ATV recommendations

[MHWASH]

No belts to worry about. Or if you have the money jump
To a 500.

 I have a ‘13 KQ with 4200miles on it and no belt issues. It way faster going between forward and reverse when doing small back and forth runs. I definitely wouldn’t worry about the belt issue.

[Mudman]

Truth is most atv belts last several thousand miles.  Big tires and hard use or abuse is the killer.  A belt is $70-150.  Now a transmission requires a complete teardown by mechanic and several hundred in parts but will last longer or life of machine often.  Think of belt like brakes.  No biggy.  CVT is good, snowmobiles don't request a manual transmission do they?   I like em both.

[KFhunter]

Turbo'd snowmobiles run belts with over 300 hp in some applications, my snowmobile is rated at a measly 148 HP....about 3x as much as a midsize quad.


There isn't much difference between an ATV belt and CVT as a snowmobile, the belts are just as thick and robust. 

[jackelope]

I used to do a pretty reasonable job back in upstate NY plowing snow with a 16hp Bolens garden tractor chained up with wheel weights. I plowed a lot to keep up with it, but there weren’t too many storms that got away from me. Driveway was about 150 yards long or so. I have to believe that most quads would do 10x better as long as you keep up. The Bolens tractor was nice. Full hydraulics with a 42” blade and a 48” mower deck.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Bouncing off of Jack's post. I'm relatively new to plowing snow. I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad with a Eagle Plow. As stated plow with the storm. You cannot sleep in and expect to clear your area if it has melted down and is very heavy.  Now we are talking worst  snow the Gorge has seen since 1980. This year is leading up to that. And we plow out bout 3/4 mile to county road. Cant emphasize enough to plow with the storm......No matter what you plow with.....

Heres the modify to my post. Unless you have a Grader and or massive Skidder available then plow when you feel like it. I seen a Skidder up 35 on the OR side of th river and I just thought wow wish I was a logger. He had snow pushed so far in the trees it was awesome to see. He pushed right across 35 and right up the hill into the trees like nothing. Thank God for the true hillbilly folks that just get stuff done when needed. This guy if needed could make it to Hood River in 50' of snow if he had to to. It's all about being prepared.
 

[b23]

I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad

I use a 2008 700 H1 and it’s a snow plowing SOB!  It’s a great quad.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Bouncing off of Jack's post. I'm relatively new to plowing snow. I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad with a Eagle Plow. As stated plow with the storm. You cannot sleep in and expect to clear your area if it has melted down and is very heavy.  Now we are talking worst  snow the Gorge has seen since 1980. This year is leading up to that. And we plow out bout 3/4 mile to county road. Cant emphasize enough to plow with the storm......No matter what you plow with.....

Ah yes the 6’ in three days & nights snow storm, then the chinook came in blowing in. 

I lived in Stevenson Wa then.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Bouncing off of Jack's post. I'm relatively new to plowing snow. I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad with a Eagle Plow. As stated plow with the storm. You cannot sleep in and expect to clear your area if it has melted down and is very heavy.  Now we are talking worst  snow the Gorge has seen since 1980. This year is leading up to that. And we plow out bout 3/4 mile to county road. Cant emphasize enough to plow with the storm......No matter what you plow with.....

Ah yes the 6’ in three days & nights snow storm, then the chinook came in blowing in. 

I lived in Stevenson Wa then.

Well that storm is reliving itself again. Had warmer west wind a bit ago and now south cold freezing wind. Anyone that has never lived in the Gorge really doesn't know what mother nature is made of. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad

I use a 2008 700 H1 and it’s a snow plowing SOB!  It’s a great quad.

Oh they are. That Suzuki single piston motor has all the low end power you could ever want from a quad.  No wonder they are so popular in the Midwest. Beat ÷Em up put em away wet and   and they are ready for the next run. Every  time.

[Mudman]

Had a Suzy Vinson 500 manual trans years ago.  Great quad!  One of my favorites.  Broke 1 axle and lost the stator.  Very tough strong reliable machine.

[bearpaw]

Best two things that ever happened with ORV's is when they started using electronic ignition and fuel injection.

[b23]

I have plowed some serious snow and ice with a 2007 Artic Cat 700 quad

I use a 2008 700 H1 and it’s a snow plowing SOB!  It’s a great quad.

Oh they are. That Suzuki single piston motor has all the low end power you could ever want from a quad.  No wonder they are so popular in the Midwest. Beat ÷Em up put em away wet and   and they are ready for the next run. Every  time.

It's kind of confusing because I think they made three different models of 700, but I believe the H1 model like I have actually has an Arctic Cat made motor, not a Suzuki.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've got a 2015 Can am 500 XT for sale $7500.

Dalton Clutch Kit
Racks/bags
8 ply tires
Warn Winch 2500lb I think.
bumpers
Can am Street Legal kit install professionally
Original owner....

[Mossy]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I picked up a Grizzly 700 with a plow yesterday

[Katmai Guy]

What did you end up paying if you don't mind me asking?