Fires light design claims
Off road farm vehicle fires have prompted calls for a redesign.
Farmers in New South Wales are calling for the design of side-by-side vehicles to be reassessed following a string of fires across the state.
Reports say the NSW Rural Fire Service has responded to at least five blazes involving or sparked by side-by-sides in the Southern Tablelands over the past two months, with farmers claiming that grass and debris is getting caught in the vehicles' mechanics.
Side-by-sides have become a popular alternative to quad bikes after manufacturers pulled out of the Australian market due to strict safety regulations.
Some operators are calling for quad bike manufacturers to re-enter the market, as their vehicles sit higher and are therefore less likely to catch fire.
Among the major manufacturers, Honda says it is not aware of any specific issues associated with its side-by-sides and fires, while Yamaha Motor Australia says it takes all product safety issues seriously and investigates them in accordance with internal procedures and the law.