The best justification for purchasing an ATV is the idea that you’ll use it for more than just romping through the woods with the wind in your face. Think of the possibilities: you can grade the driveway, plow snow or winch stuff around with this multi-use piece of machinery. Or at least that’s what you told your husband/wife, right? Let’s take a look at some of what’s out there in terms of utilitarian accessories for ATV’s and how you can put them to work.
Winches
These handy pulling devices can be a lifesaver when your buddy gets stuck in a muddy rut or you need to pull that bush out of your backyard landscape. Available from a variety of leading manufacturers including Warn, Superwinch, Smittybuilt and more, ATV mount winches range in average price from $99 to $350 dependent upon the size and weight pull rating of the winch. Mounting kits are available to easily install the winch to the front of an ATV, having you ready for vehicle recovery and yard work in no time!
Snow Plows
The United States is scattered with locales that suffer through a little season called Winter. While the southern states may enjoy mild temperatures and the occasional burst of sunshine, this accessory is a lifesaver for those of you trudging through months of bitter cold and feet of snow. Mounted via simple kits that secure to the ATV frame with pins, snow plow blades are available in widths ranging from 48” to 78” wide. The price of snow plow blades and mounts varies greatly and can run anywhere from $100 to $750. Regardless of the price, the best part of this accessory is that it very well may save you the heart attack associated with shoveling a driveway for 3 months straight.
Grader Blades
I come from a place where driveways are dirt. And long. ATV grader and scraper blades are an ideal investment for anyone who is sick of dealing with they’re bumpy dirt road. Depending on the caliber of equipment, prices vary from $250 to about $700. After your purchase, these bad boys can be used for leveling out dirt and gravel just as you would with a tractor attachment, but on a smaller scale. Consider how much land you have and want to work around with these attachments when you buy them, as some companies offer a variety of agricultural ATV attachments for planting and tilling that may be great additions to your grader blade purchase.
Mowers
For those of you with the blessing and curse of living on large acreage, ATV mower attachments are available to help keep all that grass in check. Although these are definitely an investment accessory at $1,000 and up, they make sense for anyone with land and a concern about fire safety. Most mower blades come with adjustable height options and tow along behind the machine, similar to larger tractor attachments.
What you’ve got yourself is a miniature tractor, really. Consider your ATV purchase as more than a recreational purchase, but instead as a utilitarian investment. Save up for a few accessories that meet your needs and those homeowner chores will be a whole lot more enjoyable.
