Arctic Cat
Encyclopedia
Arctic Cat is a North American manufacturer of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. The company was formed in 1960 and is based in Thief River Falls, MN. Many of Arctic Cat's vehicles are used today and can be accessorized to perform almost any job an outdoors-man might need. Arctic Cat vehicles can handle tasks anywhere from trips up rugged terrain to plowing the garden in the backyard. The company now manufactures all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and side-by-sides
, but have also produced watercrafts in the past.
. Like Polaris, Arctic Cat grew to become a major manufacturer of snowmobiles, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's). The company's first name was Polar Manufacturing but was soon changed to Arctic Enterprises. The company made their first snowmobile in 1960 and started to grow from there. Various boat manufacturers, including Silver Line
, Lund and Spirit Marine, were purchased to attempt to expand the company even more but the company faced a decline in snow-fall and sales that resulted in the company going bankrupt in 1982. Although Arctic Enterprises was now at an all time low, it was only two years before a new company Arctco was created to continue the production of Arctic Cat snowmobiles. The company was successful in keeping the Arctic Cat alive and in 1996 the company changed its name to Arctic Cat, the name used today. The company still makes snowmobiles to this day but has expanded their market to all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides.
4-stroke parallel twin. In 2009 the Z1 was turbocharged to produce 177 hp, which is 6 hp more than any other production snowmobile. The Crossfire and M-series remain on the same M-series chassis which is a spinoff from the original Firecat Chassis.
are similar to ATV's
as they have the capability to do many tasks put before them. The only differences are riders sit side-by-side, hence the name, and that this vehicle is more of a small truck (with the exception of the high performance model which has a smaller truck bed). The side-by-sides come in 3 different categories: High performance, Recreation, and Utility. The High performance model bares a resemblance to a dune buggy and is versatile over different terrains. The Recreation models re used for everyday driving but can be used for tasks too much for the average man to complete alone. The utility model of the side-by-side is the work-man's favorite play toy as it has a 1000 pound rear rack capacity as well as a 1500 pound towing capacity, enough power for most moderately sized jobs.
Side by Side (UTV)
The Side by Side is a small 2-person or 4 person four-wheel drive off-road vehicle, also called UTV or ROV .-Notable manufacturers:Manufacturers and models of UTV / Sidebyside vehicles:...
, but have also produced watercrafts in the past.
History
Arctic Cat was formed by snowmobile pioneer Edgar Hetteen in 1960 due to his departure from his previous self-started business, Polaris IndustriesPolaris Industries
Polaris Industries is a manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATV, and neighborhood electric vehicles. Polaris is based in Medina, Minnesota, USA. The company also manufactures motorcycles through its Victory Motorcycles subsidiary and through the Indian Motorcycle subsidiary which it purchased in April...
. Like Polaris, Arctic Cat grew to become a major manufacturer of snowmobiles, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's). The company's first name was Polar Manufacturing but was soon changed to Arctic Enterprises. The company made their first snowmobile in 1960 and started to grow from there. Various boat manufacturers, including Silver Line
Silver Line Boats
Silver Line Boats was formed in 1959 in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. They sold medium-sized motorboats made of fiberglass. They also built and sold fiberglass sailboats. For the next twenty years, the company built thousands of boats and sold them around the world. First, the name was...
, Lund and Spirit Marine, were purchased to attempt to expand the company even more but the company faced a decline in snow-fall and sales that resulted in the company going bankrupt in 1982. Although Arctic Enterprises was now at an all time low, it was only two years before a new company Arctco was created to continue the production of Arctic Cat snowmobiles. The company was successful in keeping the Arctic Cat alive and in 1996 the company changed its name to Arctic Cat, the name used today. The company still makes snowmobiles to this day but has expanded their market to all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides.
Snowmobiles
Arctic Cat is today known for their series of ZR snowmobile models which utilized two stroke motors in the early to late 1990s. Most ZR's,ZRT's and ZL's were replaced in 2003 by the Firecat series, derived from their 2002 championship sled. This "Skinny Mini" prototype sled had features different from other sleds at that time, by utilizing parts that provided more than one role and a track that had less width then other sleds, reducing rotating mass. These sleds featured a laydown type engine, which was centered low in the sled to centralize mass. Other sleds of this time include the Arctic Cat Firecat F7, a 700cc two stroke with 140 horsepower. Big changes were made to the lineup for the 2007 model year as a new chassis was introduced which was called a twin-spar chassis replacing all previous models while adding a new 4 stroke engine, the Z1 Jaguar, which featured an 1100ccEngine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
4-stroke parallel twin. In 2009 the Z1 was turbocharged to produce 177 hp, which is 6 hp more than any other production snowmobile. The Crossfire and M-series remain on the same M-series chassis which is a spinoff from the original Firecat Chassis.
All-terrain Vehicles
Although Arctic Cat did not start their company with the production of all-terrain vehicles, they now produce many different models. These models range from youth models to competition models, with other models being sport, recreation, 2-Up Trail, and utility models. Most models come with both a 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive, ride in suspensions, and electronic power steering capabilities. When in comes to the power of the ATV, your choices come in a H2 V-twin engine or an H1 engine both of which have a hemispherical combustion chamber that allows for a cleaner and more complete combustion, a Duramatic automatic transmission, and hydraulic disc brakes. These ATV's are also strong, having a 1050 pound towing capacity.Side-by-sides
Side-by-sidesSide by Side (UTV)
The Side by Side is a small 2-person or 4 person four-wheel drive off-road vehicle, also called UTV or ROV .-Notable manufacturers:Manufacturers and models of UTV / Sidebyside vehicles:...
are similar to ATV's
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
as they have the capability to do many tasks put before them. The only differences are riders sit side-by-side, hence the name, and that this vehicle is more of a small truck (with the exception of the high performance model which has a smaller truck bed). The side-by-sides come in 3 different categories: High performance, Recreation, and Utility. The High performance model bares a resemblance to a dune buggy and is versatile over different terrains. The Recreation models re used for everyday driving but can be used for tasks too much for the average man to complete alone. The utility model of the side-by-side is the work-man's favorite play toy as it has a 1000 pound rear rack capacity as well as a 1500 pound towing capacity, enough power for most moderately sized jobs.