New, upgraded vehicles hit market

Golf Course News, Jun 2002 by Overbeck, Andrew

Editorial Focus: Utility Vehicles

Not to be outdone by new entrants into the utility vehicle marketplace, several existing manufacturers have introduced new or tweaked models this year.

Club Car has rolled out its Transporter 472 utility vehicle that offers seating for four or an extra-long cargo bed. Broyhill has unveiled the TerraSport that offers a segmented cargo area. Toro has upgraded its Workman 3000 and 4000 series utility vehicles by adding new engines. The company has also added front hydraulic disc brakes to its Workman 2110.

ROOM FOR FOUR

Club Car's new 472 utility vehicle is a four-passenger version of its existing 272 utility vehicle. The 472, however, has a bigger 13-hp engine, a heavy-duty transaxle and bigger gears. The new features also carry over into the 272 model, but the 13-hp engine is optional.

The four passenger seating is also optional on the 472. Instead of the extra seating, superintendents can opt for a larger six-foot bed, although the total cargo capacity remains 1,200 pounds. The 472 will cost around $8,995.

"This provides the superintendent with a crew vehicle or a mobile work station," said Mike Packer, vice president of utility vehicles for Club Car. "It also gives us a niche. No one else has anything like it."

Packer added that Club Car is working on adapting its electric motor and IQ platform to utility vehicles. "We believe there is an opportunity with electric motors and IQ to do something similar on the utility vehicle side. But it will obviously have to be more heavy-duty."

THE ONE-THIRD, TWO-THIRDS BED

Broyhill, an admitted niche manufacturer, has taken its marketing concept one step further with its TerraSport, a new version of its existing TerraForce unit.

The TerraSport, however, has a unique segmented cargo bed that allows a tool box, sprayer tank or paint tank to sit between the seats and the separate 1,000 pound capacity cargo bed. The unit has a total cargo capacity of 1,500 pounds and features upgraded four-wheel hydraulic brakes, full suspension and a 16-hp Briggs and Stratton gas engine. Pricing for the vehicle starts at $8,850.

"The bed configuration allows for a more versatile vehicle that can handle a sprayer or a cooler without interrupting the usage of the cargo box," said Broyhill's sales manager Myron Sargisson. "The TerraSport will be a good fit for the golf and sports turf market."

UPGRADED POWER AND BRAKES

While Toro does not have any brand new products this year, the company has made significant improvements to two of its existing models.

Toro is now offering the Heavy-Duty Workman 3200 and 4200 models with 31-hp gas Briggs and Stratton Daihatsu engines and the 3300 and 4300 models with 26.5-hp diesel engines. The 3100 now comes with a 23-- hp Kohler engine.

"The new engines increase its ability to tow and pull loads," said Neil Borenstein, Toro's marketing manager for vehicles. "The total payload is now up over 2,700 pounds."

The Workman 2110 also features extra cargo capacity thanks to new hydraulic front brakes and a more powerful 16-hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine. "The unit can carry 1,200 pounds, where in the past it could just take 800 pounds," said Borenstein.