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A common cause of rollovers is that the ATV being used isn’t heavy enough to tow the loaded weight of the feed trailer.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
It says there’s a pattern when feeding calves in the paddock, with many ‘near misses’ and injuries sustained, reinforcing the need to recognise that any rollover has the potential to result in serious injuries or indeed a fatality.
A common cause of rollovers is that the ATV being used is not heavy enough to tow the loaded weight of the feed trailer, leading to a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. With a thousand litres of milk weighing 1000kg, plus the weight of the trailer, it is apparent that the total is too great for a typical mid-range ATV.
Interestingly, a quick look at a range of manufacturers towing specifications, show that rated capacities appear to be around twice the kerb weight, so typically 600 to 800kg.
Other common causes of rollovers include sudden changes of direction by the driver, driving on uneven, slippery ground or steep gradients, inexperienced drivers, driver inattention or a distraction.
Safety Alerts are real-life documented incidents and key lessons which have been provided by farmers, condensed into one-page handouts that managers can download and print [see the Farm without Harm website] to be use in safety discussions with their teams.
This calf feeding alert discusses where best to feed calves, considering where they can be accessed safely, alongside the importance of reconsidering the access as necessary, so operators can drive in and out safely.
Where possible, staff should consider towing the feed trailer with a larger vehicle, such as a larger side-by-side vehicle, ute or even a small tractor.
However, if an ATV is the only vehicle available, it is important to know the loaded weight of the trailer and never exceed the manufacturer’s maximum towing capacity. Staff should also reduce the load if conditions or terrain changes, particularly in bad weather.
Farm owners and managers should also ensure that drivers are adequately trained and regularly updated for the task, knowing when to stop if conditions become unsafe.
In addition, they should always ensure that drivers always have a reliable way to call for help.
Further consideration might also centre around installing a crush protection device (CPD) or other rollover safety system to the ATV, or the availability of operating milk tanks fitted with integral baffles to reduce dynamic movement of the load.
Visit www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz
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