Golf cart path vertical slopes

[Bill_Overdorf]

Hey guys,

I am in need of some knowledgeable help with this thread.

What is the maximum vertical slope generally accepted as appropriate for golf cart (gas or electric) performance ?

I will appreciate all you have to offer. Thanks a bunch.

Bill

[Peter Galea]

Percentage wise, I don't have a clue. I guess it depends what's at the bottom or top of the hill. Uphill can be much more steep than downhill. Just remember that maintenance vehicles will use the path in both directions.

[Dr. Bob Banks]

I find that golf carts, both gas and electric perform best when falling off of a very tall cliff.

[Joel_Stewart]

Here is the information from the Club Car web site.  My bet is they won't give you the max vertical slope for liability reasons?


Categories  Tranquility® Powertrain  
Engine  Kawasaki 4-cycle, OHV, 286 cc, single cylinder, air-cooled, pressure lubricated, spin-on oil filter
 
Drive Motor  Not Applicable
 
Horsepower  9.0 Rated
 
Governor  Automatic ground speed sensing, internally-geared in unitized transaxle
 
Governed RPM  2700 +/- 30
 
Ignition  Electronic w/electronic RPM limiter
 
Drive Unit  Unitized transaxle, helical gears: 11.8:1 forward, 17.1:1 reverse
 
Electrical System  12 volt, 500 cca 105 min. reserve
 
Key or Pedal Start  Pedal
 
S T E E R I N G / S U S P E N S I O N  
Categories  Tranquility® Powertrain  
Steering  Self-adjusting rack & pinion
 
Front Suspension  Independent leaf spring with dual hydraulic shocks
 
Rear Suspension  Leaf springs with dual hydraulic shocks
 
Brakes  Self Adjusting Rear Mechanical Drum
 
Park Brake  Foot-operated, multi-lock
 
Stabilizer Bar  No
 
F R A M E / C H A S S I S  
Categories  Tranquility® Powertrain  
Frame/Chassis  Aluminum I-Beam
 
Front Body  ArmorFlex®
 
Body Finish  Matching paint over molded in color
 
Light Package  Optional
 
Tires (Front/Rear)  18 x 8.50-8, 4-ply rated, Premium tread
 
Instrumentation  Battery warning light
 
D I M E N S I O N S  
Categories  Tranquility® Powertrain  
Seating Capacity  2 persons
 
Overall Length  91.5" (232 cm)
 
Overall Width  47.25" (120 cm)
 
Overall Height
 68.5" (174 cm)
 
Wheelbase  65.5" (166.4 cm)
 
Ground Clearance Under Differential 4.5" (11.4 cm)
 
Braking Distance at 12 mph (19km/h)  14 ft. (427 cm)
 
Fuel Tank Capacity  7 gallons (26.5 liters)
 
Tread  34.5"/38.5" (87.6 cm/97.8 cm)
 
Dry Weight (Less batteries)  619 lb. (281 kg)
 
Forward Speed  12-15 mph (19.3-24.1 kph)
 
Curb Clearance Circle  17'6" ft. (5.3 m) dia.
 
Turning Radius  8'6" ft. (2.6 m)
 
Vehicle Warranty  Limited Lifetime Warranty of Fleet Golf Cars. See your Authorized Club Car representative for complete details and warranty information.  
 
 
 
 

[bm]

Looked at this for a project in HK that was steeeeeeep.

The short storey is that for legal reasons, the cart makers wont specify anything over 10%, however off the record they say that if you can walk the gradient, their carts can drive it.

They wont get more specific than that. Let us know if you find out any concrete results on this question I would be keen to know.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bill,

I agree with bm.  I have seen specs that say 10% in direction of normal travel, and 15% backwards (ie uphill in normal direction of travel)

I suppose some lawyer would argue that someone would be most likely to be coming back to the clubhouse quickly in a rainstorm, ie wet concrete and hazardous conditions, so I don't know.

I put a cart path up a steep hill to the seventh tee at Colbert Hills, and it was 17%, and eminently driveable, even with a steep falloff and curve.  I have seen short stretches of similar pitch, or even up to 20% w/o problems.

[Don_Mahaffey]

I once worked on a JN course that was built on a rather severe site. Lots of steep cart paths, but the only real problem was one area where the parking area was also very steep. I saw a few carts go roaring down the hill backwards when the brake let go or was never set properly. Seems simple I know, but the parking areas by tees and greens need to be fairly level.

[Slag_Bandoon]

I'm with Dr. Bob,  90 degrees is the ideal slope angle.  

[Bill_Overdorf]

bm,

I am certain that you will have found interest in Jeff's contribution. I thank you, Mr. B.

Of further interest is the response to an Email I sent to
E-Z-Go that states their carts will handle a maximum 25% grade (equivalent to a 14 degree slope).  

Regards, Bill