Press Release –

Goodyear Engineered Products is hitting the trail with a “self-healing” carbon-fiber-loaded ATV drive belt that can reduce the possibility of a long walk home.

Goodyear Gatorback Sport is the first Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT belt with carbon fiber reinforcement in its body construction, according to Loren Danhauer, Goodyear chief belt engineer.

“Threadlike strands of carbon fiber are strong and flexible and weigh much less than steel of similar strength,” said Danhauer. “The fiber alignment in the rubber compound provides added stiffness across the width of the belt.”

Jonathan Cocco, marketing manager for Goodyear aftermarket products, said a Goodyear survey of quad riders shows they want precise, immediate throttle response and off-road durability whether for hunters, ranchers, fire rescue teams or sport enthusiasts. A CVT system varies the working ratio of two v-shaped pulleys linked by the belt, said Cocco. The distance between pulley flanges can fluctuate, allowing the belt to ride smoothly up or down the pulley, continuously changing the gear ratio and varying vehicle speeds. The pulleys are part of a power sensing drive that increases tension during acceleration and lowers tension when power is reduced.

Danhauer explained that conventional CVT belt sidewalls can glaze and char from heat buildup when engaged with pulleys under extreme loads. Materials from the top width of the belt then turn down and inward, creating vibrations that can quickly destroy the belt.

ATV BELT HEALS SELF

Goodyear’s new Gatorback Sport ATV drive belt is the first CVT belt with carbon fiber reinforcement in its rubber compound. When handling an extreme load demand, the carbon fiber allows desired slippage on pulleys without top-width belt distortion. After the extreme demand subsides, the carbon material restores the integrity of belt edges in order to handle the normal load demand.

“Gatorback Sport regulates itself under extreme events,” said Danhauer. “Its carbon fiber in the rubber compound allows desired edge slippage without losing top width. When extreme demand subsides, the belt self-heals and again picks up the load.” Danhauer added that tests he conducted show significantly improved top width wear and reduced belt weight loss.

Cocco said Gatorback Sport is responsive and durable. “Its aggressive carbon fiber material maintains pulley grip without sacrificing belt wear,” he said. “It provides quick, clean throttle response to help riders conquer steep hills and nasty mud pits, while withstanding inadvertent abuse, such as spin-and-runs.”

Gatorback Sport’s performance was born from race technology introduced last year. Hendrick Motorsports and eventual NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion Jimmy Johnson turned to Goodyear for help after making mid-season engine adjustments for added horsepower that increased demand on cam drive belts by 50 percent.

Goodyear quickly responded by mixing carbon fiber reinforcement in rubber compounds for the new timing belt. The result was an advanced composite that withstood the increased loads and higher temperatures, allowed engines to run more efficiently, and provided precision timing in a very harsh environment.

“Buoyed by our success with carbon fiber, we went to work on the CVT belt for allterrain vehicles,” said Cocco. “Its performance earns it the Gatorback name, joining a growing family of popular Gatorback automotive belts that are used by all major NASCAR Cup Series teams and are available in auto part stores and service centers.”

While Gatorback Sport’s lateral strength comes from carbon fiber, its longitudinal strength comes from Goodyear Flexten aramid cords traveling the circumference of the belt. Flexten minimizes stretch, stabilizes overall length and maximizes horsepower transmission. “It adds up to predictable tension performance,” said Danhauer, “and tension is as important to belts as air pressure is to tires.”

Engineers also took care when designing belt dimensions, precisely duplicating most major ATV manufacturers’ original equipment profiles and measurements for top width, length and sidewalls to ensure proper fits.

Gatorback Sport’s top width range is 17 to 35 millimeters or 0.68 to 1.37 inches, while its length range is 679 to 1106 mm or 26.75 to 43.56 inches.

For additional information, go to goodyearbeltsandhose.com.

Press Release –

ODG is pleased to announce the outcome of the ARGO’s high-altitude performance testing carried out on one of the world’s highest volcanoes, in Chile last month.

The Matthias Jeschke Extreme Driving Team reached an all-time high as they set the record for climbing the Ojos del Salado Volcano in Chile on March 13, 2007.

Led by German off-road expert Jeschke, and accompanied by two 8 x 8 ARGO Avengers EFI for support, the team of 12 reached the extraordinary height of 6,646 meters (21,805 ft.) with no assistance or oxygen, in two Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 3.8 V6 vehicles. To put this incredible achievement into perspective, the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro is 5,895 meters (19342 ft.) high at its peak.

In this daring attempt, the ARGO Avengers became the first 8×8 off-road utility vehicles ever to reach an altitude of 5,900 meters (19,357 ft.), a feat for both the driving team and the designers of the ARGO.

The team had a few challenges on the way up but always worked out solutions to reach the goal. Matthias Jeschke and his team made some adjustments to the engine and kept the ARGOs in high performance mode. At the same time, the ARGOs provided reliable support to the team, carrying the team doctor and all medical supplies.

After a strenuous climb in all types of weather and conditions, including intense skin-burning sun, bitingly cold winds, sandstorms that completely coated the vehicles and caused eye injuries, boulders and protruding spears of icy snow, dangerous fissures in the slowly melting glacier, and temperatures that dipped to minus 20◦ Celsius, the team earned its place in the Guinness Record Book at 6,646 meters.

The ARGO’s 25” Rawhide III Goodyear tires with their aggressive tread pattern and lug size ─ as well as the OHV V-Twin liquid cooled 748cc, 31 hp fuel-injected Kohler Engine ─ and the electronic ignition and solenoid shift starter, made the ARGO a reliable support vehicle.

Another advantage of the EFI model’s electronic fuel injection is its improved fuel economy, which meets both EPA and CARB standards. It also features an effective throttle response and is reliable in cold weather and in high altitudes. On-board diagnostics helped the technicians with en route maintenance needs. The ARGO uses regular unleaded gasoline.

The invaluable experience gained from this high altitude climb will be used to further develop the ARGO’s capabilities in extreme conditions and altitudes.

The ARGO has been a trusted partner worldwide in natural resource exploration, utility maintenance, communications, and by search & rescue organizations.

This versatile all-season workhorse can also be adapted to suit a remarkably wide range of custom applications.

The ARGO will be the official transportation vehicle for the show management team at Europe’s largest Off-road show, “Abenteuer & Allrad” in Bad Kissingen, Germany, from June 7 – 10, 2007. The Jeschke Team will be presenting all of the vehicles used in the Volcano climb, as well as the official Search & Rescue ARGO of Quadmedics. A 45-minute documentary about the word record event will be presented on a large screen.

Press Release –

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited (ODG) of New Hamburg, Ontario, announced today its collaboration with world famous hunting expert Jim Shockey to design the ultimate ARGO 8×8 all season all-terrain amphibious vehicle.

Jim Shockey, who has spent the last 26 years as a hunting guide and outfitter in the Yukon and other parts of western Canada, and the world, has always appreciated what the ARGO has to offer.

“I was excited when ARGO came to me and told me about their idea for a Jim Shockey Signature Series ARGO, because it gave us the opportunity of working together to design what I believe is the best big game hunting machine on earth. My Signature Series ARGO incorporates all of the performance and comfort enhancements that I’ve personally recommended to Argo, and they’ve delivered! I’m proud that it carries my name!”

The new Jim Shockey Model Limited Edition is powered by a 31 hp 748 cc electronic fuel-injected Kohler LH 775 engine for great performance in challenging terrain.

It has load capacity of 1150 lbs and can tow up to 1800 lbs. All this power is matched by a commitment to respecting the environment with low emission rates that meet both EPA and CARB standards.

The 25” Rawhide III Tires can get through extreme terrain with their aggressive tread pattern and lug size, and their excellent approach and departure angles allow for easy travel over obstacles. And it doesn’t matter what the weather is like because it operates reliably in cold weather and in high altitudes.

The fuel delivery system manages itself without a manual choke control and new on-board diagnostics ensure peace of mind and ease of maintenance.

JIM SHOCKEY SIGNATURE SERIES SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:

• Power winch assembly features the heavy- duty X-3 (4000lb) winch with a roller fair lead, cable-free spool, and wireless hand held remote for increased versatility.
• Front brushguard with 2 integrated 55W Fog Lights for extra visibility when you need it.
• Thick comfortable front bench seat with extra padding
• Cool air intake screen with a hinged access door for easy cleaning and debris removal.
• Jim Shockey Signature Series Badges.
• Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx handlebar mounted GPS includes a12 volt adapter and US & Canada Topo Map CD’s.

The Jim Shockey Limited Edition will be available for orders starting in April 2007 and will be delivered to the Authorized ARGO Dealer closest to the purchaser’s location. Similar vehicles will be available for demo rides at dealers. MSRP Jim Shockey Limited Edition: CAD $23,295

For a look at the highlights and new features of the Jim Shockey Limited Edition, click on ARGOATV.com