 | Ryan Koenig was born and raised in Wyoming. He graduated from Wheatland High School in 1998. He attended the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agri-Business and Applied Economics. He started with O’Malley Implement in 2009 as a Sales Professional. He lives in Pittsburg with his wife Courtney and son Weston. |
Equipment, Maintenance & Repair
2011-11-17 15:29:56
UTV’s and their rise in farm & home popularity
Q: UTV’s have been out for some time now. I am interested in these, but there are so many different choices out there it can get confusing. What are your thoughts on it?
A: I can understand the confusion. There are many models of UTV’s or Utility Terrain Vehicles, out there with different options, features, and when you pile all of these up, it can really hinder the decision making process.
To give a little clarity on the subject, we need to look at the origins of the UTV and how these have become popular.
UTV’s were born in the mid 1980’s; the offspring of the infamous three wheeler ATV’s that were being made back in those days. Many customers liked the idea of having an off-road vehicle for both recreation and for work; however, there was an issue in putting those two things together. It wasn’t until the release of the AMT model work ATV’s from John Deere that a company had really put some thought into this issue. By doing this, John Deere unknowingly created the UTV market. The rest as they say is history.
The UTV’s or Utility Terrain Vehicle, which we know today, is really a hybrid of an ATV. The two share many commonalities; however, there is one thing that we can all agree on. UTV’s are by far and away a more productive and versatile piece of equipment. The versatility feature alone has made these machines stand out and create a growing and popular market.
When contemplating your UTV purchase, there are a few things that the customer needs to keep in mind. First and foremost, keep it simple. What do I intend on using this UTV for? For work around the place, or for play? Or do I want a good mix of both? Secondly, address this like you would purchase a car. What are the options and features that you are not willing to give up? Keeping these two things in the back of your mind should assist you in making your purchase decision.
The good news is that there are many features and options that are offered in this market for any type of customer. There are strictly work UTV’s, electric powered UTV’s, hunting models, and custom recreation models, just to mention a few. There is a plethora of choices out there for any customer.
Wrapping up, the best advice that I can give any perspective UTV buyer is this; when deciding on what make, model, and options you need, do your homework. By doing this, you can eliminate some of the stress in this process, and most importantly, you can spend more time with your hands on the wheel, foot on the gas, enjoying your purchase!
