It may so happen that a golf cart owner may feel the need to lift the chassis of their golf cart or increase the wheel height. A higher-sitting golf cart has a greater approach angle and breakover angle, making it easier for the cart to clear ridges and inclines when driving. An elevated golf cart also provides more ground clearance for driving over grass, as well as any rocks or standing water on the golf course. Lift kits are aftermarket modifications that can be purchased from a golf cart parts dealer. They are one of the most common golf cart parts and accessories purchased by golf cart owners. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking of purchasing golf cart lift kit.
1) Type and compatibility
There are two types of lift kits: body lift kits and suspension lift kits. A body lift kit uses lift blocks and spacers placed between the axles and leaf springs to raise the body of a golf cart from its underlying frame. With suspension lift kits, the original leaf springs are replaced with longer, higher ones. Both body and suspension lift kits increase ride hit; suspension lift kits also increase travel and improve articulation.
There are many brands and models of body and suspension lift kits on the market. Different golf cart models require specific kinds of blocks, spacers, or leaf spring suspensions. Thus, when installing a golf cart lift kit, it is important to verify the compatibility between the lift kit and the golf cart components (the drivetrain etc.)
2) Legal issues
In many states, there are laws pertaining to vehicle lift kits. This is because a lift kit can alter a vehicle’s stability and steering geometry thereby affecting the vehicle’s operational safety. Golf carts are categorized as utility vehicles, so find out what the lift kit laws and ride height restrictions are for utility vehicles in your jurisdiction.
3) Insurance
Always check with your insurance company before you modify your golf cart with a lift kit; not all insurance companies cover vehicles that have been customized or modified in some way.
Whether you are a homeowner, commercial property manager, or industrial worker, chances are you could benefit greatly from owning or using a utility cart. Utility carts are small, slow-moving motor vehicles that may be either gas or electric powered. They are task-oriented, light vehicles which are designed for both transport and storage, and may be used outdoors or indoors. Below are some of the uses of utility carts in commercial, residential, and industrial settings.
Residential
Utility carts are used for grounds maintenance on extensive landed properties. Gardeners or homeowners use them to carry garden supplies, or to haul rocks or mulch. Seniors and physically-challenged people may also use utility carts to carry groceries indoors from the car, or to get around their property with more ease.
Commercial
It is not uncommon to spy utility carts on the grounds of office complexes, hotels, airports, sports facilities, hospitals, and other commercial properties. Many apartment complexes keep a few of these vehicles handy for giving tours to prospective tenants, and hotels use them for hauling luggage or for grounds maintenance. Security personnel also use utility carts to patrol commercial properties, such as shopping malls and college campuses. Utility carts (golf carts) are also a standard feature on golf courses; golfers use them to carry their equipment and to move around the golf course with less effort. Another place utility carts crop up in is airports; they are perfect for hauling cargo, and for conveying passengers quickly through long terminals.
Industrial
Utility carts are used inside warehouses, large fulfillment centers, and manufacturing plants to tow inventory racks and heavy loads. Industrial utility carts are also used to transport equipment, personnel, and raw materials around large industrial facilities in a quick and efficient manner.
The batteries are one of the most important components on an electric golf cart. Taking good care of your golf cart batteries will help them hold a charge better, last longer, and avoid expensive golf cart repairs. Replacing a set of golf cart batteries costs several hundred dollars so it makes sense to follow good maintenance habits and maximize the life of the batteries.
Golf cart batteries need more care and maintenance than your car battery because larger demands are placed on them. Unlike the engine starting battery in your car which is kept almost fully charged by the alternator, golf cart batteries are used until they are deeply discharged before recharging them. This discharging and recharging cycle is hard on a battery.
The basics of golf cart battery maintenance are cleaning, watering, and charging. When performing any maintenance on your golf cart batteries, be sure to wear appropriate protective gear to protect your eyes, skin, and clothing. Also, golf cart batteries give off hydrogen gas so no smoking and avoid sparks while maintaining your batteries.
Golf cart batteries should be charged after every use. Avoid discharging the batteries completely and always charge the battery fully. Regularly undercharging or overcharging the batteries will shorten their life.
Once a month, clean the batteries and check the water level. The water level in each cell should be checked and distilled water added to bring it up to the proper level. Always add water after the battery is fully charged and don’t overwater.
Make sure the caps are tight, then clean the batteries using a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 1/2 gallons of water. Spray the mixture on the batteries and let it sit for about five minutes. Rinse with fresh water and dry the batteries with a clean rag. Avoid spraying water directly on any electrical components.
A golf cart is also called a “golf car”. It is a vehicle mostly used in golf courses for moving golf equipment and golfers around the golf course. They are also popular in retirement communities The Villages in Florida and planned communities like Peachtree City, Georgia. Most of modern golf carts carts are powered by electric or 4-stroke gas engines and generally driven at a speed less than 25 mph.
History of Golf Carts
The first golf cart for a golf course was made in 1932. The golfers did not like to use it as initially the golf cart was used for disabled golfers only. By the late 50’s, most players started accepting golf carts.
Earlier golf carts were powered electrically; however, gas-powered carts are also being developed now. In most areas electric powered golf carts are preferred but gas golf carts are still in demand especially in hilly areas where the extra horsepower comes in handy.
Production of Golf Carts
Producing golf carts is a big business now as the uses have increased and are not limited to golf course only. Custom golf carts are even available that are custom built according to specific needs of the customer.
Since golf carts are driven generally in restricted areas and at low speeds, in some areas the allowable driving age is 13 years. In the US, the age restriction for driving a golf cart varies in different states.
As golf carts become increasing popular modes of transportation in golf communities, planned communities, and retirement communities they are also becoming increasingly popular targets for thieves. Golf cart theft is on the rise due to a high demand for golf carts and the fact that they make relatively easy targets.
Used golf carts can sell for anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over ten thousand dollars for custom golf cart. In addition, the demand for golf cart parts makes it easy to strip a cart and sell the parts on the internet to unsuspecting buyers.
A golf cart left unsecured is easy for a thief to steal. They are light enough and small enough to be easily and quietly loaded onto a pickup truck, a trailer, or into a box truck. To keep your golf cart from becoming a statistic, you should take a few simple security measures. These will not guarantee your golf cart won’t be stolen, but in most cases thieves are opportunists. If your golf cart has some security measures that make it more difficult to steal, the thieves are likely to move on to an easier target.
At your home, securing the golf cart inside your garage not only makes the golf cart harder to steal, but also keeps it out of sight of would be thieves. If you cannot park your golf cart in a garage, or to secure it away from home, golf cart alarms are available that work just like a car alarm. Your local golf cart dealer can help you choose and install a good alarm for your golf cart.
Alternatively, you can use a chain or cable to lock the cart to a secure object like you would lock up a bicycle. You can also chain the steering wheel in the turned position which makes it more difficult to load the golf cart on a truck or trailer.
Implementing a few simple security measures will help you avoid becoming the victim of golf cart theft.
As golf carts become increasingly popular forms of transportation, golf cart accidents have risen correspondingly. Not only do more golf carts in use equal more golf cart accidents, but these days many golf carts can travel at significantly higher speeds than traditional golf carts found on golf courses around the country.
First, watch your speed when driving a golf cart. You don’t have to drive the golf cart at top speed all the time. Slow down when common sense says that the conditions warrant a slower speed. You will have more time to react to the unexpected. Also, just like any vehicle, it is easy to lose control of a golf cart traveling at high speed.
Don’t overload the vehicle by carrying more passengers than it was designed to carry. The easy rule of thumb is there should be one seat for each passenger. If your golf cart only has four seats, don’t carry more than four passengers. Overloading a golf cart makes it difficult to control. Both steering and braking are severely affected by an overloaded golf cart.
Keep your eyes on the road. This should go without saying, but golf carts tend to be used in scenic areas and it is all too easy to get distracted. A child, animal, or vehicle can jump out in front of you without warning.
Finally, be sure to keep your golf cart maintenance up to date by an experienced golf cart repair shop. A well maintained golf cart is less likely to have blowout or other mechanical failure that could lead to an accident.
Whether or not you need specific golf cart insurance depends on where you live, what type of existing insurance coverage you have, the type of golf cart you own, and how you use it. There is no easy answer for everyone, but there are few things you should consider. Also, talk to your homeowner’s or automobile insurance carrier. They can help you decided if your golf cart is adequately covered.
Golf cart use has been on a steady rise for years and the trend is continuing. Once used exclusively on golf courses, these vehicles have become popular modes of transportation in retirement communities, islands, resorts, and planned communities like Peachtree City, Georgia, Sun City, Arizona, and The Villages, Florida. With the increased popularity has come an increase in accidents and injuries. Some golf cart owners have been surprised to discover that their insurance did not cover their golf cart accident.
In many cases, your homeowner’s insurance will provide liability coverage for a golf cart used on a golf course or in a golf community but there are usually restrictions on the size, power, and type of golf cart. Your automobile policy may also provide some liability coverage as well. If you have a street legal personal golf cart, it will most likely be excluded from your standard homeowner’s insurance policy or automobile policy.
If you are using the golf cart on public roads, there are probably state laws that require you to have insurance on the golf cart, especially if the golf cart must be registered. If you live in a retirement community, planned community, golf community, or any type of community that allows golf carts to be driven on the roads or paths, there are likely to be specific local insurance requirements. Check with your homeowners association or local government.
Buying a used golf cart can be a good way to get a nice golf cart for much less than you would pay for a new one. With the price of a new golf cart starting at around $5,000 and going up to $15,000, used golf carts are a great value. You may be able to find one in good condition for half the cost of a similar new cart. There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a used golf cart.
Just like a car, you should find out how old the golf cart is. The golf cart’s serial number will give you the information you need to determine when it was made. Unlike cars, golf carts don’t have odometers so the age of the cart and its general condition is the best indication of how hard it has been used and whether it has been well cared for. Take a look at the tires, pedals, seats, and floor covering to get an idea of how much use the cart has seen. A lot of heavy wear on these areas indicates heavy use.
If you are looking at an electric golf cart, inspect the batteries and cables for corrosion and age. Replacing a set of batteries is expensive so newer batteries in good condition are a plus. A well maintained set of batteries should be good for about 5 to 7 years.
When a golf course replaces its fleet of golf carts, dealers often buy the old carts, recondition them and sell them. These reconditioned golf carts are a little more expensive than buying from a private party, but they have usually been gone over by a golf cart mechanic and may come with limited warranty. Reconditioned golf carts that come from southern fleets typically have seen more use than those in northern fleets where the golf season is shorter.
Finally, take the golf cart for a test drive if possible. See if it handles well, accelerates and stops properly, and check the amount of play in the steering.
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