Specialty vehicles are any type of vehicles not used for typical transportation of people or goods. These vehicles are manufactured to perform specific tasks and for use in specific situations.
Heavy equipment vehicles are used mainly in the construction industry. They are manufactured, as the name implies, for heavy work. A well-known piece of heavy equipment is the dump truck. Typically used for the transportation of loose materials, it can be found working at a city construction site or a rural strip mine. Some of these mining dump trucks can be as tall as two stories, have engines with thousands of horsepower, and carry tens of thousands of pounds of material. Other types of heavy equipment include graders, excavators, drilling machines and cranes. Drivers of these types of vehicles are required to have a special operator’s license. Some larger utility trucks that have a crane system attached would also be classified under heavy equipment.
Specialty commercial vehicles include taxi cabs, school buses and catering trucks. Other vehicles built for specialized work functions include emergency vehicles and farm tractors.
There is a whole series of specialty vehicles that have been developed for the very specific task of carrying people and equipment to chase a little white ball around fields. These vehicles are called golf carts. Small and gas powered, these carts aid golfers to play golf for long distances without tiring themselves out. The carts often have a sunshade to protect the players from heat, are equipped with cup holders for cold beverages and have a place to strap golf bags to. The bags are strapped in such a way as to allow the golfers easy access to their clubs.
For those not interested in the finer sport of golf and who prefer their hobby a little more adventurous, an ATV is a perfect choice. ATVs or all terrain vehicles are utilized for off-road applications. They have a similar appearance and are ridden in a similar fashion to a motorcycle. The rider straddles the engine and drives using a handle bar. Smaller models are rear-wheel drive, but larger models can be equipped with four-wheel drive to get over more difficult terrain. The larger models can also be accessorized with a rear cargo pod with built-in passenger seating, brush bars, extra lights and extra front cargo holders.