SideXSide Action - February 2008 - (Page 59)

selecting only those attachments and accessories that truly complement the versatility, quality, durability and reliability of our machines.” Commitment to the core For the next 10 years, as aftermarket utility vehicle attachments continued to pour into the marketplace John Deere started to develop its own attachments, but remained vigilant on improving the core performance of the Gator. New John Deere enhancements included increased ground clearance, a wider frame and fully independent suspension. The company also broadened its line to cater to specialty markets when it introduced the Electric Gator (with a quiet engine that produced zero emissions), Turf Gator (for golf course maintenance), Trail Gator (olive color to appeal to hunting and recreational users), ProGator and Worksite Gator (for heavy-duty applications), and the M-Gator (sold exclusively to the U.S. military and NATO forces). the homeowner in mind – they’re easy to maneuver and easy to store, while maintaining the tough performance standards of the Gator family. The introduction of the heavy-duty Gator High-Performance Series was built for true commercial-grade work, allowing customers to pull, tow and haul more than they ever could before.” Innovations of the HighPerformance Series included the industry’s first award-winning, hydroformed steel frame, which is designed to withstand the stress and strain of rough terrain. Additional features included a new, on-demand, “True” four-wheel-drive system that provided exceptional traction in challenging conditions; front and rear wheel hydraulic service brakes that provide a more automobile-like braking system; easier starting and a larger 854 cc Tier II diesel engine for excellent overall performance. “Today, a large portion of growth in the utility vehicle market is happening in what we classify as Trail and Heavy-Duty vehicles”, notes Kevin Lund, utility vehicle group product marketing manager for John Deere. “We’ve been participating in this growth with the Gator HighPerformance Series, but we’ve taken it a step further with the new Gator XUV 4x4. Lund says the XUV 4x4 is designed for customers who like to work hard and play hard with their vehicles, adding that customers want a machine that is capable of putting in a hard day’s work, but they also want to be able to turn it loose trail riding, hunting or fishing on the weekend. “The Gator XUV is a true crossover vehicle, combining heavy-duty work performance with all-terrain capabilities,” Lund says. “Thanks to innovative engineering, we’ve improved ride quality, power and acceleration, while maintaining the stability, safety and quality that John Deere is known for. One test drive is all it takes to truly appreciate the ride quality, power and performance of the XUV.” Even the marketers of the first AMT agree that the Gator XUV 4x4 is not the end, but a beginning of a new chapter in the evolution of utility vehicles. “It’s quite remarkable to see the progression since the AMT, and the XUV is just a foreshadowing of what’s to come,” says Bedis. “Whatever lies ahead, you can count on one thing for sure: No matter what you buy a utility vehicle for, it will do far more and do it far better than you think it will.” Gators grow bigger … and smaller John Deere wasn’t the only company that was busy. By the late 1990s the market had exploded from one competitor to a flood of manufacturers eager to get their piece of the hot market. John Deere responded in 2004 by introducing two new categories to its product lineup: the Gator Compact Series and the Gator High-Performance Series. New look to an old faithful “By broadening the Gator line, John Deere was able to accommodate the unique needs of our growing customer segments,” explains Joe McDonald, John Deere product manager for the Gator from 1998 through 2001. “The smallest in the Gator lineup, the light-duty Gator Compact Series, was created with The original Gators that ignited the industry weren’t without their own upgrades. Since their introduction nearly 10 years ago, the original Gators were replaced with a new generation of models rightly called the Gator Traditional Series. Along with a fresh new look, the Traditional series models are faster (top ground speed of 20 mph) and more powerful than the previous generation of Gators, while also offering improved braking capabilities, increased payload and enhanced operator comfort. Now, the company offers the broadest line of vehicles with more than 180 high quality attachments. The neXt generation of performance 58 SIDE X SIDE ACTION MAGAZINE http://WWW.SIDEXSIDEACTION.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SideXSide Action - February 2008

SideXSide Action - February 2008 Contents Mailbox News Tips & Tricks Rhino 700 YFI Join the Club Snowbound Fun Power Upgrade Camping Buyer's Guide Overcoming the Odds Product Reviews HID Light Shoot-Out Company Spotlight: John Deere History of the SXS History & A Ride Places to Ride WPSA Round 10 Clutching 101 New Product Section Calico To Laughlin Project Race Rhino: Final Chapter On the Go Photo

SideXSide Action - February 2008

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