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- Apr 14, 2014
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It's time to get busy in the shop again and take on a new project. One I've been considering for a while is an "Offroad Mobility Vehicle" to be used by physically handicapped people visiting wildlife areas. We recently toured the George Mead Wildlife Area near Stevens Point Wisconsin. While touring with the property manager he mentioned his desire to attract more physically handicapped individuals by purchasing powered offroad vehicles that would allow them to independently tour the roads and trails on the 33,000-acre property.
dnr.wisconsin.gov
There are currently several on the market. Some are gas powered while others are powered by electric motors. They also come in wheeled versions as well as tracked versions. He was leaning toward the wheeled versions in that they are lighter, more maneuverable, and should they get stuck, run out of fuel, or have the batteries die they could be towed by and ATV or loaded into the back of a pickup truck by 2 people.
Prices for these type vehicles range from around $13,000.00 to over $35,000.00 depending on the brand, power source, and options selected. I'm thinking it would be possible to build a prototype for less than $8,000.00. Should the prototype be successful the original vehicle along with the blueprints would be donated to the "Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association Inc."
www.meadwildlife.org
The group has a number of machinists, engineers, mechanical technicians, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other skilled craftsmen that I feel would be more than competent to validate, improve, and fabricate additional vehicles for their wildlife area and others across the country.
There are a number of things I'd like to include which seem to be missing (with my limited research on currently available models) are a hybrid drive system, four-wheel steering, and a locating beacon that could be activated should the operator get in a situation where the fuel or battery supply runs dangerously low, or where attempting to navigate through hostile terrain the vehicle becomes disabled.
Here are a few examples of this type of vehicle currently available. The Terrain Hopper is the one they are most interested at this point
www.terrainhopperusa.com
So am I nuts for thinking this is a feasible project? Let the flaming begin.
George W. Mead Wildlife Area | | Wisconsin DNR
dnr.wisconsin.gov
There are currently several on the market. Some are gas powered while others are powered by electric motors. They also come in wheeled versions as well as tracked versions. He was leaning toward the wheeled versions in that they are lighter, more maneuverable, and should they get stuck, run out of fuel, or have the batteries die they could be towed by and ATV or loaded into the back of a pickup truck by 2 people.
Prices for these type vehicles range from around $13,000.00 to over $35,000.00 depending on the brand, power source, and options selected. I'm thinking it would be possible to build a prototype for less than $8,000.00. Should the prototype be successful the original vehicle along with the blueprints would be donated to the "Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association Inc."
Friends of the Mead & McMillan Wildlife Area
The Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association, Inc., is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to furthering wildlife education and management at the George W. Mead and McMillan Marsh Wildlife Areas.
www.meadwildlife.org
The group has a number of machinists, engineers, mechanical technicians, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other skilled craftsmen that I feel would be more than competent to validate, improve, and fabricate additional vehicles for their wildlife area and others across the country.
There are a number of things I'd like to include which seem to be missing (with my limited research on currently available models) are a hybrid drive system, four-wheel steering, and a locating beacon that could be activated should the operator get in a situation where the fuel or battery supply runs dangerously low, or where attempting to navigate through hostile terrain the vehicle becomes disabled.
Here are a few examples of this type of vehicle currently available. The Terrain Hopper is the one they are most interested at this point
Off-Road Electric Wheelchair | All-Terrain Electric Wheelchair
The Overlander is an off-road electric wheelchair for mobility-challenged individuals that offers various adjustable features. Contact us to customize your own!
www.terrainhopperusa.com
The Coyote Adaptive Off-Road Vehicle
Outrider USA’s new Coyote is an adaptive, electric off-road vehicle suitable for wheelchair users who enjoy hunting, fishing or exploring the backcountry. The Coyote has four wheels…
newmobility.com
So am I nuts for thinking this is a feasible project? Let the flaming begin.
