| ATV
Honda ATV
Light footed weed control
Keeping on top of weeds and grass at the field
boundaries helps keep arable crops clean and makes
harvesting easier. Few machines are as well suited to
the task as a Honda ATV and a wide selection of trailed
mowers, and mounted and trailed sprayers are
available.
he best selling
Honda range of
farm ATVs
includes models
from 250–680cc,
with engines and
transmissions designed for
economy, efficiency and hard
work. Heavy-duty load racks and
a tow hitch are standard and large
flotation tyres and generous
suspension travel allow use in
virtually any terrain, without
creating ruts and causing ground
damage. A new entry to Honda’s
range last year was the Pioneer
700 utility vehicle, with a quiet,
smooth and economical petrol
engine, two or four seats and a
tipping rear cargo bed for loads up
to 386kg.
For tackling weed growth
around field edges or keeping
grass short and public footpaths
clearly defined, an ATV and heavy-
duty flail mower is ideal. Powered
by an integral petrol engine, the
mower’s shackle-mounted blades
reduce vegetation to a fine mulch
and cope well with uneven
ground, pivoting back on contact
with solid obstacles. UK
manufacturer Logic offers 1.2 and
1.5m models, with adjustable
drawbar offset, and a handy
wheels-behind option allows
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cutting close to obstructions.
Mounted sprayers are gaining
popularity. Typical tank sizes are
25–135 litres, with even higher
capacity versions available for
machines such as the Pioneer, and
most have 12-volt pumps with
power provided from the Honda
ATV. In-tank agitation and full
pressure control allow thorough
mixing and precise application.
For field edge spraying most users
select a 3-nozzle 1.5m boom, with
the option to select just one or two
nozzles if preferred. Wider booms
up to 3.5m are available and ideal
for patch spraying to tackle
localised weed problems, typically
for small areas which would be
impractical for a full size sprayer.
Most mounted sprayers can be
fitted with a hand-lance allowing
the operator to target individual
weeds or spray around gates or
young trees. An extended hose
allows the ATV and sprayer to be
parked and the operator to walk
with the hand-lance providing the
precise control of a knapsack
sprayer but without having to carry
the heavy tank and provide
pressure by pumping.
Selecting the ideal Honda for
your situation will depend on the
terrain and the size of spray tank
needed. Where slopes or deep,
field-edge plough furrows need to
be negotiated then models with
TraxLok selectable 2/4wd are an
advantage and all 4wd Hondas
come with a limited slip or locking
front differential as standard for
maximum traction and ease of
steering.
The popular heavy-duty Honda
Foreman 500 is only 1.2m wide
and the Pioneer 700 is only just
over 1.5m wide making both ideal
for typical field edge tasks, from
managing a sterile strip to
maintaining footpaths, without
running in the growing crop.
Whether your main objective is
to maintain clear field edges for
ease of harvesting, footpath
maintenance or weed control, your
local Honda main dealer will be
delighted to provide guidance
about the most suitable ATV or
UTV and accessories for your
situation. All new Hondas come
with free of charge EASI operator
training.
July 2018 | Farming Monthly | 51