kentucky agrability and interdisciplinary human development institute university of kentucky...

Kentucky AgrAbility and Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute University of Kentucky

AgrAbility: AgrAbility: Utility VehiclesUtility Vehicles

John Hancock, MSJohn Hancock, MSProject Director – Kentucky AgrAbilityProject Director – Kentucky AgrAbility

Barney Fleming, PhD, ATPBarney Fleming, PhD, ATPRehabilitation Engineer – Kentucky AgrAbilityRehabilitation Engineer – Kentucky AgrAbility

Jeff Richie, MA, CRCJeff Richie, MA, CRCRehabilitation Technologist - Kentucky Office of Rehabilitation Technologist - Kentucky Office of

Vocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation

Kathy Sheppard-Jones, PhD, CRCKathy Sheppard-Jones, PhD, CRCTraining Coordinator - Kentucky AgrAbilityTraining Coordinator - Kentucky AgrAbility


AgrAbilityAgrAbility Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with

Disabilities and Their FamiliesDisabilities and Their Families

Utility VehiclesUtility Vehicles

This course will provide an This course will provide an introduction to the use and selection introduction to the use and selection

of utility vehicles to of utility vehicles to enhance mobilityenhance mobility


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility Vehicles

Utility VehicleUtility Vehicle - a motor - a motor vehicle that is vehicle that is

• designed for off road usedesigned for off road use• powered by an engine of no powered by an engine of no

more than 25 horsepower, more than 25 horsepower, andand

• used for general used for general agricultural, horticultural, agricultural, horticultural, maintenance, or security maintenance, or security purposes purposes

““Cross” between a golf cart and an ATVCross” between a golf cart and an ATV


AgrAbilityAgrAbility

Utility Vehicle Features / AccessoriesUtility Vehicle Features / Accessories• with or without cabwith or without cab• 2 or 4-wheel-drive2 or 4-wheel-drive• recreation or workrecreation or work• attachmentsattachments• transmissiontransmission• seat height and location - access seat height and location - access • hand controls, steering aidshand controls, steering aids• specialized or custom seatingspecialized or custom seating• safety - operator age, roll bar, seat belt, muffler location safety - operator age, roll bar, seat belt, muffler location

(burns), lights, mirrors(burns), lights, mirrors• funding and vendors - same as tractors and combinesfunding and vendors - same as tractors and combines


AgrAbilityAgrAbilityAll-Terrain Vehicles - ATVsAll-Terrain Vehicles - ATVs

• hand controls, steering aidshand controls, steering aids• specialized or custom seatingspecialized or custom seating

• safety - operator age, roll bar, seat belt, muffler safety - operator age, roll bar, seat belt, muffler location (burns)location (burns)

Thumb assistThumb assist


AgrAbilityAgrAbilityVentrac Ventrac

Limited terrain – low frame clearance Limited terrain – low frame clearance



Golf CarsGolf CarsAdvantagesAdvantages• inexpensive alternative vehicle for inexpensive alternative vehicle for

transportationtransportation• adapted for hand controlsadapted for hand controls• some have 4-wheel drivesome have 4-wheel drive• powered by electric or gas (phase out)powered by electric or gas (phase out)• easy accesseasy access• easy maintenanceeasy maintenance• some have long rangesome have long range• E-Z Go is 4WD with Honda motorE-Z Go is 4WD with Honda motor


Golf Cars - ContinuedGolf Cars - Continued

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• not much good for work applicationsnot much good for work applications• limited operation on rough terrain - not good limited operation on rough terrain - not good

on rough terrainon rough terrain• choke placementchoke placement• shifter placementshifter placement• don’t tow with a golf car!!!!don’t tow with a golf car!!!!




• The utility vehicle market is growing rapidlyThe utility vehicle market is growing rapidly• At least 18 companies manufacture and At least 18 companies manufacture and

market utility vehicles (next slides)market utility vehicles (next slides)• For existing manufacturers, they are For existing manufacturers, they are

continually honing their models to meet continually honing their models to meet customers' needs.customers' needs.

• Each utility vehicle offers a variety of features Each utility vehicle offers a variety of features to suit specific requirements. to suit specific requirements.

• Questions: What will the vehicle be used for? Questions: What will the vehicle be used for? Are attachments important? Safety – ROPS Are attachments important? Safety – ROPS and seat belts? Accessibility and usability? and seat belts? Accessibility and usability? Ease of adapting? Etc…Ease of adapting? Etc…


Bobcat - ToolcatBobcat - Toolcat

Sarasota 1000Sarasota 1000 - Bombardier Bombardier

Trail HandTrail Hand - Bush HogBush Hog

XRT 1200SEXRT 1200SE - Club CarClub Car



Big CountryBig Country - Cub CadetCub Cadet

E-Z-Go Trail UV - TextronE-Z-Go Trail UV - Textron

Gator - John DeereGator - John Deere

MuleMule - KawasakiKawasaki



Hauler - KimballHauler - Kimball

Raptor - KoykerRaptor - Koyker

RTV900RTV900 - KubotaKubota

Treker - Land PrideTreker - Land Pride



Ranger – PolarisRanger – Polaris

Back Forty - PugBack Forty - Pug

Turf Grounds Cruiser - SnapperTurf Grounds Cruiser - Snapper

Q.U.V. 620 - SuzukiQ.U.V. 620 - Suzuki




Twister 1600 - ToroTwister 1600 - Toro

Rhino 4x4 -YamahaRhino 4x4 -Yamaha


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesHand ControlsHand Controls

John Deere Gator adapted John Deere Gator adapted with a hand control for a with a hand control for a C5-6 SCI - Sure Grip C5-6 SCI - Sure Grip operating handle is in the operating handle is in the vertical position vertical position



Can use standard manufactured Can use standard manufactured hand controls (MPS) on Kawasaki hand controls (MPS) on Kawasaki Mule and Kubota RTV900 – demo on Mule and Kubota RTV900 – demo on video and later slidesvideo and later slides



Georgia Tech Senior Engineering Georgia Tech Senior Engineering Design Project - 2004Design Project - 2004

Design for John Deere Gator Design for John Deere Gator comprised of three main comprised of three main subsections:subsections:

1.1. Brake handle - provides the Brake handle - provides the user with mechanical advantage user with mechanical advantage with which to operate brakewith which to operate brake

2.2. Brake clamp - stabilizes brake Brake clamp - stabilizes brake handlehandle

3.3. Gas clamp - activates gas Gas clamp - activates gas through tension on cablethrough tension on cable


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesSeat LiftsSeat Lifts

Seat lifts on Kawasaki MulesSeat lifts on Kawasaki Mules


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesWheelchair Lifts and StorageWheelchair Lifts and Storage

Bruno OutriderBruno OutriderWheelchair HoistWheelchair Hoist

Stow Wheelchair in Bed Stow Wheelchair in Bed or on driver sideor on driver side


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesWheelchair Lifts and StorageWheelchair Lifts and Storage

Univ of Massachusetts Univ of Massachusetts Senior Engineering Senior Engineering Design Project - 2004Design Project - 2004 - wheelchair lift and - wheelchair lift and storage device for the storage device for the John Deere GatorJohn Deere Gator


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesAdapting SeatsAdapting Seats

Swivel Seat in GatorSwivel Seat in Gatorfacilitates transfer facilitates transfer from wheelchair from wheelchair into vehicleinto vehicle

Nascar-style Nascar-style restraint harness in restraint harness in MuleMulewww.simpsonraceproductswww.simpsonraceproducts.com/.com/


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesSpecialized UsesSpecialized Uses

Hoist attached to Hoist attached to bed of Mule for bed of Mule for

hauling bee hiveshauling bee hives

Steep sloping Steep sloping terrain and terrain and consumer consumer

with limited with limited mobility – mobility –

working from working from vehiclevehicle


Skid Steer LoadersSkid Steer Loaders• Some users can transfer onto Some users can transfer onto

the scoop and into the cabthe scoop and into the cab• Scoop can be removed easily Scoop can be removed easily

(quick attach bucket) (quick attach bucket)• Operator can select foot or Operator can select foot or

hand control hand control• Allows for different operators Allows for different operators

to use the same vehicle to use the same vehicle• JCB – side entry loader enables JCB – side entry loader enables

transfer over tirestransfer over tires

AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesSpecialized Uses – A Small AsideSpecialized Uses – A Small Aside


MatthewMatthewKawasaki Mule 610Kawasaki Mule 610



Matthew – ContinuedMatthew – ContinuedHand ControlsHand Controls



RogerRogerKawasaki MuleKawasaki Mule



• LightsLights– should have front, rear and running lightsshould have front, rear and running lights– usually not sufficient when operating in dark conditions; usually not sufficient when operating in dark conditions;

consider add-ons – best to locate on roll barconsider add-ons – best to locate on roll bar– consider amp and alternator capacity and battery when consider amp and alternator capacity and battery when

operating at idle speeds – consider 2operating at idle speeds – consider 2ndnd battery battery

• Mirrors – critical for safe operation – add-ons for Mirrors – critical for safe operation – add-ons for rear view and side view rear view and side view

• Grab bar – cross piece typically found on Grab bar – cross piece typically found on passenger side will make a big difference if passenger side will make a big difference if installed on driver sideinstalled on driver side

AgrAbility - Utility VehiclesAgrAbility - Utility VehiclesSafety IssuesSafety Issues


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility VehiclesUtility Vehicle (UV) Product Comparison Data Utility Vehicle (UV) Product Comparison Data

Gathering ToolGathering Tool• Data needed to properly select vehicleData needed to properly select vehicle• http://www.agrabilityproject.org/assistivetech/http://www.agrabilityproject.org/assistivetech/

comparison/utilityvehicles/index.cfm (data posted on 10 comparison/utilityvehicles/index.cfm (data posted on 10 vehicles)vehicles)

• 10 categories of features/specifications pertaining to the 10 categories of features/specifications pertaining to the UVUV

• Quantitative measurementsQuantitative measurements• Human Factors (reach/work envelope, operating Human Factors (reach/work envelope, operating

forces)forces)• Accessibility (e.g. ease of transfer)Accessibility (e.g. ease of transfer)

• Descriptive informationDescriptive information• Accessibility (obstacles to enter/exit, transfer, etc)Accessibility (obstacles to enter/exit, transfer, etc)


AgrAbilityAgrAbility - Utility Vehicles- Utility Vehicles Product Comparison DataProduct Comparison Data

SeatingSeatingHeight to groundHeight to groundSeat depthSeat depthBack HeightBack HeightSeat-back angleSeat-back angleAdjustableAdjustableKnee clearanceKnee clearanceCushion or customCushion or customRemovable - drive from WC?Removable - drive from WC?Arm restsArm restsHip restraint rails – transfersHip restraint rails – transfersSeat belt/shoulder harnessSeat belt/shoulder harnessHead restHead rest



SteeringSteeringTelescope / TiltTelescope / TiltAvailability of alternative wheelAvailability of alternative wheelMinimum turning radiusMinimum turning radiusSteering torque (in-lbs)Steering torque (in-lbs)Power steeringPower steering

ControlsControlsIgnition switch - location, direction of turning, relocatableIgnition switch - location, direction of turning, relocatableCan key be turned on from outside vehicle?Can key be turned on from outside vehicle?Shift lever – location, force required and distanceShift lever – location, force required and distanceParking brake – type (lever arm, thumb button), Parking brake – type (lever arm, thumb button), force required, relocatableforce required, relocatableRear view mirrorsRear view mirrors



Gauges / ElectricalGauges / ElectricalAvailable gauges: fuel, oil pressure, Available gauges: fuel, oil pressure,

temp, voltagetemp, voltageAccessible/viewable from operator Accessible/viewable from operator

positionpositionCapacity of alternator and batteryCapacity of alternator and batteryLights – head, rear, rear brake, turn Lights – head, rear, rear brake, turn

signalssignals12 volt electrical plugs12 volt electrical plugsCooling fan engage at idle/low speedCooling fan engage at idle/low speed

MaintenanceMaintenanceScheduleScheduleRoutine maintenance Routine maintenance

performed from performed from seated position? seated position?



Floor area for operatorFloor area for operatorInterference with entrance Interference with entrance

or exit - foot plates, or exit - foot plates, restraints or side panelrestraints or side panel

Describe area around Describe area around where the feet restwhere the feet rest

Measure free floor space Measure free floor space If hand controls were If hand controls were

attached to floor pedals – attached to floor pedals – effect on leg area effect on leg area



Dump/Cargo Bed and HitchDump/Cargo Bed and HitchDump bed height/range of heightDump bed height/range of heightPowered-dump, manual dump, Powered-dump, manual dump,

and/or have a locking mechanism and/or have a locking mechanism If chair lift is added, how much of If chair lift is added, how much of

the dump bed is removed the dump bed is removed Height of the hitchHeight of the hitchType of hitch offered as standard Type of hitch offered as standard

equipmentequipment



Tires/Clearance/SuspensionTires/Clearance/Suspension Standard size tireStandard size tire Largest and smallest sized Largest and smallest sized

tires offeredtires offered Smallest and largest Smallest and largest

diameters and tread widths diameters and tread widths Tread designsTread designs ““True” ground clearanceTrue” ground clearance Type of suspension system Type of suspension system

and is it rider or “load and is it rider or “load capacity” adjustable capacity” adjustable



ROPS (Roll Over Protective ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) / CabStructure) / Cab

Is a ROPS offered?Is a ROPS offered?Is ROPS certified, and for how Is ROPS certified, and for how

much weight?much weight?Offer a cab or other Offer a cab or other

environmentally protective environmentally protective structure?structure?

Cab - heat and/or air Cab - heat and/or air conditioning conditioning

OthersOthersPowered by gas, electric, Powered by gas, electric,

dieseldieselHow many dealerships (or How many dealerships (or

places to get parts/service)?places to get parts/service)?


A Few ResourcesA Few Resources

• National AgrAbility Resource Documents on Utility National AgrAbility Resource Documents on Utility Vehicles - Vehicles - http://www.agrabilityproject.org/assistivetech/http://www.agrabilityproject.org/assistivetech/

• Northern Tool & Equipment – add on accessories Northern Tool & Equipment – add on accessories http://www.northerntool.com/

800-221-0516 request “Master Catalog”800-221-0516 request “Master Catalog”• Mobility Products and Design – hand controls for non-Mobility Products and Design – hand controls for non-

titled vehicles - titled vehicles - http://www.mobilityproductsdesign.com/

• Triple Crown Golf Cars - custom hand controls for golf

cars - http://www.triplecrowngolfcars.com/


Contact UsContact Us

Kentucky AgrAbilityKentucky AgrAbility 800-333-2814 800-333-2814

ces.ca.uky.edu/agrability ces.ca.uky.edu/agrability

• John Hancock 859-257-1845 - John Hancock 859-257-1845 - [email protected]• Jeff Ritchie 606-783-1527 - Jeff Ritchie 606-783-1527 - [email protected]• Barney Fleming 859-257-7225 - Barney Fleming 859-257-7225 - [email protected]• Kathy Sheppard-Jones 859-257-8104 - Kathy Sheppard-Jones 859-257-8104 - [email protected]


Thanks for Your Attention!Thanks for Your Attention!