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John Deere Expands Its Line-Up of Gator Crossover Utility Vehicles
New XUVs Provide Off-Road Performance, Comfort, and Multi-Passenger Capability.

John Deere Gator Crossover Utility Vehicles

John Deere

CARY, NC --(Ammoland.com)- Now it’s easier than ever to conquer tough terrain and bring your buddies and gear along for the ride. The new John Deere Gator Mid-Duty XUV 550 and 550 S4 crossover utility vehicles offer off-road performance, improved comfort, cargo versatility, and the ability to transport up to 4 people across the most challenging landscapes.

“These new vehicles provide an unparalleled balance of off-road performance and work capability at a very affordable price,” said David Gigandet, tactical marketing manager, Gator utility vehicles.

“The new John Deere Gator XUV 550 and 550 S4 are a great compliment to our popular line-up of XUVs, and offer the most comfortable way to get you, your crew, and all your supplies to those hard-to-reach destinations.”

With best-in-class, fully independent, double wishbone suspension, the Gator XUV 550 and 550 S4 provide 9-inches of wheel travel, and up to 10.5-inches of ground clearance to smooth out the ride. In addition, for the 550, you can choose from either standard high back bucket seats or bench seats. The 550 S4 comes standard with 2 rows of bench seats.

“Operators will not only appreciate the smooth ride, they’ll love the all new ergonomically designed operator station,” continued Gigandet. “The development of these new Gators started in the operator’s station, so they offer ample leg room, storage and dash mounted, automotive-type, controls.”

The Gator XUV 550 and 550 S4 deliver mid-duty work capability with speed and ease. Both vehicles have a top speed of 28 mph, and 4-wheel drive to quickly traverse all types of terrain. The 16-hp, 570 cc, air-cooled, v-twin gas engine provides greater speed and horsepower than most vehicles in its class, and the cargo box can carry up to 400 lbs of gear. In addition, the 550 is small enough to fit in the bed of a standard pick-up truck.

For a larger crew and cargo versatility, the 550 S4 provides rear seat flexibility. Two additional passengers can be transported in the rear seat, or if more cargo capacity is needed, the rear seat flips down to become a cargo rack.

“The rear seat flexibility in the Gator XUV 550 S4 is truly innovative,” said Gigandet. “The S4 can transport up to 4 people, but for the times when you need to carry more gear, the back seat can become more useful in seconds and increase your cargo space by 32 percent.”

The new Gator XUV 550 models are available in Realtree Hardwoods™ HD Camo or traditional John Deere green and yellow.

There are also over 75 available attachments and accessories to customize all Gator XUV models, such as, cabs, brush guards, and custom alloy wheels. In addition to the XUV 550 and 550 S4, John Deere also offers the 625i, 825i and the 855D to round out its full line of crossover utility vehicles.

Visit your local John Deere dealer or www.JohnDeere.com/Gator to learn more.

About John Deere
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.

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Countdown to the Small Arms Championships
By Michael Molinaro USAMU PAO

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Amongst the fog, smoke and sunrise, Soldiers compete in the rifle Excellence in Competition match March 21. The match was one of a slew of rifle matches conducted during the 2011 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship, the premier marksmanship competition in the military. The 2012 All-Army will be held March 1-10 at Fort Benning. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, will host the 2012 U.S. All-Army Small Arms Championships March 1-10.

The “All-Army” competition is open to all Soldiers of any rank in the entire Army formation, including West Point and college ROTC cadets, Army Reservists and National Guardsmen.

There is no cost to compete in the championship and ammunition is provided to all competitors. Those attending will fire hundreds of rounds in the ultimate training event. More than 300 competed in 2011, the highest number of competitors in 18 years, and organizers hope to break that mark in 2012.

“Marksmanship is a critical link in the chain of Soldier skills,” said Maj. Gavin Rice, operations officer, USAMU. “The 2012 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship, or ‘All-Army,’ is an opportunity for Soldiers to train with the best marksmanship instructors in the Army, increase their level of marksmanship proficiency through competition, and raise the Army’s overall combat readiness.”

Soldiers will compete in separate Cadet, Novice, Open and Pro classes based on their competition experience. Soldiers will fire M-16 or M-4 service rifles at distances between 25-500 yards and M-9 pistols between 7-35 yards in a variety of courses of fire.

There is also a combined arms match, where competitors employ the rifle, pistol and shotgun in a number of exciting stages of fire.

There are special categories for high drill sergeant, high novice and high enlisted Soldier, Guard, and Reserve (E1-E4). Cadets enrolled in an Army ROTC program are eligible for scholarship money.

Battalion-level and up teams compete for team awards and unit recognition. All Soldiers will receive marksmanship instruction and training materials from the USAMU to conduct Train-the-Trainer clinics upon return to their home station.

During the pistol and rifle matches there will be an Excellence-in-Competition Match and all Soldiers can earn points toward their EIC Marksmanship Badges, which are the most coveted marksmanship badges that can be earned and worn on a military uniform as described in Army Regulation 600-22 and have precedence above the standard qualification badges.

“One of our most basic skills required as a Soldier is marksmanship,” said Army Reservist Sgt. 1st Class Russell Moore, last year’s overall individual champion.

“Take away our small arms and what are we? The All-Army Small Arms Championships not only provides the training every Soldier needs to excel in marksmanship, it also provides a means in which to test it among their peers.”

For additional information, visit the USAMU website at www.usamu.com or contact Michael Behnke, the USAMU chief of competitions, at (706) 545-7841 or michael.behnke@usaac.army.mil.

FORT BENNING, Ga. - A Soldier dodges obstacles while shooting his rifle on one of four combined arms courses during the 2011 U.S. Army Small Arms Championships. The 2012 All-Army is scheduled for March 1-10.(Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Hundreds of Soldiers, officers and cadets compete in the 2011 U.S. Army Small Arms Championships. Competitors are put into four classes dependent upon their competition experience in the ultimate training event in the military. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

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