Need Help Managing Acreage? 5 Tips for Choosing the Right ATV

There’s a unique sense of satisfaction that comes with caring for and making the most of forested property. But some days, getting all that work done feels like a tall order. That’s what makes an ATV such an essential piece of equipment for landowners.

ATV Log Trailer

With an ATV, getting from one end of your property to the other is quick and easy. Plus, an ATV gives you better access than a pickup truck or SUV, since ATVs are more nimble and can navigate tighter spaces. ATVs have plenty of room for your essential tools, and when you add the right ATV log trailer, you can haul just about anything.

Have you decided that you’re ready to invest in an ATV? There are a lot of different makes and models to choose from. But don’t let all the options overwhelm you. Instead, use these five tips for choosing the ATV best suited to meet your unique needs.

Evaluate Your Workload

Picking out the right ATV is similar to purchasing the industry’s best-valued forestry equipment. Your gear should always rise to the occasion and be durable enough to give you years of service, but you don’t want to overpay for bells and whistles you don’t need, either.

With that in mind, start building a list of criteria for your ATV based on your workload or to-do list. Often, towing capacity and suspension are going to matter more to landowners than top speed or a stereo system. Make a list of the specific tasks where your new ATV will make a difference—such as hauling a trailer full of logs to your sawmill bandsaw—then evaluate available models based on their ability to carry out those tasks.

Set a Budget

With practicality top of mind, it’s vital that you also establish a maximum budget for your ATV investment. Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.

Purchases like an ATV usually involve some extras. Even in your early product research, you may have started thinking about adding a spare tire, helmet, or one of the most versatile off road utility trailers to make your ATV more capable. It’s wise to factor these add-ons into your overall budget for your ATV purchase.

Consider the Land You’ll Be Working

As you likely already know, not all ATVs are created equal. Some excel in a recreational setting, but don’t qualify as true workhorses. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with an ATV designed for lighter duty. In fact, you may find that this type of ATV is all you need.

But it’s crucial that you carefully review the spec sheet for each model you’re considering and ask questions at the dealership or online to determine whether a particular model can handle the landscape and terrain on your property.

Look at Engine Size, Towing Capacity, and Suspension

When it comes to rough terrain, dirty jobs, and inclement weather, these considerations are crucial because they will tell you a lot about how an ATV will perform when the going gets tough.

Don’t get stuck comparing numbers here, though. Sure, a particular engine might not be the largest, but is that really a deal-breaker? Does that mean the model you’re looking at won’t deliver once you bring it home? Ultimately, only you can answer these questions.

Think About Maintenance Work and Costs

As with any motorized vehicle, you’ll have to perform inspections and preventative maintenance regularly to keep your new ATV in good working order. As you evaluate the range of models available, read reviews and look for indications that certain makes or models are difficult to maintain.

You should also consider part availability, responsiveness from the manufacturer’s support team, and distance to the nearest dealership, which will be key in the event you encounter an issue that you can’t resolve on your own.

About Woodland Mills

After hiring a local sawyer to mill fallen trees on his property, Josh Malcolm decided he needed his own sawmill. But in searching for the right portable bandsaw mill, he found that the new models were too expensive, while used mills didn’t offer the performance he needed. So, Malcolm called his childhood friend Neil Bramley and asked, “We can just build our own, can’t we?” That was the beginning of Woodland Mills. Now, Woodland Mills is globally recognized as the go-to for independent sawyers, hobbyist woodworkers, and landowners looking for the industry’s best-valued forestry products. From the flagship HM126 sawmill bandsaw to the new HM136MAX, the new TF810 PRO PTO Wood Chipper, the Pathlander ATV log trailer, and much more, Woodland Mills delivers the capability you need at an attainable price point with world-class customer service.

Tackle your to-do list with forestry equipment from Woodland Mills at https://woodlandmills.com/