John Deere Gator 825i Review

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Farm Industry News recently published a generally favorable review of the new John Deere Gator 825i.?? Not surprisingly, the review is based on the vehicle’s performance in an agriculture setting.?? What I like about the review is that it evaluates the vehicle based on application specific performance e.g. straddling 30 in. corn rows.?? The author suggested the vehicle would be a good alternative to a used pickup truck.?? Here is a quick summary of the review.

Some of the good:

Engine
Instrumentation/gauges
Underside protection
Build, Ride & Handling
Cargo box & organizer
Winch
Lighting

Needs improvement:

No power steering
Position of steering wheel
Position of shift and parking brake levers
Operation of parking brake
Air intake for clutch
Downhill braking

Learn more:?? Farmindustrynews.com

Used STOV Sources

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Marc Cesare

I came across a couple of sources for used small, task-oriented vehicles this past week.?? The first is a relatively new website, Cartweasel.com.?? The website has a searchable database of used golf cars offered by over 50 dealer members covering twenty-one states.

The other source is GovDeals.com, a web-based auction service that specializes in offering auctions of local, state and federal government agency assets including a range of small, task-oriented vehicles from around the country.

Learn more:?? Cartweasel.com & GovDeals.com

Utility Vehicle Technology Summit From IUV Magazine

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Marc Cesare

IUV Magazine is presenting their Utility Vehicle Technology Summit as part of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association annual convention being held in Phoenix, AZ from April 30th to May 4th.?? The summit covers:

…the latest advances in special purpose vehicle design and engineering; battery and fuel cell technology; materials handling management and safety; the latest on government regulations; as well as product development information important to the emerging needs of the end-user.

The seminar format will allow for Q and A.?? Learn more:?? IUVSummit.com

Strategic Energy Development and Implications for Powering Utility Vehicles

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Marc Cesare

My colleague Stephen Metzger recently wrote an article for Industrial Utility Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Magazine (IUV Magazine) discussing energy development and the implications for utility vehicles.?? He touches on developments in electric vehicle infrastructure and alternatives to on-grid electricity.?? Learn more:?? IUVmag.com

Clean Cities National Parks Initiative

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Marc Cesare

In 2010 Clean Cities partnered with the National Park Service to develop the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative to support the use of renewable and alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and other vehicle energy-saving practices to help preserve air quality and promote the use of domestic energy resources in the parks.?? The program will run for five years and will have between $1 million and $5 million in funds available annually.?? The funds can be used to:

Purchase electric drive, alternative fuel, and advanced technology vehicles
Install electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fueling infrastructure
Implement petroleum-reduction programs, such as idle reduction
Educate park visitors, employees, and others about the benefits of using cleaner, more efficient vehicles and renewable and alternative fuels.

A number of parks have initiated projects including the purchase of electric LSVs and utility vehicles.?? Learn more:?? USDOE

Bad Boy Buggies Becomes NASCAR Sponsor

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Marc Cesare

In 2011 Bad Boy Buggies will sponsor both NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams at Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI).?? Elliott Sadler and Clint Bowyer will drive Bad Boy Buggies branded vehicles in five races.?? Bad Boy Buggies was recently acquired by Textron and the sponsorship is a sign that management is moving quickly to take advantage of the resources and connections of their new parent. Previously, Textron’s E-Z-Go subsidiary has sponsored?? KHI vehicles in the same NASCAR race series.?? Learn more:?? Speedwaymedia.com

JCB Launches New Workmax UTV

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Marc Cesare

JCB Workmax 800 D

UK based JCB has added a new 4×4 utility vehicle to their Workmax product line, the Workmax 800 D.?? Targeting the UK and European markets, the 800 D features a 600 kg payload and a 784cc Yanmar diesel engine.?? The 4×4 drive plus locking differential is electronic.?? Management believes that the utility vehicle market in Europe is still developing and offers plenty of opportunity for growth.?? Accordingly, this year JCB has put more emphasis on UTVs rather than ATVs as the former is becoming the preferred work vehicle in many applications.?? They have also expanded their dealer network beyond their traditional construction equipment dealers to include specialist ATV and agricultural equipment dealers.?? Learn more:?? MHWMaagazine.co.uk

Ingersoll Rand Reports Earnings

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ingersoll Rand, parent company of Club Car, announced 4Q 2010 and full year earnings.

The company???s reported revenues increased 13 percent to $3,712 million, compared with revenues of $3,281 million for the 2009 fourth quarter. Total revenues excluding currency were up 14 percent, compared with 2009. … Full-year 2010 net revenues were $14,079 million, and increased 7 percent compared with reported net revenues of $13,102 million in 2009. Operating income for 2010 totaled $1,247 million, an increase of 43 percent compared with $872 million in 2009.

Relative to the rest of the company, Club Car underperformed.

Club Car revenues increased slightly compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, as increased sales for both golf cars and aftermarket were partially offset by declines in utility vehicles. Bookings declined due to slowing demand in the North American golf market and more difficult year-over-year comparisons.

Learn more:?? IEWY.com

UTV Shelter For Outdoorsmen

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Northlander Utility Vehicle Shelter from Canvas Craft

Canvas Craft of Minnesota offers their Northlander utility vehicle shelter that attaches to a Polaris Ranger.?? The shelter is designed for a range of outdoor uses including ice fishing, hunting and camping.

Its quick flip/lock and ride anchor system is designed for simple folding and mobility. The ultra lite frame stores in a boot behind the cab, leaving space in the bed for additional gear and equipment. Currently available in 5’W x 9.5’L.

Learn more:?? Canvascraftinc.com

UTV-Based Ocean Rescue Unit For US Navy

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ocean Rescue Unit for US Navy

Kimtek Corporation has developed an ocean rescue unit for the US Navy based on a Polaris Ranger Crew UTV.?? Kimtek added their Emergency Utility Vehicle (EUV) conversion and the KIMTEK MEDLITE Transport MTD-10 mounted in the cargo area.?? Key features include:

…an all aluminum skid chassis with bright diamond plate, storage area with tailgate, rescue area to secure long board or stokes basket (not included) for patient transport, two ambulance grade stainless steel rescue grab bars, 3-position guide lock seat with seat belt, slide out tray in storage area, oxygen bottle holder, retractable IV pole, third attendant rail, and a quick disconnect mounting system. The special Ocean Rescue unit also features a WHELEN lighting/siren/PA package with exterior mounted speaker, full function control head, remote siren; two red LED body mounted strobes, a ROPS mounted Red LED strobe; three ROPS mounted scene lights (2 front and 1 rear facing); NFPA style reflective body stripe package with customized lettering package; two portable radio holders; and a mounted five pound ABC fire extinguisher.

Late last year Kimtek also introduced the MEDLITE??? Transport EV, a custom skid unit designed for the new Polaris Ranger EV.?? The unit allows emergency personnel to more easily operate in crowds and not expose patients and others to exhaust fumes.

Learn more:?? sxsnews.com and Kimtekresearch.com

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Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market

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