Home / Tractors / ATV and UTV Use in Farm Work

ATV and UTV Use in Farm Work

All-terrain and utility vehicles are everywhere on farms, used for checking fields, moving supplies and working livestock. Their convenience is real, and so are the risks of rollovers and crashes.

What is the difference between an ATV and a UTV?

An ATV is typically a smaller vehicle that you straddle and steer with handlebars. A UTV is typically a side-by-side vehicle with a seat, steering wheel and often a cargo bed. They behave differently, and the manuals describe each one's design and limits.

Many safety recommendations depend on the type, so read the manual for the exact vehicle you use.

Whichever vehicle you use, treat it as a vehicle for work with defined limits, not a toy.

Why do rollovers and crashes happen?

Speed, steep or uneven terrain, sharp turns, loads that shift, and unfamiliar ground are common factors. Operators may overestimate the vehicle's stability, especially when carrying a load or towing something.

Safety organizations and the manufacturers publish guidance on how to ride and what to avoid. Use those sources instead of habit.

Weather matters as well. Wet grass, mud, frost and loose gravel all change how a vehicle grips, so slow down and adjust your route.

• Excess speed for the ground
• Sharp turns on slopes
• Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
• Riding on public roads without checking local rules

What protective gear and habits matter?

Recognized safety organizations recommend a helmet, eye protection, sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing. For side-by-sides, use the seat belt and any restraints provided, and keep arms and legs inside the vehicle.

Take the manual's guidance on loads, towing and passengers seriously. Many vehicles are designed for one rider only.

Check the vehicle before riding: tires, brakes, steering, lights and any guards. Keep the machine in good repair, and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

• Helmet and eye protection
• Sturdy boots and long sleeves
• Seat belts and restraints on UTVs
• No extra passengers unless the vehicle is designed for them
• Smooth, steady speed

What about children and youth?

Vehicles built for adults are often too large and powerful for children to control. Many safety organizations advise that young riders not operate adult-size machines. Age and size recommendations come from manufacturers and groups such as the Progressive Agriculture Foundation.

State laws on youth riding differ, so check with your state agency. Labor rules for youth in agricultural work should be confirmed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Parents should read the manual and warning labels with young riders, and decide together what the rules are. Supervision should be close, and young riders should not use public roads.

How do you reduce risk on the farm?

Choose routes ahead of time, avoid steep slopes and bank edges, and slow down before turns. Walk unfamiliar ground first. Keep loads low and balanced, and use the vehicle only as designed.

Do not ride when tired, ill or impaired. Tell someone where you are going, as in a working-alone plan.

If you work with livestock from a vehicle, plan the route so you are never caught between the animals and a fence or gate.

• Walk new routes before riding them
• Slow down before every turn
• Keep loads low and balanced
• Wear the protective gear the manual lists

What should you do after a crash?

If anyone is hurt, call 911. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is an immediate danger, and follow the dispatcher's directions. Stay with the person and keep others away from the vehicle.

Take a first aid course from the American Red Cross to learn what to do while waiting for responders.

Keep a phone or radio with you, and tell someone where you are going, so help can find you quickly.

• Tell someone where you are headed

Where can you learn more?

Use the operator manual, then OSHA's agriculture page, NIOSH, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation and your extension office. Rules vary by state, so confirm with the official body.

Ask your county extension office whether they offer rider training or can point to a certified course.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.