ATV Snow Plow Pulley Install

[@scooters35]

I find you every couple years. I'm.so glad your still making videos!!!

[@jaywraps]

I rigged up a similar setup for mine today, along with a D ring near the top of the blade and it works so much better now. Thanks for the vid !

[@MyOldSled]

Glad it helped.

[@feeshermann726]

Great job Dave. I added a double pully system which cuts the force needed by half. I also use synthetic rope made for plow purposes and have had zero breaks in 5 years. Cheers!

[@MyOldSled]

I also found adding the pulley slows the blade down enough that I don't worry about raising it too much...

[@lykaojalao2733]

Feesher Care to elaborate your two pullies system? Like to try Dave way and your way

[@tysonp2867]

Same! How would I do a double pulley set up?

[@MyOldSled]

Hi feesher.. Can you just flip a picture to me at my facebook page. Links get killed in comments.

[@feeshermann726]

@@MyOldSled Sorry, I don't have facebook.

[@KarateSensei71]

Dave, you are 100% correct that if you own an ATV and do not have a plow you are missing out big time. Took me 8 years to get one, once I did I was amazed at how fast and efficient it worked! I have a 2002 Polaris Sportsman 700 and a nice Warn plow system. I had the same issue with the plow lift issues and put a high tension extension spring in series with the lift winch cable through a pulley at the plow pivot yet I attached the end under the machine.

[@chrisE815]

I just got back into plowing with an atv recently after 15+ years of living in apartments. I will admit it's difficult and time consuming to plow on icy gravel driveways but I'm hoping the chains I added this year will solve that problem!

[@m.w.h.9253]

I've had some ideas for this in my head but haven't really put anything together. This video is what I needed to get me started. Thanks.

[@tylerpatterson6633]

Pulley point on my Warn front mount broke. Drilled a hole and did this exact setup. Thank you for this video, now works better than original design. Got everything the same but went with 3" pulley which works nice.

[@MyOldSled]

Excellent

[@michaelclark9991]

Just picked up the parts to complete this enhancement, looks great for my needs. Thanks and thanks for the more detailed parts list, really helps with shopping.

[@jodiedavis5258]

Cables will break no matter what you do. Replace the cable with a 5000# tow strap and hook. Have not had any strap breaks, fraying, or issues of any type. Going on 7 years now plowing about 300’ of double wide driveway 15 to 20 times per year. Plow is cycled up and down about 30 times during each use. Gotta love the strap.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Jodie, I appreciate the feedback. I know guys swear by straps and if you have something that works for you thats great, but I have to disagree that they will break no matter what. Two of my neighbours plow with cables and the same pulley setup, and other than this year, we get a ton of snow. I plow my road and driveway a lot and none of us have had a single problem with cables. If they are maintained properly, they are easily able to take the abuse. Normally when cables break its because they haven’t been lubricated properly and corrode from the centre.

[@TN-ez6lz]

I would like to try that. How do you attach the tow strap to the winch drum?

[@spud3201]

Thanks bud. That is a great idea. I'm on Prince Edward Island and I am going to use this on my plow this winter.

[@briangillman735]

I used a $5 pulley with a snap hook on it from harbor freight....and a piece of rope for the cable to hook to without scratching my bumper....3 years and no problem

[@Lonewolf23-26]

You are a genius! This was way cheaper then buying the sythentic rope for my atv as well with the can am plow system it worked out all my angles where greatly reduced! I do not know why I didn’t think of this sooner! Thank you for the great idea! Also I agree with plowing on an atv I also have way to much fun and end up plowing every house on my road just for the hell of it I even make a buck or two!

[@MyOldSled]

I wish I could sayI invented the concept, but a number of my friends have done something similar. Glad you found it useful.

[@driftlesshunter9200]

A pulley set up like that gives you a mechanical advantage of 2. It takes half the force to lift the same amount of weight (plus the friction of the pulley), but also reduces the speed of movement in half. Pulling 1 meter of cable will lift the plow half a meter. Gain force lose speed. Gain speed lose force. 7th grade science simple machines. I use the same set on my ATV, & it works well. - retired teacher

[@MyOldSled]

Thats correct MB. In addition to mechanical advantage, or the difference between the required force and the weight of the object you wish to move, by playing around with placement of the pulley, these setups allow you to reduce flexure and abrasion on the cable as well. I think the reduction in speed is well worth the reduced load on the winch. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@andyfedor2799]

I drilled the hole up front like he said at the end of the video, works great, seems like it lifts higher now. First time I didn't break the cable this year 👍🙂

[@PainterD54]

I had the same setup on my f150 4wd truck with a 7-1/2 ft. plow on it. The pulley let me use a the smallest 2000 lb. winch to lift the plow with no problem. I had that winch on it for 8 or 9 years before I just plain wore it out. Know I replaced it with a 3500 LB. winch and use poly rope instead of steel cable so I don't need the pulley any more. I pulley just splits your load in half, so a 2000 lb. winch is good for 4000 lbs.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi David. Thanks for watching and commenting. Bought an F150 this year. Love it.

[@martinschulz9381]

Good video. Yes, snow plowing on the ATV is fun and can lake hours off snow removal. When all the snow starts melting and becoming a slushy mess, your driveway will be left with a thin layer of snow on it, and will disappear very quickly.

[@MyOldSled]

Yep I love it. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesglenn520]

I built an arm that I attached to the rack it reaches out above the hook point of the plow. The cable runs up and out to the pully and the hook is attached to the plow lift point. That way the cable lifts the plow straight up. It lets the plow float so when you kick it sideways it contacts the ground evenly. Hope this helps and makes sense! Lol The pully is hooked to the arm not the plow.

[@jamesglenn520]

@@MyOldSled Sorry.But I don't have that machine anymore. It was a piece of square stock that hung out off the rack. I had the pulley attached to the arm straight out over the plow. The cable ran through the pulley and dropped straight down to the lift point on the plow. Same concept as the one Dave Northrup posted on KZbin years ago. Check out his video.

[@jamesglenn520]

@@MyOldSled Basically just like an old school tow truck with a boom and winch. I was doing snow removal commercially and was averaging 400miles a season. Wore out multiple skids and wear bars plus a set of tires each winter! But never had any problems with the Warren winch or anything else related to the plow being used that much.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi James, I found the video on Daves channel. This is essentially the same thing. The lift point on the plow and pivot points on the frame are exactly the same, so it's doing the same job - reducing the effort to lift the plow, just reversing the placement of the pulley. My plow raises and lowers in exactly the same manner. My plow rocks at a very slight angle when it's raised because the attachment point is slightly offset, but it still rests flat on the ground when its down. Your approach works great too. I like this set up because there was no welding, no wrenches needed to mount it and I can just toss the strap and pulley in my storage box when I'm note using it. Worked perfectly all last winter but I'll keep that design in mind if I run into any issues. Thanks for watching.

[@frederictongraffitiremoval9215]

@@MyOldSled Hi there - no offense but it's not really the same thing. The point is, which the video states at the end and what James said - by putting the pully up by the fairlead using an arm or suspending it from above (from the rack), you can move the pully out so its nearly ABOVE the lift point on the plow. This makes a massive difference in the amount of energy it takes the winch to pull the plow up. Pulling it straight up vs at an angle is a significant change, and that is really James' point. The video does not show that exact implementation but states you can just move it further out to achieve further efficiency.

[@jimh.412]

Nice video. Thanks. Did the pulley modification, similar to yours and it took alot of tension off the winch rope. Works great. 👍

[@MyOldSled]

Excellent thanks for watching

[@SuperDirtyHarry0798]

Nice video! I'm doing this to mine now, before the snow flies again :)

[@lykaojalao2733]

I wish I see your video sooner I hooked my plow directly to the winch and as I raise the plow, the weight worn out the synthetic cable and the cable broke or blew the winch motor I am going to try your system to see if that help Thanks

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks for watching!

[@theponderosa3489]

Great idea. I’ve snapped my winch cable a couple of times by lifting too high and hitting the hook. This should eliminate any chance of that happening.

[@MyOldSled]

Well, it will help thats for sure. Thanks for watching.

[@trevorkelly8304]

Thanks for this video, just completed the same setup on my Viking . Hoping to cut down on cable breakage.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Trevor. Thanks for watching.

[@tracksofnyc]

Food for thought , if you move the mount point closer to the plow, it's going to slow down the raising and lowering a little bit.😮

[@Beltramstein]

Just one question: do the rack supports this weight? Maybe the bar will start bending. Thanks and nice tip

[@MyOldSled]

The rack is more than strong enough. I can’t speak for all ATVs but I’ve never had an issue.

[@claudepage6214]

I had a hard time giving you a thumbs up, since just watching you working in the cold, my fingers were freezing.

[@MyOldSled]

It is a snowmobile channel ;)

[@Eger118877]

@My Old Sled will this work for a winch with a synthetic rope? I can't think of any reason why a synthetic cable couldn't be used with a pulley system like that.

[@MyOldSled]

Sure

[@adamant7146]

would there b any issues if u were to put the roller at the top and connect it to the strap and then run the hook down and connect the hook to the plow?

[@guidoitaliano7722]

Did u end up modifying it again? Would enjoy that vid.

[@canamrider7195]

It is a lot of fun. I have no idea why I enjoy it, but I do.

[@lykaojalao2733]

Dave When you do the modifications with hole, can you do a video too!!!!

[@adamsaquatics3332]

Pretty sure the angle is the same since the pulley just gets pulled towards the winch. It's just shorter length and then goes up. It actually even seems to struggle more with the added resistance. People have the winch go up to the bars so the plow can be raised higher without damaging the mounting bracket.

[@MyOldSled]

If it was the same angle, I probably wouldn’t have said that. I mean, it’s not like I can’t actually see it. The primary reason for adding the pulley on a winch, as with any lifting system, is to reduce the load on the winch, exactly like using a block and tackle. Thanks for watching.

[@ericfogel9275]

do you have spacers on the bottom of the blace so the blace is not directly on the ground?

[@MyOldSled]

Yes there is one at each end of the blade.

[@underdogoutdoors]

This is an awesome idea!! My only ATV plow issue has been cable's wearing out, thanks brother!

[@MyOldSled]

Glad to help!

[@adamflight1]

excellent, accept for the shackle, it looks like it may have lessened the height of the plow.

[@MyOldSled]

Not at all. The plow will raise until it hits the frame, which you don’t want anyway.

[@momanddadplusus]

Just wondering how the set up is still working? I snapped my cable today for the first time and I’m trying to find a solution!

[@MyOldSled]

Hi. Its working fine. My neighbour has a similar set up and has been going for years.

[@anthony-barber]

Great idea, will do that for my plow. Thanks

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Anthony. Good luck. One think I did learn, make sure the rings on the strap are up high enough, if you set it too low, the hook on the winch will contact the pulley. In this video its fine, but this year I was thinking when I hooked it up and had to adjust it.

[@cszulu2000]

Can you do a follow-up on this, are you still running the same setup?

[@MyOldSled]

I’m still running the same setup and it’s working great I did t make any changes

[@farmark457]

Great video. Did the same pully set up on my John Deere Gator plow and albeit it’s slower it sure seems easier on the electrical system.

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks FM. I’m sure it is

[@davidwynne2005]

Hi Dave... Just picked up 2012 Honda Foreman, and a second hand moose blade and push frame assembly (same as yours). The base plate attachment is ordered and should arrive soon. Quick question.. There is a skid plate which blocks access to the frame to attach the base plate. Do you remove the skid plate, or cut a hole through it to access the frame?.. Thanks for looking.

[@MyOldSled]

Mine had the plate when I got it and no skid plate. I would say drill it and see if you have enough clearance to lift the blade, the remove the skid plate if you need to. My guess is you’ll need to

[@davidwynne2005]

@@MyOldSled .. thanks

[@jewermank8536]

I have a 2004 Foreman that came with the bracket already attached. It looks like the skid plate was removed and bracket attached directly to the frame. I'm sure you've already got it mounted by now haha, 2 years ago

[@kennytownes1979]

Buying a used plow it goes to rear hitch on bike I believe is there more hardware that’s required up from of the bike?

[@MyOldSled]

I don't know that much about them, but I think they just pivot further back. Mine pivots pretty much right under me, the one you're buying would go into the receiver and hinge there. I think you lift it with a winch the same as I do with mine.

[@kennytownes1979]

@@MyOldSled ya iam going to use a u bolt or something under bike to keep up and in center what’s strongest place to do so?

[@MyOldSled]

I'm not sure what you mean. I needs to be able to move up and down...maybe I'm just understanding. I guess you'd want to bolt a plat to your frame?

[@kennytownes1979]

@@MyOldSled it’s a square tube that runs length of bike to the hitch of bike but need to anchor that under bike somewhere

[@kennytownes1979]

@@MyOldSled I’ll think of something just didn’t wanna bend frame

[@Schillsifer]

Does it slow the speed of the blade going up quite noticeably? Or is it not that bad?

[@MyOldSled]

Its noticeably. Thats partly how it works, like low gear...same weight being moved, spread out longer.

[@CobroAK]

Great videos, and have learned a lot as I’m new to the sled scene! Polaris owner, but the skidoo looks awesome

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Cody. Thanks so much. Im glad you’re enjoying them.

[@tommartinez62]

Thanks for the idea and its so simple.

[@jewermank8536]

I plow with an ATV, I don't really see the advantage here. I have a Warn wench and my plow isnt all that heavy. For me, I don't want to slow the wench down, because I want to get it done as quick as possible. I don't have heated grips, so when it's 10 degrees out, I don't have much time before I can't feel the controls on the atv. Thanks for the video

[@MyOldSled]

Hi JK. Well, the advantage is stated in the video. Like any block and tackle arrangement, you trade force for distance. Every pulley you introduce cuts the lifting effort in half. The net result is a reduction in the wear and tear on your winch. That said, I can understand you not feeling the benefit is worth the blade being slightly slower. It takes my blade 2.3 seconds to raise from the ground to its maximum lift. I can make it 2.3 seconds without freezing. I don't have heated grips either...so I wear gloves...because after all, it is winter. ;) in any case I didn’t invent it. Most atv plow and accessory plow companies make a pulley kit for the same reason. Just sharing the quick and easy version I use. Thanks for watching.

[@davidwynne2005]

Off to Princess Auto today... Thanks!

[@jimcarson9682]

Don't you loose the height of the plow coming off the ground?

[@MyOldSled]

Nope. It still raises until it hits the frame which is as high as it can go

[@danielcook5749]

Always great content !! Love the trails

[@MyOldSled]

Thank you Daniel!

[@dginta7932]

Nice. What size plow is that?

[@MyOldSled]

50”

[@dginta7932]

@@MyOldSled Thanks. Did you ever do the pulley mod (drilling a hole and moving it a bit closer to the blade) you spoke about in this video?

[@MyOldSled]

No, lots going going on this year building the new garage. The Atv was stored at the neighbours.

[@ftmlexi]

I watch your video the other day and I thought it was a great idea I wish I could send you a picture of what I did to see what you think. Let me know if you know how I can do that?

[@MyOldSled]

Sure my facebook page is in the description.

[@Orvis25]

Love the idea. 2 questions: 1) any idea on how to add some weight to the slow to allow it to cut better in harder snow? (I have a 5lb bag of sand on it to help keep the blade down) 2) with this pully mod, does the pulley put all the weight from lifting onto the front rack, or split between the winch and the rack since its 2 points of contact? I have a trx300fw and the front rack is rated for like 60lb of weight. Is this a large concern?

[@MyOldSled]

hi Orvis. Hmm actually no, I've never thought of adding weight to the plow, but I guess that's as good a way as any. I guess the weight would be split between the winch and the front rack. I can't say I'm sure if thats a concern. If it is rated for 60 lbs I would say it would exceed that weight, but I haven't had any issues on mine.

[@Orvis25]

@@MyOldSled Hey thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity, do you have any experience with plow wings? If so, are they worth it to make/buy and retrofit on a ATV plow?

[@dsmtsi]

With a single pulley in this configuration the weight on the rack is half the weight of the plow being lifted.

[@MyOldSled]

Actually, the weight is still hanging on the rack at any point in the lift and remains unchanged, the force required to move that weight is reduced with each pulley added.

[@CaptinMidnight]

Nice little bit of slide guitar.😎

[@MyOldSled]

Gotta love the blues...

[@nathanduckeorth806]

It don't look like it may lift as high now but that was a good idea!

[@MyOldSled]

It doesn’t change maximum height at all if you position the strap high enough. It still lifts as high as the frame which is as high as it can go. Thanks for watching

[@nathanduckeorth806]

@@MyOldSled I have one of those pullies I may try that! Because I broke my cable bout a week ago down by the hook that looks like it may take the strain out of it where it bends coming out of the winch thanks!ps I ride sleds 2

[@daganhaddad]

by the looks of it the pully I got is way too small - I also just got a 2000 lb winch to use w/plow on my blazer...looks like I should maybe get rope too - thx

[@MyOldSled]

A lot of guys suggest ropes. Thanks for watching.

[@jasonvsd]

Plowed snow for 10 years with wire rope and never had a problem. I fell for the marketing hype and put on a synthetic winch and it breaks EVERY TIME I use it. Going back to wire rope.

[@MyOldSled]

Still on the same cable, no issues

[@hoogabooga9736]

can't beat the handle lift....no winch and waaaay faster than waiting for the winch.

[@Aldoshein]

How long did that fix last?

[@MyOldSled]

Still going strong. It will last indefinitely. I mean eventually the cable will wear out like anything but it's getting half the stress. This is a pretty standard mod, the plow manufacturer offers a very similar add on, I just don't like the company much .

[@Chevy-hw6lw]

Beater truck with a plow ! 😁.

[@robertfagga7921]

Another great video Dave Thanks

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Robert!

[@magicone9327]

Can't lift blade as much now. A revised roller of a larger diameter mounted forward of the fair lead rollers at the height of original would function better

[@MyOldSled]

Hi M. Sorry, that is not correct. My blade will still lift until it hits the frame, which is as high as it can go. No change.

[@salt7379]

Also less strain on the battery

[@MyOldSled]

Possibly, though because its slower, the winch runs longer.

[@upnorthvlogs]

Great video I just installed one on my sportsman

[@MyOldSled]

Nice. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@MaxxieTheShyProto]

Dave can you teach others to use the right spark plugs for the right engines. One time my sled's muffler almost blew up because of the wrong sparks

[@MaxxieTheShyProto]

my uncle change my sled's spark plug from br9eya to br8hs

[@MyOldSled]

Can't imagine blowing a muffler up because of plugs, but your manual should tell you which plugs to use.

[@Domster19888]

Nice setup!

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks.

[@markalan4026]

Have you tried tire chains yet? If not, I'd highly recommend them!!

[@MyOldSled]

I haven’t. Thanks for the tip!

[@31186dan]

Good idea 👍

[@wanderer508]

Well Dave let us know if it survives. I have also been experimenting with my atv/plow setup. 1st the pulley cut my speed by half, for me painfully slow and I am not as patient as you. 2nd I used a TSC pulley (princess auto is 3 hrs away in Sudbury) that looks identical to the one you are using. Destroyed it in no time. Hope yours works out better than mine did. BTW love your work.

[@MyOldSled]

Yep, it cuts the speed down, spreads load out so it has to. Pulley is good and solid, no woories. Thanks for watching!

[@MyOldSled]

Wanderer…still going strong, and I lifted the plow while standing on it….

[@nseric1233]

Forgot pulleys Get a ratchet strap and use the strap off it instead of cable on the winch It last forever lifting plows

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Eric, I know a lot of guys use straps or ropes. Personally, this method is my preference as it reduces overall load on winch, and it’s well within capacity of the cable, but I appreciate the suggestion. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TerryWheelyabarrabackApiary]

Mm I can see that might just bend your rack tubing. Maybe connect it to your bump bar instead and use a shorter strap. Just saying.

[@MyOldSled]

Hi Terry, the rack could easily support double that weight without bending. Been running like this with no issues for a while now. Thanks for watching.

[@GearTubeTV]

Excellent video!

[@MyOldSled]

Thank you!

[@fl5744]

Great job, go do my driveway now! Lol

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks! Where are you?

[@billjensen6216]

Good idea

[@jenglasheen75]

Yea Honda baby

[@MyOldSled]

Always been a great machine. Little small, but it does what I need it to.

[@jjbolo]

Brilliant. Thanks.

[@MyOldSled]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tracksofnyc]

Awesome!

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks!

[@jayonez137]

Get a Synthetic rope for plowing season

[@MyOldSled]

Thats something I’ve been considering. Wondering if id need a larger pully.

[@jayonez137]

@@MyOldSled I don’t think so. When it stretches it fits right in there. I have a short one that I use just for plowing season. Definitely lasts a lot longer. One season with the original metal cable and I started breaking strands. 4 years on this synthetic plow cable now and it’s not showing any signs of wear. And they’re inexpensive

[@pinittowinit8481]

Haha my dad had a mxz 670 and if you held it wide open for a long time and let off fire would come out of the exhaust pipe🤣

[@Utah_Mike]

👍

[@MyOldSled]

👍

[@joeylacroix9527]

👍great video

[@MyOldSled]

Thanks Joey. Glad you liked it.

[@loocius]

It Seems To Have Lost The Rise Of The Plow.

[@MyOldSled]

Sounds like a movie title. :) No the plow raises just as high and drops just as low as always

[@swampfizz]

you need a bigger plow...lol

[@MyOldSled]

This is about max for this size ATV. Thanks for watching

[@filobetobaby]

Twice as slow. I don't see the benefit.

[@MyOldSled]

Not that complicated. Half the load on the winch. Most plow companies sell a similar accessory.

[@filobetobaby]

@@MyOldSled I didn't say it was complicated, I said it was twice as slow. I don't think the benefits outweigh the cost.

[@MyOldSled]

Ah, ok. You said you didn't see the benefit. In that case, I think another second or two to raise the plow is is worth reducing wear and tear by putting half the workload on the winch. Just my opinion. Thanks for watching.

[@DougladMcComb-sj1ts]

Cubcadetsldebyside

[@MyOldSled]

What? That’s what you have? What model.