John Deere Refines The R-Gator
October 20, 2009 When a utility vehicle has to operate in all of the places the John Deere R-Gator goes, terrain capabilities are key. With this is mind, the John Deere team has refined the chassis of its popular autonomous vehicle to give the go-anywhere R-Gator an independent suspension and improved ground clearance. The updated R-Gator also boasts a faster top speed, travelling up to 35 mph in manual mode.
“Since we’re always looking to improve our products, we’ve been running R-Gator exercises with soldiers and marines,” says Mark Bodwell, worldwide military affairs group manager for John Deere. “Through those exercises, we’ve come to appreciate just how important it is to be able to navigate hilly or rough terrain quickly. The improved R-Gator was developed in direct response to the military feedback we received.”
The R-Gator has 11 inches of ground clearance and its four-wheel, independent suspension is fully adjustable for improved mobility and superior fording capabilities.
Based on the proven M-Gator military vehicle platform, the R-Gator employs commercial off-the-shelf technology and includes precision guidance, navigation, and obstacle avoidance technology that has been at work for two decades in John Deere’s agricultural products. The R-Gator can be operated in manual, tele-operational, or fully autonomous mode during day and night and supports military personnel through lightening the load, persistent stare, cargo carrying, point-man reconnaissance, roving patrols, resupply, casualty evacuation, and more.
“John Deere has a long history of supporting the U.S. military,” says Bodwell. “We’re proud to do so and we’re committed to providing the products and features our servicemen and women need and request. The R-Gator is just one more example of that commitment.”
The new R-Gator is available immediately.
(Source: John Deere)
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