this story dedicated to ATV TIRES"And this just in ...” That’s what we used to say when the news guy raced into the radio studio with some fast-breaking story. So, what is “just in” at Casa Jones? A quad, an ATV a.k.a. All-terrain vehicle, that’s what. I’m now “quadified” to join the ranks of the many rural rooters who own such a beast for pleasure or work.
I think that most quad owners purchased these four-wheeled motorcycles for fun. This latest addition to the farm machinery assemblage is for work (or, that’s what I told Laura, my wife).
Why a quad? After having to sell an old, small tractor - a 1946 Ford 9N - mainly because the creature was a stubborn, tired thing requiring more mechanical know-how than I possess, I no longer had a handy machine for harrowing (making the surface smooth for the horses) the indoor riding arena. My diesel tractor, Big Red, is just too big and awkward for finessing any corner in the arena or the tight squeezes between trees on our trail system.
Little Red is our riding lawn mower that I used to drag the small, tined harrow around the arena without bashing into the walls as I have with its larger partner; but Little Red is a lawn mower, for Heaven’s sake, and is no good on the trails. It is too slow and too low to the ground. Enter the quad.
I’ve wanted something like the quad for some time. The machine is easy to drive, requires minimal maintenance, is high off the ground, has four-wheel drive, is light since the big tires require only a small amount of air pressure (makes it very bouncy if one is foolish enough to aim for speed over safety), easily clambers over most obstacles, within reason, and, if not respected, is dangerous as hell. Okay, and it’s fun, too. My farmer’s version of a mid-life crisis sports car (except its green, not red).
A few weeks ago, the door opened to allow us to buy a good, used machine. I soon discovered that this quad can really move! It has two forward gears: high and low. I tried high on our laneway and, after braking at the end of the drive, sat panting while the machine idled, trying to lower the beating of my heart. Wow! Scary!
A good friend who also happens to be an OPP constable, advised me to be very careful driving the quad since many accidents have occurred causing permanent maiming or death. You whip along at this speed, hit a bump and because of the low air pressure in the tires, you could easily lose control and then what? The lower gear affords much better control.
So the new mechanical addition to our farm will make farm chores easier. I’ve read the books on safe ATV driving; I’m feeling more confident about operating Ye Quad.
Of course my eight-year-old son, Doug, was thrilled at the prospect of us owning such a cool toy. I took him for a drive in the lower gear to the end of our driveway/lane.
He had on my helmet and goggles that don’t cover the face. When we tootled to the end and back, he announced that his face was cold. Did he want me to take him to a pro shop and get outfitted with a proper sized helmet?
No, he said, he didn’t care if he rode behind me on the quad any time soon. He didn’t like getting face-icles. Good thing I have a beard.
By: Fred Jones
