ATV or sled

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blasted_saber

ATVs are not good in snow, even with chains.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sawbill

Max snow depth for an ATV would be the height of the axle at the very best.

---

no to quibble, but I've been using an ATV (Honda 350 with ITP tyres) in the bush for many years to cut and haul firewood and I've taken it into waist deep snow and have never got stuck enough to require help getting it out. And that includes pulling a sled full of wood behind it.

The only real issue is with soft 'sugar' type snow that doesn't pack, lots of sliding, but with two of us on the ATV we still get thru OK.

I'm sure a sled would be better at times but if I had to make an assessment, an ATV can do the job fine for 90% of the time.

You haul firewood through waist deep snow with an ATV?

No ATV without tracks can run in 3 ft deep snow unless you have a crust to run on top of it.

I think MikePal has been hacked.

Mikepal, Waaaay too much eggnog.
I've got the 350 Honda fourtrax. As they say, bin there, done that! Soon as you get to the axles/belly pan the machine gets hung up and you just sit there and spin.

I have owned many of both. Best in snow was my tracked grizzly 700 atv. After that next best was any snowmobile I ever owned.

Been doing it for years, it all depends on the type of snow. We cut wood in Jan/Jeb when it's cold, the snow is usually powdery the day we go in to make the initial trails. Sure we get hung up occasionally but rarely get stuck. Once the ATV has been thru a few times is packs down and were good to go.

I'm not sure what your guys experiences are, but I've had few problems with handling deep snow back in the bush, like I said, the ATV has been our main transportation for hauling firewood for years....my wood pile doesn't lie :)

Found a pic of our set-up...this bush is a good mile back in and we use the ATV and the Otter sled to get there... every winter, regardless of the snow conditions. This was back in 2013, a deep snow winter. It was at least knee deep (and I'm 6'2") the day we went in and made the trails, but snow conditions were good to pack it down. We got hung up some, but still got the job done as there was no back up to get us out.

Don't let the pic foul you, take a step off the beaten path and your up to your knees in snow.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pse996e727.jpg

That Honda 4x4 with ITP tires is an amazing machine....buddy who owns it also uses it for Ice Fishing, I watched him drag the ice hut across slush one spring to get it to shore. It worked hard but it did it.

The secret is to maintain your trail by simply driving over any snow accumulation to tamp it down. If you wait too long and try to plough through a foot of snow then yes you will probably have some difficulty but lets face it with the winters we have been having and January thaws you can utilize the ATV pretty well year round. There is a few well established clubs in Eastern Ontario that cater to winter ATV riding. So, bang for the buck an ATV is the way to go. Heck, if I can take my Jeep on the ice for ice fishing then an ATV has no problems at all.

However, the same may not be said in northern Ontario where there is much more accumulation. All depends where you live.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...a/100_2684.jpg

I use my atv at least 10 months of the year. Do park it if the snow gets too deep, but not for long. We are in the snow belt, so can get a big dump of snow. If I want to cut wood I take tractor and blower and tramp down trails. Then good to go. I gave my snowmobile to my grandson several years ago, don't miss it. With insurance costs trail permits , all the red tape and BS not worth my while. I am on my 5th atv use them most days, most of the year. Presently have 500 Honda, like it. Just get what suits your situation, and budget. Have fun. old 243