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ncreasing sophistication has made utility vehicles more comfortable and capable in recent years, and Bedfordshire farmer Guy Owen is certainly appreciating the progression in his new Can-Am Traxter 9HD. Guy runs Beancroft Farm, near Marston Moretaine, with his brother. They are the third generation of their family to do so, and have 166 hectares in-hand with another 166ha as part of a share farming agreement. A former cattle enterprise has been diversified into business units, leaving the brothers to manage the arable side and a farm shoot. Guy says: “I have had a couple of Polaris 570s in the past which were good machines, but I saw the Can-Am with my local dealer, MKM Agriculture, and thought it was worth a look.
Powerful “It is a more powerful machine at 976cc and, as these vehicles have become more refined, prices have gone up, making it a larger investment.” Purchase price was a factor in the type of engine chosen, with the petrol Traxter HD9 coming in a bit cheaper than the diesel equivalent (although Can-Am does not offer a diesel engine in this range). Guy Owen picked up a second-hand back for the vehicle and modified it to fit, keeping equipment and feed dry.
Utility vehicles were always noisy and basic, but as they are used on an increasing number of farms, more refined versions are entering the market. Jane Carley hears how a Can-Am Traxter is fitting in.
Trading up to a Can-Am Traxter The Rotax V-Twin puts out a hefty 65hp driving through CanAm’s Pro-Torq continuously variable transmission. Guy says: “We have a petrol station virtually next door, so fuelling is not a problem, and it is also much quicker than a diesel – although I never reach the 65mph it is capable of. “Lower cab noise is another big plus – it is less tiring over a long working day and you can have a conversation with a passenger if you need to.” Going up in power has practical advantages around the shoot, with the Traxter capable of pulling a gun trailer and a bowser with ease.
The larger chassis also makes for a comfortable cab, with a threeseater layout. Guy says: “It would be a squeeze with three, but there is plenty of room for two, plus a large amount of storage and space for the dogs. “There is a heater fitted to demist the windscreen, but the heat from the engine also helps to keep the cab warm. At the other end of the scale, I can tip the screen on a hot day.” Cab access is one of the few areas to come under criticism, with the door hinges having a retaining cable rather than a gas strut. Guy says: “The doors swing open or shut too easily. If the door latches are triggered accidentally, the doors could swing right open when the vehicle is moving. “I have fabricated some guards
to stop my dogs catching them as I am driving along.” Guy says that despite it being a larger vehicle than its predecessors, there are no issues with access for the Traxter to rides or spinneys. He says: “It is very manoeuvrable and the electronic power steering is excellent. It also has diff locks all round, so keeps going well in the wet.
Benefit “One benefit of the strong Bedfordshire clays is that they do not tend to rut, but if it gets really deep I do have an old 250cc quad I can use.” Maxxis Coronado tyres on 14inch cast aluminum wheels are standard specification, paired with double A-arm and TTA suspension and 280mm travel, offering comfort and a steadier ride on difficult ground.
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Guy Owen regards the Traxter as an invaluable runabout on-farm. farmersguardian.com
13/11/2024 12:43