Yamaha's new machine hits all the right notes
The increasingly popular UTV/side-by-side sector offers a wide range of choices for farm or rural mobility, which has been made even broader with a new machine from Yamaha.
Marketed in New Zealand by Mojo Motorcycles who also sell the CF Moto brand, the Landboss grabs attention with its power plant -- a naturally aspirated, 3-cylinder, Perkins 400 series diesel.
Especially on a single-fuel farm, the main benefit would be the ‘sniffs of an oily rag’ on which this thrifty beast runs.
And although the Landboss only rates about 20hp on paper, it still has plenty of pulling power, lots of go and hits its modest top speed of 50km/h quickly.
Service intervals are a very agricultural 500 hours, while a 2-year factory warranty can only serve to enhance the ownership experience.
Stepping into the operator station you see a wide bench seat with room enough, and seatbelts, for three large adults. For the driver, an adjustable steering column makes for a comfortable fit, while electric power steering takes the strain out of manoeuvring.
To the drivers left, a conventional handbrake with a warning light sits at the end of the bench, while the gear selector sits to the left of the dashboard. The lever allows the choice of high, low, neutral and reverse, with selection smooth, positive and with little resistance.
The Perkins diesel is mated to a Canadian CV Tech transmission that is quiet in operation and builds up speed in a smooth linear manner, while being complemented by the choice of 2WD, 4WD (with front and rear locking differentials) plus the addition of turf mode that will be a bonus if you decide to take a shortcut across the lawn.
The operator station has ‘boot guards’ to keep feet inside the safety zone of the ROPS-certified roll frame, a full windscreen with wash/wipe, composite roof and a 3000lb electric winch mounted under the front bull bar assembly.
The driver is well informed by a central digital display for all key parameters, although the choice of grey on grey means it is difficult to see in bright sunshine.
Stopping the 700kg machine falls to dual discs up front and a single disc at the rear, while suspension takes the form of dual A-arms with coil springs over shocks. Ground clearance is 280mm.
The ride is smooth and comfortable, with the adjustable suspension absorbing most of the bumps on a Waikato dairy farm.
As with any vehicle of this type, fetching and carrying is important, so a 400kg capacity for the bed and 680kg at the heavy-duty drawbar looks a workmanlike figure. The load platform has useful dimensions, with drop-down sides and tailgate adding to the versatility, while a decent overhang beyond the rear pivots allows heavy loads to be tipped manually with ease.
Add standard equipment such as mudflaps, a comprehensive lighting package, head restraints and rear-view mirror, then this UTV is worth a closer look.
