the blade will hit the front wheels on every turn.
Do snow plows on ATVs work well?
Yes, for residential driveways, walkways, small lots and farm lanes. Owners regularly report clearing 8 to 11 inches with a 60 inch steel blade on a mid-size quad, provided they accept that the plow pushes rather than hauls and that deep snow means multiple passes. They will not replace a tractor or a truck on a public road.
Is a 400cc ATV big enough to plow snow?
Yes, within its limits. Owners on plowing forums report a 400 cc-class machine clearing driveways fine with a 48 or 50 inch blade. The common rule is not to exceed a 50 inch blade below 500 cc, because the extra load shows up as strain in the CV joints, tie rods and front end rather than as engine trouble.
What is the best ATV winch for plowing?
Choose a winch with a working line brake, capacity rated for the fully loaded blade, and a mounting position that lets the blade reach the ground. Most plow kits do not include a winch. Synthetic rope stretches more than steel cable but resists abrasion and kinking better, which matters when you raise and lower the blade hundreds of times a season.
What are common solenoid problems with snow plows?
Most solenoid complaints are wiring problems rather than a failed solenoid. Corroded connectors, a weak battery ground and a seized free spool account for the majority of cases where the motor runs but the blade will not move. A winch with no line brake also will not hold the blade raised, which owners often mistake for a solenoid fault.
Conclusion
After two winters of comparison, the Kolpin Switchblade is still the pick we would buy first. It builds at 48 or 60 inch, the stamped steel chassis has proven durable, and it handles gravel cleanup as well as snow, which stretches the value across the whole year.
If you want to spend less, the Extreme Max UniPlow gives you a one-piece 50 inch steel blade and a better mount design than most of the field. If you push heavy wet snow, the thicker steel of the Denali 60 inch kit is worth the extra weight, and if you want a plow on tonight rather than this weekend, the Camco Black Boar installs in under an hour.
Whatever you choose, measure your ATV first, buy a winch with a real line brake, and check the fitment notes for your specific machine before you cut anything. You can read more of our ATV buying guides, including the best kids electric ATVs roundup for younger riders on the machine.