What makes the best small snow plow vehicle? (ANSWERED)

best small snow plow vehicle
Photo courtesy tuchodi via flickr. Used under a CC-BY-2.0 license.

I have used snow-blowers and snow-plows over the last 15 years. I have found that the best small snow plow vehicle is one of three machines: A garden tractor, ATV, UTV. Each has their pros and cons. Here’s how I have made the decision on what makes a good little snow plow vehicle.

Bestseller No. 1
KUAFU Snow Plow Blade Universal Kit Steel Adjustable 48" Complete Universal Kit Package Compatible with ATV Honda Kawasaki Polaris Aeon Crossland Arctic-Cat Alterra (You Will get 2 Packages)
  • Comes with blade, push tube and universal mount kit. Blade is made with heavy-duty steel,push tube is constructed of square tube steel chassis, mid-mount kit is designed to mount to the underside of your vehicle chassis.
  • Blade size is 48"(W)X17" (H),20’’ wide blade mounting system with 5-position(2 Left, Center, 2 Right) angle adjustment. NOTE: You will get 2 packages.
  • Push tube is ergonomic pivot handle that offers improved leverage,quick pin attachment to 15-XXXX ATV under-body mounts that attach directly to the ATV frame for better plowing control
  • Mid-mount kit fits mid-mount ATV push tube (15-0070), ATVS with skid plates that are welded on, may require drilling for installation. Doesn’t fit Can-Am out lander models.
  • Compatible with ATV Honda Kawasaki Polaris Aeon Crossland Arctic-Cat Alterra Arctic-Cat Utility Arctic-Cat XR snow plow blade
SaleBestseller No. 2
DING.PAI Universal Snow Plow Kit Heavy Duty Steel Square Push Snow Blade Adjustable for Pickup Trucks UTV ATV Arctic Cat Access Kawasaki Honda Aeon Crossland 45 Inch
  • Fitment: Universal snow plow are suitable for a variety of vehicle types, such as UTV, ATV, and golf carts. ATV athletes Honda Kawasaki Yamaha & Polaris off-road vehicles, etc. (Note:1. Not all mentioned cars can be installed , Please confirm before purchase 2. ATVS with skid plates that are welded on, may require drilling for installation 3.Our snow plow mounting base adopts multi-hole design, and there are more choices for U-shaped screw fixing position)
  • Heavy Duty Materials: Snowplow blade is made with heavy-duty steel, heavy and solid. low-friction powder coated finish keep material from sticking to the blade. Includes a thick sturdy wear bar to increase friction, rub the surface to the maximum, and extend the life of the plough.
  • Practical Upgrade Push Tube: Different from competitors, our atv plow push tube shot blasted before powder coating for best results, which makes it enough to achieve better farming control. Provides strong strength, excellent durability and excellent impact resistance.
  • Size & Adjustable Angle: The blade size is 45", which also makes the atv snow plow kit applicable to most models. At the same time, the blade has five angles that can be adjusted (2 Left, Center, 2 Right) to meet your different snow removal needs.
  • Package Includes: A complete set of UTV/ ATV snow plow kit Includes plow blade, push tubes, wearbar, adjustable skid feet, installation hardware and instructions (Note: No winch is provided)
SaleBestseller No. 3
C CLINK Fits Most Pickup-Mounted snowplows Universal Heavy Duty Snow Plow Pro-Wing Blade Extenders Extensions Replacement PW22 Compatible with Meyer Western Boss Snowplow Blade Extenders(Black)
  • Fits most pickup-mounted snowplows. Replace For OEM Buyers / S.A.M. Part #: PW22. Pro Wings are referred to as Plow Wings, Plow Wing Extensions, Extenders, Wing Attachments, Side mount wings, Wings, PW22, Snow Wing, Plow Wings.
  • The wind sweep ability of snowplow is significantly improved. Snow clearing time can be reduced by 25% to 50%. Snow Plow Wings is suitable for 98% of pickup snowplows. It makes it easier to clear snow and reduces derailment.
  • The tripping action of your snowplow is unaffected by Pro Wings. The wing extension rubber sheet on the professional wing is durable (the rubber is made of new materials without any doping recycled materials, good integrity, good tear resistance) and helps to prevent damage to the professional wing. Paint the surface to avoid rust or decay due to the influence of moisture or debris.
  • No special tools required. Comes with detailed instructions and all necessary hardware. Wing Extensions provide an additional 20" of blade width with a minimal increase in the overall weight of your Snowplow.
  • Wings are NOT recommended as an extension wing for Meyer 2 meter Snowplows or Western 8-1/2' Snowplows, any 9' or 10' Heavyweight Snowplows, Boss Plows or any POLY Plows
Bestseller No. 4
KUAFU 48 inch Universal Snow Plow Kit Steel Compatible with ATV Models Honda Kawasaki Polaris Aeon Crossland Arctic-Cat Alterra (Divide into 2 Packages)
  • FITMENT- 48 inch Universal Snow Plow Kit compatible with most ATV models. Our snow plow will fit your car good.
  • PUSH TUBE- Push tube is ergonomic pivot handle that offers improved leverage,quick pin attachment to 15-XXXX ATV under-body mounts that attach directly to the ATV frame for better plowing control.
  • FEATURE- The 48 inch universal snow plow kit are made of high-quality steel, not easy to wear. Make sure maximum strength and durability for long lasting usage.
  • PACKAGE INCLUDED- Includes plow blade, wearbar, push tubes, adjustable skid feet, installation hardware.
  • EASY TO INSTALL: Easy installation, no modification required. ATV welded to skateboard may require drilling for installation. Professional installation is recommended.
Bestseller No. 5
Universal Snow Plow Blade Flap Compatible with Kolpin & Polaris for 48"-72" Blades,72" x 6" x 1/4" Snow Plow Rubber Deflector Edge Fit for ATVs,UTVs,Side-by-Sides and 4-Wheelers,Snow Plow Accessories
  • 【Compatibility】Snow plow blade flap 10-0190 compatible with Kolpin Polaris universal rubber blade flap. The snow plow rubber deflector fit for 48"-72" snow plow blade, replacement for kolpin snow plow flap designed for compatible with snow plows on a variety of vehicles such as ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, and cycle country plow.
  • 【Durable Material】The snow deflector plows are made of rubber material for excellent durability; They are engineered to resist fading and cracking, Guard it from direct sunlight during downtime, ensuring long-lasting performance season after season.
  • 【Easy Installation】The rubber plow deflectors are easy to cut, and the blade can easily cut and drill holes to match your planer setup; Get the right size to meet your needs for efficient snow removal.
  • 【Efficient Snow Displacement】Universal snowplow rubber blade works well with snow plows to prevent snow from flying on your face, and with precise cuts and modifications, these plow deflectors ensure snow displacement without excessive spillage. Even during heavy snowfall, you can save time and effort while keeping the path open and safe.
  • 【After Sale Service】We are committed to providing you with better service, if you have any questions about the materials, use, installation and other aspects of snow plow blade flap, you can always send us an email and we will reply within 24 hours.

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Small snow pushing equipment

Older garden tractors with snow blades are my favorite. I have used a couple Cub Cadets and John Deeres. I like both, but I have gravitated to the JDs because they are local to me.

For instance, a 1970 John Deere 110/112/210/212/214/216 tractor with a 43 snow plow blade works really well.

The model series are similar — each has a different engine size. The 43 blade ranks as the best sidewalk snow removal machine in my opinion.

My plowing machines

I have two — one JD 112 with a Kohler 10HP and one JD 112 with a Harbor Freight Predator 13HP repower with a stage 3 kit. Of the two, the modified 112 works best. That the engine is freshest and more horsepower than stock.

I like the garden tractors because they are very inexpensive. I can buy a John Deere tractor or Cub Cadet tractor for a minimal amount of money.

The Kohlers have a lot of torque and power to push snow. The biggest limitation is tractor weight. They are heavy — 600ish lbs to start — but benefit from even more weight. AG tires and ballast will take them through a few feet of snow with ease. With ballast on the rear, in the tires, and driver weight; it’s possible to get close to 1,000 lbs, which makes the tractor an amazing small plow vehicle.

best sub compact tractor for snow removal
Photo courtesy Calgary Review via flickr. Used under a CC-BY-2.0 license. This sub compact tractor works well as a sidewalk snow removal machine.

The older garden tractors make excellent machines because they are versatile. You can plow snow in the winter or mow the lawn in the summer.

One con with the Deere tractors I mentioned: They are gear drive transmissions, not hyrdrostatics.

I like the gear drive trannys but they are slower to maneuver than a hyrdro. It takes more time to push snow with a gear drive tractor.

Many modern sub-compact tractors are more reliable than my 50-year-old machine. I like my driveway and sidewalk plowing equipment because it is cheap and can be repaired easily.

Find a universal plow blade on Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 1
Greenworks 80V (75+ Compatible Tools) 20” Brushless Cordless Snow Blower, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included
  • ULTIMATE EFFICIENCY: Experience superior performance with the 80V Li-ion system for maximum efficiency.
  • QUIET BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Enjoy quiet operation and maintenance-free use with advanced brushless motor technology.
  • EFFORTLESS SNOW CLEARING: Clear driveways, sidewalks, patios, and more quickly with a 20-inch clearing path, and tackle up to 10 inches of snow depth effortlessly.
  • CUSTOMIZABLE SNOW DISPLACEMENT: Easily adjust snow direction with the 180-degree rotating chute.
  • OPTIMAL BATTERY USE: Ensure peak performance by using batteries stored at room temperature; cold batteries might impact starting.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Snow Joe SJ627E Electric Walk-Behind Snow Blower w/ Dual LED Lights, 22-inch, 15-Amp
  • [VERSATILE]: Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
  • [POWERFUL]: 15-amp electric motor moves up to 25 tons/hr. Of snow and clears a 22-in x 13-in path in a single pass
  • [LED LIGHTS]: 2 x 1.5 W LED lights facilitate night-time snow removal
  • [STEEL AUGER]: All-steel auger cuts 22 in. Wide by 13 in. Deep path with each pass
  • [RECOMMEND]: We do recommend customers use a certain gauge and length extension cord. Do not use extension cord over 100 ft (30 m)
Bestseller No. 3
EGO Power+ SNT2112 21-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Snow Blower with Steel Auger - (2) 5.0Ah Batteries and Dual Port Charger Included, Black
  • Peak Power technology combines the power of 2 EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries
  • Throws snow up to 40 ft.
  • Steel auger cuts through ice & snow 50% faster
  • High-efficiency brushless motor
  • 21 in. clearing width

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Who makes the best sub compact tractor for snow removal?

Modern tractor manufacturers have a lot of good sub compact tractors. If your budget allows, perhaps one of these snow pushing equipment machines would work for you:

Masseey Ferguson
Kubota
John Deere
Kioti
Mahindra
LS Tractor
Yanmar
Bobcat
New Holland
Branson

Although there are other brands, these are the 10 sub compact snow pushers I’m know about.

ATV and UTVs for plowing deep snow

4×4 ATVs for plowing work well and can be fun. Quads are versatile farm machines but lack attachments and PTO drives. They can’t mow the lawn, till a garden.

With a small snow plow, a four wheeler can plow snow. Blades are generally under $500 brand new, much less if bought used.

The price of a 4×4 plow all terrain vehicle is a little more expensive than a garden tractor. It probably does not make sense to buy one for the task.

If you have a recreational ATV just sitting in the garage, it makes sense to make it work plowing snow, though. To me, that makes the best utv for snow plowing. Use the one you own.

Wear and tear is a concern, too. Snow plowing is hard on a vehicle. There is the constant forward and reversing motion, along with the stress of hitting things with the plow. This translates into shock into the your Honda ATV plowing snow or your side by side UTV.

Best snow plow for Honda Rancher 420

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Find the best small snow plow vehicle blade on Amazon.

Originally posted 2022-07-08 14:30:16.