| The ATV, or all terrain vehicle, once considered pure | | | | range. In a city environment, ATVs play a huge role |
| recreation and excitement has emerged as much | | | | in crowd control. The ATV has also made beach |
| more than that. Years of innovations in the ATV | | | | patrols far easier for enforcement officers. Large |
| industry have produced superior machines with | | | | areas of sandy beach can be patrolled in a relatively |
| extraordinary reliability and performance. Aside from | | | | short period of time versus good, old fashioned |
| enjoying the wooded trails and sand dunes, the ATV | | | | walking. Firefighters also can reach wooded areas |
| has found itself in numerous practical roles including | | | | normally off-limits to firetrucks and medical personnel |
| search and rescue, law enforcement, agriculture and | | | | now have a means of assisting and retrieving |
| farming, snow removal, hunting and patrol of | | | | individuals in need of emergency medical care. |
| gamelands, and just about any job that requires | | | | The use of ATVs in agriculture and farm operations |
| access to areas previously unreachable by four wheel | | | | is most predominant of all. Small and medium sized |
| drive trucks. The four wheel drive (4x4) ATV models | | | | farms have made use of ATVs performing tasks |
| in particular have exploded onto the scene. | | | | previously performed by horses and by good old |
| These utility ATVs capable of being driven by all four | | | | human power. The application of pesticides has |
| wheels, are able to perform far more tasks than | | | | become more efficient due to the availability of |
| originally anticipated. The addition of accessories | | | | ATV-mounted pesticide applicators. The feeding of |
| including luggage and storage racks and powered | | | | livestock has become easier using ATVs for hauling |
| winches have also impacted the use of ATVs for | | | | and distributing feed. Mowing smaller fields can be |
| business and practical purposes. Engines can range in | | | | more efficient with ATVs over full size tractors |
| size with maximum displacement as high as 800cc | | | | especially in areas with limited access. |
| providing plenty of power for towing, dragging, and | | | | The relocation of dirt and gravel, a simple task done |
| other tasks. A reverse gear provides much more | | | | for a variety of reasons, has been made easier as |
| versatility than the mono-directional ATVs of earlier | | | | ATVs can reach areas not accessible by pickup truck |
| years. Shaft drives have replaced chain and sprocket | | | | or tractor. Seeding is another example of life made |
| drives on the original sport models. PTO has become | | | | easier on the farm by means of ATV, an attached |
| an option providing power for those who need to | | | | ATV spreader can ease the workload associated |
| drive external accessories and machinery. With a | | | | with seeding crops as well. Tilling can also be |
| plethora of options available, the 4x4 utility ATV can | | | | accomplished via ATV. A cumbersome tiller attached |
| be considered a viable off-road vehicle and useful tool | | | | to a full size tractor may not always work well in |
| rolled into one. | | | | areas with limited access or difficult maneuverability. |
| Law enforcement is a fine example of ATV use | | | | Anyone who has ever ridden an ATV for recreational |
| from a practical standpoint. The police have begun | | | | purposes knows how gratifying and enjoyable riding |
| making use of ATVs for patrolling as well as search | | | | can be and it is always interesting to see exciting |
| and rescue. The ability of the ATV to travel off-road | | | | new roles played by the all terrain vehicle as they |
| in less than perfect road or trail conditions makes the | | | | continue to emerge year after year. Through the use |
| ATV the perfect tool for police in rural areas. In | | | | of new and innovative accessories, larger engines, |
| areas where horseback and foot patrol used to be | | | | better suspension and control, we can only imagine |
| the only option, the ATV can provide a reliable | | | | where we'll find an ATV next. |
| means of travel, and in some cases a much longer | | | | |