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Important Dates
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Utility Vehicle Composite Cargo Box System |
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Molder: Camoplast Moldmaker: Durivage Pattern & Mfg. Inc. Material Supplier: Washington Penn Plastics Designer: Deere & Company OEM: John Deere Horicon Works |
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Product Description
The Cargo Box System includes composite blow molded side panels and tailgate constructed with 15% glass-filled polypropylene, making it strong, impact and weather-resistant. Features quiet, lightweight double wall construction with durable inner wall and styling features on outer wall. Design allows for consolidation of lighting and attachment mounting features. The platform has the value-added feature of converting into flat-bed mode. Composite panels mount to the floor. The cargo box also has a unique fastening system to contain integrity during extreme heat and cold conditions, maintaining proper gaps at critical joints for quality and function (no sand leaks, etc). Floor and load guard are stamped steel with a welded sub-structure. The tailgate is designed for assembly, occurring on the exterior of the blow-molded component. Features large, truck-style single tailgate injection molded latch handle. Integrated steel attachment bar composite side walls have 1”-diameter tube that fits all ATV accessories, extrusion and bonded vinyl coating over steel for superior wear protection and are coupled with side panel geometry, allowing attachments to secure to cargo box without accumulating dirt/debris. Floor is coated with Polyurea aromatic material (two part cure), factory applied in quality-controlled environment. Coating improves wear resistance, provides superior chemical protection, excellent skid resistance. |
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Why is the product innovative?
This largest capacity cargo box in the industry features integrated attachments to expand the versatility and overall vehicle functionality. A modular design of composite panels allows the vehicle to operate in multiple modes: cargo box or flat-bed, adding value to the customer. The use of injection molded exterior trim panels allows the design to be late configured, for build to order requests. Exterior panels allow complete customization of the cargo box for alternate appearances. Modern styled trim panels are molded-in color TPO, featuring texture for scratch resistance, and also allowing late configuration of product and appearance variance. Panels can also be applied with immersion graphics for special edition effects or customization. The cargo box system blends the advantages of composites with a base platform made from steel, requiring a patent pending mounting method to control thermal expansion when combined. Gap control is also critical on a cargo box, where hauling loose items like sand requires tight control of joints or other loads, up to 1200 lbs. The cargo box also needs to maintain proper function in a range of temperatures, from -20 degree F to 150 degree F. The tailgate design is blow molded, yet has an automotive latch mechanism, requiring a design for assembly approach so parts can be easily attached, securing to the blow mold panel from the outside. Select use of reinforcement brackets (end plates) ensure tailgate can pivot and support loads since the tailgate has no internal reinforcement. Side panels for cargo box are blow molded and feature pockets for integrated lights (protection from damage). Side panel tooling features action to allow an integrated attachment bar (extruded vinyl over galvanized steel bar), allowing for enhanced utility of the cargo box, such as an infinitely adjustable load divider feature. |
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