An interesting ATV

My brother and his former Marine neighbor, the builder,showed up here from near Houston to field test these last week. They use a zero turn riding mower as the base.
The two prototypes were a kick to operate as Helen gave them a hill test or two.

Makes our Mule look boring

Needs a turret and big gun.

akbeemer said:

Needs a turret and big gun.

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Exactly what my brother came up with, at least a big paintball canon.

It tops out around 12mph,which actually seems fairly quick...I had a few duh moments figuring the push/pull steering when running the trails thru the trees.

Part of the appeal of ATVs are the low pressure tires that are supposed to be somewhat kind to the trail surface. This is the major reason alot of trails are open to ATVs and not dirt bikes. How do the tracks seem compaired to ATV tires on trail surfaces?

In the loose stuff it left some tracks if agressive turns were being made. Our drive area is granite gravel and the tracks were visible as in the pic near the trailer when rotating.
Just running on our limestone based trails, it didn't seem to leave a big footprint.

Tracks for small equipment have come a long way. They allow a smaller machine such as this Vermeer-



to go and do much more than a similar machine with wheels.

Most of the skid-steer manufactures have tracked options-



In the beginning, tracked options were a maintenance nightmare. While they have improved greatly, IMO, still "not there yet". Before the parts wear out the units start "walking out of the tracks". This usually happens at the worst time in the worst place.

Mattracks has been building track systems for ATV's, UTV's and even pickup trucks-



All of the track systems have reported almost "go anywhere" performance- except on ice. With ice, some sort of grouser bars seem to be needed.

No doubt that ATV that Steve has shown will lead to even better track technology and improvements in the bogy suspension, idlers and drive systems.

OM

Your experience may vary?

shakeybone said:

Part of the appeal of ATVs are the low pressure tires that are supposed to be somewhat kind to the trail surface. This is the major reason alot of trails are open to ATVs and not dirt bikes. How do the tracks seem compaired to ATV tires on trail surfaces?

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I take care of a 12 mile off road loop.

Our area of upstate Michigan can be sandy.

The motorcycle only trails are much better to ride on than the areas open to quads which end up being like a sandy soup in many cases.

It could certainly be an issue that is terrain type dependent but in general there is nothing as sweet as winding single track.

I think the quad riders are looking for more of a linear experience (like snowmobiles) while the bike riders like to be turning.

Just sayin.

Wayne Koppa
#71,449
Michigan
Home of the Jackpine Enduro (90th running this year)

First reaction: ROPS - roll over protection system, like many dozers and other tractors have.

Harry

AKsuited said:

First reaction: ROPS - roll over protection system, like many dozers and other tractors have.

Harry

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The two prototypes were a kick to operate

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Always takes a while to get things off the drawing board.
OM

AKsuited said:

First reaction: ROPS - roll over protection system, like many dozers and other tractors have.

Harry

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My first constructive feedback to the designer. His first trip from flat Houston area and a learning demo.

Then of course a usable restraint system to keep you on it in case of a roll...how many folks use the ones in their current ATV's? As safety concious I am on bikes, on tractors and ATV's, I'll admit I am not as vigilant.

henzilla said:

My first constructive feedback to the designer. His first trip from flat Houston area and a learning demo.

Then of course a usable restraint system to keep you on it in case of a roll...how many folks use the ones in their current ATV's? As safety concious I am on bikes, on tractors and ATV's, I'll admit I am not as vigilant.

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ATV's generally don't have restraint systems until they get into the side by side class. I have found it's important on farm tractors as when they go over, they end up on top of you
On skid-steers, especially non enclosed machines, I always use the belts. If you lift a load and tip forward, it keeps you from ending up upside down between the loader arms and the front of the machine. Some of the brands have a restraint bar similar to an amusement park ride that is a great place to rest you arms while operating.
I'd be interested in hearing the chassis brand and the undercarriage brand that were mated together.
OM

Ejection seat capable of launching the rider 150 feet high and a parachute with an automatic deployment system..... and a cup holder.