BALTIMORE, MD (July 22-27, 2008) – Hydratrek, LLC will showcase its industrial duty emergency response vehicle, the Hydratrek, at the 25th annual Firehouse Expo at Baltimore Convention Center, July 22-27, 2008 at booth #123. Able to maneuver into areas that have rarely before been accessible by land, Hydratrek’s amphibious vehicle can trek up and down inclines, through heavy mud, swamps, woodlands, earthquake zones and flood waters.
The Hydratrek was originally designed by two outdoor enthusiasts to be the ultimate amphibious machine that provides seamless transition from land to water. However, when hurricane Katrina hit, it opened their minds to how this creation can be used for search and rescue initiatives in disaster situations. Hydratrek re-created their machine to be an industrial grade workhorse allowing for remote area access for personnel and equipment transport in any environment. The Hydratrek is the ultimate disaster vehicle for situations including but not limited to: disaster response and emergency medical rescue, law enforcement, environmental research, geological surveying, mineral or energy exploration, border patrol, urban search and rescue, outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and marine, to name a few. There is no other amphibious vehicle on the market comparable to the Hydratrek that must be registered as both a boat and an ATV.
The Hydratrek comes equipped with a patent pending hydraulic circuit and valve arrangement that allows for tri-mode propulsion including land only wheel drive, a proprietary designed eleven inch bronze dual prop system for water drive, or a combination of prop and wheel drives. A fully integrated hydrostatic closed-loop drive system includes an individual motor for each wheel and prop, and allows for the wheels and props to work independently from one another. The Hydratrek can be easily operated from either side or center of the vehicle, by a single set of controls.
The Hydratrek employs a ground drive system that traverses over almost any terrain and obstacle in its path. It utilizes six hydraulic wheel motors mounted in pairs on opposite sides of the vehicle allowing for the wheel motors on the side of the vehicle to be connected in a series to create an all-wheel drive system that does not require the use of a complex, failure-prone mechanical drive system. Its wheelbase can turn on a dime, maneuvering around the tightest obstructions no other vehicle of its kind can operate.
The Hydratrek weighs only 2,500 pounds and the hull is fabricated from 100 percent aluminum that is more durable than composite plastics or fiberglass, and is lighter - relative to the strength and durability provided. The aluminum bottom is 3/6" thick, with 1/8" thick sides, and the fuel and hydraulic reservoirs are made of 1/8" aluminum. Additionally, the Hydratrek has an extremely useful 16 1/2" center ground clearance created by incorporating the (patent pending) undercarriage system to withstand the force of plowing down small trees or traversing through garbage. The Hydratrek also boasts a sturdy steel grill that protects the prop from land and water obstacles.
The Hydratrek will travel at 4.5 knots in water and 14 mph on land. Its stability on land and water is unparalleled due to its low center of gravity and foam filled hull design. Hydratrek has a max weight capacity of 1,500 pounds on land and 1,200 pounds on water.
The Hydratrek is virtually maintenance free. It does not use sprockets, gears, chains or brake discs to transfer power. There are no driveline adjustments to be maintained and no drive components exposed to the elements that can become seized or worn due to mud. Changing the filter and fluids is the only periodic maintenance that is required. The Hydratrek has built-in low fluid protection.
Hydratrek is built with 100% industrial grade components including; a Kubota diesel engine, dual M25 Sauer Danfoss hydrostatic pumps, TG series 335cc Parker Hanfin Wheel motors, and Danfoss snm-322 gear motors for the prop system. The base model retails at $62,000.
Hydratrek offers a variety of ancillary options for their vehicles based on the application which include: nine person RAFT (Rolling and Floating Trailer), roll cage, enclosed cab, GPS, winch kits, spot light, emergency strobe light, tool kits, boarding ladder, special paint, rear carrying rack, to name a few.
ABOUT HYDRATREK
Hydratrek, LLC is a spin-off of Rose Machine and Tool, an established design and industrial process-solutions provider located in Covington, Tennessee. Hytratrek, LLC is comprised of experienced design-engineers and skilled craftsmen that have worked diligently over the last several years to research, develop, build and refine a vehicle capable of operating effectively on all terrains, and that is easily traverse from land operation to water operation. For more information about Hydratrek, LLC please visit their Web site at www.hydratrek.com or call 901.475.9595.