Stand-Up 4-Wheeler Offers “Lots Of Fun”

Stand-Up 4-Wheeler Offers “Lots Of Fun” ATV S David Zuhlsdorf crossed a scooter with an ATV and made a stand-up off-road vehicle like no other The platform on wheels gives him more visibility than a conventional ATV and is just plain fun “I started building scooters with big wheels for the kids Then I decided to make one for myself ” says Zuhlsdorf “It has 2-wheel drive powered by a 10 hp engine and it really goes I even have a hitch on it so I can use it for pulling a trailer ” The frame was made with 1-in square tubing and the front axle is 2-in pipe With four 20-in high wheels the stand-up rig is just under 40 in wide and 6 ft 3 in long Except for brake pedals on the floor all controls are all mounted on the T-bar handlebars It stands about 54 in high Zuhlsdorf opted for a thumb throttle like on ATV’s after finding a hand throttle too dangerous “I used a 10 hp Briggs & Stratton with a torque converter clutch ” says Zuhlsdorf “I have shock absorbers on the front and back and 2 sets of springs on the platform to keep it stable ” Front and rear ends have independent frames connected at a pivot point The platform where the operator stands is semi independent of both sets of frames An axle-like shaft runs beneath the floor and connects to both front and rear ends at bearings A stabilizer plate keeps it from wandering “The front end can twist one way and the back another ” explains Zuhlsdorf “When I go up a hill or straddle a ridge and then start down the other side I can feel the ends twisting one way and then back the other ” The platform is suspended from both rear and front frames by springs This keeps the operator stable as the front and rear ends are flexing “Initially I thought I could lean into curves with a solid frame but I quickly found that didn’t work ” says Zuhlsdorf “With the springs on the platform I can stay upright and in control ” With the rear-mounted engine the entire rig weighs about 400 lbs Zuhlsdorf has patented the unique off-road vehicle and is looking for a manufacturer to build and distribute it Contact: FARM SHOW Followup David Zuhlsdorf P O Box 2185 Wickenburg Arizona 85358 ph 928 684-7522; dzuhlsdorf@gmail com

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