ATVs are monstrous machines of extreme power and grit but with all that power and those massive gripping wheels could the grass you drive on be a victim? Should you be worried when you are riding a powerful quad on that delicate, sweet, green grass? Let’s take a deep dive into what your tires are doing to that grass and if you are not jeopardizing all that money and time you might have spent on the greenery.
An ATV will not wreck your grass as long as you drive carefully. If you don’t make too sharp of a turn and keep your speed consistent you will be fine. It does depend on what kind of ATV you are riding and the texture of the soil but overall it won’t ruin the grass.
Sadly, the reality is the topic is pretty complex because the type of wheel, the amount of power and torque your ATV has, what season you are in, and what kind of soil you are riding on all matter. We will look into all of these during this article because they are game changers in whether you butcher that grass or not.
How to Avoid Wrecking Grass
Grass can be very delicate and when put up against these extremely powerful machines that are designed with grit in mind, you could think the grass and soil can be in jeopardy. There are many factors that will decide whether the grass and soil survive this encounter and they are all important to know next time you are riding on grass.
One of these factors is the season. During different seasons the different temperatures and conditions will affect the soil in particular in different ways. Generally, the best season is actually winter. This is because there is snow on the ground and the ground is frozen (depending on where you live). Spring is the most dangerous season for your grass. It is usually very moist because of all the precipitation and the soil is in an awkward stage where it isn’t frozen like the winter soil and it isn’t in that very organic summer state. It is very malleable and easy to tear up and you should drive much more carefully during this season. Summer and fall are both generally fine and you can apply normal precautions when riding on the soil.
Another factor you should take into account is the ATV itself. It might sound weird but if you are driving an ATV with an automatic transmission (which you likely are) you should actually have it in high gear. Low gear will go slower but it has much more power and torque. This is more dangerous for the grass because think of it as the ATV having more strength. High gear will go faster but the vehicle will have less power and therefore less stress being burdened onto the grass. When driving in high gear remember that the throttle will be more sensitive so don’t gun it or else your grass will be done for. Remember, ATV wheels are specifically designed for getting over large obstacles and trudging through rough mud and creeks, so make sure you drive carefully. This means no very sharp turns because the traction on your wheels will dig in and demolish the grass. Keep a consistent speed so the tires aren’t relying on the grip to move forward. Also, remember to brake relatively slowly and smoothly so you don’t drag your wheels and destroy the beautiful green grass.
Overall it is important to know that as long as you drive consistently and a little bit cautiously, your grass will be fine so don’t overthink it.
How to Drive an ATV With a Manual Transmission on Grass
Previously, it was mentioned that an ATV with an automatic transmission should have the gear on high but there is no high or low with a manual transmission, so what do you do? Generally, try to use a higher gear such as third and maybe even fourth. Higher gears have more speed but less power so they are safer. The same rule applies in the sense that a higher gear will mean a more sensitive throttle so remember to be careful. One of the main things that ruin the grass when riding is inconsistent speeds, something like jumping from 5 mph to 25 mph would be devastating for the grass. As I said a higher gear means a more sensitive throttle so this could happen more. At the end of the day if you feel more comfortable in the first or second gear that is fine as long as you drive cautiously. Other than that all the same rules will apply to keep those beautiful blades safe.
Which Type of ATV is The Worst For Wrecking Grass
Usually out of the big three which would be utility, side by side and sport, a sport ATV would be the worst. It has so much power in proportion to its lightweight that it could easily tear your lawn apart. Sport ATVs are designed to move quickly and make quick turns which is exactly the type of thing that will damage the grass. They are usually driven on dirt tracks and they aren’t really designed for trail riding anyways.
