ProMark Offroad Blog
Why Does My Plow Slip Down? Winch Back-Driving and Cable Nesting
Lately we’ve been hearing from customers who are having problems with their ATV plow slipping down as the winch line creeps out. This problem can be caused by one of two things: 1) winch back-driving, or 2) cable nesting.
Troubleshooting Winch Creep on ATV Plows
If your ATV winch is controlled by a mechanical brake (and not a dynamic brake), there is a chance you may be experiencing back-driving when the plow is in the up position. Winches with mechanical brakes are designed to slip under excessive load to protect the winch gears. Under the weight of a heavy plow blade, the cable may slowly creep out and allow the blade to slip down a few inches.
If this happens, simply spool in the winch line to take up the slack. Using a snatch block can also reduce the load on the winch and prevent the plow from slipping.
Cable Nesting
Cable nesting is when the winch cable becomes tangled up on the drum like a bird’s nest. As you plow, the cable can slowly tighten around the drum as it works its way into the inner layers of cable.
If this happens, spool out the cable until all the messed up layers are unwound. Then spool the cable back onto the drum in tight, even rows.
How Do I Know if My Winch is Back-Driving or Nesting?
Since both back-driving and nesting cause the plow to slip, the two can easily be confused. The best way to find the cause of the problem is to observe the winch drum as the plow slips. If the drum turns, the problem is back-driving. If the drum does not turn as the winch line creeps, then the problem is cable nesting, where the winch line needs to be properly re-spooled around the drum.
Plow Winch Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Possible Causes | Solution |
| Winch line creeps out, causing the plow to slip down |
1. Winch back-driving 2. Cable nesting |
1. If drum turns, winch in slack, reduce load, or double line. 2. If drum does NOT turn, re-spool cable in tight, even rows. |
Related Posts:
ATV Plow Weight
Compensating for the Weight of the Plow
A heavy ATV plow may require a stiffer suspension using spring spacers.
Stiffening the suspension with spacers will keep the plow blade from bottoming out on hills and steep driveways and improve the performance of your ATV when a heavy plow is attached.
Why Spacers Are Better Than HD Springs
Heavy duty springs are another option to stiffen the suspension, but spacers are preferred, since they can easily be inserted or removed as needed. When you have the plow on, you can install the spacers. And when plow season is over, you can just as easily remove the spacers for a better ride. (HD springs tend to make for a harder ride and tougher handling.) Spacers are also easier to install than new springs because they don’t require you to take anything apart. Just jack up the bike and install the spacers.
Keeping It Even
It’s best to keep the front and rear suspension at the same stiffness, so if you add spacers to the front springs, you’ll also want to add them to the rear. Since the spacers will raise the machine in the front end, make sure the rear is raised to the same height.
Adding Rear Weight
Another way to compensate for the extra plow weight on the front of your ATV is to load a few sandbags on the rear rack. The rear weight will help with traction and keep the plow from scraping the ground on steep grades. Make sure you strap down the sandbags to secure them in place.
ATV Plow FAQ
ATV Plow with 52-inch Blade
Most ATVs are roughly 48 inches wide. In order to clear a path wider than your ATV, you’ll need at least a 50-inch blade. Also, remember that if you angle the blade, the width of the cleared path will narrow.
Plow blade size also depends on the size of your ATV. Smaller ATVs (less than 500cc) may struggle under the weight of a 50-inch blade. In that case, you’ll want to go with something smaller. Larger ATVs (500cc or more) should easily be able to handle a 60-inch blade or longer. The biggest utility quads can handle even more—up to a 72-inch plow blade.
A smaller blade is lighter, easier to maneuver, and—if you use a manual lift—easier to lift. Larger blades are heavier and less maneuverable, but they cut a clean, wide path to get the job done quicker.
Straight plow blade or angled?
Straight blades are the best fit for general plowing needs. They keep the snow (gravel, dirt, etc.) in front of the ATV rather than falling off to the side. They are the best option for pushing materials straight forward and for leveling ground.
An angled plow blade (wider at one end than the other) is best for moving snow or other materials off to the side as you plow. This prevents snow from building up in front of the ATV and creating heavy loads.
What about the extra weight?
Because of the weight of the ATV plow and winch, you will need to up the suspension to the stiffest setting. Most shocks should be able to handle the extra front load, but if the stock shocks don’t cut it, you might need to look into aftermarket shocks.
What about traction?
Most 2WD quads and some underpowered 4WD ATVs will require tire chains for better traction. Two chains are good. Four chains are better. Make sure you have adequate clearance, especially if you chain up the front tires.
ATV Plow Maintenance and Operation
The better you take care of your ATV plow, the longer it will last.
1. Check the Bolts
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your ATV plow is to check for wear and tightness of all bolts, nuts, and fasteners. If any bolts are rusted, stripped, or deformed, replace them immediately. Tighten any loose nuts and bolts.
2. Inspect the Plow
Also inspect all other parts of the ATV plow and lift. Make sure all parts are free of rust and in good working condition. Check all rotating or moving parts. They should be free of debris and any other obstructions.
3. Inspect the Winch or Electric Lift
If you use an ATV winch to operate your plow, perform regular maintenance on the ATV winch and keep a close eye on the condition of the cable. If the cable appears frayed or worn, replace it immediately. If you plow using steel cable and it wears out quickly, you may find that you have better luck with synthetic plow cable. It’s more forgiving of the repeated flexing motion that happens when you raise and lower the plow blade.
4. Adjust the Plow Skids
Plow skids will also prolong the life of your plow. Without skids, the plow blade will mark up the driveway surface, and the wear bars will erode faster than normal. For decorative surfaces and pavers, adjust the plow skids so that the edge of the wear bar will float just above the surface. For level driveway surfaces, set the plow skids at the same level as the edge of the wear bar.
5. Stiffen the Suspension
Also note that you’ll get the best results using your plow if you set the ATV’s suspension to the stiffest setting. It’s easier on your ATV and will help both your ATV and plow last longer.
ATV Plow Wear Bar and Skids
Skids and Double-Sided Wear Bar
for Cycle Country ATV Plow
ATV Plow Wear Bars
Since the wear bar needs to be replaced as it wears out, it’s better to go with a double-sided wear bar. These types of wear bars are designed to be flipped over, so they last twice as long as a standard wear bar.
There are 2 types of ATV plow wear bars: steel and plastic. Steel wear bars are tougher than plastic, but they can also be tough on driveway surfaces. Plastic wear bars are easier on driveway surfaces and pavers.
ATV Plow Skids
Plow skids increase the life of the wear bar and minimize damage caused by the plow blade scraping the driveway surface. They also help when plowing uneven, rocky surfaces, by lifting the edge of the plow blade just enough to keep it from digging into the gravel or rock.
For level surfaces, adjust the plow skids to the same height as the wear bar on the plow blade. For uneven surfaces, adjust the skids so that the edge of the wear bar will glide just above the rocky surface.
How to Plow Snow with an ATV
ATV Plowing Tips for First Timers
1. Plow with the Storm
The most important thing to remember is to plow with the storm! Don’t wait until there’s 10 inches of wet, heavy snow on the ground before starting to plow.
An ATV can handle just about any winter storm, but the key is to start early. The heavier and deeper the snow, the harder it’s going to be on your ATV, so when a big storm blows through, don’t wait until it’s over to start on the driveway.
2. Don’t Ram It
Treat your ATV and plow equipment with respect. Ramming into hard-packed mounds of snow can bend the plow blade, damage the ATV, and even injure the rider. Plowing at high speeds is also dangerous, as there can be hidden objects or a buildup of ice underneath the snow. Running into these obstacles at high speeds could seriously damage the ATV or rider.
If you need to plow a large drift, lift up the blade (but not all the way) and plow the top half. Then come back and plow the bottom half.
3. Clear a Wider Path
Push the snow out into the yard at the beginning of the season so that by the end of the season, you still have a full width of driveway to plow. Come February, you don’t want to find that you have nowhere left to push the snow! To keep from ripping up the yard, lift up the blade a couple inches to skim the grass.
4. Get a Grip
If you need extra traction and stability, add some weight to the back of the ATV and invest in some ATV tire chains, preferably on all four tires. Just be aware that the tire chains could leave marks on the driveway surface.
The more you plow, the more you will settle into a rhythm that works for you. In fact, you might enjoy it so much that you end up plowing out all the neighbors, too!
Cycle Country ATV Snowplows Now In Stock at PROMARK OFFROAD
Get your ATV snow plow kit from Cycle Country!
The A.R.M. snowplow system is designed to fit most ATV models. The 52-inch blade is the new standard for ATV plows, cutting a clean path as wide as any ATV.
Both poly and steel plow blades are available for sale at ProMark Offroad (formerly Gorilla Winches). The X-Force™ poly blade from Cycle Country is specially designed with Rib-Flex technology that reinforces the poly to create a blade as durable as any steel blade.
The poly blade is easy on driveway surfaces, quiet, and easy to maintain. While most poly ATV plows on the market today are heavier than their steel counterparts, the X-Force™ includes all plastic parts, which cuts down on excess weight.
Also available at ProMark Offroad is the Bear Force™ steel plow blade. This steel blade by Cycle Country is one of the strongest, most durable blades on the market. Steel blades have a long history of strength and durability in the plowing world, and the Bear Force™ ATV blade is no exception.
Both the poly ATV plow kit and the steel ATV plow kit include heavy-duty wearbars, skid plates, and mounting hardware. An electric lift system or ATV winch is required to power the blade.
For more information on Cycle Country ATV snowplow kits from ProMark Offroad (formerly Gorilla Winches), visit the product page for ATV Snow Plows.
ATV Snow Blades: Poly or Steel?
Which is better: poly or steel? When it comes to an ATV snow blade, you want the most strength and durability you can get. Both poly and steel snowplow blades perform well under load, but they do have their differences.
Poly ATV snow blade
Poly ATV Snow Plow Blade
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Benefits:
- Blade won’t rust or corrode
- Easy on driveway surfaces
- Quieter than steel snow blades
- Rib-Flex technology on the X-Force reinforces the plow blade for an “almost indestructible blade” to achieve the same life expectancy as a steel blade
- The X-Force ATV snow blade is an all plastic plow, not steel frame like most poly blades. This all-plastic plow is actually lighter in weight than steel plows, whereas most traditional poly plows are heavier than steel plows.
Steel ATV snow blade
Steel ATV Snow Plow Blade
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Benefits:
- Long history of strength and durability in the plowing world
- Has a proven history of holding up under abuse or accidental damage
- Easy to add plow wings
- Lighter weight than most traditional poly plows (not including the X-Force)
Both the Poly ATV Plow Kit and Steel ATV Plow Kit from Cycle Country include heavy-duty wearbars, skid plates, and mounting hardware.
Cycle Country ATV Snowplow Kits Now In Stock!
Cycle Country's drive-up Speed Latch(TM) makes for quick and easy mounting.
Now only $419.99 for a complete ATV snowplow kit from Cycle Country!
Poly blade or steel blade available.
All A.R.M. (Assisted Release Mount) ATV Snowplow Kits from Cycle Country include:
- 52″ ATV Snowplow Blade (poly or steel)
- Quick Connect Plow Attachment
- A-Arm Mount
This 7-position ATV plow blade offers flexibility and precision plowing. The heavy duty wear bars and durable blade materials will last through the harshest winters and plowing conditions.
Get yours now before the snow flies!
Get a Grip with ATV Tire Chains
Ride through the winter with ATV snow chains.
If you plow snow with your quad or go ice fishing with your off road vehicle, no doubt you’ve done your share of slipping and sliding. That is, unless you’ve got a set of heavy duty 4×4 chains on your quad tires.
ATV tire chains, or snow chains, give you better traction and control so you can get in and out of snow or ice-packed terrain. ATV chains bite into snow and ice so your tires can grip the surface without slipping or spinning.
V-bar chains get superior performance out of your 4×4 tires in snow, ice, and slush. They also provide extra traction for mud and hills, although they’re not recommended for use with mud tires or tires with deep lugs.
To get the best fit, check your tire size before buying tire chains for your ATV. You’ll want a secure fit to keep your chains from shifting or from slipping off your tires.
Some ATV chains are designed to fit a specific range of tire sizes. This means that if your tires are in the low end of that range, you may need to modify the chain size to get a better fit.
You can cut the chains with bolt cutters or zip tie the extra chain links to custom fit the chains to your quad tires. Even tire-specific ATV chains can get a better fit if you zip tie any slack in the chains or use a bungee cord to secure the chains in place.
