A UTV with the right plow will out-work a truck in a lot of situations — tighter turning, better traction in deep stuff, and no wear on your daily driver. But "the right plow" depends on your machine, your snow, and how much clearing you actually do. This guide walks through every decision, in order, so you end up with a setup that fits the first time.
With a background in designing UTV snow plows, we know that matching the right mount can be the most confusing part. Worry no more — use our Mount Finder to get the exact mount your side-by-side needs. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call at 800-596-0785. We'll do everything we can to make you the most helpful person on the block.
Start with the decisions that matter
- Mount system — does it fit your exact machine?
- Blade type — straight, curved (tapered), V-blade, or poly
- Blade width — how wide the blade is
- Lift system — your winch and a pulley upgrade
Get the mount right and everything else is easy. Get it wrong and nothing else matters.
1. The mount is the most important part
A plow is really three pieces: the blade, the push tube/frame, and the mount that ties it to your UTV. The blade and push tube are often shared within a line — the mount is machine-specific. A mount built for a Polaris Ranger will not bolt to a Can-Am Defender.
This is where buyers get burned online: they order a blade and the wrong mount, or a "universal" kit that needs a mount they didn't know to add. When you shop with us, our Year → Make → Model plow finder filters to only the plows and mounts that fit your machine, so a mismatch isn't possible.
Before you buy, know your UTV's exact year, make, and model. That's all our finder needs.
2. Blade type: straight, curved, V-blade, or poly
We offer four blade styles. Here's what each is best at.
Straight blade
The workhorse. A flat, upright moldboard that angles left or right. Simplest, toughest, and the lowest cost. If you're clearing a driveway, a yard, or flat lots, a straight blade is all most people need.
Curved (tapered) blade
A taller blade with a curved (tapered) face that rolls and throws snow better than a flat blade — it doesn't just push, it moves snow up and off to the side. Great when you're clearing more volume or want a cleaner finish. This is the profile on our Denali Pro kits.
V-blade
The blade hinges in the center to form a V (to knock through deep snow and drifts), a scoop (to carry and windrow snow), or straight/angled positions. The most capable option for deep or heavy snow, with more moving parts and a higher price.
Poly blade
A polyethylene blade surface: snow slides off cleanly (less sticking and buildup), it won't rust or corrode from road salt, it's lighter, and it runs quieter. In wet, heavy-snow climates the poly's snow-shedding is a real advantage. Featured on our Denali Poly kit.
Honest take: for most UTV owners a quality straight or curved blade clears snow beautifully. Step up to a V-blade if you routinely fight deep drifts, and choose poly if you deal with wet, sticky snow or lots of road salt.
3. Blade width
The blade should extend past your tires when it's angled — otherwise you drive over the snow you just moved and pack it down into an icy strip. Because of that, the majority of UTV owners go with a 72" blade. It clears your tire track on almost any full-size machine and gives you margin when the blade is angled.
A 60"–66" blade can make sense on a narrow, mid-size machine, but if you're unsure, 72" is the safe, popular choice — you'll rarely wish you'd bought narrower. Our plow finder shows the widths available for your model.
4. Lift system: your winch (and a pulley upgrade)
- Winch lift — a winch is of paramount importance when it comes to raising and lowering the blade from your seat. The winch we love the most is Viper — they're made in the same factory as Warn and have outstanding performance.
- Plow pulley fairlead — a small add-on that makes your winch lift work better and last longer. It replaces your winch's standard hawse/roller fairlead during plow season and adds a pulley (sheave) that changes the angle the cable pulls at. The greater the angle of attack from the winch cable to the plow, the less stress on the cable and the more power goes into lifting the blade — so the plow lifts higher and easier, and your cable lasts far longer.
Our recommendation by use case
| You mostly… | Best setup |
|---|---|
| Clear a home driveway / yard | Straight or poly blade, 72", winch lift |
| Maintain a ranch, long drive, or multiple properties | Curved (tapered) blade, 72", winch lift |
| Fight deep drifts / heavy wet snow | V-blade or poly, 72", winch lift |
We have the Denali UTV plow line in Standard, Pro, and Poly kits, each matched to your machine through the plow finder — so you're choosing a setup, not guessing at a parts list. See current Denali pricing and fitment →
Take it to the next level
Ready to go beyond a basic setup? Two upgrades our serious plow customers love:
Denali Hydro-Turn — angle your blade from the seat
Tired of getting out to re-angle the blade by hand? The Denali Hydro-Turn swings your blade through a full radius in about 10 seconds while you drive — and holds fast when you hit the big snow banks. The hydraulics are sealed for life (no fluid to buy, no lines to bleed, no leaks), it bolts straight to Denali Standard and Pro push tubes, and it comes with your choice of a flush-mount dash switch or a joystick controller. When you're clearing a long drive or windrowing snow to one side, hydraulic angle turns a chore into a joyride.
Add Camso tracks for unstoppable traction
When the snow gets deep, tracks change everything — flotation and grip a tire simply can't match, so you plow through conditions that would bury a wheeled machine. If you want the ultimate winter setup, pair your plow with a Camso track system:
- Camso UTV 4S1 Track System — complete 4-track kit with mount
- Camso UTV X4S Track System — complete 4-track kit with mount
- Camso ATV T4S Track System — complete 4-track kit with mount
A quick word on buying online
Snow plows are heavy, and freight surprises are the #1 complaint we hear about buying them online. As a top distributor of Denali plows, the freight on your whole system is included in the price (Lower 48 States) — the price you see is the price you pay, no checkout shock. Big-ticket or not sure on fitment? The website works great, but sometimes it's nice to talk to a real person who lives in the USA — call us at 800-596-0785 and we'll spec it with you.
Frequently asked questions
What size plow do I need for my UTV?
Most UTV owners run a 72" blade so it clears the tire track when angled and doesn't pack snow down. A 60–66" blade can work on a narrow mid-size machine, but 72" is the popular, safe choice.
Can any UTV run a snow plow?
Almost any modern UTV can, as long as there's a machine-specific mount available. Confirm one exists for your exact year, make, and model.
Do I need a winch to run a plow?
A winch is the recommended lift — it raises and lowers the blade from your seat and doubles as recovery gear. Pair it with a plow pulley fairlead to lift higher and protect your cable. For hands-free angling, add a hydraulic angle kit.
What's the difference between a straight and a curved plow blade?
A straight blade is a flat moldboard that pushes snow. A curved (tapered) blade rolls and throws snow up and to the side, moving more volume with a cleaner finish.
Is a poly plow blade better than steel?
Poly sheds snow better, won't rust or corrode from salt, and runs quieter. Steel blades are proven and tough. Both clear snow well — it comes down to your conditions.