Five Tips for Buying Agricultural Quad Bikes This Year

Quad bikes are an important tool for anyone responsible for land management. They help with carrying out farm work, with low maintenance plus manoeuvrability and high speeds.

But what are the features you should look out for in agricultural quad bikes? Here are five tips from to help you pick the best model for your needs this year.

1. Check Power and Performance

Quad bike engines vary in size and output, with models designed for kids starting at around 50cc and adult-oriented models which are capable of carrying out farm work offering anywhere from 250cc to 400cc of engine capacity or more.

Performance and usability are also impacted by the type of gearbox which is used, with automatic ATVs costing more than manual equivalents. You may be willing to pay for this convenience, but for budget-conscious buyers the savings here may be too good to resist.

2. Consider Safety Features
Quad bikes come with features designed to make them safe to use and ensure that the rider is in control at all times. So when you are buying one, it is worth checking up on things such as the braking system, tyres and additional devices which may be in place.

Some models will allow you to control the braking applied to the front and back wheels independently, while others will simply offer simultaneous operation of the disc or pad-based brakes all round. Also check to see where on the ATV the brakes are operated, as you may encounter either handlebar-mounted levers or a foot-operated set-up, which may impact your buying decision.

3. Establish Load Capacity
For agricultural use, a quad bike will likely be tasked with towing small trailers and other pieces of equipment around the site. This means that those intending to buy a new model will need to check the manufacturer’s information to find out about the rated capacity of each machine.

Some of the more powerful models on the market can manage the towing of loads that weigh up to 450kg, although this varies. You can also load up quad bikes using racks on the front and rear, with capacities starting out at 25kg and going up to 50kg.

4. Look Out for Comfort Benefits
Although a quad bike may be seen as an agricultural workhorse, buyers also need to think about the features which are offered to make sure that the rider is comfortable and composed whenever they climb aboard.

This not only means checking out the seating, which in most cases should provide a padded position from which the ATV can be controlled, but also the suspension, which will absorb impacts during use over rough terrain. Mild vibrations and major shocks can be absorbed by models with independent coil suspension, so this may be worth looking out for if you plan to spend long periods using your quad bike.

Power steering might also be on your wish list, although be aware that this is not a common feature and is usually found only on high-end models with steeper price tags.

5. Buy New or Used?

One key question to ask yourself is whether you should invest in a brand new quad bike or opt for a second-hand model.

A new model, such as one of the Suzuki quad bikes available from Chelford Farm Supplies, will benefit from being fresh from the factory, with a manufacturer’s warranty intact and no questions about its previous history.

Used examples can be more affordable, but you will need to carry out thorough checks to make sure that they are well maintained and mechanically sound in order for a second-hand quad bike to make a sensible purchase.

 

*This is a collaborative post