Plowing at Night - Effective Lights to See What You are Plowing?

[Nitz]

I did some searching on this topic and did not find quite what I am looking for. My 84" Polaris plow package is being installed on my 2025 RANGER XD 1500 NorthStar Edition Ultimate. This will be my first go at plowing with a UTV. For you experienced UTV plow operators - what works well to light up the work area?

Will a front-facing light bar on the roof illuminate what/where you are plowing?

Would something like a 10" Rigid SR-Series Combo light mounted on the bumper help? Or would the plow just block the light anyways?

Has anyone seen or figured out a good way to mount a Polaris Work Beacon LED Light [2883265] on an XD 1500?

 

[Mr.C]

I think a 10” light bar on the bumper would work well enough, since our machines are a little higher than the older XP’s. I have both, but haven’t needed to plow with my XD yet. Or should say, I couldn’t due to a broken ankle and torn tendon on the right foot. A roof mounted light bar would work no problem.

 

[Big Red]

I have a 12" lightbar on the bumper and it provides plenty of light, of course you can block it if you raise the plow up high enough. To be honest though I don't think I even turn it on when I plow. I do turn on the Bumper Lights to get a better view of the sides but let's be real, just how much light do you need to see what your doing when you're surrounded by white snow at 5 mph?

 

[Rupp Collector]

A front-facing roof mounted light bar will light the world.

 

[AVI8OR]

A Rigid on front bumper and one on top of cab. Plenty.

 

[Clubin]

If there is one thing I could suggest to you, it would be to buy a rubber cutting edge for your plow, depending on where you plow. It is not destructive at all.
If you’re planning on cutting hard snow, the rubber cutting edge will not work. The rubber cutting edge works more like a squeegee.

My plough will look a little bit different than yours. I have the extension mounted to it from the ADV. I run tracks all winter on mine so I needed the extra extension to clear the tracks.

Now for your question

On the front, I have a 30 inch light bar on the roof and a 12 inch light bar on the bumper. With the bumper lights on, they are an amber color and the headlights off it is plenty of light to see.

 

[Nitz]

If there is one thing I could suggest to you, it would be to buy a rubber cutting edge for your plow, depending on where you plow. It is not destructive at all.
If you’re planning on cutting hard snow, the rubber cutting edge will not work. The rubber cutting edge works more like a squeegee.

Thanks Clubin. I have been exploring such options. I doubt skid shoes would work well for my usage. I anticipate plowing on concrete, asphalt, crushed gravel, as well as some lawn in the barnyard - perhaps all in the same plowing session. Possibly a field lane or two. My primary concerns are keeping my mother's concrete driveway in great condition, not tearing up gravel portions, and not destroying lawn. Any specific make/model/material recommendations for a cutting edge?

I am looking at things like horse stall mats. Some experimenting might be in order as I am not sure the most effective way to get a clean cut or drilling thru without tearout.

I might install a section of ABS pipe on the plow edge to see how effective that form factor is - although I do not expect it to hold up to cold-weather impacts and scraping for very long.

Also looking into various plastic or composite plow cutting edges available. I have even heard of guys running composite deck board.



Thanks everyone for sharing your experience with lighting. I will roll with my roof light bar for now - sounds like that may be plenty.

 

[Mr.C]

What about using some UHMW? That holds up pretty well to the cold and it’s a tough plastic type material.

 

[Clubin]

Thanks Clubin. I have been exploring such options. I doubt skid shoes would work well for my usage. I anticipate plowing on concrete, asphalt, crushed gravel, as well as some lawn in the barnyard - perhaps all in the same plowing session. Possibly a field lane or two. My primary concerns are keeping my mother's concrete driveway in great condition, not tearing up gravel portions, and not destroying lawn. Any specific make/model/material recommendations for a cutting edge?

I am looking at things like horse stall mats. Some experimenting might be in order as I am not sure the most effective way to get a clean cut or drilling thru without tearout.

I might install a section of ABS pipe on the plow edge to see how effective that form factor is - although I do not expect it to hold up to cold-weather impacts and scraping for very long.

Also looking into various plastic or composite plow cutting edges available. I have even heard of guys running composite deck board.



Thanks everyone for sharing your experience with lighting. I will roll with my roof light bar for now - sounds like that may be plenty.

I had a quick peek, this is a 72” kit.

https://a.co/d/hlqBMiV

Take the sliders off the plow they are no longer needed. Mount this up. Using the steel cutting edge sandwich in between the rubber cutting edge.