Technical
Medium Duty Utility
These vehicles are very different from a golf car! They are designed for heavy work in off-road environments and will have the ground clearance, transmissions and rugged suspension to cope with the task. Power comes now from either petrol or diesel engines. Battery options do exist, but there is a limit to the available range when driving off- road in 4-wheel drive.
Look on the specifications to see if there is a low range gearbox fitted, which is essential for heavy
be the lack of ground clearance, when used on open ground. This again can be easily solved by fitting lift kits and larger wheels, making a customised golf car look very different from the original vehicle!
Light Duty Utility
The next category is a vehicle which has been specifically designed to carry loads and move staff around a work site. Whilst the engine and transmission is similar to the golf car, the chassis and suspension is upgraded to take the heavier use. A cargo box provides much more cargo space, and an increased load capacity. Boxes will mostly be plastic mouldings, which are light and strong, or formed from steel or aluminium.
As with the golf car, the engine can be either petrol or battery. With electric power packs now available up to 72 volts, there is now plenty of driving range for all day operation. Battery chargers are now mounted on the vehicle, so all you need is a standard 3 pin socket to recharge.
Some vehicles in this class will have a limited slip differential to aid traction when driving off- road. At the top of this range there are units with larger diameter wheels, increased ground clearance and locking differentials, giving really good traction in off-road conditions. Given the lighter weight of these vehicles, and aggressive tyre options available, they can be a real alternative to the heavier and more expensive 4-wheel drive vehicles.
118 I PC APRIL/MAY 2016
off-road use, particularly on banks and slopes. Braking will be on all four wheels for greater security, where the light duty vehicles tend to be rear wheel brakes only.
Diesel engines bring better fuel economy, but they are heavier, noisier and more expensive to buy. The noise and vibrations from the diesel engine can mean the ear protection is needed if operating these units for an extended time.
Four-wheel drive is pretty much standard on these vehicles, but check to see whether a locking rear differential is standard or an optional extra, as this really adds to the traction when operating in wet, muddy conditions. As well as off-road applications, some of these vehicles are road compliant and can the taxed as a road going vehicle. This broadens their flexibility considerably.
Transmissions tend to be CVT (continuously variable transmission) belt by design, with a low range box for additional traction and pulling power. There are hydrostatic models available which give enhanced downhill control, but are heavier, use more fuel and lose power through the transmission, when compared to the more popular CVT alternatives.
Cab options are also popular on these vehicles, as they will be fitted with a 4 post ROPS frame as standard. A roof and front windscreen makes are real difference when operating in poor weather. Fitting doors is an option, but the full cab versions tend to be noisy and it’s difficult to stop the screen from fogging up on a wet day!
There is a wide range of accessories available for these vehicles. Optional hydraulic packs and 12v power supply mean that power driven spreaders and sprayers, as well as yard brushes and snow ploughs can all be fitted to the medium duty vehicle.
Heavy Duty work vehicles
Heavy duty work vehicles, like the Jacobsen Truckster, are designed to carry heavy loads and, unlike the previous vehicles, these trucks come with diesel engines and manual gearbox transmissions. The change to a manual gearbox brings set ratios which allow the forward speed to be set for use with sprayers and fertiliser applicators. The addition of a ground speed governor means that a precise forward speed can be maintained regardless of the undulating terrain.
These are prime movers, which can have a range of attachment fitted to them. Mainly designed for golf course work, they have low ground pressure, good clearance and offer a real alternative to a compact tractor, particularly as the attachments sit on the chassis, and so do not increase the length of the vehicle, or compromise its manoeuvrability.
A hydraulic pump is standard and this allows hydraulically driven attachments to be easily fitted to the vehicle. This has now replaced the mechanical PTO shafts that were used to run such accessories as topdressers, sprayers and spreaders.
Whilst the majority of these vehicles are sold as 2-wheel drive, there are 4-wheel drive versions available for more extreme applications. The performance in 4-wheel drive mode can be surprisingly good, and without the surface damage created by vehicles fitted with road tyres.
So, you have a wide range of vehicles to choose from. In price, specification and performance there is a vehicle out there to suit your needs and application. Like most things in the professional turfcare industry, it’s about understanding your application and then selecting the right tool for the job.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148