If you're tired of breaking your back with a shovel every winter, getting a polaris general 1000 snow plow kit is basically the best favor you can do for yourself before the first real blizzard hits. Let's be honest, the Polaris General is already a beast of a machine. It's got that perfect mix of workhorse grit and trail-riding fun, but when the driveway is buried under six inches of the white stuff, that's when you really see what this 1000cc engine can do. It's not just about moving snow; it's about doing it quickly so you can get back inside where it's warm.
Why the General is a Beast for Plowing
You've got a lot of options when it comes to UTVs, but the General 1000 is uniquely suited for a snow plow. It has more than enough torque to push heavy, wet slush without feeling like it's struggling. Because it's a "crossover" vehicle—somewhere between the utility-heavy Ranger and the sport-focused RZR—it has a beefier suspension than most, which handles the extra weight of a steel blade hanging off the front end surprisingly well.
When you bolt on a polaris general 1000 snow plow kit, you aren't just adding an accessory; you're turning a recreational vehicle into a piece of heavy equipment. The chassis is rigid enough to take the hits when you accidentally clip a hidden curb, and the cab comfort makes those sub-zero mornings a lot more bearable. If you have the heater kit installed, you're basically plowing in your pajamas while your neighbors are out there shivering.
Picking the Right Blade for Your Setup
Not all plow kits are created equal. Depending on where you live and how much ground you need to cover, the type of blade you choose is going to make or break your experience.
Steel vs. Poly Blades
This is the age-old debate. Steel blades are the classic choice. They're heavy, they're tough, and they have that "commercial" feel. If you're scraping ice or hard-packed snow, the weight of a steel blade helps it "bite" into the ground. On the flip side, they can eventually rust if you don't take care of them, and they're loud.
Poly blades (high-density polyethylene) are becoming way more popular lately. They're slippery, so snow doesn't stick to them as much, which is a huge plus when you're dealing with that heavy, wet "heart attack" snow. They're also lighter and don't rust, plus they're a lot quieter when you're out there at 5:00 AM trying not to wake the whole neighborhood.
Straight Blade or V-Plow?
For most people, a straight blade is plenty. It's simple, it's effective, and it's usually more affordable. You can angle it left or right to push snow off the side of the driveway. But if you have a massive area to clear or you're dealing with serious drifts, a V-plow kit is a game-changer. It lets you "scoop" the snow or V-out to break through deep piles. It's a bit more complex to install and operate, but man, does it look cool.
Mounting Systems: Front vs. Mid-mount
When you're looking at a polaris general 1000 snow plow kit, you'll notice two main ways to attach the thing to your machine: front mounts and mid-mounts.
Front mounts are the most common these days. They attach right to the front of the frame. The best part? You don't have to crawl under the machine in the mud and snow to hook it up. Most of them have a quick-release system where you just drive up, click it in, and you're ready to go. They also offer a higher lift height, which is great if you need to stack snow into high banks.
Mid-mounts attach further back under the belly of the General. Because the pushing point is closer to the center of the machine, it's technically more stable and puts less stress on the front suspension. However, they can be a total pain to install, and you lose some ground clearance when the plow is off but the mount is still attached. If you do a lot of trail riding in the winter, that mid-mount plate might get hung up on rocks or logs.
Let's Talk About Lift Systems
Most folks use their winch to lift the plow. It's convenient because you probably already have a winch on your General 1000 anyway. It's simple: you hook the winch cable to the plow frame, hit the "up" button, and it rises.
One thing to watch out for, though, is the angle of the winch cable. If the cable is pulling at a sharp angle, it puts a ton of stress on the rope or wire. A lot of guys end up snapping their winch cables mid-winter. A pro tip is to swap out your synthetic rope for a "plow strap"—a short, heavy-duty webbing strap designed specifically for the constant up-and-down motion of plowing.
If you want to get real fancy, you can go with a hydraulic lift and pivot system. This lets you lift the blade and angle it from side to side using a joystick inside the cab. It's expensive, but it's the peak of luxury. No more getting out of the cab to pull a pin and manually swing the blade to the left.
A Few Tips for the First Install
The first time you put your polaris general 1000 snow plow kit together, give yourself an afternoon and a couple of beers. It's not rocket science, but you want to make sure everything is torqued down right.
Check your skid shoes—those little mushroom-looking feet on the bottom of the blade. If you have a gravel driveway, you'll want to lower those shoes so the blade sits about an inch off the ground. Otherwise, you're going to be throwing rocks into your lawn all winter. If you're on smooth pavement or concrete, you can raise them up so the wear bar scrapes right against the surface for that "blacktop clean" look.
Also, check your front tire pressure. Plowing puts a lot of weight on the front end, so you might want to bump up the PSI a little bit or even stiffen your front shocks if you have the adjustable Fox shocks that come on many General models. It helps the machine stay level when the blade is raised.
Keeping Your Plow in Top Shape
Maintenance is one of those things we all say we'll do and then forget until something breaks. At the end of the season, don't just shove the plow into the back of the shed. Give it a good wash to get all the salt and road grime off. If you've got a steel blade, hit any scratches with some touch-up paint to prevent rust.
Grease the pivot points! Most kits have grease zerk fittings. A little bit of marine-grade grease goes a long way in keeping the blade swinging smoothly. And keep an eye on that wear bar (the metal strip at the very bottom of the blade). It's designed to be replaced. If you let it wear down too far, you'll start grinding away the actual plow frame, and that's a much more expensive fix.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a polaris general 1000 snow plow kit transforms your UTV from a weekend toy into an indispensable tool. There's a weird kind of satisfaction that comes with looking out at a foot of fresh snow and knowing it's only going to take you twenty minutes to clear it. Plus, let's be honest—it's just plain fun to drive. You'll probably find yourself plowing the neighbor's driveway just because you're not ready to go back inside yet.
Stay warm, keep the shiny side up, and enjoy the winter. It's a lot more fun when you're behind the wheel of a General.