I know this is about cars, but wanted to know if anyone knew anything about ATVs.  We receive quite a bit of snow through the winter and have a very long driveway in which we need to plow.  Do you know what type of ATV and plow would be the best for heavy snow removal? 

Denise,

 To move heavy snow you need a vehicle with power to move it and power/traction (weight on wheels). I don't think a 400-500lbs ATV will be able to do that. Once the snow weight equals the power/traction the plowing stops. That's why you see trucks pushing snow and moving very fast , if they slowed down the tires would break loose, because of the weight, and spin. The best thing is a snow thrower or snow thrower attachment for a lawn tractor.

David I won't dispute any of the arguments you made.
I can only say that my my brother in law who lives in Northern Michigan has successfully kept his driveway plowed with his ATV/plow set up for many years. This is with occassional snowfalls over 12" and many more in the 5" range. On my last visit up this was a topic of conversation. His main observation was that the set up worked for him as long as he stayed on top of clearing each snowfall. He has to push the snow in shorter tracks than if he had a truck/plow set up. It also takes longer. I have plowed his driveway with the set up a few times and had fun doing it. I'll check with him and see what his specific set up is.

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Edited 10/28/2005 9:49 am ET by John_Pedit

Thank you, we would appreciate it.  We live in Colorado so the snow fall is probably the same and we could keep on top of it. 

Thanks.

I called my brother in law and he gave me this info.
He said to make sure you get a 4 wheel drive ATV.

His original set up he had a Polaris 300 w/plow.

He now has a 450 Yamaha Kodiak. He bought the plow accessory from the dealer when he bought the Kodiak and paid $90. If it helps here is a description of his drive way. It is about 150 yards long, 25 ft wide. He has a large pole barn and garage with parking area.

I hope the info helps. I personally know little about ATVs.

John and Denise,

 I grew up in the U.P. of Michigan and the snow can be light and dry and sometimes wet and heavy. I personally like the snowblowers because it's a better looking job, no snow piles.

 But you know what they say about opinions. Good luck.

Dave

David,
I personally like the look of using my shovel. For many years I would sneer and hold my nose up at my neighbors who used snow blowers. They always left that little 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow on the driveway and sidewalk. Then I got old. A much longer driveway.
Now I use a snowblower. That would be my preference to. One reason my brother in law likes the ATV/plow over his blower is the winds do howl where he lives in N. Michigan.

Anyway you youppers are tough as nails and take all this stuff in stride. ;-)

I'm surprised the moderator didn't zap this thread so its my last word.