Off-Road Go-Carts Built Heavier Than Anything On The Market

Off-Road Go-Carts Built Heavier Than Anything On The Market FARM HOME recreation 24-5-32 Anyone who wants an ATV just for leisurely riding will want to take a close look at the heavy-duty, high-clearance go-carts custom-built by Robert Frisk of New Lisbon, Wis. "They're a low-cost alternative to conventional 4-wheel ATV's and are built much tougher than commercial go-carts on the market," says Frisk. Frisk custom builds go-carts from the ground up in his farm shop. His most recent model is 6 1/2-ft. long and 66 in. wide and is equipped with two bucket seats out of a Ford pickup, allowing it to comfortably seat two adults. The rig is powered by a 12 hp Tecumseh gas engine. The engine belt-drives a jackshaft which chain-drives the rear axle. The driver is protected by a rollover cage fitted with 1-in. thick foam padding and by a steel firewall mounted just behind the seats. The go-cart rides on 20-7-8 tires and has independent front and rear suspension. It has 13 in. of ground clearance compared to only 4 in. for most commercial models. "It can keep up with any commercial 4-wheeler in mud and snow," notes Frisk. "Most go-carts are underpowered, built too light, and they're expensive. The cheapest commercial ATV's sell for about $4,500. My go-carts sell for only $2,500 and you can have just as much fun with them. "There's no transmission to shift. Just press your foot on the gas and it automatically shifts by itself according to the load on the rear wheels. To move forward you simply push on the gas pedal. It has plenty of speed and power for use on or off the road. If you're on a hard road it automatically senses the torque on the wheels and goes faster. If the wheels hit mud, it automatically produces more power. Top speed is about 35 mph. It's equipped with 10-in. dia. dual disc brakes so it has a lot of braking ability. "The seats slide 8 in. forward or back and are equipped with automotive-type seat belts. "The engine mounts on a subframe supported by a pair of shocks, so that the rear axle and engine move together. Both the frame and rollbar are built from 1 1/4-in. sq. tubing. The spindles on front are made from 1-in. dia. cold rolled steel. "The steering system is built heavier than on any other go-cart on the market. The steering shaft is solid steel and has a pillow block bearing at the top and bottom. There's a safety kill switch on the steering wheel and also one at the back of the machine." Frisk also builds a single seat model that's powered by the same 12 hp engine. It rides on 20 by 7 by 8 front tires and 22 by 11 by 8 rear tires. Top speed is 40 mph. It sells for $2,200. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Robert Frisk, N5706 Cty. B, New Lisbon, Wis. 53950 (ph 608 562-5130).

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