If you're tired of breaking your back with a shovel every time the driveway disappears under a foot of white stuff, getting a kubota rtv 1100 snow plow setup is easily one of the smartest moves you can make. Let's be real—there is a massive difference between clearing a path with a walk-behind blower and sitting in a heated cab with the radio on while a heavy-duty blade does the heavy lifting. The RTV 1100 is pretty much built for this kind of work, and when you pair it with the right plow, it transforms from a utility vehicle into a literal tank that laughs at winter.
Why the RTV 1100 is a Snow-Moving Beast
The thing about the Kubota RTV 1100 that makes it stand out from the "fun" sport UTVs is that it's essentially a small tractor dressed up like a side-by-side. It's heavy, it's got a diesel engine with plenty of low-end grunt, and most importantly, it has a factory-integrated cab.
When you're out there at 5:00 AM and the wind is howling, you don't want to be wearing three layers of wool and a face mask. In the 1100, you've got a real heater and a defrost system that actually works. Because the machine is so heavy—tipping the scales significantly more than your average plastic-bodied UTV—it gets incredible traction. Traction is everything when you're trying to push a mountain of wet, heavy slush. Without that weight, you're just spinning your tires, but the 1100 digs in and stays planted.
Choosing the Right Blade for the Job
When you start looking at a kubota rtv 1100 snow plow, you'll realize you have a few big decisions to make right off the bat. The most common choice is a straight blade. They're simple, durable, and they get the job done for most residential driveways or small parking lots. You can angle them left or right, and they're generally easier on the wallet.
However, if you're dealing with serious drifting or you have a lot of ground to cover, you might want to look into a V-plow. Brands like Boss make some incredible V-plows specifically for the Kubota RTV series. The "V" shape lets you punch through deep drifts that would stop a straight blade in its tracks. You can also pull the wings back into a "scoop" position, which is a lifesave when you're trying to move snow away from a garage door or stack it in a specific corner without it spilling off the sides.
Steel vs. Poly Blades
There's an old-school debate about whether to go with a steel or poly (polyethylene) blade. Steel is the classic choice—it's tough, it's heavy (which helps with scraping), and it's easy to weld if you somehow manage to break it.
On the flip side, poly blades are becoming super popular for the RTV 1100. Snow slides off poly much better than it does off steel. If you've ever had to stop every five minutes to scrape "sticky" snow off your blade, you'll appreciate how poly stays slick. Plus, they don't rust, which is a big deal if you're using salt on your driveway.
The Power of Hydraulics
One of the biggest perks of the Kubota RTV 1100 is its onboard hydraulic system. Unlike smaller rigs that rely on an electric winch to lift the plow, the 1100 can often utilize a fully hydraulic setup. Using a winch to lift a plow is fine, I guess, but it's slow, and those cables tend to snap at the worst possible time.
A true hydraulic kubota rtv 1100 snow plow gives you "down pressure." This is a game-changer. Most plows just rely on gravity to keep the cutting edge on the ground. If the snow is packed down by tire tracks, a gravity-fed plow will just ride right over it. With down pressure, you can actually force the blade into the ground, scraping it clean down to the pavement. It's the difference between a "good enough" job and a professional-looking finish.
Installation and Mounting Systems
You generally have two ways to hook a plow up to your Kubota. There's the front-hitch mount and the dedicated subframe mount.
If you already have a front 2-inch receiver, a hitch-mounted plow is incredibly easy to put on and take off. It's great for light-duty work. But, if you're planning on beating on this thing all winter, I'd highly recommend a subframe mount. This setup bolts directly to the chassis of the RTV. It distributes the force of the impact across the whole frame rather than putting all the stress on one single point. It makes the whole machine feel more rigid and capable.
Essential Add-Ons for Winter Success
Just having the plow isn't always enough. If you want to make your life easier, there are a few "quality of life" upgrades you should consider.
- Strobe Lights: If you're plowing near a road or in a spot where people are driving, you need to be seen. A simple amber strobe on the roof is a must for safety.
- Tire Chains: Even with 4WD and a heavy diesel engine, ice is ice. A set of V-bar chains on the rear tires (or all four if things are really hairy) will turn your RTV into an absolute mountain goat.
- Salt Spreader: If you're doing commercial work or have a steep, paved driveway, a bed-mounted spreader is a logical next step. You can plow the snow and salt the ice in one single pass.
- Upgraded Lighting: The factory headlights on the RTV are okay, but once you raise the plow, the blade often blocks the light. Most guys mount a set of LED light bars on the roof or the brush guard so they can actually see what they're hitting.
Keeping the Rig Running
Maintenance is the part everyone hates, but you can't skip it when you're pushing snow. Salt is the enemy of the RTV 1100. After a big storm, try to spray down the undercarriage and the plow mount if the temperature allows.
Keep an eye on the cutting edge of the plow. It's designed to wear down so your actual plow blade doesn't. If it gets down to the bolts, you're going to have an expensive repair on your hands. Flip it or replace it as soon as it looks thin. Also, don't forget to grease the pivot points on the plow frame. A little bit of grease goes a long way in preventing those parts from seizing up after sitting in a damp garage all summer.
Is it Worth the Investment?
Look, a high-quality kubota rtv 1100 snow plow isn't exactly cheap. You could buy a used quad for what some of these V-plow setups cost. But you have to look at it in terms of time and comfort. If you have a long driveway or a small business to maintain, the RTV 1100 pays for itself in avoided headaches.
There is a certain satisfaction that comes from watching a massive drift disappear while you're sitting in a warm cab, sipping coffee, and listening to the radio. It turns a miserable chore into something that's actually kind of fun. If you've already got the Kubota sitting in your barn or garage, adding a plow is the best way to make sure that machine earns its keep all year round.
At the end of the day, these machines are workhorses. They aren't meant to just sit around when the grass stops growing. Throw a blade on the front, check your hydraulic fluid, and you'll be praying for the next big blizzard just so you have an excuse to go out and play I mean, "work."