Choosing the Right Lawn Utility Vehicle

by Kelly Richardson
All About Lawns Columnist

• Two or Four-Wheel Drive. The first thing you should consider when choosing a lawn utility vehicle is whether to get two or four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is more expensive but offers much better traction if you are working on rough terrain. Two-wheel drive is better for flat land.
• Towing Capacity. Most lawn utility vehicles offer between 500 to 1600 pounds of towing capacity. Of course, the more towing capacity, the higher the price. But you never know when you'll have a huge load of firewood that you want to deliver in just one trip.
• Payload Capacity. This measure the amount of weight the lawn utility vehicle will carry on top. This is not as important as towing capacity, but important nonetheless. Most lawn utility vehicle models can carry between 900 and 1600 pounds.
• Turning Radius. This is a characteristic that most buyers fail to consider when choosing a lawn utility vehicle. You really want a machine that will turn tightly in confined areas. A lawn utility vehicle with a wide turning radius will have difficulty maneuvering.
• Features and Accessories. Your final consideration when choosing a lawn utility vehicle is the collections of "bells and whistles." Comfort accessories such as padded seat, cup holders, and sun visors will make your jobs a little bit easier to manage.