M-GATOR - Golf Car Goes To War
By: Bill Siuru

Utility vehicles are used for many more tasks than just maintaining greens. They are found around construction sites, on university campuses, in factories and used by hunters and other sportsmen. They, namely John Deere M-Gators, are now even used in combat by the infantry, marines and special operations forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The six-wheeled M-Gator, basically a militarized version of the Gator utility vehicle and designated the Military Gator® Utility Vehicle, can go where other larger vehicles like the HMMWV or Humvee can’t. Military Gators are sold exclusively to military organizations.

With its 108-inch overall length and 60-inch width, the M-Gator is slightly smaller than the successful World War II era Jeep. Indeed, the M-Gator is performing many of the same tasks as the Jeep did in WW II including personnel and message transport, light cargo supply, laying communications lines, evacuating causalities, as a light weapons platform, and more. The M-Gator can tote up to 1250 pounds of gear in two cargo trays – the two-cubic-foot one in front of the driver and another 14- cubic-feet in the rear cargo box. When used for casualty evacuation, it can carry one wounded in a front mounted litter and two in the rear. The windshield-less, three-foot tall M-Gator is equipped with an M16- compatible rifle clip.

The M-Gator is powered by a 18 horsepower, overhead valve, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-cycle diesel engine. Actually, it runs on JP8, the U.S. military’s “single battlefield fuel” used in both diesel-powered ground vehicles and turbine engines in aircraft and helicopters. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) eliminates shifting. The M-Gator has a top speed of 18 mph. Other features include keyless ignition, an antitheft security cable, a multi-position heavy-duty cargo box with fold-down sides, tailgate, and power lift. Also, there is an hourmeter, front brushguard and bumper, and government- spec heavy-duty pintle hitch. Up front there is a 2500 pound winch. A 12 volt power outlet can be used for a spot light and other equipment. Four outlets supplying 24 volts can power computers and electronic equipment.

M-Gators have been further modified for special missions. One version for Civil Support Teams has been modified with its seat backs removed for personnel in protective clothing and equipped with Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). A rack on the back holds five extra air tanks. The cargo box holds either the Chemical Response Kit or the Biological Sampling Kit. The Air Force has developed its first response expeditionary (FRE) fire vehicle using the M-Gator. The FRE is designed for rapid response to aircraft crashes and rescue operations. Some units have mounted weapons like machine guns and grenade launchers ad hoc in the field.

One of the M-Gator’s big advantages over the Humvee, besides its much better maneuverability, is its ability to be easily transported into the field with the troops. For example, it can be transported on a sling below a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter or inside most larger fixed- and rotary-wing cargo aircraft. For example, two M-Gators plus 20 soldiers can be carried in a Chinook helicopter. The M-Gator can even be air-dropped from a C-130 transport.

The six wide tires distribute the load, only 8 psi ground pressure when fully loaded, For travel over soft ground or the most rugged terrain. M-Gators in Afghanistan were driven until the tires fell off and then driven on the rims. The tires are designed to run up to 50 miles when flat. The M-Gator’s development was pretty much a grass roots effort with military units buying them directly from John Deere. The Army is now preparing an operational requirements document for a Light Utility Mobility Enhancement system, or LUMES. The M-Gator and similar utility vehicles could meet those requirements. The military is investigating other light vehicles, called ultralights, for increased mobility in combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other remote and rugged locations. These include all-terrain vehicles and battery- powered bicycles and motorcycles for use in places where heavier vehicles like Humvees and trucks have trouble traveling. For example, the Army is also using 4x4 Polaris Sportsman MVs all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Army Special Forces, Air Force Special Operations and Navy Special Warfare units are evaluating a platform called the Prowler made by the All Terrain Vehicle Corp. TidalForce, a division of WaveCrest Laboratories, has a battery-powered bicycle, the M-313 ShockTrooper, designed specifically for military and law enforcement use. TidalForce also is developing a battery-powered motorcycle and a hybrid ATV with a Honda engine and four electric motors. Finally, the Marine Corps, working with Hayes Diversified Technologies, is converting its M1030B1 motorcycles (Kawasaki KLR 650) to run on JP8. Pictured below: John Deere M Gator in action in Afghanistan/Iraq.

 
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