As of 2024, the United States had around 895,300,300 acres of farmland. While it is a slight decrease of 1,300,000 acres from 2020, it’s still a lot of farmland. At the end of the day, it’s vital that farm owners are aware of the best practices to manage and maintain their farms.
This becomes difficult to achieve given that the average farm size is around 445 acres (as of 2024). That’s roughly the size of 180 football fields. Managing such large portions of land becomes extremely difficult, even when you have more than six or seven people looking after it. Thus comes the need to use a UTV for your farm so that you can manage and oversee everything in the shortest time possible and in the most efficient of ways.
A UTV is an excellent way to get around on the farm. However, you must remember that it’s not a car. Thus, you have to take care of it differently.
In this article, we will share a few simple maintenance tips with you for keeping your farm UTV in good shape for years of reliable service.
Wash It
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There are several ways to keep your UTV looking great, but you should always wash it as soon as possible after use.
First, hose down the exterior with a soap and water mixture (or whatever cleaning solution you prefer). Then, use an old toothbrush or scrubber sponge to clean any stubborn stains. Finally, spray off any residue using a high-pressure washer and let dry before applying wax or sealant for protection from sun damage.
When washing your UTV underneath, use some elbow grease and get down there with a brush to get the dirt out from under fenders and areas where grime accumulates over time. Be sure not to forget about the engine compartment.
Keep Up with the Tires
A critical aspect of keeping your UTV ready to use is keeping the tires in good condition. Many times, when people are using their UTV on their farms, they aren’t paying attention to the tires because they’re focused on what they’re doing.
While you’re out riding or working on your land and driving over rough terrain, it’s important to check the tread depth. You should also check tire pressure, cracks or leaks, wear and tear, and damage to make sure that everything is safe for driving.
Ideally, UTV tires last around six years if they’re taken care of properly. However, using the vehicle on a farm might not guarantee the same lifespan. Thus, consider keeping extra tires at hand so you can replace them when necessary.
You can visit here to understand the wide range of tires you can buy for your UTV. You can go through the tire categories and explore them based on their type, size, and brand. Then, choose whatever set of tires fits and works best for your farm UTV.
Change the Oil Regularly
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Changing the oil is a vital part of caring for your UTV. Oil lubricates your engine, transmission, and drivetrain. It also keeps the hydraulic system clean and working efficiently. Changing the oil regularly ensures that you’ll be able to keep your UTV running at its best for as long as possible.
Before changing the oil in your UTV, here are a couple of things you should know:
- Drain out any old or dirty diesel fuel from the tank using an appropriate pump or siphon tube. Use caution so that no fuel spills onto yourself or other parts of the vehicle. It will ruin paint jobs. If you have an older model that uses gasoline instead of diesel fuel, drain out any old gas before continuing with this step.
- Unscrew any caps covering where coolant lines enter into water jackets on top of engine heads. These are usually found near valve covers where tubes go into metal blocks directly under spark plugs.
Top UTV manufacturers suggest that you change the oil every 100 hours or 1000 miles. That means you’ll likely need to change your oil once every six months. These manufacturers also suggest that you change your filter whenever you’re changing the oil. Doing so will help improve the vehicle’s overall efficiency.
Clean Out the Filters
The filter keeps dirt and dust out of the engine. It is important to change your filter regularly, as a dirty air filter can cause damage to the engine. You should check your manual or call your local UTV dealer for recommendations on how often you should change your filter. If you don’t have a new one on hand, try using an oil-dampened cloth instead of paper towels as a filter. This will help keep moisture out of the engine.
Ensure the Suspension is Working Properly
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The suspension of your UTV is the part that supports the weight of your vehicle. If it’s not working properly, it could cause a lot of damage, including tires and rims.
When checking for suspension wear, check for cracks or tears in the rubber parts of the suspension system. Also, look at all bolts to make sure they’re tight, and ensure that all nuts are secure. If anything appears to be worn out or damaged, have a technician look at it before driving any further. You don’t want to risk losing control while steering through your farm’s rough terrain.
In the end, a well-maintained UTV used in farm work is worth its weight in gold. With proper maintenance, you can get the maximum utility out of your farm UTV.
