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Click these pictures to enlarge
Photos taken in the Bradshaw Mountains |
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Four Wheeling :: All-terrain vehicles
Quads and ATVs My favorite vehicle for hunting gold is a quad and with good reason.
The term "all-terrain vehicle" is used to describe a number of small open motorised buggies and tricycles designed for off-road use. The 4-wheeled versions are most commonly called "quads," "four-wheelers" or "ATVs" in the United States and Canada, and "quad bikes" or "quad cycles" in other English-speaking countries. Models with 3 wheels are typically known as ATCs (though this is a Honda trademark) and "three-wheelers," and less commonly "all-terrain cycles" and "trikes." 6- and 8-wheel models exist for specialized applications. The rider sits on these models just like on a motorcycle, but the extra wheels make them more stable at slow speeds.
Development of ATVs
Honda made the first three-wheeled ATV in 1970. Dubbed the US90 and, later, the ATC90, it was designed purely for recreational use. It featured no mechanical suspension. Balloon tires were employed as an alternative to suspension. By the early 1980s, suspension and lower-profile tires were introduced. The 1982 Honda ATC200E Big Red was a landmark model. It featured both suspension and racks, making it the first utility three-wheeled ATV. The ability to go anywhere on terrain that most other vehicles could not cross soon made them popular with US and Canadian hunters, and those just looking for a good trail ride. Soon other manufacturers introduced their own models.
Sport models were also developed by Honda, which has a virtual monopoly on the market, due to effective patents on design and engine placement. The 1981 ATC250R was the first high-performance three-wheeler, featuring full suspension, a 248-cubic-centimetre two-stroke motor, a five-speed transmisison with a manual clutch and a front disc brake. For the sporting trail rider, the 1983 ATC200X was another landmark machine. It has an easy-to-handle 192-cubic-centimetre four-stroke that was ideal for new participants in the sport.
Suzuki was a leader in the development of 4-wheeled ATVs. It sold the first ATV, the 1983 QuadRunner LT125, which was a recreational machine for beginners.
In 1985, Suzuki introduced the first high-performance ATV, the Suzuki LT250R QuadRacer, which featured sophisticated long-travel suspension, a liquid-cooled two-stroke motor and a fully manual transmission. It was a machine exclusively designed for highly skilled riders. Honda responded a year later with the FourTrax TRX250R, as did Kawasaki with its Tecate-4 250. In 1987, Yamaha introduced a different type of high-performance machine, the Banshee 350, which featured a twin-cylinder liquid-cooled two-stroke motor from the RD350LC street motorcycle. Heavier and more difficult to ride in the dirt than the 250s, the Banshee became a popular machine with sand dune riders thanks to its unique power delivery. The Banshee has retained its popularity over the years, but 2006 is its last year of production, due to EPA emmissions rules.
The ATV is commonly called a four wheeler in Australia. They are used extensively in agricultureAt the same time, development of utility ATVs was rapidly escalating. The 1986 Honda FourTrax TRX350 4x4 ushered in the era of four-wheel-drive ATVs. Other manufacturers quickly followed suit, and 4x4s have remained the most popular type of ATV. These machines are popular with hunters, farmers, ranchers and workers at construction sites.
Safety issues with 3 wheels caused all manufacturers to switch to 4-wheeled models in the late '80s, and 3-wheel models ended production in 1987, due to a Consent Decree between the manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety Council. The lighter weight of the 3-wheel models make them popular with some expert riders. Cornering is more challenging than with a 4-wheeled machine because leaning into the turn is even more important. Operators may rollover if caution isn't used. The front end of 3 wheelers obviously has a single wheel and this makes the front of it lighter, and flipping backwards is a potential hazard, especially when climbing hills. Rollovers may also occur when traveling down a steep incline.
Models today continue to be divided into the sport and utility markets. Sport models are generally small, light, two wheel drive vehicles which accelerate quickly, have a manual transmission, and run at speeds up to 75 miles per hour (120 km/h). Utility models are generally bigger four wheel drive vehicles with a maximum speed of up to 65 miles per hour (104 km/h). They have the ability to haul small loads on attached racks or small dump beds. They may also haul small trailers. Due to the different weights, each has advantages on different types of terrain.
Sport models are often built with speedy trail riding in mind, either in the design of the machine or at least in the marketing of it. To be successful at fast trail riding, a quad must have light weight, high power, good suspension and a low center of gravity. These machines can be modified for such racing disciplines as motocross, woods racing (also known as hare scrambles, cross country), desert racing, hill climbing, ice racing, speedway, TT (Tourist Trophy), flat track, drag racing and others.
6 wheel models have a small dump bed, with an extra set of wheels at the back to increase the payload capacity. They can be either 4 wheel drive (back wheels driving only), or 6 wheel drive.
There also 6 and 8 wheel models where the rider sits inside, known as AATVs (amphibious all terrain vehicles). These vehicles may float and are designed to go through swamps as well as dry land. These were around in the United States long before 4 and 3-wheeled vehicles were introduced (by Honda and other Japanese companies). Current brands of these machines include Argo and MAX. They consist of a fiberglas or hard plastic "tub" with low pressure (around 3 PSI) tires and use a skid-steer steering setup. Though not as fast as other ATVs, they can be operated with precision at slow speeds, and of course, have the ability to float. The spinning action of the tires is enough to propel the vehicle, abeit slowly. Outboard motors can be added for extended water use.
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