WHATEVER term you use to describe them – side by sides, utility task vehicles, buggies, all terrain vehicles, gators – they have become an essential tool on farms small and large across Australia in the past decade.

Alongside the demand for the vehicles has come a wide range of shapes, sizes and some big leaps in technology.

Beef Central and Grain Central hit the stands to do some home work for those keen to strike a deal on side-by-sides before the end of the financial year.

Model: Segway UT6 Navigator

Price: $18,990

Segway, UT6 Navigator

Features: 600CC high-torque engine, petrol, 700kg towing capacity, 682kg payload, 412L cargo bed, comes standard with half perspex doors, 30-inch wheels, reverse camera, GPS tracking so if the unit gets stolen you can find the location of it, it can also detect if you have a rollover past 68 degrees and will send an alert. It has the highest ground clearance in its class of 310mm, with beadlock wheels that won’t roll off the rim if punctured. “This is a brand new release this year and the high clearance, 30-inch wheels, reverse camera for extra safety and its tech is what makes it stand out,” said Stephen from Segway Power Sports. “It’s the class leading brand in technology, this side-by-side has a 10.5 inch screen, which incorporates Apple and Android, you can also have your sound system connected and your phone connected, plus all of the safety features.”

Model: Kawasaki Mule Pro-MX 700

Price: $20,000

Pat Walsh from Advance Motors Dalby with the Kawasaki Mule Pro-MX 700.

Features: Designed for the true mid-size consumer, the Kawasaki Mule Pro MX 700 is the company’s most popular model nationwide, as well as within FarmFest’s immediate surroundings on the Darling Downs. The petrol engine side-by-side offers 695cc single cylinder engine with around 45 horsepower and electric power steering as standard. The unit has 680kg towing capacity and 317kg cargo bed capacity. Pat Walsh from Kawaski dealer Advance Motors Dalby said the model provided that ideal mid-range range of features that suited the requirements of most rural consumers. “It’s a suitable price and size; it fits the bill everywhere,” Mr Walsh said.

Model: Can-Am defender HD-7

Price: $21,995 before the end of June

The base-model Can-Am defender is the cheapest of the range, which goes all the way up to a $48,000 fully enclosed cab vehicle with air-conditioner and the ability to be locked.

Features: The HD-7 is the base model for Can-Am’s defender series, which ranges from a regular two-seat side-by-side to a fully enclosed, lockable dual cab machine with air conditioning that is valued around $48,000. The Defender range comes in all shapes and sizes, with some models having an extended tray for more storage space, others fitted with snorkels for more off road usage and dual cab machines with a Perspex screen that folds up. Can-Am has focused on storage space with Defender range, allowing passenger seats to be folded up so items can be stacked beside the driver. A lip beside the accelerator and brake pedals helps to prevent sheep or calves impacting the driver when riding the passenger seat. The HD-7 comes with a 650CC motor, with double arm suspension.

Model: CFMOTO U10

Price: $23,990

Features: The just-released CFMOTO U10 Pro side-by-side machines are taking centre stage at the brand’s FarmFest site, featuring 998cc three cylinder, 90 horsepower CFMOTO unleaded petrol engines, with 1134kg tow capacity and 454kg cargo tray capacity. The units also feature e-shift push button auto, switchable 2wd/4wd/diff lock, hill descent control, variable valve timing system, front winches fitted as standard and all-approved rollover protection and seat belts. The top-tier version, U10 Pro Highland, was also turning heads, kitted out with enclosed windscreen and windows, full heating and air con and Apple CarPlay. CFMOTO also has a smaller lower-priced “bread and butter” entry model with a winch as standard selling at $14,990 which was also proving very popular at FarmFest. 

Model: Kioti K9 2400

Price: $27,500

Features: The South Korean-made Kioto K9 2400 side-by-side has the widest body in its class and features a fully hydraulic tip tray, filling the gap for a no-nonsense workhorse in the Australian agricultural utility vehicle market, according to Michael Cook from EngageAg, Toowoomba, authorised dealers for Kioti, in addition to Versatile, Deutz-Fahr and Case Construction Equipment. The K9 2400 is powered by a 24 horsepower, three cylinder, in-line vertical, water cooled diesel engine. Its bench seat can fit three people across, and the vehicle is fitted with a rear hitch as standard and is rated with a 500kg load capacity. Finance packages available at 1.89pc for two years.

Model: Honda Pioneer 1000 – 3

Price: $28,500

Features: Among several Honda side-by-side models on display at FarmFest was the Pioneer 1000 – 3 three seat unit powered by a purpose-built inline twin-cylinder 1000cc petrol engine, The 1000 – 3 has both two wheel and four wheel drive, 6-speed dual clutch transmission with manual or fully automatic modes and electric power steering. Bill Stanway from Elite Motorcyles said many options are also available from windscreens and lights to UHFs and speakers, with the version pictured FarmFest today also fitted with an optional aftermarket bullbar. The full Pioneer 1000 range also incorporates larger five and six seat options (the six seat version with hydraulic assisted, steel reinforced tilt tray selling for around $40,000 at FarmFest). There is also a smaller range including the 700-2 two seater with the same features but a narrow body and shorter in length selling for $22,500. Finance also available at 3.99pc.

Model: Polaris Ranger XP 1000

Price: $30,000

Dalby Mower Supplies co-manager Bryce Daly alongside the Polaris Ranger XP

Features: The US-manufactured Polaris provides power and versatility with the Ranger XP 1000, one of the brand’s more popular offerings at FarmFest. The top-tier side-by-side is powered by a 999ccc parallel-twin engine producing 82 horsepower, alongside CVT transmission system. The Ranger XP 1000 can tow up to 1134kg and carry 454kg in the cargo bed. The unit has ground clearance of around 33cm. Polaris dealer, Bryce Daly from Dalby Mower Supplies, said the Ranger XP 1000 was “a top tier model” that is more powerful than many vehicles in the segment. Finance also available at 4.99pc per annum

Model: John Deere, HPX815E

Price: $31,000

John Deere, HPX815E

Features: Diesel engine, 4WD, low speed of 40 km/h, independent suspension on the front and coil over-shock on a solid axle on the rear. It can carry 454kg in the back and tow 590kg. A normal Hayman Reese towbar off your ute will fit in the towbar slot at the back, and there is also one at the front. Two seatbelts with safety nets on the side and it has a manual tipping tray, with the option for a hydraulic tipping tray. “I like this unit because of its large caring capacity, the 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel engine water cooled makes it very reliable,” said Pat from RDO. It has a fairly wide stance for a Gator, so it’s very stable and John Deere do some tipping tests and they are one of the leading machines for those safety tests. So, that’s what I think makes it stand out.” Tailored finance available to approved applicants.

Model: Kubota, RTV-X

Price: $33,990

Kubota, RTV-X (4 seater)

Features: Diesel, 4WD, 24.8 horsepower engine, two seat and four seat models, hydraulic tipping tray, power steering, hydrostatic transmission, maximum speed of 40km/h so it’s great for spot spraying or fencing. 500kg cargo capacity, 1000kg towing capacity, all steel tray with back and sides that can fold down. The 4-seater is $1000 more with the option to fold the seats down to extend the tray. It is popular with energy companies or groups that need to move more people. The hydrostatic transmission is a huge benefit because you don’t have a belt that can burnout, you not having to rev the machine to get it to move, another thing is the dynamic braking, so in hilly country these machines are very safe, as soon as you let your foot off the throttle they brake down the hill so you hardly have to touch the brake,” said Matt from Black Truck and Ag.

Model: Yamaha R-Max

Price: $35,999

A Yamaha R-Max dual cab on display at FarmFest this year. The R-Max is built with an advance array of electronics, with a waterproof screen and speakers.

The Yamaha R-Max series has been built with comfort in mind. It has the full suite of electronics, with GPS tracking, Apple Car Play, speakers, cooler and a port to charge the phone. The R-Max series comes in both single and dual cab , with a dif lock. It is designed for going off road with large shock absorbers and clearance and a 999cc motor. Like the Can-Am series, the R-Max has a wide range with longer trays and some shorter and more compact vehicles. Yamaha also has a wide range of three-seater, single-cab, side-by-sides starting with its Viking range. The base model Viking has a Yamaha rebate of $2000 before the end of June, which brings the cost of the machine to $22,490. The Viking has a 686cc engine, with double arm suspension and sway bar on the rear.