Farming Monthly National March 2018 | Page 49

| ATV Honda ATV Storm clear up made easy Successive late winter storms have left many farms with extra work clearing up fallen trees and branches. n ATV or utility vehicle is ideal for transporting tools and equipment wherever needed to tackle the problem and excellent towing and load carrying ability makes it easy to transport wood and other debris from the site. Honda’s range of work ATVs includes models from 250–680cc, all with handy load racks front and rear while the larger Pioneer 700 utility vehicle has a powerful 675cc engine, 2 or 4 seats (depending on model) and can carry up to 386kg on its extendable cargo bed. These compact machines allow travel off established farm tracks to work sites, reducing the need to carry equipment by hand where access by tractors or the farm’s road-going 4x4s would be impossible. All have large flotation tyres with less pressure than a human footprint, or any other farm vehicle, helping reduce ground damage. This is particularly useful when tasks involve travel over growing crops, allowing access even when other vehicles would cause unacceptable damage. Branches left where they have fallen remain an obstacle through the spring, risking damage to spreader and spray booms. As crops grow and obstructions become hidden there A www.farmingmonthly.co.uk is the risk that they could be picked up by the combine causing serious damage, so being able to deal with the problem immediately is a significant benefit. If the task simply requires tools and safety equipment to be carried, the ATV’s load racks or the Pioneer’s cargo bed are ideal but for larger loads a trailer designed specially for ATVs is a good investment. Buying from a reputable manufacturer such as Logic should ensure a long working life and inclusion of safety features such as a swivel hitch within standard specification. Your local Honda dealer can provide advice as to the best type and size of trailer to suit your needs and make the most of the machine’s towing capacity- up to 680kg for the Pioneer. And, with spring just around the corner bringing with it livestock and arable farm chores which can be carried out more quickly and efficiently by an ATV than any other vehicle, there has never been a better time to visit your Honda dealer. March 2018 | Farming Monthly | 49