How to Choose the Right Size Snow Plow and Mount for Your UTV or ATV

You found a plow on sale, bolted it on and waited for snow. On the first pass, the tires ride on a ridge of unplowed snow every time you angle the blade. Or the opposite happens: the blade is so big the machine can barely push it, it bogs in every pile and it's hard to turn in a tight driveway. Some riders get even less far. The mount plate doesn't line up with the frame, the push tubes hit the A-arms, or the blade from one brand won't connect to the mount from another.

A UTV or ATV plow is a system: the blade, the push tubes or frame, the machine-specific mount and the lift. When one part is the wrong size or style for your machine, the whole setup works against you. This guide shows you how to size the blade, choose a mount style and pick the blade type that fits how and where you plow.

Signs You Have the Wrong Plow or Mount

• Your tires ride on uncleared snow when the blade is angled.
• The machine bogs or spins with a full blade, even in light snow.
• The blade is hard to turn in tight spots, or it hits posts, mailboxes and garage door frames.
• The mount plate doesn't line up with the frame holes without drilling or extra spacers.
• The push tubes hit the A-arms, skid plate or exhaust, or drag over bumps.
• The blade won't lift high enough to clear the ground when you transport it.
• Parts from different brands don't connect, or you need adapters to make them fit.
• Snow sticks to the blade and rolls off the top instead of moving to the side.

Why Plow Mismatches Happen

Sizing the blade straight, not angled

A blade's listed width is measured straight across. Most of the time, though, you plow with the blade angled to push snow to the side. At a 30-degree angle, a blade clears only about 87% of its width. A 60-inch blade clears about 52 inches. If your machine is wider than that at the tires, they'll run on snow the blade missed and pack it down into ice.

Ignoring the machine's weight and power

A wider blade isn't always better. A full 72-inch blade moves a lot of snow, and a light ATV doesn't have the weight or traction to push it. The result is spinning tires, belt slip and bent parts.

Buying a universal or wrong mount

The blade and push tubes can be universal, but the mount plate or frame bracket almost always has to match your exact make, model and year. Manufacturers change frames, skid plates and suspension between model years, so a mount for the wrong year may not line up.

Mixing brands and systems

Each plow maker uses its own push tubes, pins and quick-attach design. A blade from one system usually won't connect to a mount from another without adapters, if at all.

Choosing a blade style that doesn't fit the job

A light ATV blade struggles with long gravel drives and heavy wet snow. A heavy steel blade is overkill for a short paved walk. Matching the blade to the job matters as much as matching it to the machine.

What Happens If You Ignore It

• Packed ridges and ice where the tires ran over snow the blade missed.
• Extra passes on every storm because the blade is too narrow or too heavy to push a full load.
• Burned belts, overworked winches and dead batteries from fighting an oversized blade.
• Bent push tubes, A-arms or frame brackets from a mount that doesn't fit right.
• Money lost on parts that don't work together and can't be returned once they're drilled or installed.

How to Measure Your Machine Before You Buy

1. Measure the overall width at the outside edges of the tires, front and rear. Use the wider of the two.
2. Write down the exact year, make and model, and the trim level if your machine has more than one. You need these to order the right mount.
3. Note the engine size and weight class. These tell you how much blade the machine can realistically push.
4. Look under the front. Check the ground clearance and what's under there: skid plates, A-arms, a winch mount and any lift kit. These decide which mount style will fit.
5. Check for a winch. Most UTV and ATV plows lift with a winch. If you don't have one, add it to your budget, or choose a plow with its own lift.
6. Measure where you plow. Note the narrowest spot you have to fit through, like a gate or the gap between the garage and the house, and whether the surface is paved or gravel.

Best Fixes: How to Choose the Right Plow

1. Size the blade for your machine

Choose a blade that, when angled, still clears at least the width of your machine at the tires. Then check that your machine has the weight and power to push it. These are general starting points. Always confirm with the plow maker's fitment guide.

If you'll mostly plow straight ahead on a wide area, you can go a size smaller. If you angle a lot or plow long drives, go a size bigger, as long as your machine can push it.

2. Choose a center mount or front mount

Whichever you choose, get the mount plate made for your exact machine. The mount is the part that has to fit your frame. For example, the Moose Utility plow mount for Arctic Cat is a bottom-mount kit made to attach Moose push tubes and plows to Arctic Cat ATVs. Browse plow mounts, lifts and push tubes by machine.

3. Pick the blade style for your job

• Steel straight blade: strong and affordable. Good for most driveways. It needs paint touch-ups to stay rust-free.
• Poly straight blade: a plastic face on a steel frame. Snow slides off it more easily, and the face doesn't rust. A good choice for wet, sticky snow.
• Flex blade: light and forgiving, a good fit for smaller ATVs. A stiffener helps with heavy snow and high banks. The KFI flex blade stiffener kit adds rigidity to the corners of KFI's 50-inch flex blade.
• V-plow: breaks through drifts and heavy snow, and can be set as a V, a scoop or straight. Best for full-size UTVs, long drives and commercial work. Wing kits like the KFI V-plow side wing kit extend what a V-plow can do.

Shop complete snow plows. For larger UTVs, the SuperATV Plow Pro 72-inch blade and frame kit adjusts to seven angles. It needs SuperATV's machine-specific mount and a winch.

4. Plan how the blade will lift and angle

Most UTV and ATV plows lift with the machine's winch, so make sure yours is in good shape and set up with a plow strap or synthetic line. Angling is usually manual: you pull a pin or lever and swing the blade. If you plow often or plow long drives, a power-angle setup saves a lot of getting in and out. See winches and winch mounts and plow lift straps and shields.

5. Buy the blade, push tubes and mount as one system

Stick with one brand's blade, push tubes and mount whenever you can. Everything is designed to pin together, and the fitment charts cover your exact machine. If you already have a mount, buy the blade that's made for it. Keep wear bars, skid shoes and springs from the same system for easy replacement later. Find them in snow plow parts, wear bars and springs.

Related Parts to Check or Replace at the Same Time

• Winch rope or plow strap: steel cable doesn't hold up to constant plow lifting.
• Winch switch and wiring: a handlebar or dash switch makes lifting the plow much easier.
• Tire chains: a bigger blade needs more grip.
• Battery: plowing works the winch hard, so start the season with a strong battery.
• Drive belt: a bigger blade puts more load on the belt. Inspect it before the season.
• LED lights: a raised blade can block stock headlights.

FAQ

What size plow do I need for my UTV?

Most mid-size UTVs run 60- to 66-inch blades, and most full-size UTVs run 66- to 72-inch blades. Choose a blade that still clears your machine's width when it's angled.

What size plow do I need for my ATV?

Mid-size ATVs usually run 48- to 54-inch blades, and full-size ATVs usually run 54- to 60-inch blades. Lighter ATVs struggle with anything wider.

Is a bigger plow blade always better?

No. A blade that's too big for the machine causes spinning, belt slip and extra wear. It's also harder to use in tight spaces.

Center mount or front mount: which is better?

Neither is better for every machine. Center mounts are most common on ATVs, and front mounts are most common on UTVs. Pick the one made for your machine and the way you plow.

Can I use a plow blade from one brand with another brand's mount?

Usually not without adapters. Each brand uses its own push tubes and attachment points. Buying one complete system is the simplest way to make sure everything fits.

Steel or poly blade?

Steel is strong and costs less. Poly sheds snow more easily and won't rust. Both work well when they're sized right for the machine.

When does a V-plow make sense?

For full-size UTVs, long drives, drifting snow and commercial work. For most home driveways, a straight blade does the job and costs less.

Do I need a winch to run a plow?

Most UTV and ATV plows lift with a winch. Some systems use a manual lift or their own actuator. Check what your plow needs before you order.

Get a Plow That Fits the First Time

Measure your machine, size the blade for its angled width, choose the mount made for your exact model and keep the whole system from one brand. Shop snow plows, plow mounts and push tubes and plow parts at buywitchdoctors.com. Not sure what fits? Send the Witchdoctors team your year, make and model, and they'll help you find the right setup.