I'm looking at getting a buggy, but the majority of places to fly here are fields (farming fields). Can't do much in the summer, but beautiful wide open spaces in the winter once the snow falls.

This brings me to my question - is there a good buggy for riding in fields in the fall after harvest? There are usually 3 good months before there is enough snow cover for boarding. I'd assume wheel size is a consideration, would I need a bigfoot? Would standard size tires work?

Thanks for the advice!

vand

If they're choppy or deep grass then the BF tires will help, if it's short grass or compact dirt then standard barrows will be fine.

If it's really rough and you're serious, check out Jon's suspension buggy, It'll smooth out even the big bumps. Of course you can always fit skiis to a buggy, heard it's worked out ok for some.

I'm guessing you are talking dry farms, no pivot tracks, and mostly grain stubble?
Look for fields that have not been disked or harrowed.
I tried my wide axle wide tires in harrowed stubble, and it was a bit rough riding with a pretty fair amount of sideways sliding, from both front and rear wheels. I was thinking the reason for the side slide was from the tires running more on straw stubble than actually contacting with the dirt, so they did not grip well. Perhaps a narrow tire might have worked better. It was hard on dental work too, and for sure you don’t want to let you tongue get caught anywhere near your teeth!
I also tried it in bean ground after harvest, but the topsoil was too loose from the rod cutter that you could not get grip with the front end for running across the wind either. Perhaps after it got some soaking rain and tightened up a bit it might work…

I finally just went over to the pivot road and ran up and down it for awhile...
I wasn't running much air pressure in my tires either; I could dent the tread with my thumb pushing on it fairly easily.
Suspension and larger tires would certainly help absorb the bumps.

I run in grain fields a lot with standard barrows with pretty good success. The biggest problem is the gopher holes, they can swallow you whole or launch you into the atmosphere.
The point is, try it out and adapt to what you have to ride on. I ride on old roads, new ones, parks, beeches and fields wherever there is room.
Just ride.

Cheers

Do you guys speak with the land owners before going on, or just hope for the best? Once snow falls, I can snowkite in all the farms near me, but I just don't want a distraught farmer unloading his shotgun at me.

Alway good to have a friend who owns a really big field next door..
I'd suggest asking. :smug:

Quote:

Originally posted by 1oldkid Alway good to have a friend who owns a really big field next door.. I'd suggest asking. :smug:

Question is..how do I approach the land owner? Knocking on the door is considered soliciting these days. Do I have to put a letter in their mail box and hope they call me?

Yeah it can feel a bit awkward…
I’ve found most people are grateful if you show respect for their property and introduce yourself appropriately.
Sometimes I’ve gone to the county assessors office and asked who owns property. It’s legal (at least in Idaho) and not intrusive. Then I call (NOT during supper!) at a time I think might be ok for them, and introduce myself that way.

Last year I scoped out a field over by Wisdom MT that belonged to large ranch. I politely drove down the lane, stopped at the ranch house, fortunate there was no big dog showing his yellow teeth at me, so I knocked on the door and asked about the possibility of kite skiing on a corner of their property. He said, “You wanna do WHAT?” So I explained what kite skiing was and what equipment I used. After he got done laughing, he said, “ If your crazy enough to want to do that, go right ahead! Just don’t spook the livestock.”

Most people you meet have never seen kites like these, so it can be entertaining for them to hear how they are used for ski, buggy or what ever.

I’ll check in with them once or twice during the season to see if there are any problems, just reassuring them that I don’t want to be causing problems or doing something they rather I didn’t.
And I always start over and ask them again next year the same way, never taking it for granted that you ask only once and you can go forever…

I have only approached a few land owners. I have never recieved a negative responce. The above is all good advice. I have chosen to drive up and approach them as they are out in the yard. I also suggest that if they find it interesting I will be more than happy to show them the ropes.

One field I was allowed in was loaded with pollen. It was crazy. It got DEEP into everything.

Quote:

Originally posted by vand This brings me to my question - is there a good buggy for riding in fields in the fall after harvest? vand

Yes These Babies

Hot bugs!! I like the break set up!