PERSON N E L T R ANS P O R T | By Curt Bennink
Polaris Commercia
UTVs Provide COST-EFFECTIVE JOBSITE TRANSPORT
Stop beating up your full-size pickups while efficiently moving people and materials around the jobsite.
C
rews running across the construction jobsite in a full-size pickup is a common site. But with the cost of these trucks often exceeding $65,000, is this the best use of this critical asset? The off-road terrain can accelerate wear and tear, while the heavy trucks can also be hard on the jobsite terrain. There are better alternatives for transport on sensitive terrain or unimproved surfaces. The modern UTV exerts much less ground pressure, is designed to live in the harshest jobsite conditions and costs substantially less to replace than a pickup truck. “A major benefit of UTVs is that they are capable of traveling on
a variety of terrains, including mud, sand, dirt and rocky surfaces while transporting a variety of cargo,” says Maureen McCormack, go-to-market manager, John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles. “Work UTVs are specifically designed to carry heavy cargo at slower speeds while minimizing damage to the terrain.” They can also be used to tow up to about 2,000 lbs., depending upon the specific model. While the average UTV’s payload is about 800 lbs., the largest models can carry almost a ton. This allows them to handle tasks that once required a pickup truck. The higher ground clearance of many UTVs also makes these units
20 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | July 2021
able to navigate over obstacles that would hang up many pickup trucks. Skid plates on UTVs protect the more vulnerable components and the vehicles typically burn less fuel. There are even electric UTVs for applications where you want to eliminate emissions. Technology upgrades and an expanding options list over the last 10 to 15 years have helped drive the market. “As a result of this increased capability, more construction customers are using the ‘right-sized’ vehicles to replace their full-size trucks and vans as UTVs are purposedesigned for off-road terrain,” says Nick Snidarich, product manager, Polaris Commercial. According to Snidarich,
utility vehicles designed for the jobsite are compact, purposebuilt machines to move people and equipment over off-road, over the curb or hard pack terrain where other vehicles are not designed to operate. A work utility vehicle provides cost benefits to buy, operate and maintain over pickup trucks. “Most automobiles are designed for the experience on the road, and those built for offroading are performance driven,” says Jacob Mandoza, RTV senior product manager, Kubota. UTVs are uniquely tailored to jobsite demands. The benefits of UTVs are driving industry demand. “These are getting a lot more popular on jobsites,” says James Crouch,
www.ForConstructionPros.com
UTVs continue to prove their value by solving customer problems. For instance, smaller vehicles can navigate tight spaces better. They can also be used to tow up to about 2,000 lbs., depending upon the specific model. UTV product manager, Bobcat. “They are gaining popularity and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. If you look at the industry numbers, this year we’re probably going to be close to 700,000 UTVs sold in the U.S. It’s a huge market.” The UTV is no longer a well-kept secret. “I believe that acceptance will continue to grow as awareness of the product grows,” says Mandoza. “Once folks are able to see the benefits
