Read the full UTV supplement here.

In this special Irish Farmers Journal Focus on UTVs, we explore a new range of machines that are proving popular on Irish farms. They have useful applications, can be cost effective and replace a smaller tractor or even a pick-up for general farm duties.

We tested some machines across gruelling conditions earlier this year to assess their strength and durability, along with versatility, a key component of any farm machine. And we came away impressed with them all, and more so with some as you can read in this special feature.

UTV group test – the reasons why

Earlier this year, the Irish Farmers Journal invited utility vehicle (UTV) manufacturers, distributors and dealers to participate in our own group test.

The response was fantastic and we ended up with 10 UTVs, 11 if we had included Kubota’s crew-cab UTV, which was also delivered to the test site.

The reason behind the group test was to explore the potential role of UTVs within agricultural and associated industries. UTVs, or side-by-sides as the Americans call them, were initially developed in the US for the recreation sector. Most have evolved from the humble golf buggy.

Consequently, a large portion of UTVs available on the market, regardless of brand, are manufactured in the US. Even Japanese firm Kubota has a large manufacturing facility in the state of Georgia, where it builds its UTVs.

We asked those supplying machines for test to provide the UTV which it finds is most popular within the agricultural sector. All did and several also supplied us with lower specification entry-level units to give us a taste of those too.

Why choose a UTV?

UTVs and ATVs are often lumped into the same conversation when discussing low ground pressure vehicles for farm and/or livestock management.

While both are low ground pressure vehicles capable of dealing with our winter-wet climate, they are very different beasts. In many cases, both can do much of the same type of work, but are quite far apart on the working spectrum.

ATVs are the agile workhorses, particularly where livestock management outdoors is concerned. Again, ATVs are also a popular choice for hill farms where terrain is challenging for tractors or other vehicles.

UTVs, on the other hand, tend to lead a more sedate and less challenging life, helping with feeding livestock and involved in farm maintenance.

With conventional seating and tipping bodies, UTVs are more popular where there is an increased demand both for comfort and carrying capacity in less demanding terrain.

Which UTV to choose?

There is a huge variety of UTV options from a large number of manufacturers to suit different applications and budgets.

Some come from the small engine market, where manufacturers build everything from a motorbike to motorboat engines, while others are far more agricultural.

Where you buy a UTV will often depend on where you can easily gain access to a dealer and service backup. They are available with petrol or diesel engines. It is the diesel versions that generally find favour among the farming community with easy access to diesel fuel.

Petrol machines tend to be cheaper than their diesel counterparts but access to petrol fuel is generally considered a limiting factor.

In many cases, petrol UTVs are quieter than their diesel counterparts. This may make the petrol engine choice more attractive in the likes of equestrian facilities, where horses can be very sensitive to loud noises.

Seating can be for two or three, while all are left-hand drive and feature automatic transmissions of some sort or other.

Variable drive

Variable belt drive is by far the most popular transmission choice, while Kubota utilises hydrostatic drive on its larger machines and Honda features a car-derived automatic transmission.

Most machines sold into Ireland are equipped with low ground pressure tyres. Four-wheel drive is essential for field travel throughout our wet season and to minimise damage to fields. All UTVs have rear tipping bodies with carrying capacities from around 200kg up to about 500kg, again depending on model and specification.

Testing and impressions

In total, we had 10 UTVs to test – six diesel and four petrol models. There were four testers on the team: Michael Moroney, Bruce Lett and David Kincaid from the Irish Farmers Journal, along with independent motorbike and ATV expert and instructor Noel Guinan from Clonmel.

Testing was carried out mainly on farm land over a marked-out course of two miles, consisting of some heavily rutted ground. The deep ruts provided a test of ground clearance. Very wet conditions tested the UTVs’ traction and some hilly ground provided a test of stability.

The route allowed each tester the opportunity to drive each of the UTVs. It provided each with an experience of what the respective UTV could do in the most extreme conditions likely to be encountered on farms.

When everyone had a turn to experience all the UTVs on test, we set a time trial across the same course with a given weight. At this stage we split the UTVs into two categories to carry different weights. Petrol-powered machines were generally smaller and had a lower carrying capacity, so these were loaded with 250kg for the time trial. Diesel machines had a larger carrying capacity so were loaded to 300kg.

Noel Guinan, with his motorbike and ATV experience, was nominated to drive each machine on time trial. This provided some level of consistent driving. We measured the internal dimensions of each load bed area plus noise level produced by each UTV. We also looked at what we felt were other important factors in relation to deciding on a UTV to buy for your farm. Seating capacity varied between two or three seats and type of seating. Three seats may be important for some enterprises. Driver’s seat height was measured as it is important for some people to know whether or not you could slide into the seat or have to climb into it.

Noise level produced by UTVs may also be important, not just from the perspective of potential hearing damage for driver/user, but also particularly around noise-sensitive livestock.

We measured noise level with a sound pressure app on the phone. This provided a decent enough measurement for analysis and comparison purposes.