Building the ideal UTV with The Toro Company

Utility vehicles are used in a number of unique applications — from large-scale landscaping projects, to construction sites, to general transportation on farms and rural properties and even fire and rescue operations. The bottom line is these dynamic and versatile machines are ideal for moving material, equipment, personnel and supplies from point A to point B in even the most challenging terrain. Although a reliable and rugged unit is of the utmost importance, many believe the real value in purchasing a UTV comes when attachments and accessories are equipped to complement the normal duties of the unit itself. Many UTV manufacturers, like Toro, offer a number of attachments and accessories that can be integrated to enhance the overall experience and customization of a UTV, potentially creating the optimal machine for a variety of specific operations.

Building theIdeal Machine

Through the process of selecting the proper attachments and accessories, end-users have the opportunity to essentially create the ideal unit (for their individual needs) from scratch. Each unit is unique depending on the needs that the application dictates, and the end-user should take great care in selecting the additional options that are right for them. When deciding which options are important, buyers should keep in mind that there are three main categories in which accessories and attachments fall:

■ Operator and passenger comfort — such as stereo kit or a cab heater, which are popular options when the operator will be spending extended periods of time in the UTV.
■ Overall functionality — a winch, trailer hitch or a snowplow.
■ Protection and safety — windshields, enclosed cabs and bumpers.

Top 5 Most Popular Options

UTV manufacturers offer a number of attachments to enhance the overall experience of the customer, either in terms of user comforts, safety or UTV functionality. Let’s discuss a few of the most popular options and exactly why they are important out in the field. Among the most popular attachment options for UTV users are bumpers. Like many UTV manufacturers, Toro offers both front and rear bumpers to help ensure the longevity of the machine, specifically the grill, hood and headlights (front bumper), and the box frame and tailgate areas (rear bumper). It’s no secret that UTVs are commonly used in demanding conditions, including remote trails, construction sites and uneven terrain, and the bumper helps absorb any impact from either debris, obstacles or the terrain itself.

A cab enclosure or a windshield is one of the most popular options to consider adding to a UTV. Apart from providing the operator a higher level of protection from the elements, a windshield can also provide a layer of protection on construction or landscaping sites by deflecting debris and exterior noise. If the UTV will be frequently used in cold weather, an enclosed cab coupled with a heating kit can provide the operator with an extremely comfortable experience and extend the use of the UTV to year-round. In the event that the UTV will be used at night, or in dark and remote areas, a light kit is a no-brainer accessory to add to the machine. Toro offers a number of supplemental lighting options on the new line of UTVs and can be attached to the roll over protection system (ROPS) of the unit.

A winch kit is also a highly popular attachment recommended for all UTVs. Winches are great in areas with challenging terrain and are designed to get the operator out of any sticky situation. Regardless of the application, be it construction, landscaping, recreation/exploration or rescue, the UTV will most likely encounter less-than-ideal terrain at some point, and the winch kit is a great insurance policy to make sure that the operator can continue to maneuver the UTV in exceptionally muddy, icy or snowy conditions. The winch attachment can also be used to raise and lower a plow attachment for pushing dirt, snow, mulch or other materials.

Versatility

Since these units can be customized in hundreds of different configurations, the possibilities are virtually endless and ensure that the end-user is maximizing the potential of the UTV by building it around their specific needs. The best piece of advice we can offer potential buyers of utility vehicles, attachments and accessories is to clearly identify the general applications in which the UTV will be most frequently used and customize the UTV by integrating attachments and accessories around the applications themselves. With the right attachments, a UTV is one of the pieces of equipment that operators can truly make their own and tailor the functionality to best suit their specific needs.

Ryan Moorlag is the marketing manager with The Toro Co.