Purchasing an ATV or side-by-side can be a large investment for many families, but when we can mix work and play that investment becomes much more realistic. Many farmers in Canada utilize some sort of ATV or UTV to help with operations. Equipped with a hitch and winch, and in the case of a UTV a dump box, the machine becomes very handy around the farm. Some say if you are using your off-road vehicle for work you can cut the initial purchase price in half, as the vehicle becomes a sound investment for all areas of life.
Craig Gudmundson of Wynyard, Saskatchewan, and his parents Marlyn and Emerson farm 2600 acres of grain each season. Their Arctic Cat Prowler is considered one of their most valuable pieces of equipment, hands down. This fuel efficient side-by-side uses far less gas and is easier to maintain than the pickup trucks that were once relied upon for basic farm tasks. The dump box on the back of the Prowler, along with the tow hitch, helps transport tools and equipment. The family also uses the UTV to check their fields for readiness and for infestation.
“We’d never drive our trucks through the fields, but with a UTV it is easy, said Gudmundson. "Very little impact on the environment, combined with the ability to navigate narrow spaces. We can check our 2600 acres in about an hour.”
The Prowler's stock tires are perfect for this purpose, but most manufacturers offer turf tires for more sensitive environmental application.
Equal to a hired hand
The rural municipality where the Gudmundson's farm is located allows for UTVs and ATVs to run on a grid road system, providing riders abide by the laws of the road and wear helmets. Especially for larger farms, this creates a user friendly system that can speed up operations. Having an off-road vehicle can be compared to an extra hired hand, allowing one person to perform several duties quickly and with more efficiency.
Gudmundson’s mother has a park-like eight-acre yard she takes great pride in. At age 76, Marlyn Gudmundson transports her yard tools, gravel, bark mulch and yard waste simply and easily. The Prowler gives her greater mobility and accessibility, allowing her to completely enjoy maintaining her yard.
In the off season the Prowler becomes an exciting recreational unit. Riding the trails in and around their property is fun for the whole family, especially Gudmundson's daughters Kelsey, 18, and Jordin, 16. They are careful not to disturb crop-growing land, but that doesn’t prevent them from splashing it up in the mud holes along the way.
Winter also sees a lot of fun time with the family's UTV. Who needs a ski resort when you have a tow rope, snowboard and adventurous girls?
All work and no play is not how the Gudmundsons roll. Work and play keeps everyone happy, especially if you live in rural Saskatchewan.
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