UTV Buyer’s Guide
A versatile all-rounder of a vehicle, UTVs offer a middle-ground between the light weight and manoeuvrability of a quad bike and the carrying capacity of a ute and are becoming increasingly popular on Australian farms. But for many farmers, UTVs still represent something of an unknown quantity, which can make knowing what to look for when you’re shopping for one difficult.
In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ll give you an overview of what a UTV is, the roles it can perform, and what you need to be mindful of if you’re considering investing in one for your farm.
What is a UTV?
UTV stands for utility terrain vehicle and is sometimes referred to as a side-by-side, or a utility side-by-side. Like quad bikes, UTVs are designed for getting off-road over rough and rugged terrain and are equipped with solid suspension, chunky tyres, and enough ground clearance to roll over rocks and other obstacles.
Unlike quad bikes, UTVs are designed to be driven like a car, with the driver and passenger sitting beside each other – hence the name side-by-side. Additionally, UTVs often come with a cargo tray in the back, safety features such as doors and a roll cage, and have much greater towing and payload capacity than a quad bike.
While UTVs have long found favour on farms, they are also popular as recreation vehicles, either for off-roading trips or to allow hunters to traverse tough terrain more quickly and easily. This brings us to the first question you need to ask yourself when you’re looking for a UTV.
What is its purpose?
UTVs are well-suited to both work and play, so deciding what you plan to use it for is step number one. Although farm UTVs can easily be used for non-work-related tasks, if you want true adrenaline-pumping fun, you might want to consider a sport side-by-side instead. For now, though, let’s assume that your UTV is going to have a working life. What do you need to think about before you buy?
Engine Size & Power
Though you’re unlikely to find any underpowered UTVs on the market, take some time to think about what you’ll be using your UTV for and how powerful it needs to be. Will it be used for shifting stock and getting from A to B, or for hauling materials and feeding out? One use case might require greater speed, while the other more power.
At Segway Powersports, all 5 models in our Fugleman UTV range feature a 1000cc, twin-cylinder, 4-stroke petrol engine, packing 105 horsepower and 93.5NM of torque, ensuring you have plenty of zip to get around, and enough grunt to get the job done.
Suspension & Clearance
Even if you plan on sticking to the farm tracks wherever possible, a time will come when you need to cut across a paddock or head up a hill, and when it does, you need to make sure that your suspension is up to the job.
At Segway Powersports, every one of our Fugleman UTVs comes equipped with dual A-arm suspension, with 280mm of travel up front and 240mm in the rear, as well as a whopping 320mm of ground clearance, so you can ride right over the top of rocks, logs and other obstacles without a worry in the world.
Payload & Towing Capacity
When shopping for a UTV, two of the main metrics to look for are its payload and towing capacity. The payload refers to how much weight the UTV can carry and includes its passengers and any cargo, while the towing capacity refers to how much the UTV can haul behind it.
Despite their small size, many UTVs have impressive payloads and towing capacities, and these are a large factor in their continued popularity. At Segway Powersports, all of our Fugleman UT10 UTVs have a 680kg payload and 1134kg towing capacity, making them highly capable of shifting tools, material and feed and well-suited for life on the farm.
Cargo Bed
Every farm UTV should come with a cargo bed and the capacity of this will be factored into the UTV’s payload. If your UTV is going to be put to work, ensure that the cargo bed has sufficient capacity in order to save yourself from needing to make multiple trips.
The other thing to decide is whether you want a fixed or a tilting cargo bed. Ultimately, the decision is yours, though we always recommend choosing a tilting bed as it saves your back and makes life easier when you need to unload materials.
Every Fugleman UT10 UTV in our range comes equipped with a tilting cargo bed with a capacity of 450kg, so you can carry and unload all the materials you need for a day’s work with ease.
Technology
A modern farm requires modern equipment, and our Fugleman UTV range isn’t afraid of the future. Embracing the latest in data, entertainment and safety technology, every Fugleman UTV is packed with sophisticated systems that help you get more done around the farm.
Experience remote monitoring and control, as well as safety alerts and warnings via 4G, Bluetooth and CAN with Segway’s cutting-edge T-BOX, and access real-time vehicle data, online maps, wireless team communication and more with our Smart Commanding System.
Whether you seek enhanced safety or improved efficiency, the Fugleman UTV’s suite of technology delivers it in spades.
Lighting & Other Extras
Daylight can disappear far too quickly when you’re out working, so ensuring that your future UTV has sufficient lighting to guide you home after dark without running into a tree or falling into a ditch is essential.
You will also want to see whether your UTV includes any extra features that can make your life easier. For instance, the Fugleman UT10 E and UT10 X models come with a 3500lb and 4500lb winch respectively, allowing you to easily clear large obstacles such as fallen trees, or pull yourself free if you get stuck.
The Complete Package
Hopefully, you now have a clearer idea of what you need to look for when buying a farm UTV. Ensuring your future UTV has enough power, payload, clearance and cargo capacity will allow you to take on a range of tasks around the farm and serve you well for years to come.
For UTVs that aren’t afraid of hard work, trust Segway Powersports. Our range of Fugleman UT10 UTVs combines modern technology with good old-fashioned grit to give you a farm-ready UTV that you can trust to get the job done. Discover the range today and upgrade your operations with Segway Powersports!
