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Choosing the Right Utv Skid Unit

As president and owner of one of the leading manufacturers of units Fire drag and physicians built specifically for these specialized vehicles, I get calls every day from principals and administrators across the country asking about the suitability of a type of mark UTV model over another. Those who have not purchased a UTV is still in luck. It is the organization that has purchased a UTV with the mistaken notion that the particular make and model you bought is suitable for the needs of emergency services that are sometimes have problems.

There are many brands and models to choose from UTV on the market today. Some are much better suited for emergency services work than others. Some UTV have no business being used by these organizations in all emergency services to work. The 6×6 and 4×4 Polaris Ranger, Kubota RTV 900, Kawasaki Mule 3010, John Deere Gator 6×6 and 4×4 Cub Cadet country large, the Buffalo 6×6 Argo and amphibians are all units that are very popular and appear to be suitable for emergency services work. There are many other makes and models they deserve more strictly controlled to ensure that it is useful to the mission that they hope to achieve.

Emergency services organizations need to put it amount of time, effort, thought and due diligence in the purchase of your UTV as they would for their next ambulance or fire truck. First, we must setting goals of the mission, types of typography and geography in the primary response area (steep mountain environments and against swampy, wet) and Ultimately, the primary mission of the organization UTV, medical transportation, fire fighting wild land, or a combination of both. A Once these questions have been answered, then the organization can look at the specifications of the different types of models available that best UTV meet mission objectives. Secondly, safety should always be high on the list. Most UTV seat belts provided, but make sure the model you are interested UTV in comes equipped with them (and then write appropriate SOG or SOP's to ensure that your organization follows the rule of safety belts always), and protection overturn it (roll over protective structure), which is essentially a cage that protects the occupants of the sitting areas in the UTV. Third, is the overall weight of the load capacity of the entire unit, but more importantly the capacity of the cargo bed is of paramount importance. This is where many departments bump with that. They go out and buy a unit that can not meet the requirements of the shipping industry drag these units, but find out too late.

In considering the purchase of a UTV, I am sure that the true 4×4 or 6×6 drive train capability is a necessity for your organization. Again, check the make / specifications carefully the model. Some claim to be 6×6 (which are, almost), but looking closer you will notice that only four of the six wheels on the vehicle driving wheels are true. The other two wheels are derailed. Try the search units to turn on the radio with 6×6 compared to 4×4, or load capacity requirements of your mission dictates the 6×6 in the 4×4.

The conditions for cargo box for a sliding type unit doctor, I have a golden rule that UTV is going to buy must be evaluated to carry at least 650 pounds. in the cargo bed of the unit. We reached this figure by adding the weight of the skid base unit (usually 150 pounds. Or less) by the average weight of an assistant, patient, bag trauma, O2 bag and the bottle and other necessities. UTV are not out there that are qualified to carry only 400 pounds. in the cargo bed, which is far less than 650 pounds. above. If it is a fire fighting wild land and water trawl gear you want, that number can go to 900 pounds. and above a nominal load capacity required. When you do your due diligence and specifications to achieve, the websites of all of the above is made an excellent place of departure. For example, the Polaris Ranger 6×6 is rated overall vehicle load of 1750 pounds. with a rated load capacity of 1250 lbs bed. Kubota RTV 900 has similar scores for a total load capacity of 1653 pounds. and 1102-lb. bed load capacity. The Polaris Ranger 4×4 is a vehicle load capacity of 1500 pounds. and a cargo bed rated for 1000 pounds. As you can see, the relationship between the brand and model specifications and the rating soon helps you narrow your search UTV appropriate for the task expected to undertake. Most manufactures sliding UTV are beginning to standardize the size of the drive units. The cargo box of the UTV should be at least 49 "wide and 54" long. UTV units smaller size beds potentially restricts the number towed units have to choose and could lead to prices substantially if a custom skid unit to be built to suit your particular UTV.

Remember, as a senior official of an emergency services organization, does not want to be put in the unenviable position of having to answer tough questions by Litigation counsel and their high price has brought the organization and UTV wrong in the wrong mission area causing an accident. We have to give these vehicles the same respect and due diligence in deciding which unit to purchase as we do when we buy larger vehicles. These vehicles can damage our staff and our patients as if we have an accident with larger units. It is imperative that we do everything to avoid an accident by purchasing the appropriate UTV for the mission.

In closing, the point of this article is to make you consider your options trademark / UTV models closely before making a final purchase. I will also say I'm not a fan of the use of ATV's in use by emergency services. I bought one for my small rural department, but soon felt that the unit not provide sufficient security protection for my firefighter / EMT 's. First rising to an ATV and a motorcycle instead of in a UTV like a car. Second , there is no safety belts on ATV's, where there is almost always the safety belts in UTV, and finally, the ATV can be very unstable in many conditions. ATV must serve many functions limited mission in the emergency service organizations. Remember that cheaper in terms of costs is not always better when it comes of our national motto for firefighters "Everyone comes home."

About the Author

Kimball W. Johnson is President of KIMTEK Corporation makers of the MEDLITE Medical Transport skid unit (patent pending), The FIRELITE Transport skid unit for wildland firefighting and makers of the EUV (emergency utility vehicle) which is a turn key, ready for service unit that is available on a variety of make and model chassis. Mr. Johnson is also a volunteer Fire Chief and volunteer EMT.

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