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●
Never put your foot onto the ground to
stabilise an ATV when riding
, but shift your
weight across the ATV away from the imbalance.
●
Always read the
owner’s manual.
Trailed equipment and loads
Ensure all riders know the manufacturers
recommended towing capacity and drawbar loading
limit. Always operate within these requirements.
Remember that your ability to control the ATV by your
body movements will be considerably reduced when
carrying a load or towing a trailer.
●
When selecting trailed equipment look for:
-
over-run brakes;
-
a swivel hitch drawbar;
-
bead lock rims on wheels;
-
a low centre of gravity and a wide wheel
track;
-
a long drawbar; and
-
attachment points for securing a load.
●
Check the weight ratio between your ATV and its
trailed load. This needs to be assessed for each
operation. As a general guide, on level ground,
braked trailed equipment can be a maximum of
four times the unladen weight of the ATV. For
unbraked trailed equipment the maximum should
be twice the unladen weight. These loads should
be reduced when working on slopes, uneven
ground or poor surface conditions. Follow the
manufacturers advice for your particular machine.
●
Weight transfer is also important. Stability and
resistance to jack-knifing is improved if some load
is transferred onto the
ATVʼs drawbar.
Approximately 10% of the gross weight of the
loaded trailer is recommended, but this should not
exceed the manufacturers drawbar loading limit.
Remember that weight transfer can change
dramatically when you start going up or down hill.
●
When selecting mounted equipment, make sure it
is within the manufacturers approved weight limit,
with a low centre of gravity, and controls which are
easy to operate but do not create a hazard. Where
equipment is added to one end of the machine,
add ballast at the other end to maintain stability.
●
Loads carried on racks must be well secured, e.g.
with ratchet straps, and be evenly balanced
between the front and rear, except where they are
deliberately altered to aid stability when going up
or down a slope.
●
Only tow a load from the hitch point. Loads towed
from other points such as the rear rack have
caused sudden rear overturning even on slight
slopes or with slight acceleration. Ropes or chains
should not be used to drag a load where they can
become caught on a wheel. This may lead to
entanglement with the brake cable, causing
unexpected braking.
Using sprayers
●
Pesticides should be used in accordance with the
Code of Practice for using plant protection
products
published by Defra. (Available from
Defra Publications, ADMAIL 6000, London SW1A
2XX Tel: 08459 556000.)
●
Sprayers should meet the requirements of BS EN
907 and be fitted with an induction hopper unless
the filling point is less than 1.5 m from the ground
and within 0.3 m from the edge of the sprayer. A
separate clean water tank for washing must be
provided containing at least 15 litres of clean
water and a tap that allows the water to run
without being continuously pressed.
●
When buying a sprayer look for a low centre of
gravity and internal baffles to reduce liquid surge
to improve stability when turning on slopes.
●
ATVs should only be used with rear-mounted
spray booms or other equipment that reduces the
risk of pesticide exposure to the operator.
●
Do not hold a spraying lance while riding your
ATV, as two hands are needed for safe control.
Accessories
Beware of the potential dangers of accessories which
are not approved by manufacturers, e.g. home-made
gun racks and boxes. Either use accessories
supplied/approved by manufacturers or seek their
advice as to the suitability of those sourced elsewhere.
Any weight added above the centre of gravity will
decrease the ATVʼs stability.
Children
●
Never carry a child as a passenger. It is illegal and
will reduce your ability to control the ATV.
●
Children under 13 are prohibited from using an
ATV at work. Over 13 they should only ride ATVs
of an appropriate size and power, after formal
training on a low-power ATV.
●
Check and adhere to the manufa
cturer’s
minimum age recommendations for your ATV
.
The ratio of a
child’s weight to that of the ATV is
significant, as weight transfer is the key to safe
handling.
●
Always refer to the
owner’s manual and warning
labels on the machine.
Roll bars, lap straps and weather cabs
●
Roll bars are not recommended for sit-astride
ATVs. Research has shown that they are more
likely to increase injuries by obstructing the rider,
either when thrown off or when jumping off during
an overturn. This causes the rider to fall to the
ground alongside the ATV and increases the
likelihood of injury. PUWER does not require roll
bars where they would increase the overall risk.