THE WORKHORSE performance of utility all-terrain vehicles and their versatility in being able to carry passengers and materials, is winning over more farmers used to carrying out many of their daily duties with a single-seat quad.

True, they are more expensive to begin with. But on a productivity basis, the UTV takes some beating when it is possible to transport two or three people – more with the flexible Trans version of the Kawasaki Mule – along with the materials they need to complete various tasks. And, the ability to operate using red diesel, is, for many, becoming an ever more important consideration.

So, little wonder they are becoming a more familiar sight on livestock farms, estates with commercial shoots and on larger equine establishments.

For a mix of practicality and recreational fun, a petrol-fuelled side-by-side utility ATV will provide the most exhilarating performance, while the unique Polaris Ranger EV with its battery-powered electric motor will be perfect for operators wanting something whisper quiet.

But for fuelling convenience, economy and down-to-earth practicality, the now extensive choice of diesel-engined models available will suit most farm and estate requirements.

Established machines like the Kawasaki Mule 4010 Diesel – which was the first diesel-engined option – the Ausa M50D and John Deere Gator have been joined by a host of alternatives from some familiar names and some not so well known manufacturers in farming circles.

Polaris is best-known for its quads but the petrol-engined Ranger is now also available with a 24hp diesel engine.

As on the quads, adjustable long-stroke suspension helps the machine cope with ruts and rough surfaces. Also, the Ranger diesel runs in two-wheel-drive most of the time for lighter steering characteristics and engages front drive only when the rear wheels can no longer cope alone with a slippery surface.

A generous 305mm of ground clearance add to its purposeful specification, as do the disc brakes installed all round.

New Holland has joined Massey Ferguson (with its Cub Cadet Big Country-based MF20 MD) and John Deere among major tractor manufacturers that also offer off-road utility ATVs.

Its Rustler 120 is powered by a 719cc, three-cylinder diesel with 20hp output, unusually driving through a single-speed CVT transmission. It also has auto-engaged front drive to help the rear wheels when necessary and coil spring suspension all round to help ride rough surfaces.

A rear towing hitch and powered cargo deck tipping are standard, along with the necessary equipment (including road lights) for legal use on the road.

Kioti tractor distributor, Reco, has also joined the fray, bringing in Korean manufacturer, Daedong’s Mechron vehicle, which sports a 22hp diesel engine and driver-selected two and four-wheel-drive.

Up to half a tonne of tools, materials and supplies can be carried in a wide tipping cargo box.

Bobcat also has a new vehicle in this category and the 3400D looks to be a more purposeful working machine than the 2200D that preceded it, being shorter and lower, and having a bigger engine (904cc versus 719cc) and more power (24hp instead of 21hp).

Acceleration runs out at a heady 48kph using the higher of two CVT transmission ranges.

There is also a bit more power to be had in the Big Country utility ATV built by Cub Cadet and distributed by EP Barrus. In this case, the transplant has lifted engine size from 720cc to 854cc and added just 1hp to output – but the power delivery characteristics are said to have been improved.

John Deere’s XUV 855D Gator vehicle – the heavier-duty option out of the two models – has had a more comprehensive makeover with more than a dozen new or improved features (see seprate test report).

They include upgrades to the braking and suspension systems that go hand-in-hand with an increase in load capacity. Also, the vehicle’s footprint is a little wider for added stability and fully enclosing the clutch and driveline allows the XUV Gator to wade through water up to 56cm deep.

Just as power steering is becoming a more common feature on quad bikes, so it is now making an appearance on their utility ATV cousins. It can be had on the John Deere XUV Gator for around £400 and is also optional on JCB’s similar machine, which used to be called Groundhog but has been re-named Workmax.

On the Workmax 1000 4x4, the power steering is an electric, automotive-type design specially produced for off-road use. It fits under the dash without otherwise affecting the rack and pinion steering installation.

Variable assistance gives plenty of help to turn the wide front wheels when the Workmax is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, reducing steering effort by 75%, according to JCB’s calculations.

There is much less assistance when travelling faster to avoid the vehicle becoming twitchy and to help the driver maintain good control, especially at the 50kph top speed.

 

What’s available:

Ausa Task M 50D            £10,960

Engine: 26hp/1028cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 210mm
Weight/Cargo: 650kg/500kg
Off-road towing: 750kg
UK road legal: Yes
Options: With semi-cab £11,570; full cab £13,013.
Distributor: Ausa (www.ausa.com)

Bobcat 3400D    £ poa

Engine: 24hp/904cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: n/a
Ground clearance: 241mm
Weight/Cargo: 730kg/500kg
Off-road towing: 680kg
UK road legal: info n/a
Options: Canvas and steel cabs, powered cargo box lift and work lamps.
Distributor: Bobcat (www.bobcat.co.uk)

Cub Cadet Big Country            £11,399

Engine: 24hp/904cc
Drive: 4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 270mm
Weight/Cargo: 630kg/409kg
Off-road towing: 1100kg
UK road legal: Yes
Options: Camouflage finish £200; hard cab available plus range of accessories.
Distributor: EP Barrus (www.lawnflite.co.uk)

JCB Workmax 4x4            £10,770

Engine: 26hp/1000cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 228mm
Weight/Cargo: 850kg/500kg
Off-road towing: 500kg
UK road legal: Yes
Options: Electric power steering £poa.
Distributor: JCB (www.jcb.com)

John Deere HPX Gator diesel             £10,557

Engine: 20hp/854cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 153mm
Weight/Cargo: 757kg/409kg
Off-road towing: 590kg
UK road legal: £785 option
Options: With full cab £12,699.
Distributor: John Deere (www.johndeere.com)

John Deere XUV 855D Gator            £11,296

Engine: 25hp/854cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 267mm
Weight/Cargo: 748kg/454kg
Off-road towing: 680kg
UK road legal: £1350 option*
Options: With full cab £13,261; power steering option £400.
Distributor: John Deere (www.johndeere.com)

Kawasaki Mule 4010 Diesel            £10,249

Engine: 24hp/953cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four drums
Ground clearance: 175mm
Weight/Cargo: 725kg/499kg
Off-road towing: 545kg
UK road legal: No
Options: With soft cab kit £12,287, full hard cab £13,753; Mule Trans £11,449 with convertible load box/bench seat; with soft cab kit £14,479.
Distributor: Kawasaki (www.kawasaki.co.uk)

Kioti Mechron            £9895

Engine: 22hp/1007cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: discs
Ground clearance: 304mm
Weight/Cargo: 740kg/500kg
Off-road towing: 590kg
UK road legal: No
Options: Camouflage finish (£poa), soft cab £730 (no doors, roof and screens available separately), worklights £170, front hitch £40, hydraulic deck tipping £1025, remote hydraulic tipping £1550.
Distributor: Reco (www.reco.co.uk)

Kubota RTV900            £9900

Engine: 22hp/898cc
Drive: 2/4wd 3-speed hydrostatic
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 195mm
Weight/Cargo: 830-925kg/500kg
Off-road towing: 590kg
UK road legal: See options
Options: Worksite (hydraulic cargo box tip, front bull bars) £11,025; Recreational (speedo, camouflage finish) £11,340; Street Legal Special (twin seats in place of bench, speedo, road lights etc) £11,395; Street Legal Recreational (+ camouflage finish) £11,655.
Distributor: Kubota (www.kubota.co.uk)

Massey Ferguson MF20 MD     £11,249

Engine: 20hp/720cc
Drive: 4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 250mm
Weight/Cargo: 726kg/409kg
Off-road towing: 750kg
UK road legal: Yes
Options: Full cab available.
Distributor: Massey Ferguson (www.masseyferguson.co.uk)

New Holland Rustler 120            £12,836

Engine: 20hp/719cc
Drive: 2/4wd 1-speed CVT
Brakes: four discs
Ground clearance: 208mm
Weight/Cargo: 724kg/476kg
Off-road towing: 797kg
UK road legal: Yes
Options: £12,836
Distributor: New Holland (www.newholland.com)

Polaris Ranger Diesel            £10,699

Engine: 24hp/904cc
Drive: 2/4wd 2-speed CVT
Brakes: discs
Ground clearance: 305mm
Weight/Cargo: 652kg/680kg
Off-road towing: 907kg
UK road legal: No
Options: With semi-cab £11,658, with poly full cab £12,950, with full steel cab £13,222.
Distributor: Polaris (www.polarisindustries.com)

• Petrol-fuelled side-by-side utility ATVs include the Arctic Cat Prowler, Ausa M50, Can-Am Commander, Kawasaki Mule, Polaris Ranger, Yamaha Rhino and Quadzilla 4x4. Polaris also makes an electric-drive version of the Ranger, priced at £9499.