Have you ever thought about tot up an ATV or UTV to your arsenal of farm equipment ? No matter where you live and no matter what your needs , these small but versatile machines are useful for a extensive salmagundi of farm functioning .
Perhaps you own a full - vaned service program tractor , but you ’re looking for something smaller and more convenient for have quick trip with a few supplies around the farm . Or perhaps you ’re a hobby sodbuster on a budget , looking for a relatively inexpensive tractor alternative that can do by a intermixture of lightweight farming assignment .
In either instance , an ATV or UTV might just fit your needs . But hold ! Do n’t head to the local dealer and purchase the first model that watch your middle just yet ! We ’ve got 20 buying , maintenance , safe and track - edifice tips to aid you make informed decisions when purchasing ( and using ) an ATV or UTV .
Buying Advice
Before your start shopping , count your indigence . Are you looking for a lightweight vehicle staring for driving around a few dick and supplies without rutting up your yard ? Or do you take a heavy - duty machine capable of cultivating arena ?
Make a list of projects ( both current and next ) that you plan to harness . Then demand yourself the following questions .
Though similar , ATVs and UTVshave a few key difference of opinion . An ATV ( whichstands for all - terrain fomite ) is typically a small , one - person political machine plan for cut through challenge terrain and carrying small loads .
Daniel Johnson
A UTV ( utility task fomite or usefulness terrain fomite , also have it away as a “ side by side ” ) is a expectant automobile thatseats multiple people while gestate larger loads . When enhanced with attachments and implement ( such as snow blowers , tillers , harrows , etc . ) , ATVs and UTVs are able of performing light farm work .
But Farmer are mostly advised to act on the additional strength , constancy and safety offer by a sturdy UTV.Daniel Johnson
Many ATVs and UTVs run on gasoline . But some models feature diesel engine , and still others are galvanizing .
Daniel Johnson
As a broad rule , diesel - powered model are unassailable and durable , designed for hauling heavy lading and handling attachments and implements . You might not get the same speed and sport carrying into action as you would with a petrol - power model . But this usually is n’t a headache for farmers .
galvanic models offer up several advantages equate to gasoline and Rudolf Diesel engines , including reduced stochasticity and sustainment . No crude oil filter , air filter , fuel filter and spark hype . That ’s sympathetic , right ?
But wakeless - duty farm work may drain the battery rapidly . And if you run dry in the middle of a project , recharging is n’t nearly as fast or convenient as filling a tank with gasoline or diesel fuel .
Daniel Johnson
Just like car , some ATVs and UTVs offer two - wheel drive ( 2WD ) . Others tender four - wheel driving ( 4WD ) .
Two - wheel drive vehicle are in general lighter and less expensive . They are also more probable to get beat in muddy or otherwise challenge terrain . And they do n’t go up or descend steep hill as well .
Four - bicycle driving force motorcar be given to be stronger , heavier and more stable . This increase refuge while countenance you to harness tough conditions .
Daniel Johnson
Clearing snow , for example , is a task where four - wheel - drive vehicles offer a meaningful carrying into action encouragement .
depend on the example , the locomotive engine strong point of an ATV or UTV might be measured in three-dimensional cm , horsepower or both . The two rating are n’t like a shot comparable . In both suit , though , higher numbers represent more top executive .
Other factors ( include torque and revolutions per minute ) can influence the capabilities of a motorcar . But a powerful engine is a upright position to start up if you ’re design to tackle elusive job .
Maybe you could get away with doing light field polish on a machine with 20 horsepower . But leap up to 30 horsepower , and you ’ll be able to handle larger implements more effectively , and with less strain on your machine .
How does the auto carry-over power from the transmittal to the wheels ? Many small ATVs utilise chain drives , which employ a strand ( quite like a bicycle ) to get the job done .
They ’re lightweight and less expensive than quill driveway , which use shafts and joint to transmit power . But chain driving force need more maintenance ( include lubrication ) . And they are n’t considered as durable as diaphysis ride , which are better suited to heavy - duty farm work .
Sometimes , you necessitate to transport more than your ATV or UTV has space to carry . That ’s when it ’s nice to overcharge up a cubic yard go-cart or public-service corporation prevue and haul a large warhead .
If you plan to do a lot of giant truckage , check out towing capacities before make a purchase . A humble ATV might be rated to tow just 500 pounds , which let in the weight of the laggard . A stronger UTV might be able-bodied to wield 2,000 hammer or more . Daniel Johnson
A grievous - tariff UTV is practically a miniature pickup motortruck , complete with a rear bottom for hauling supplies . But bed dimensions ( assess in cubic foundation ) and payload capacities vary widely . So weigh how you might use the layer before pick out your motorcar .
If you want to carry around a tool case and the occasional bale of hay , a small bed might be all you need . If you want to drag lots of rocks around , search for a bed rated to stock 1,000 pound or more .
debate also whether the bed is a hydraulic dumpsite layer design to facilitate easy unloading of dense materials , or whether the bed has side that turn up down to commute into a flat when needed . Both features are extremely utilitarian .
A bare - finger cymbals ATV or UTV can accomplish a lot . But lots of extra feature are deserving attend for if you could afford them .
Some UTVs boast envelop cabs with high temperature and air conditioning , allowing you to work comfortably in all kinds of atmospheric condition . You might also find a model provide power take - off ( PTO ) for power attachments , a squeamish choice to using self - power adherence designed for machines without PTOs .
learn more : count make these 5 enhancement to your UTV or ATV this winter .
Maintenance Musts
ATVs and UTVs involve veritable maintenance to abide in tip - top shape . To avoid accelerated wearable and tear — and to keep your machine in dependable working society — come after a regular upkeep agenda foreground by the following steps .
Assuming your machine is n’t electric , you ’ll ask to on a regular basis clean and/or replace the filters for melodic phrase , oil and fuel . neglect the filters can reduce carrying out and even damage the locomotive engine .
Consult the user manual of arms for educational activity on how often to exert the filter .
rock oil suffice to lubricate and cool the locomotive for maximum performance and durability . But over time , petroleum break down and accumulates various bits of rubble , reducing its effectiveness .
Oil changes are critical to extend the life-time of your machine . Drain and exchange the fossil oil on a even basis , as outlined in the substance abuser manual .
The exploiter manual might not specifically apprize you to “ Clean Your Machine Every 25 Hours , ” but necessitate the metre to remove mud , poop and grime from your vehicle will keep it look natty and help prevent theatrical role from wearing out prematurely .
snap up some wet rags , corrupt some degreasers and cleaning solvents , and take some time every now and then to give your ATV or UTV a thorough inside - and - out cleansing .
Exact ATV and UTV maintenancerequirements vary from manakin to mold . The drug user manual may provide a exhaustive checklist of alimony undertaking , which can admit ( butmay not be limit to ):
Safety Suggestions
As with any vehicle , some inherent danger exists in operating an ATV or UTV.Safetyshould always come first , so downplay your risk of injury by adhering to the following safety advice .
Just because you ’re aim around your own farm does n’t signify you’re able to fail basic safety . Wear a helmet when riding , especially if you ’re talk terms mismatched terrain .
And consider wearing eye protection if you ’re riding without a cab through wood or other field where brush and low - hanging branches might overhear you by surprise .
Do n’t overload your simple machine ! ATVs and UTVs have payload capacities , with the system of weights of rider(s ) and load counting toward the sum . If your motorcar has a payload capacity of 400 pounds , a 250 - pound rider leave just 150 Sudanese pound leave over for cargo . overcharge your ATV or UTV can stress and/or damage the machine and its shock absorbers .
In addition to the overall payload capacity , consider how much weight the racks and/or consignment bed are rated to sway . Just because the total vehicle can carry 500 pounds does n’t intend the front rack can hold this much . It might be rated to deport just 100 hammering .
When load up the racks of an ATV with cargo , do n’t heap it all on the front or all on the back . This can throw off the remainder of the machine and increase the risk of tipping onwards or backward .
Instead , burst the loading across both racks . If the rearward rack is designed to hold up twice as much weight as the front rack , put 2 pounds of weight on the rear for every pound on the front . You ’ll remain safer and your car will perform better if you take tending in distributing the weight .
ATVs and UTVs are designed for off - road employment , so beat back on paved route ( if allowed by local ordinances ) can be unsafe , particularly if operating at high speeds .
With their off - road tire and high-pitched essence of gravity , these machines can be unstable and difficult to see on roadways , increasing the likelihood of an accident . At the very least , driving on paved roads will fag out out your tires , so aim to operate only on your own property and designated ATV trails .
show more : How would you even use an ATV or UTV on your farm ? suss out out these 10 usance .
Trail building
Planning the routes you ’ll regularly drive with your ATV or UTV is important for downplay corroding , rutting and soil compaction . Plus , a hard used track is bind to take a beating . So if esthetic matter to you , see where you would ( and would not ) like a well - worn way of life to appear .
Whether you ’re carve a track through your woodlot for harvesting firewood , or but project a route from the garage to the livestock paddocks , the following tip can help oneself you achievethe most acceptable and pleasant - to - drive results . Daniel Johnson
Just because your machine can handle all terrain does n’t signify you should tackle all terrain on a veritable fundament . If a low blot in your trail tends to get sloppy duringwet weather , driving an ATV or UTV through the mud is only go to displume up the undercoat , increase erosion and worsen the problem .
Consider rerouting your lead around the muddy spot if possible . Otherwise , adding crushed rock or improve drain can concentrate the issue . Installing geosynthetic materials such as geotextiles or geocells can be an effective long - terminal figure solvent if you ’re willing to invest some capital and bring in experts .
When be after the paths your trails will adopt , pay special attention to splatter ground . If potential , avoid tug on steep gradient since they ’re more likely to degrade and suffer corrosion ( from weewee runoff , for representative ) than bland terrain . They can also make for dangerous driving term , so if you must negotiate swill ground , aim to have the lead fly the coop straight up or down the slope rather than across . This will boil down the risk of your motorcar tipping over .
Consider also how you plan to employ the trail . An ATV might skin to pull a wagonload of manure up a steep slope , so if you ’re trying to reach a remote compost pile , perhaps you should seek a flatter avenue to the sphere .
There ’s no reason to beat up your car ( and your body ) by riding over a pothole - riddled track . Scrape away loose material from within the pothole , getting it back down to a firm surface . Then add crushed rock ( a heaping load in high spirits than the surrounding ground ) and load down it down tightly .
The tamper remainder of a delve bar can give you a good start . After you ’ve done your best by hand , repeatedly drive over the take pothole with your ATV or UTV to pack down the crushed rock even better .
If necessary , add more gravel until the jam is wholly fill and satisfactorily suave .
Driving along and elude underneathlow - hang arm is n’t just pesky . It canbe dangerous . Rather than plunge willy - nilly through an overgrown woods trail , cut back branches and brush to create a well - defined path .
Trim branches high enough so you’re able to walk or force back underneath without exit .
A chainsaw and pruning pruning hook will wield much of the work , though you may need a perch escort to harness higher branches . For best resultant role , consult a guide to pruning tree limbs . Keep in brain that blotto or snow - laden branch incline tohang lower than dry branches , so you may haveto trim high than you expect .
yearly contact - up pruning may also be ask to maintain the trailas upper branches grow longer and sag down lower .
take the right ATV or UTV requires clock time and effort , as does experience the most out of your political machine through proper maintenance , safety and lead - building proficiency . But the reward of a trustworthy , perdurable and versatile farm simple machine is well worth the commitment .
Have sport working and riding !
This article originally appear in the November / December 2021 issue ofHobby Farmsmagazine .
