Information: Tomcar | Texas Trader RV

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Tomcar

The Tomcar is a type of commercial off-road utility vehicle.^[1]

The Tomcar is made in two and four seat models, and is powered by either unleaded petrol or diesel engines. It uses a CVT transmission system, and a chain driven final drive system, giving the vehicles a ground clearance of 38 cm (15")^[2].

The Tomcar's chain-driven swing arms system allows the vehicle an above average ground clearance and suspension articulation, and also create "anti-squat" or lift. Under acceleration, a vehicle usually squats in the rear due to the physics of conventional drive-trains. In the Tomcar vehicles, this torque is displaced, causing the swing arms to be “pulled” down and under the vehicle, creating rear-end lift. Known in physics as 'anti-squat'.

1 History
2 Models
3 Specifications
4 References
5 Sources
6 External links

History

The Tomcar has been in active development in Israel over the last 30 years. It was originally designed and built for the Israel Defence Forces, being specifically designed to fit into a Sea Knight or Chinook helicopter ^[3]. The original Tomcar was developed as a two-seater model, known as the TM2. A four-seater model, known as the TM4, was added to the line up in order to carry more personel. A utility version with a larger tray was then developed, which is known as the TM5.

It is currently in use by the Israeli military to patrol its borders and carry out various military missions^[4], and by the British Army in Afghanistan.^[5]

The Tomcar has become available to the public for both commercial and recreational use in the last few years^[6].

Models

The Tomcar currently comes in a two-seater version called the TM-2, a four-seater version called the TM-4 and a utility two-seater version called a TM-5.^[7]

The Tomcar used to be also available in a one-seater version, known as the TM-1, however this is now a discontinued model.

Specifications

Model: TM-2 (Two-Seater)

Dimensions:

Length: 2820 mm / 111.5"
Width: 1780 mm / 70"
Height: 1686 mm / 67"
Wheel base: 2052 mm / 81"
Ground clearance: 381 mm / 15"
Dry weight: 715Kg / 1573 lbs

Engines:

Lombardini Inline 4-stroke Diesel engine.^[8]
YH465Q-2E 4-Stroke-water-cooled petrol engine.^[9]
Kohler LH775S Liquid Cooled petrol engine.^[10]

Transmission:

Automatic V-belt CVT
Heavy duty, high/low gear box
Rear wheel drive
Final drive: 2 x dual oil bathed chains
Forward - neutral - reverse
Differential lock

Tyres:

Front: AT 25 x 8 - 12
Rear: AT 26 x 12 - 12

Suspension:

Front: Double wishbone, heavy-duty 343 mm / 13.5" travel
Rear: Trail arm heavy-duty 343mm / 13.5" travel with dual coil over springs, gas/hydraulic shocks

Steering:

Rack-and-pinion, 1.6 turn lock-to-lock

Brakes:

Disc Brakes
Mechanical hand brake

Fuel:

26 litre / 6.75 gallon safety tank (1 or 2 tanks)

Electrics:

12V 56AH battery
40A alternator and regulator
Power socket
Halogen headlights, tail lights and brake lights
Horn

Instrumentation:

Speedometer
Wheels hour meter
Voltmeter
Fuel gauge
Low oil pressure
Turn signal
High beam light
Water temp gauge

Seats:

Adjustable bucket type with head rest,
4-point harness

References

Sources

Hinchliffe, Mark. "Tomcar is a terrain terror", Courier Mail, 11 May 2007
Janes Defence Weekly Vol. 42, Issue 25, 22 June 2005
TV News broadcast - Eyewitness News, Channel 5 KSL, Utah USA, Summer 2004.
TV broadcast - "Discovery Channel, Daily Planet Show", 25th September 2009.

External links

The above information uses material from Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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