LONDON, Ohio – Utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) are becoming more popular on the farm as the ideal workhorse vehicle, from hauling feed, to fixing fence lines, to spot spraying. But safety remains the name of the game for those operating and those going along for the ride.
Ohio State University Extension's Agricultural Safety and Health Program will be on hand during Farm Science Review to demonstrate proper operating procedures, how to properly fit a rider and what gear to wear for both a UTV and an ATV (all-terrain vehicle).
The exhibit can be found at the Safety Education Area along Land Avenue of the exhibit area. Farm Science Review will take place from Sept. 21-23 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
Dee Jepsen, OSU Extension state safety specialist, said that ATVs are still popular for recreational use, but UTVs are leading the pack as the preferred all-around off-road maintenance and work vehicle both in urban and rural areas.
"There are new models of UTVs coming out every year, but the number of new models of ATVs has slowed," said Jepsen. "People love UTVs because they are so versatile, larger than ATVs and are generally safer than ATVs."
But, Jepsen emphasized maintaining proper safety procedures when operating a UTV is no less important than safely driving an ATV.
Some safety examples include driving slow to avoid overturns due to the high frame of a UTV, and recognizing that the cargo space is not intended to carry extra persons. Additional safety information can be found on the OSU Extension fact sheet, "Safe Operation of Utility Type Vehicles (UTVs)" at http://bit.ly/9Wgo3E.
The ATV/UTV safety exhibits complement the ATV/UTV Ride and Drive Area at Farm Science Review. The Ride and Drive area will feature Yamaha and Honda and showcase the latest in ATV and UTV models. The feature allows attendees to test drive various models within the enclosed Ride and Drive area. The area is located north and northeast of the exhibit area, sandwiched between the exhibit area and I-70.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.
Farm Science Review pre-show tickets are now on sale for $5 at all OSU Extension county offices. Tickets will also be available at local agribusinesses. Tickets are $8 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
For more information, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu. For the latest news and updates, follow Farm Science Review on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/OhioStateFSR), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FarmScienceReview), and Ning (http://fsrosu.ning.com).