Many of us own UTVs. They are wonderful machines, that greatly reduce some of the tedious work involved in horse ownership. However, if caution is not applied, it is easy to be injured using these four wheelers.

One brand, Yamaha has been singled out for being particularly dangerous, because of its sensitivity to roll overs. However this is also happening with other brands as well. In our area, a JD "Gator" driver was injured in an overturning accident.

This information was recently aired on the national news:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/05/cbsnews_investigates/main5216272.shtml

Be careful     Gard

We recently purdhased a gator for Dwight's dad who is battling prostate cancer.  It is so much easier for him to take the gator out to check the cows than to have to climb up on the tractor.  But I cringe every time "Pop" lets the great-grandkids (ages 8 and 6) drive that thing.  The 6 year old drives quite well, but the 8 year old thinks she is Mario Andretti.

Thanks for the info.  I will certainly pass it along.

I guess I don't see this as a whole lot different that ATV's.    People always look at me as a thrill seeker for riding a horse.  Every Monday I pick up the paper and read about people who got killed or seriously injured on the ATV/UTV/Motorcycle over the weekend. There is ALWAYS a write up on some sort of accident every weekend. I've come to use this as my standard response.  How many horse people did you read about in today's paper getting hurt?

Maybe it's because Utah has lots of sand dunes and desert area. Where that crowd really gets wild with their machines. Maybe it's because there are more ATV/UTVs that sheer numbers predict more accidents. And just maybe because of the speed they are capable of, they have more serious accidents. Regardless of why. They are in the news a whole lot more than accidents with horses.

I do, the UTVs are HEAVIER in general...i.e. do more damage to the body when it pins you underneath...

One cannot blame the machines...particularly a specific make... Its the operators that cause the accidents - not the machines...anything used outside its design parameters is dangerous...and that includes horses...

Used correctly they are a great help...

It doesnt make one dang difference what they heck it is... you can get on a bicycle, fall over, and break your neck.

Most dumbazz idiots are driving like a bat out of he!! and they cannot control them.  Once that has happened they call 1800ASKGARY for some free legal advice and where to clinic.  Once the ambulance chaser has it, its all over for the manufacture for making an unsafe product.  They never once mention the dumb f__k driving which is 100% responsible.

Heck I should have called gary for some of my wrecks..still have collar bone that isnt in place, several burns from mufflers laying across my ankles and legs, blown out disc, you name it I have had it.  Dad always had a saying he told me at least once a week or whenever I did something stupid (which was alot)....

"If your gonna be dumb you gotta be tough"

Kinda funny thinking back on some of this stuff, I just helped a kid out of the middle of the road while back, seems he was trying to cat walk his dirt bike and flipped it over.  He thought I was going to give him some lecture about riding when I told him the above saying.  He understood, then helped him get underway again.  He rode off alot slower, I thought it was funny.  Sure as he!! wasnt anything a lawyer needed to get a hold of. 

 Not only "gators,ATV's but also tractors,which,many of us having grown up on farms around these wonderful inventions,sometimes take for granted:

Craighead County Sheriff Jack McCann says the body of 45-year-old --- was found Wednesday afternoon. 
----- wife had reported him missing about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

McCann says it appears --- was mowing when the tractor overturned into the ditch.

The tractor overturned in about 9 feet of water in this ditch. 

We have a line of UTV's "XRT" that have been very popular for us. The wide stance and wider tires seem to offer more stability. Our max. speed is also only 25mph which helps.

Most of the units we sell are simply golf carts with cargo boxes on the back. They sit lower to the ground and will do most of what our customers want. When we do install lift kits it is best to keep them at 4". If we use the 6" kits a wheel spacer is needed to widen the stance.

It seems like those UTV's with the balloon type tires, narrow frame and high speeds feel the most unstable. Having said that, people turn golf carts over every day.

My parents sell the Yamaha Rhinos as well as Kawasaki Mules and Teryx's.  They are like anything else, if used improperly they can be dangerous.  What makes me crazy is that people turn their children loose (as mentioned in one of these replies) and then get upset when they get hurt.  I don't think it takes a genius to read the posted warnings all over the machines that say they are not for children under 16. 

They are a tool and a recreational vehicle, but like every other activity we participate in they should be respected.  Doing doughnuts in them and turning your children loose on them is not what I would consider respect.

Sorry for the rant.

Well stated   !!!!!!!