Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/164037
24 • September 9, 2013 • Powersports Business ATV www.PowersportsBusiness.com ww SPEEDPOINT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 Powersports Business managing editor Liz Keener took on a skid steer and an excavator during her time at the Extreme Sandbox in Hastings, Minn. Media try their skills with heavy equipment at event Though Arctic Cat offered plenty of its own toys at its late July demo event for farm and hunting media, the OEM decided to provide a very different experience for the afternoon portion of the event. With Extreme Sandbox in Hastings, Minn., as the event's host, media and Arctic Cat officials had the opportunity to try their hands at driving skid steers, excavators and a bulldozer. Powersports Business managing editor Liz Keener even had her turn driving both the skid steer and the excavator. Though she enjoyed the experience, she says she'll stick to writing for PSB over a construction job. P22x25-PSB11-ATV.indd 24 Farm and hunting media joined Arctic Cat at the Extreme Sandbox in Hastings, Minn., where they were offered the chance to not only ride Arctic Cat ATVs and side-by-sides, but to also demo heavy equipment. while the side-by-side accessories attach to the machine's two-inch ball hitch. Developing the accessories in tandem with the machines also allows both to be tested measured up to Arctic Cat quality. together, so Arctic Cat can assure both will be "We'd get some samples here and there durable when in practical use. from other places, and we just weren't happy "We have the proper wattage to run the with the way that they worked or the quality actuators, and we have the proper hitches — that they had. We wanted things that worked so you're not breaking things — and the right better," Lane recalled. amount of power for the size of the implement. On top of having more control over quality, It's all been tested, versus just going out there manufacturing the SPEEDPoint accessories and hooking up and breaking, or who knows in-house allows Arctic Cat to assure each piece what could go wrong," Tranby said. works perfectly with its machines. Lane has used some of his implements to "On the ATV side, one of the big things is create food plots on his land for years, and having three points so you can actually put he said they've taken all the work that he's pressure on the ground. A lot of things that dished out. were out there, you couldn't do that, it was all Using an Arctic Cat setup versus a tracbased on weight," Lane explained. All ATV tor also has its benefits, Lane said. For one, SPEEDPoint accessories require the use of the ATVs and Prowlers can get to places tracthe company's 3-point hitch for operation, tors can't. To plot his land, Lane has to drive through low ground to get to the plot's high ground, and if the low ground is damp, a tractor won't make it through like an off-road vehicle will. Also, with an ATV or side-by-side, chores can be completed more quickly, as the machines can easily travel 3-5 mph on soft ground while digging. Of course there's also the benefit of taking the ATV or side-by-side pleasure riding when the work is complete. "It's got dual-purpose uses. It's designed so it was quick on, quick off, so you can still get your work done and then play," Lane said. Dealers near rural communities do quite well with the SPEEDPoint product, so Arctic Cat officials say it's important that the company continue to reach those regions and to improve its hobby farmArctic Cat's Jeff Lane, left, explains the SPEEDPoint implement line to farm and ing products. PSB hunting media at a demo event in late July in Hastings, Minn. 8/28/13 10:54 AM C C E th s s 1 L C a C 2 m ti b g m A C X ju N T A K g it s in n w p tr P d th d h e o A s S