The few, the proud, the Marines' Carryall 294.
These diesel utility carts are trolling around Iraq right now, transporting military personnel within undisclosed base sites.
But before they hit Iraqi sand, the carts were conceived and born at Club Car Inc. headquarters in Evans.
"It was the whole plant that made this happen," said Jeff Timmerman, the project's lead design engineer.
A representative of the Marines first approached Club Car last year, requesting 170 small vehicles that could be churned out in 60 days.
Rusty Fuhrmann, Club Car's account manager for the U.S. General Services Administration, said they could pull it off.
Between October and December, Club Car designed and built the carts based on the Carryall 294 utility vehicle. The vehicles were then taken to a depot in Albany, Ga., before being shipped to Iraq, Mr. Fuhrmann said.
The armor-free carts aren't on the front lines, he added. The carts, which allow for a 1,450-pound payload, are more suited for base work, Mr. Fuhrmann said. They reach a maximum speed of 25 mph, he said, not fast enough for combat.
Club Car hopes to expand its military vehicle offerings after this venture, Mr. Fuhrmann said. The company already is considering adapting its four-passenger civilian utility vehicles to military use, he said.
Mr. Fuhrmann is also taking a military cart to trade shows and military bases, hoping more Carryall 294s get the call of duty.
Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@augustachronicle.com.
MILITARY SPECS
The Marines didn't want regular diesel utility carts. They required special features including:
- Foam-filled tires to help prevent a flat
- "Blackout" lights, which emit a green hue that cannot be seen from 50 yards away
- Keyless ignition so it's always ready to roll
- Tie-down rings for cargo and the vehicle, so that it can travel efficiently via military plane
- Camouflage colors to match green or desert terrain
Source: Club Car
