In the last two decades, riding quads has become a craze. From enthusiastic office workers on a team day in the field to racers taking part in highly competitive leagues, one and all have become involved in the quad phenomenon.
Another face of the quads: agricultural and commercial uses
While quads are more than capable of generating a real sense of fun and exuberance, and have become a staple of the entertainment industry, there is another, more serious side to these remarkable four-wheelers. Also known as ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles), they are widely used as work vehicles on farms around the world. They are particularly useful for traversing inhospitable terrain, such as extremely muddy and uneven fields, or negotiating stretches of densely planted ground with few obvious gaps.
In fact, farming is strongly linked to the early history of ATVs. In fact, ATVs were first used in earnest in the remote mountainous agricultural areas of Japan. The muddy mountain roads proved difficult for farmers to traverse during the spring thaws and were virtually impassable for conventional vehicles. The three-wheeler ATV was created to meet this need; Honda made the first ATV in 1970. Then Honda brought ATVs to the US. Honda and other manufacturers soon developed a four-wheel model to provide better stability and these are now the most popular ATVs, hence the name ATV. quad bike.
Additionally, ATVs also have their uses as versatile workhorses in non-agricultural settings. For example, due to their ability to cope with all climates, they are frequently used by UK councils during periods of heavy snowfall. They are used to reach inaccessible vulnerable people who are trapped by snow; or they are deployed as sand cleaning vehicles for areas such as station platforms that cannot be reached by sand cleaning trucks.
Bringing out the best in ATVs with accessories
The example above helps demonstrate the great versatility of ATVs. ATV accessories of all kinds are available for ATVs, greatly increasing their functionality in all kinds of situations. De-sanding with an ATV, for example, is made possible by a yellow funnel-like structure called an ATV salt spreader.
A veritable assortment of useful ATV accessories
The range of ATV accessories available covers all types of areas. To make working in cold weather more comfortable, you could consider, for example, some heated handlebar grips. They are easy to put on and will keep your hands warm during the cold winter months. Handlebar protectors are also available, and have been specifically designed for ATVs to keep hands warm all year round. They come with a thermal liner, a waterproof outer shell and are universally suitable for all ATVs. For any farm worker in distress, in all climates, these ear muffs are almost essential.
To transport tools on an ATV, it is possible to install a dry box, designed to fit the front frame of larger bikes or the rear frame of smaller bikes.
These are just a few examples of the remarkable range of ATV accessories that add to the flexibility and versatility of these exceptionally useful vehicles.