golf carts?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 4, 2001

I'm starting to search for a used golf cart or something like a golf cart. I don't have much to spend on one, so I leaning toward a golf cart instead of something like a john deere gator. My problem is that I know nothing about them other than they have gas powered and electric carts. I'm clueless. I'm hoping maybe with the wide range of knowledge on the TBN that I can shorten the learning curve and maybe find out what I need to look for in a used cart, kind of like shopping for a used car, I'd like to do more than just kick the tires.

My plans for the cart are mostly light duty stuff. Like hauling a couple of 5 gal buckets and a shovel & rake. Maybe attach the 700 ft. of garden hose to the back to drag it around for watering. Or drag around a small trailer. It's going to be used mostly by my dad, he has trouble getting around, but likes coming out to the country on the weekends and helping me out and I hoping a cart will make it a little easy on him.

It seems there are more used elec. than gas powered carts around. Would the electric cart do the job?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 4, 2001

I am a superintendent,we use Club car carts,they are the best out there.Electric is Ok,but very heavy,and if you get it stuck,itll takle a tractor or 4x4 to free it.I preffer gas power,only because i need constant power for pulling hoses,and drag mats for hours on end-an electric cart cant do that for long,itll need recharging often if you tow or drag with it.Stay away from the old 2 cycles,they are very cold blooded,and you really stink after driving one.

cowboydoc · Jun 5, 2001

The batteries on the electric ones are also extremely expensive.

FarmerBob · Jun 5, 2001

I don't own a golf cart, but I spend a whole lot of time in them on the golf course. I just can't seem to ever remember seeing a golf cart with a trailer hitch /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif. I suppose you could fabricate something that would allow you to hook up a trailer, but the slick turf-tires on the cart aren't going to give you much traction. Most of the courses I play use Gator type vehicles for general grounds maintenance. But... if a cart's what you've decided on, I'll hafta agree with John D and say go for a gas powered vs an electric.

FarmerBob

Boondox · Jun 5, 2001

Shorty -- Not sure what sort of terrain you have, but my invalid neighbor uses a little gas golf cart to get around her hillside property and it seems I'm constantly having to fire up my ATV to pull her up hills when the grass is wet, out of soft spots, when she overloads it (doesn't take much), etc. Seems like half her problem is poor traction and the other half is low ground clearance. What's your land like?

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

TxBilly · Jun 5, 2001

You might check out golf cart "dealers" in your area. There is one close to me that makes modifications - knobby tires, trailer hitch, etc. They take carts and change them for parking lot security carts and the like. Might find that one could modify one exactly to your liking.

If you were interested in a "gator" type, check out a Pug.

Bill

Branch · Jun 5, 2001

I've been using a golf cart on my property for 2 years now. It's used every day up and down our driveway for our business. Weekends I hitch up a little trailer with chainsaws tools, shovels, etc. for work around the property. In my application it's the perfect vehicle.
Good points:
1. Never need to remember to keep gas for it, just plug it in at night, when I remember.
2. Never wait to warm up a cold engine. Important to me because I'm a stickler about that.
3. Never needs a tune up, no plugs, air filters, fuel filters, or oil. Just add water to the batteries occasionally.
4. Regenerative breaking (automatically slows the vehicle down and recharges the batteries). Simple and safe enough for kids.
5. Sooooo quiet.
6. Just about maintenance free. With all the motors in all the vehicles, saws, mowers, etc. etc. it's a pleasure to just go out and flog the cart. The'r designed for use on courses where they just get abused by people that don't own them.
Bad points:
1. Poor ground clearance.
2. Dog leg rear-end that tends to spin a tire when it can't get traction. Aggresive tires solved this for the most part.
I paid $1,700 for one that was 3 years old and turned in on a lease from a big course in Hawaii. They ship them over by the container full and a local dealer re-furbishes them for about $500 over what I paid for mine. I chose one that had a few scratches and needed tires for the discount.
As others have mentioned, traction can be a problem but the safety features and simplicity of the cart make it a great vehicle for me.

Branch

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2001

Thanks for the help. I'll try to find a gas powered cart.

John, what kind of problems do you have with the carts you use? Things that wear out or break, if any? Is there anything to look for that would be signs of abuse other than looks? I found a web site that listed prices of used carts and the Clubs are at the top of the list in price and probably quality. If I have a choice I'll pick the Club.

FarmerBob, I think I have the trailer hitch,5 gal bucket holders and of course the cup holder/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif under control. A stick welder and cutting torch works wonders.

Boondox, my property is flat and I'm slowly getting it smoothed out. The low ground clearance maybe a problem right now. I'll mention a little demo on my property to the seller, but with my budget, that is not likely.

Bill, my problem is $$$./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif If I could, I'd looked for a Gator, Mule, or Pug( I did a search for Pug Golf carts and they pop right up). I've seen those lifted.. nobby tire... winch.. roll bar.. assult golf vehicles/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I think I should have added a "Tim Allen... arggg"... they're just out of my price range. I don't really need this cart it's more or less just something for my dad to cruise around on.

Wingnut · Jun 5, 2001

Shorty,
I can only comment on what I have ... but we're happy with it. I bought my first wife an electric golf cart so that she could get around the place and, after she passed away, I didn't think of selling it as I used if for my annual (when I can find the time) golf game.
Now my second wife uses it summer and winter for transportation to the barn. It hauls water when needed ... a few tools now and then ... is VERY quiet so it bothers the animals not at all. In 6 years, all I've had to do is fill the batteries (actually top them up) and replace 2 corroded cables.
argggghhh ... just hit the wrong button and trashed 80% of the message .... Muhammad ... an undelete command, please? ha!
Anyway ... I've offered to get rid of it and buy a Gator or Mule but she bit my head off.
We used it for one winter with a golf cart driving cover to keep the cold out, but $95 was a lot for one season ... it shredded in a strong wind (read gale) at the end of winter. The last 2 winters, it made every trip out to the barn (i.e. no problems) with the addition of tire chains in the back ... through light snow and over the plowed trail.
Comfortable for 2 ... useful on the course (yeah, I wish), carries one and tools, water, feed, etc with no problems. Runs for an entire day on the course or 2 weeks of driving to the barn several times a day on one charge ... definitely cheaper than fuel.
I'd still trade it in for a Mule or a Gator ... but it's a guy thing - image .... the wife is happy just like it is. Turns the key, presses the pedal ... and it moves. No noise, no maintenance, no uge investment.
Bottom line ... I paid $2000 (Canadian) for it 6 or 7 years ago and spent $40 US for tire chains and $10 for 2 cables .... can't beat that with a willow switch!

too bad that common sense ain't

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2001

Branch, I was typing my last post before you posted.

Sounds like you are doing the same thing I was planning on using a cart for. Do find the cart has enough power and battery life to work around the property for a few hours dragging a trailer? Did the more aggressive tires help the ground clearance? Do you remeber what a set of tires cost?