Boeing UK & John Deere Introduce Robotic Gator For Military Market

R-Gator A3 ACS developed jointly by Boeing UK and John Deere

Boeing UK and John Deere recently introduced the R-Gator A3 Assisted Carriage System (ACS) robotic utility vehicle for military applications.  In development for two years, the vehicle has a 635 kg payload to help carry some of the gear modern soldiers require in the field.  The vehicle can operate autonomously or manually under daylight or night conditions.  John Deere borrowed from their M-Gator platform as well as their navigation, guidance and obstacle avoidance technology and expertise developed for the agriculture sector.  The vehicle also features “…multiple tie-down points for sling loading, underbody skid plates, a front cargo rack and a rifle mount system to carry military specific loads.”  Learn more:  Defense-update.com

John Deere Fills Out XUV Line

John Deere has added two more vehicles to their XUV line of crossover utility vehicles.  The XUV 550 and 550 S4 are billed as mid-duty vehicles to complement the existing 625i, 825i and the 855D models.  The vehicles offer 9 inches of wheel travel, 10.5 inches of ground clearance, 16-hp, 570 cc, air-cooled, v-twin gas engine, and 400 lbs of cargo capacity.  The S4 can carry 4 people or convert to two and increase the cargo bed size by 32%. Both models are available in Realtree Hardwoods™ HD Camo or traditional John Deere green and yellow.  Learn more:  4-traders.com

John Deere Marketing Initiatives

Drive Green Challenge – For a third year John Deere will be bringing their Drive Green Challenge to select dealerships in the Midwest and East Coast.  A total of 60 dealerships will be visited by a customized promotional tractor trailer with various Deere equipment for test drives and demonstrations.

A unique Gator utility vehicle – the “Tail Gator” XUV, complete with speakers and other gadgets – will be featured at the sites. In addition, there will be a drawing for a similar machine at the end of the summer, to be given to one visitor to the Challenge’s various dates.

Other dealerships will have satellite versions of the Challenge.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

Gator XUV Configurator – John Deere has added a new feature to their website, a configurator for their Gator XUV model.  The features allows for a range of vehicle customizations which are then sent to a dealer for a quote.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

John Deere Sponsors Iowa NASCAR Event – An Iowa Speedway event has been renamed the John Deere Dealer’s 250.  The NASCAR event on May 22nd is expected to attract over 50,000 fans including a few thousand John Deere equipment owners as part of a dealer tie-in.  Ten free one-year leases for a Gator utility vehicle will be given away as part of the promotion.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

CARB Increases Rebate For Zero Emission Agricultural UTVs

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently increased the rebates for zero emission utility vehicles used for agricultural operations from 15% to 25% of MSRP.  CARB funds the Zero-Emission Agricultural Utility Terrain Vehicle (Agricultural UTV) Rebate Program which is administered statewide by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).  Vehicles that are eligible for the rebates include electric powered models from Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, John Deere, Polaris and ZAP.  According to the program’s website, rebates are given on a first come, first serve basis.  A total of $990,000 has been allocated for the program of which only about $20,000 for 12 vehicles has been distributed to date.  Learn more:  Valleyair.org

Kawasaki & John Deere Reach Production Milestones

A Teryx 750 FI 4x4 Sport is the 3,000,000th vehicle produced at Kawasaki's Lincoln, NE plant

The 3,000,000th vehicle recently rolled off the assembly line of Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing’s facility in Lincoln, NE.  In this case the vehicle was a Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport.  Over the 36 years of operation the plant has produced motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet skis, ATVs, UTVs industrial robots and rail cars.   Learn more:  Motorcycle-usa.com

Meanwhile John Deere’s Horicon, WI plant just produced the company’s 500,000th Gator utility vehicle.  The XUV825i, the fastest and most powerful Gator yet, rolled off the line seventeen years after the first Gator was produced in 1993.  Learn more:  ATVmagonline.com

New UTVs Hitting The Market

Kawasaki's new Teryx 750 FI 4x4 LE Camo

New Teryx™ 750 FI 4×4 LE – Kawasaki has introduced a a new Teryx™ 750 FI 4×4 LE. Key features include:

• Liquid-cooled, 749cc SOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder, fuel-injected, 90-degree V-twin engine
• Realtree APG HD camouflaged bodywork, wheels, front bumper, roof and dashboard
• Digital fuel injection
• Continuously Variable Transmission features high and low ranges, a reverse gear, very direct feel from the engine, and instantaneous acceleration
• Limited-slip front differential reduces steering effort under normal four-wheel drive operation, while Variable Front Differential Control permits rider to distribute torque equally to left and right front wheels for maximum traction via a hand lever located between the seats
• Selectable two- or four-wheel-drive operation, via dash-mounted switch
• Suspension designed for high-speed operation over varying terrain
• Large 7.4-gal. (28L) fuel tank

Learn more: News.utvguide.net

X4 off-road vehicle from Volteis Electric Car of France

New electric off-road utility vehicle from France - Volteis Electric Car of France recently launched their X4 electric off-road utility vehicle. Reminiscent of WWII Jeep designs, the X4 features twelve 48 volt, 24 amp-hour lead-acid gel batteries located beneath the front sea and has a top speed is 44 mph. The vehicle is available in a number of configurations including dual electric motors, long and short frames and other options. The frame is made of stainless steel and aluminum. Learn more: Greencar.com

Bobcat utility vehicle

Bobcat offers new UTV lineup – Bobcat recently unveiled their new lineup of four utility vehicles: 3200 (4×2), 3400 (4×4), 3400 XL (up to 6 riders; 4×4) and 3450 (4×4). Key features:

• Diesel engine is available in all but the 3200
• All models feature increased horsepower
• Top speed has increased to 30 mph.
• High (30 mph max) and low-speed gearing (15 mph max)
• Increased payload capacity (up to 33% more)
• Electronic fuel injected gas engines
• Four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts, front; 5-way preload adjustable rear shocks with two optional mounting positions for load carrying)
• 3450 includes Bobcat’s exclusive RapidLink attachment mounting system
• All-new frame

The vehicles are a result of Bobcat’s strategic alliance with Polaris Industries to develop vehicles for the work segment . Learn more: ATVmagblog.com

Can-Am Commander in action

Can-Am enters UTV market with Commander 800 and 1000 models – Powersports manufacturer Can-Am has entered the UTV market with their Commander 800 and 1000 models which have 71 hp and 85 hp engines respectively. The vehicles features give them a mix of work qualities as well as those for aggressive trail riding. For a more complete review of the vehicle features and technologies Learn more: ATVmagonline.com

New Gator XUV 825i from John Deere

John Deere launches new lineup of crossover utility vehicles (XUVs) - The leading model of Deere’s new trio of XUVs is the XUV 825i which features a 50 hp engine and a top speed of 44 mph. The XUV lineup designed for both work applications and the needs of the “outdoor enthusiast”. Key features include:

• An 815cc, liquid cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and electronic fuel injection.
• Re-designed front and rear independent suspension system designed for less body roll and superior side-hill stability with either no-load or maximum cargo.
• 1500 lbs. of towing and 1400 lbs. of payload capacity.
• New hybrid metal and composite cargo box with 16.4 cu. ft. of capacity and an available factory installed spray-in bed liner with 20 integrated tie downs
• New braking system that improves stopping performance over previous models.

Learn more: News.utvguide.net

STOV Industry Developments

My colleague Stephen Metzger has written a pair of articles for IUV magazine. The first is a recap of what he learned at the recent PGA Show and Golf Industry Show. Some of the themes he touches on in the article include:

• New developments from E-Z-Go, Club Car and Yamaha
• New vehicles in the heavy utility segment from John Deere, Toro & Cushman
• Action in the LSV market from Tomberlin and others
• Improvements from Chinese manufacturers
• Advances in components and batteries

Learn more: IUVMag.com

In the second article he puts some numbers to the recession induced downturn in the STOV market. He notes that at the same time vehicle improvements and innovation continue to occur, as well as a broadening of the applications for these vehicles. Learn more: IUVMag.com

Deere & Boeing Defence UK Working On Robotic Gator

John Deere R-Gator Utility Vehicle

John Deere and Boeing Defence UK have announced a 17 month development project to enhance the capabilities of the R-Gator, Deere’s robotic utility vehicle for the military market.  Boeing will be adding technologies to the vehicle to improve performance as an Assisted Carriage System (ACS).

The John Deere R-Gator™ ACS can support an infantry section of up to eight men, and offload 1400 lbs. of individual equipment. It is designed to carry an increased level of ready combat supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations. Most importantly, the vehicle can operate autonomously, be driven manually, and be reconfigured to meet a multitude of ground support needs.

The R-gator is based on Deere’s Gator XUV utility vehicle.  Learn more:  Deere.com

John Deere Announces Upgrades To Gator TX & TE

John Deere recently announced upgrades to two of their Gator utility vehicles.  The Gator TX will feature more horsepower, greater acceleration and a new suspension system.  The electric powered Gator TE features a 900 lb cargo box and will be more widely available through Agriculture & Turf distributors and dealers.  Learn more:  Deere.com

CPSC Extends Comment Period For Recreational Offhighway Vehicles

The Consumer Products Safety Commission is extending its comment period for 75 days related to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking for Recreational OffHighway Vehicles (ROVs).  The extension comes at the request of Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki and the Recreational OffHighway Vehicle Association.  The original deadline was December 28, 2009 and the new deadline is now March 15, 2010.  Learn more:  Federalregister.com