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.
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.
Fairplay Electric Cars has announced a recall of some of their EVE LSVs for the 2010 and 2011 model years.?? The recall affects 1,632 vehicles manufacturered between July 31, 2009 through Dec. 27, 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A fuse specified to be in the 12V accessory circuit was not built into the wiring harness. The fuse value on the input to the voltage reducer was too large to prevent possible damage.?? There was no fuse inserted in the 12-volt circuit. Without this fuse for protection, a short in any portion of the 12V wiring can melt wire insulation and pose a fire risk.
Fairplay will be contacting owners regarding the recall starting Feb. 17th or they can be reached at (866) 557-0342.?? Repairs will be made by dealers free of charge.?? Learn more:?? Safercar.gov
Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), the largest powered two-wheeler manufacturer in Taiwan recently announced major 2011 marketing initiatives including the introduction of a 700cc UTV in the US market.?? The company which took over the remaining share of KYMCO US in 2010 expects to sell 1,000 UTVs in the US this year.?? Management expects UTVs to eventually replace ATVs in the market.?? Total revenue for the company is about $1 billion a year.?? Learn more:?? News.cens.com
Indian manufacturer Tata is planning on launching an electric mini truck based on their Ace light commercial vehicle in March 2011.?? The UK will be the first market followed by Scandinavia.
The zero emission Ace is powered by an 85 Ah battery that produces 25kW of maximum power and a top speed of 25mph. With only a 25 mile range, on the European Combined Drive Cycle, the Ace EV is designed primarily for use by Local Authorities in town centres, parks and university campuses.
The vehicle will initially be sold directly to customers from the manufacturer.?? Learn more:?? Articledatabase.com
Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci Transmission Technology
Fallbrook Technologies and TEAM Industries are collaborating to produce a new transmission for small electric vehicles such as golf cars and LSVs.?? They will be supplying Tomberlin with the new transmissions starting with a prototype for their Anvil LSV.?? Fallbrook is bringing their NuVinci transmission technology to the collaboration while TEAM Industries has experience in designing and manufacturing drivetrains for small recreational and off-road vehicles.?? I spoke with Tomberlin and while they do not have a set date for an Anvil with the new technology to hit dealer showrooms they are looking to move to market as soon as possible.
The NuVinci design is similar to “toroidal” continuously variable transmission but Fallbrook CEO claims states that the NuVinci design “…has about half the number of parts as a typical CVT, and that it will ultimately be able to produce its EV powertrain for about half the price.”???? Fallbrook refers to the Nuvinci as a variable planetary transmission (CVP), which uses a set of tilting and rotating balls to effect a continuously variable transmission ratio.?? Last month Fallbrook reported that it raised about $39 million in equity financing, giving the San Diego-based company a total of about $95 million in financing since 2000.?? Learn more:?? Autoobserver.com
On a related note TEAM Industries recently received their 10th patent for electronics and control algorithm for TEAM???s SmartLocker electronic traction control differential system which is used for light automotive, recreational and off-road vehicles.
On surfaces with good traction, a vehicle equipped with the SmartLocker system will stay in 2-wheel drive with a turf-friendly, easy steering, open differential. On slippery surfaces, the system will detect the amount of slip and automatically decide whether to send power to the front wheels and decide how tight to lock the differential(s).
Management reports that the technology will be in a vehicle in the spring of this year.?? Learn more:?? Bemidjipioneer.com
Curtis Industries Modular Cab System for the Kawasaki Teryx
Curtis Industries, LLC has introduced a modular cab system for the Kawasaki Teryx utility vehicle that allows rapid transformation from a fully enclosed cab to an open-air ride in 60 seconds. The Curtis Rapid Convertible System (RCS) allows the user to choose one or all components for maximum flexibility as the weather changes. Learn more:?? blogs.4wheeloffroad.com
Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles
Pheasant Gamekeeper UTV – Park House Pheasantries in the UK uses three Kubota RTV900’s to manage their gamekeeping operation which involves rearing up to 50,000 pheasants a year for small to large shoots.?? The UTVs are used for a variety of tasks including game crop spraying with a front mounted sprayer, hauling feed, dumping gravel, pulling out stuck vehicles and transporting dogs.?? Besides the horsepower, ground clearance and power steering the owner purchased the street legal version of the vehicle to provide additional flexibility.?? Learn more:?? Constructionnewsportal.com
LSV Police Patrol Vehicles – The Wetumpka Police Department in Alabama recently purchased two GEMs for use at community events and patrolling select neighborhoods.?? Obtained with grant money, the department likes the smaller size and relatively silent vehicles for nighttime patrols and community events.?? They also expect to save money on fuel and maintenance costs.?? Learn more: Blog.al.com
Rural Real Estate Selling – A Wisconsin real estate agent specializing in selling properties for hunting, recreation and rural homes uses a Polaris Ranger to show clients around various properties.?? The rural and sometimes large size of the tracts require a vehicle with off-road capabilities to provide clients with an up close look at the properties.?? Learn more:?? Wisconsin State Journal
Park Maintenance – Wisconsin’s state parks department recently purchased 15 E-Ride electric vehicles from E-Ride Industries for cleaning and maintenance at parks around the state. Some units were customized with full-length aluminum enclosures to protect the payload.?? Compared to the full-size trucks they replace, the vehicles cost less up front to purchase, have lower fuel costs, lower maintenance costs and a smaller carbon footprint.?? In addition, the parks department has received positive feedback regarding the vehicles from park visitors.?? Learn more:?? WisBusiness.com
The California Air Resources Board recently announced that $2 million will be available for the California Energy Commission’s 2011 clean vehicle rebate program.?? Unfortunately for the LSV market, only vehicles that can carry four passengers and operate at highway speeds will be eligible for the rebates.?? Program managers report that in 2010 $1.4 million in vehicle rebates were distributed for 213 vehicles including:
A report published in December from the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC) investigated the impact of LSVs on transportation infrastructure and safety on Oregon.
The purpose of the research was to determine positive and negative impacts that LSVs, which include Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) and Medium-Speed Electric Vehicles (MSEVs), are likely to have for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon communities. In addition, the research explores whether adjustments in current state regulations are needed to ensure that LSVs do not negatively impact road safety and traffic operations, or expose the LSV operators to undue risk.
The results of the research included three major recommendations:
- The State of Oregon???s regulations for LSVs should be amended such that LSVs are limited to public roadways with a maximum operating speed of 25 mph, and they are restricted to crossing higher-speed roadways at four-way stops or traffic-controlled intersections.
- Local transportation authorities should work with LSV users and members of the bicycle community to develop parallel or secondary low-speed transportation networks that connect residential neighborhoods with major activity centers that include education, employment, retail, medical and recreational facilities.
- LSV users need to be educated about the safety risks of LSVs, in particular those that have a ???car-like??? appearance, and the safety risks of modifying the speed regulator on LSVs.