Safe use of a UTV on your farm

Tom Greene of Kearney training and consultancy (KTC), outlines his top 10 tips for staying safe when operating a UTV in an off road environment.

Alistair Chambers

14 March 2018

UTVs are a very useful tool on any farm but need to be used correctly and in a safe manner. \ Philip Doyle

Machines should be driven as slow as possible but as fast as needed. \ Philip Doyle

Corect maintenance in key to UTV safety. \ Philip Doyle

Before entering any type of challenging terrain including water the correct gear and differential setting should be chosen. \ Philip Doyle

1 The wearing of correct personal protective equipment including a helmet is essential when operating a UTV and seat belts should be worn at all times.2 Safety training should be undertaken by all UTV operators. One tip that stood out to me from Tom was that you should “go as slow as possible but as fast as needed”.

1 The wearing of correct personal protective equipment including a helmet is essential when operating a UTV and seat belts should be worn at all times.

2 Safety training should be undertaken by all UTV operators. One tip that stood out to me from Tom was that you should “go as slow as possible but as fast as needed”.

3 Machine maintenance is key to safe use of a UTV. Tyre pressures should be checked regularly as one underinflated tyre can cause a serious imbalance on an incline. Servicing should be undertaken in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. A badly running engine can cause the machine to react erratically to throttle inputs or a badly maintained braking or steering system can lead to accidents.

4 Carrying loads in the rear cargo area of a UTV is convenient, but can be risky because the extra weight can affect braking, alter the centre of gravity and make the vehicle more difficult to control. Extra care should be taken when carrying a load. Any load that is on the machine should be safely secured.

5 The operator’s manual should be read completely before operating the machine. From this, the limitations of the machine will be known and you should never attempt to operate the machine beyond its limits.

6 If towed implements are being used behind a UTV, they should comply with the manufacturer’s specification for weight and size. Overweight or oversized trailed implements may cause braking or balance issues.

7 When mounting a sprayer on a UTV, the movement of the liquid in the tank may cause the machine to become unstable on uneven ground.

8 When operating in a new area, it is advisable to walk the route before driving through it, as this will give a better understanding of the dangers or obstacles which may be there.

9 Ensure that before entering an area that the machine is in the correct gear for the terrain and the differential lock is engaged if required.

Being prepared is of the utmost importance when driving in dangerous situations. A couple of seconds preparation can greatly reduce the risk.

10 Most UTVs are not suitable for road use and should not be used on public roadways.

If a UTV is correctly specified for road use it should be taxed and insured correctly to comply with the rules of the road.

SAFE
UTV