2003 National Training Workshop, Thursday, November 11, 2003 Utility Vehicle Review with Test Drive:
This session was intended to explore the range of utility vehicles being used on farms and ranches. Representatives of each utility vehicle company spoke briefly about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of vehicle to accommodate different disabilities and agricultural operational needs. Then the participants (e.g., approximately 50 people consisting of AgrAbility project staff and Nebraska Tractor Test Lab students), had an opportunity to test drive each of the utility vehicles. After finishing their test drives, everyone provided an opinion of each utility vehicle using the survey instrument shown below.
Survey Instrument
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1 = Very Dissatisfied >> 5 = Very Satisfied |
Performance |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
- Starting (acceleration, speed, etc.)
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Operator Station |
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- Location of User Control(s)
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- Usability of User Control(s)
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- Ease of Entry and Exit from Seat
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- Seat Support (back, lateral, etc.)
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Features |
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Compiled Survey Results:
(1 = Very Dissatisfied >> 5 = Very Satisfied).
Model |
Mean Criteria-PERFORMANCE |
|
Starting (Acceleration, Speed, Etc.) |
Stopping (Braking) |
Steering Responsiveness |
Noise Level |
Ride Quality |
Cub Cadet 4x2 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
3.9 |
3.6 |
3.4 |
Cub Cadet 4x6 |
3.0 |
3.6 |
4.4 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
John Deere CS |
3.6 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
2.6 |
Kawasaki Mule |
3.3 |
4.4 |
3.5 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
Polaris 4x4 |
4.1 |
4.7 |
4.0 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
Polaris 4x6 |
4.4 |
4.7 |
2.8 |
3.2 |
4.4 |
Polaris Ranger |
5.0 |
4.7 |
4.3 |
3.8 |
4.4 |
Raptor |
3.0 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
Model |
Mean Criteria-OPERATOR STATION |
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Location Of User Controls |
Usability Of User Controls |
Ease Of Entry And Exit From Seat |
Leg Room |
Seat Support (Back, Lateral, Etc.) |
Overall Operator Comfort |
Cub Cadet 4 x2 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
3.8 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
3.6 |
Cub Cadet 4 x 6 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
John Deere CS |
3.5 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
2.8 |
3.8 |
2.9 |
Kawasaki Mule |
4.1 |
3.4 |
3.9 |
3.3 |
4.0 |
3.9 |
Polaris 4x4 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
3.9 |
Polaris 4x6 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
3.8 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
Polaris Ranger |
3.7 |
4.0 |
4.6 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
Raptor |
4.8 |
3.8 |
5.0 |
4.8 |
4.0 |
4.3 |
Model |
Mean Criteria- FEATURES
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Stability |
Perception Of Safety |
Perception Of Durability |
Cub Cadet 4x2 |
3.9 |
3.1 |
3.8 |
Cub Cadet 4x6 |
4.3 |
4.0 |
4.3 |
John Deere CS |
3.1 |
2.8 |
2.9 |
Kawasaki Mule |
3.9 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
Polaris 4x4 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
Polaris 4x6 |
4.6 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
Polaris Ranger |
4.4 |
4.6 |
4.4 |
Raptor |
4.5 |
3.8 |
4.5 |
The Utility Vehicle Companies :
John Deere, John Deere Compact Series (CS) Gator
Kawasaki, Kawasaki Mule 3000
Cub Cadet, Cub Cadet Big Country 4 x 6
Koyker Manufacturing Company, Raptor 2000H
Polaris, Polaris Professional Series 4 x 4
*NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Wisconsin, Easter Seals, or the AgrAbility Project, and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms. |
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