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Mattracks equipped Hummer grabs Auto Industry attention at the 2008 SEMA Show.

allouthummerA highly customized Hummer with a custom painted set of Mattracks Model 150 truck tracks has generated a lot of attention as one of the wildest rides at this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

This SUV was customized by Allout Offroad and was one of several vehicles displayed at this years auto show equipped with a set of Mattracks.

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MATTRACKS T4-3500 Robotic Project Demonstrated at TARDEC
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DETROIT ARSENAL, WARREN, MI - The TACOM Life Cycle Management Command is the center for Department of Defense-based ground vehicle robotics projects. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) Track and Suspension Team, Ground Vehicle Power and Mobility Directorate, in conjunction with the Intelligent Ground Systems Directorate, are exploiting opportunities for near-term technology solutions to satisfy a broad range of operational needs in developing ground vehicle robotic platforms and platform components, to include advanced chassis, suspension and robotic drive systems.

TARDEC has been working with MATTRACKS, a Karlstad, MN-based company, for more than a year on a Tracked Unmanned Ground Vehicle project to develop a chassis and electric drive system with superior off-road performance.

T4mb_PR39wDuring the May 20 demonstration, the 3,100-pound robot whirred to life as it glided down a ramp onto the pavement making less noise than a remote-controlled child’s toy.

The T4-3500 was put through its paces, successfully performing 360-degree pivot turns, crab walking and driving over moguls. It also navigated up and down hills. During testing attended by TARDEC Program Manager Munira Mesiwala on April 1, 2008, the T4-3500 was also able to navigate a one-meter step with ease.

The T4-3500 has five unique components:

  • A four-track drive system that allows for maximum mobility and greater stability.
  • A walking beam suspension that allows flexibility when encountering mogul-like bumps.
  • A modular track system with interchangeable tracks that can be easily replaced by removing only one bolt.
  • A passive dual rocker, shape-changing suspension that absorbs road shock.
  • Four MATTRACKS electric wheel motors to power the vehicle.

MATTRACKS designed the track system, suspension system, in-hub drive motors, chassis and power source. It will continue over the next year to develop a second version of the T4-3500 that will incorporate installation of common Military Communication Language and hardware, the ability to remotely control the vehicle, higher-powered in-hub motors and high-energy batteries and the ability to operate in a manned and unmanned capacity.

Black Diamond Powerboard -
New Name, New Features for 2008

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Publicly released as the Black Diamond Powerboard in 2007 the stand on, engine and track propelled snow machine produced by Mattracks will see a few changes for the 2008 winter season, including a new name. New features include; a front hand grip down on the chassis which provides a sturdy handle to aid in lifting and loading. The chassis also has under gone some changes with a new clam shell design which allows for easy access to the track and track undercarriage for easy cleaning and service.

The Powerboard carves through the snow like a snowboard and is great for any skill level. Great for snowbound regions without big hills or mountains, the Mattracks Powerboard can offer you snow boarding fun without going to the ski slopes.

Features and Specifications:

  • Adjustable T-Bar handle throttle control
  • Tethered safety switch [fail-safe switch]
  • 200 CC OHV 4 cycle gas engine
  • Rubber Track - Solid one piece track has internal lug direct drive
  • Tread 1 ¾ snow lugs
  • Weight 150 lbs.
  • Length 65 inches
  • Height 21 inches (not including the removable handle)
  • Fuel Capacity Approx. .8 U.S. gallon (3 Liters)
  • Front handle
  • Easy lift open chassis for track access
  • Does not require bindings so it can be ridden regular or “goofy” stance

All specifications are approximate and subject to change without notification. Patented

Powered by a mid-mounted 200 CC engine, Mattracks Powerboard can climb over snow covered hills and handle deep power snow. With speeds up to 18 mph you carve and maneuver by leaning and shifting your body weight. The stand-on design does not require you to have any type of special boots or bindings. The T-Bar handle which houses the throttle control is adjustable to match a rider’s height.

The chassis is mainly constructed out of aluminum for strength and light weight. The engine housing and decking is molded in high density plastic, creating a durable product which will last for many seasons of fun.

For more information visit -
www.mattrackspowerboards.com

Radio Shack Remote Control Toy once again features Mattracks
Licensed Radio Shack R/C Toy featureing Mattracks - PhotoFor over the past few years Mattracks equipped 4X4 Radio Controlled vehicles have appeared on the retail shelves of Radio Shack store around the world. 2007 is no exception with the latest offering by Radio Shack in the form of a Black Hummer H2. Now just about anyone can get caught up in the fun of a 4x4 vehicle with a track conversion thanks to this exclusive agreement.

Early this fall Radio Shack released a 1/10 scale model of a black Hummer H2, in previous years they offered a yellow version of the H2 and originally a Ford F350 Super Duty remote control truck each came fully equipped with a scaled down version of the Mattracks track conversion system for trucks.

Just like the real track conversion systems manufactured by Mattracks, the Radio Shack toy can be converted from tracks to tires or vice versa, allowing you to use either tracks or tires. The toy has been featured on television ads, Radio Shack flyers and on the Radio Shack web site.

Mattracks History of Tracks Event - Photo

Mattracks “History of Tracks”
The Mattracks “History of Tracks” special exhibit at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Thief River Falls, Aug. 31 and September 1, drew a nice crowd. Open to the public this special Mattracks event was held in combination with the Kick’n Up Kountry Music Festival. The exhibit was a great chance to see a selection of tracked vehicles and track conversion system from over the past 100 years.

Neal McCoy performs at Mattracks sponsored event - Photo Neal McCoy was one of the many top name country music artists to appear at the 2007 Kick’n Up Kountry Music Festival. Those lucky people who were there enjoyed good weather, great music and whole lot of fun.

Mattracks was once again proud to be a sponsor of this event and we hope that if you made it part of your Labor Day Weekend that you will keep the Kick”n Up Kountry Music Festival in your plans for next year.

Rumor has it that Neal McCoy will be back to the Kick’n Up Kountry Music Festival in 2008. Don’t miss it he put on a really great performance in 2007!

Refreshment on the move
7up TV ad features Vending Machines equipped with Mattracks - PhotoYou may have already caught the 7up TV spot that features soda vending machines delivering refreshments to people on the beach, if not keep watching for it. The humorous ad is part of the popular series of 7up ads. The ad features comedian pitch man, Godfrey introducing the new mobile vending machines, which automatically dispense cans of 7up.

M5 Industries put the magic to the soda machines by adding the set of Mattracks and making them go mobile. Who knows this may be the “all-terrain” vending machine of the future.

Mattracks in the Movies
Terminator Mover T1 Robot with custom Mattracks - PhotoThe year 2003 put Mattracks in the movie theaters with involvement in two feature films, the French action comedy “Taxi 3” and “Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines”.

Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines opened in theaters on July 2, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the third of the Terminator movies. If you look closely at the T-1 Battle Units you may catch a glimpse of the track drive systems build at Mattracks. In early 2002 Stan Winston Studios, a special effects company based in California, contacted Mattracks about the project. The work on the T-1 Battle Unit robot drive system started shortly after to allow time to meet the film production schedule.

The project was held in strict secrecy for over a year and involved the development of special track units along with a complete drive system and base for the robots. The specially designed tracks and drive systems shipped out to the studios late May 2002 for final assembly with the robots.

Mattracks CEO on T1 Robot drive system - Photo“The movie project was a unique opportunity for Mattracks and the talented engineering and manufacturing personnel” states Glen Brazier CEO. “it really was a team effort, projects like this don’t come along every day and it takes involvement by everyone in the company to get it done.” “We get inquires almost every week about putting tracks on some unusual type of vehicle or another, but this was the first battle robot we developed tracks for, who knows what might be next.”

The movie was filmed last summer and the crew at Mattracks have been anxiously awaiting the movies release and the chance to talk about their part in movie magic.

Taxi 3
Promo image for Taxi 3 Movie that featured a car using Mattracks - PhotoMATTRACKS, Inc. rubber track conversion systems featured in the film “Taxi 3” released in France on January 29, 2003. The film is now showing in movie theaters throughout Europe and was recently released in Japan. Daniel a taxi driver and one of the central character in the movie comes to the aid of the police in his heavily modified Peugeot 406 taxi. During snow action scenes set in the French Alps, the Mattracks equipped Peugeut Taxi travels over the snow with ease.

The Mattracks equipped specialty vehicle was assembled for the film by Equip’ Raid, a French company that builds and prepares off-road racing and specialty vehicles. Equip’ Raid transformed a Peugeot 406 into a 4 wheel drive vehicle making it a fully functional Mattracks equipped off-road vehicle for use in the snow scenes.

MATTRACKS on MARS-1 HUMVEE Rover
MARS Institute Press Release: 5/20/03

Mars 1 Rover used by MARS Institute with Mattracks - PhotoMARS-1 Humvee Rover Reaches Devon Island After Successful Crossing of Frozen Arctic Sea
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, - May 20, 2003 - The Mars Institute today announced that its MARS-1 Humvee rover has reached Devon Island in the Canadian high Arctic after successfully crossing the Wellington Channel, a 23 mile (37 km) stretch of treacherous sea ice separating Cornwallis Island from Devon Island at 75°N. The vehicle was driven and escorted by a team of four expeditioners led by Dr Pascal Lee, Project Lead for the NASA Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) and Chairman of the Mars Institute.

About the MARS-1 Humvee
The distinctive orange MARS-1 Humvee rover is a unique experimental field exploration vehicle modified for the HMP by AM General, manufacturer of the famous High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or Humvee. The refurbished four-wheel-drive all-terrain rover rolled out of AM General's plant in Mishiwaka, Indiana, on May 14, 2002, bearing the one-of-a-kind serial number "MARS-1". The vehicle configuration is that of a military ambulance HMMWV. To increase traction and tread lightly, the MARS-1 is equipped with wide tracks manufactured by Mattracks, Inc.

Full Press Release Link takes you to the Mars Institute Web Site

 

MATTRACKS sends equipment and staff to help
Roseau, MN during the flood.

Mattracks equipped pickup used during Roseau flood efforts 2002 - Photo
The call came early in the morning on June 11th, does MATTRACKS have any tracked 4X4s available? MATTRACKS responded by providing tracked vehicles along with staff to help with the flood efforts, 4 full sized 4X4 vehicles equipped with MATTRACKS, along with several ATVs with LiteFoot tracks were in the community and made available to local, state and federal government agency staff.

One MATTRACKS truck was put to work as an emergency medical service vehicle, MATTRACKS staff used other vehicles to serve in a whole variety of rescue and transportation uses.

Our hearts go out the Roseau community and the rural families that have felt the impact of the flood. MATTRACKS and it’s employees have many friends and family living in the flooded areas of northwest Minnesota. Photo
USDA Staff surveying grain elevator damage. Roseau, MN June 11, 2002

The Award Winning MATTRACKS equipped,
“Ultimate Mountain Climber” is getting a lot of attention since it’s November 2002 debut at the SEMA Show.

Doug DeBerti award winning Trenz truck - PhotoThe Ford F350 Super Duty was provided by Ford Motor Company, the track system MATTRACKS and it was all put together by Doug BeBerti and the team at TRENZ. If you have been following the news surrounding the SEMA show, you know the truck caused quite a stir.

So far the truck has been mentioned in an issue of USA Today, AutoWeek, and on The Popular Mechanics web site along with many other web sites. Contrary to what most people think this MATTRACKS equipped truck is not just for show, it’s ready to go!

This specially customized set of MATTRACKS model 150M1-A1-SA tracks may appear different with the custom paint and highly polished details, but it offers all the same rugged features of our standard product, ready for the most extreme travel conditions.

MATTRACKS AS SEEN ON TV!

Mattracks was featured on a recent MonsterGarage episode Monster Nation IV
Monster Nation TV show promo image - Photo
Monster Nation episodes of Monster Garage goes out to find “Monster Rides” build by people all over the Nation. Recently the Mattracks equipped Ford F350 Super Duty “Ultimate Mountain Climber” was featured pulling snow boarders and kicking up a little snow. If you caught the segment you got to see some great action!

 

 

 

Tactical to Practical TV show logo imageMattracks was featured on The History Channel show “Tactical to Practical”
Mattracks was featured on a segment of Tactical to Practical which started airing in September 2003 on The History Channel.

About Tactical to Practical:
The one-hour program explores innovations developed for combat that have evolved into useful tools for civilian life. Hosted by Hunter Ellis, former Navy Fighter Pilot and SURVIVOR contestant.

 

TechKnowledge TV show promo imageMATTRACKS featured on the television show “Techknowledge” aired on The Science Channel
If you tuned in to Discovery’s The Science Channel, on Thursday Nov. 7th at 8:30 ET, you caught the 1st episode of “Techknowledge” which featured a segment on MATTRACKS track conversion systems for 4X4 vehicles.

 

Technofolie TV show Promo ImageQuebec television viewers had the chance to see MATTRACKS products on “Technofolie”
Cable television viewers that tuned in to the popular “Technofolie” program on Z Channel, a few weeks ago, caught a segment that featured MATTRACKS track conversion systems for 4X4 vehicles.

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