FIRST DRIVE

BY DERREK SIGLER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK SOSEBEE

ATLAS JSVGRAVELY

The blended DNA of the Gravely Atlas JSV

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GRAVELY ATLAS JSV

ATLAS JSVMany people are familiar with the Ariens Corporation. It has been a family owned business in Brillion, Wisconsin since 1933 that started out manufacturing agricultural equipment. In 1982, they acquired the Gravely Corporation, a major manufacturer of lawn care equipment. Today, under both brands, the company is a leading manufacturer of power equipment, making snow blowers, lawn mowers and more. With a reputation for making solid equipment and a very strong international dealer network, Ariens was very attractive to other companies for partnership opportunities. In particular, another Midwest company, Polaris, was very interested in partnering with Ariens. In short, after a great deal of planning and development, the end result is the Gravely Atlas JSV – A workhorse utility UTV that is a combination of DNA from both companies.

WHAT’S A JSV?JSV stands for Job Site Vehicle, and that should tell you something about the target market for this machine. During the introduction, the development team kept referring to landscapers, construction crews, farmers and land managers as potential buyers for the JSV. Now I know what you’re thinking- doesn’t Polaris already have a machine for this market? Well, yes, and no. Polaris does have the Brutus line of utility machines. What they don’t have is the foothold of the massive dealer network in these markets that Ariens/Gravely does. It also makes sense to partner with an established company to spread out the development costs. So, does this mean that the Atlas JSV is simply a rebranded Brutus? No, it isn’t. Ariens/Gravely developed the machine using some of the technology of the Brutus and other Polaris machines. There are some other elements that are completely Gravely. The MX-18 Jobbox bed is has an all-steel construction and has a 1,250lb. capacity, as well as a 1,900 lb. payload capability. The Gravely-designed bed has 18 cubic feet of cargo space that will hold a fully-loaded pallet. Making dumping the box easier is an electric deck lift that comes standard. The control for the dump box is conveniently placed on the dash. The dash and steering wheel are other Gravely-designed elements. Both were designed to enhance productivity on the job site. The steering wheel is oversized and actually reminded me of the steering wheels on my grandfather’s old tractors that we used all the time while growing up on the family farm. The oversized wheel helped a little when driving the non-EPS equipped versions of the JSV. EPS is not a standard option when buying the machine, but after driving it, I would strongly suggest you opt for EPS. Another very noticeable feature that is distinct to the Atlas is the

front bumper and grill. The massive front bumper just scream rugged and everyone remarked at how good it looks. Made from heavy-duty steel and made winch-ready, the bumper is as functional as it is stylish.All of the Atlas JSV components that are distinct to the vehicle are built by Gravely and then shipped to a Polaris factory for final assembly.

ABOUT THAT POLARIS DNAThe basic frame and suspension components are from Polaris. The front suspension is right off the Ranger line, with spring rates set to match the weight of the various JSV models. The rear suspension was borrowed from the Brutus line and uses the same multi-link, coil over De-Dion Suspension with 6-inches of travel. The De-Dion system reduces sag when the cargo area is fully loaded. It also maintains ground clearance and suspension travel even when the machine is at maximum 2,000lbs. towing capacity. There are four basic variations of the Atlas JSV. The machine features either a Polaris ProStar 570 DOHC engine, or a Kohler 1028cc diesel engine. The 570 produces 40 horsepower from a single-cylinder engine that is pretty common in Polaris machinery right now. The diesel pumps out 24 horsepower and loads of torque. Both engines are available in a 3-seat or a 6-seat configuration. The 3 seat variations weigh 1,575 lbs. for the 570 version and 1,675 for the Kohler. Add the second row of seating and the weight goes to 1,800 lbs. for the 570 and 1,900 for the diesel. Both engines bring power to the wheels via a dual range CVT transmission. Also from Polaris comes the On-Demand AWD system that Polaris is known for. The transmission also features the VersaTrac Turf Mode, which unlocks the rear differential. This again aims right at the target market for the Atlas JSV. Top speed for the Atlas JSV is limited to 35mph. Bringing the machine to a stop are four wheel hydraulic disk brakes. A 10-gallon fuel tank supplies the go-juice for long days on the job. Most Polaris Lock & Ride accessories fit the Atlas JSV, and Ariens is currently designing additional attachments that are distinctly designed for the machine.

DRIVING THE JSVWe got to spend a little time behind the wheel during an introduction near the Brillion, Wisconsin headquarters. While we didn’t have a “job site” to run around, but the fields set up as a test area worked for first impressions. As stated earlier, the Atlas JSV doesn’t come standard with

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electronic power steering. If you’re in the market for one, especially the diesel version, opt for the EPS add on. The extra weight of the diesel engine can make the machine a workout if you have to drive it much. For basic use around the job site, it may not be much of an issue, though. Some of the steering issues come from the tire choice. The Atlas JSV is outfitted with Carlisle All-Trail tires, an All-Trail I for the front and an All-Trail II for the rear. The front and rear are both a 25-inch tire and the tread pattern is best described as an aggressive turf tire. This means it will get decent traction, but was designed to not tear up lawns and landscaping. What it isn’t designed for, however, is good steering manners. Under load, with the bed loaded to full cargo capacity, the driving characteristics are unchanged, which came as a pleasant surprise. The suspension and cargo box do just as advertised and if you didn’t know the bed was weighed down, you can’t tell when

driving it. One other thing to keep in mind, however - the bed does stick a little further back than a standard Brutus/Ranger dump box. This can affect the ability to tow if your trailer has a short tongue. A hitch extender is a cheap cure if you’re working with various trailers.

SO, DO YOU WANT ONE?If you’re business is in landscaping, construction, agriculture, land management, or some other occupation where a vehicle like this would be a great addition, then you probably should take a look at the Gravely Atlas JSV. It’s rugged and purpose-built for work. Another factor that can make this an attractive option for the market is the Ariens/Gravely dealer network, which is world-wide and massive. With the machine and the companies backing it, the folks at Ariens were very proud of what they are coming to market with, and they have a right to be.

GRAVELY ATLAS JSV SPECIFICATIONSENGINE: Polaris / Kohler 570 cc Single cylinder, DOHC Gas /

3-Cylinder Diesel

Fuel system: Gas / Diesel EFI / Indirect Injection

Starting system Electric

DRIVETRAIN: Drive system On-Demand True 2WD/4WD/ VersaTrac Turf Mode

Transmission CVT

SUSPENSION (TYPE): Front IFS Dual A-arm, adjustable pre-load

Rear De Dion, adjustable pre-load

TIRES: Front 25x10 Carlisle All Trail I

Rear 25x11 Carlisle All Trail II

BRAKES: Front / Rear Dual hydraulic disc / Hydraulic Disc

DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase 72 in.

Ground clearance 10 in.

Length x width x height 128x64x73.5 in.

Fuel capacity 10 gal.

LOAD CAPACITY: Towing capacity 2000 lb.

Cargo Bed and Dimensions 1,250 lb, 48.2”x57”x11.4” = 18 cu ft

Bed Lift Standard, Electric

Hitch Front: Accessory, 2” Receiver; Rear: Standard, 2” Receiver

Instrumentation Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, hour meter, odometer & trip meter, gear indication, glow plug indicator light* & engine oil pressure* (*diesel models only), seat belt reminder light, battery voltage charge system, engine/coolant temp, 2 in-dash 12V power outlets

Warranty 1 Year Limited Commercial Warranty

MSRP Starting at $12,999

Website www.gravely.com/en-us/utv

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