Pug-Badlands-Gondo

[BonzoDog]

Would anybody out there in 6x6World.com have any info regarding the fate of this wonderful machine. Even leads as to where to find one will be appreciated. I used both the Pug and believe it or not, a Sur-Trec at an apple farm in upstate New York. Merry Christmas. Riley

[Mike]

There is a brochure on the Pug in the brochures section of the site: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/brand.../3478-pug.html

Also, Lance posted some pictures in the gallery of one: http://www.6x6world.com/gallery/sear...searchid=12770

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Thanks for the reply. I have an early Chetec "Pug" brochure and an '06 Land Pride "Gondo" sheet that I'd be happy to share. My question is, "Is anybody still making this machine?" Fertel and Land Pride had a strange arraingement where they both had rights to the machine after the rights were gained from Chetec. Fertel is gone now and Land Pride only is promoting the SBS utility carts. Thanks guys and Merry Christmas. Riley

[Mike]

Sorry, I could have said a little more in my last post. I didn't mean to avoid your question and post information that wasn't directly relevant. In my head I was thinking that I should post those in case you hadn't seen them already but I could have at least said something .

It sounds like you already know a lot about the machines in general. Maybe someone else on here will be able to tell a little more of the story. Then again you may have to educate all of us on it by yourself. If you can, post some pictures of your machines for everyone to see. I've only seen a couple of Pugs around so it's always cool to see others. Good luck!

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Mike, thanks for your interest. My dilemma was/is, I took a week to find better financing on a new Gondo that was on the ground in Lemoore, Ca at Mc Cann & Sons Hay. I came back with cash and poof it was gone. Now a year and a half later both companies that manufactured them have either gone out of business (Feteral) or ceased production (Land Pride). I know the Pug not being an AATV might be a little off-topic, but they sure are a fun vehicle with a lot of utility. Latest rumor, repeat rumor, is that a third party has bought the package and is taking it all back to Chetec, Wis. Has anyone else heard anything about it???? Thanks for your indulgence and patience. Riley

[Mike]

This is the only pug that I see made by Feterl? Am I looking at the wrong one?



Here is their website: Feterl Mfg Co., Service Trucks, Cranes, Lube Trailers, Grain Augers, Hoppers, Cleaners, CATV, PUG UTV, PUGPower and like you said, they are out of business. I called their 800 number and it was no longer owned by Feterl. I think if I would have stayed on the line a few minutes longer that I would have gotten charged.

I saw their bankruptcy filing was from January 31 of this year
FETERL MANUFACTURING CORP. Bankruptcy Records Available Online

The Chetec plant in Chetec, Wis was vacated and has been sold: Commercial Property for Sale - 430 Phillips St, Chetek, WI 54728 - RE/MAX Results Not that they couldn't be starting back up somewhere else.

As for the Land Pride version there was a lot more information online about that one. ATV Source had a good article on it: ATV Source - Press Releases - Land Pride's New Extreme Duty Articulating Vehicle



Also this place looks like they still rep them Land pride Page but you never know, it could just be an old web page.

Have you tried calling Land Pride? Maybe they can tell you what is going on since they are still in business. Also you never know, they may have one sitting in the back of their warehouse somewhere for you.

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Dear Mike et al: Last time I called Land Pride a month or two ago the teenager what answered didn't know what I was talking about and the message left for the VP of Sales went un-answered. Maybe I should just chill and take a deep breath. One thing I do remember about the Pug was that there is an exposed pulley/belt drive on the power end and if it gets contaminated with Sand-Mud-Forrest Duff you're in trouble. Also, great care was needed making turns across the fall line on hills. The center of gravity is outside the machine. Highlighting once again the superiority of the AATV.
Thanks again Mike. Riley

[liflod]

I had an older Pug which I probably should have kept. It was the best utility vehicle for work around the house. I hauled blocks, dirt, gravel and brush with absolutely no problems. It would climb like nothing I've ever experienced.

Unfortunately, you are correct about going across hills. My son and I were taking a very slow ride through the woods and tried to climb over a log on the trail. It rolled over as opposed to going forward. I grabbed my son and threw him up over me onto the ground and I went over with the machine. Having that much machine land on my back was not very fun at all.

It sat in the woods for 3 days upside down until my neighbor dug a path to it with his Bobcat. Got it home and it fired up like nothing ever happened to it!

I think the newer machines use an automotive clutch and 4 speed transmission which alleviates the wet clutch problems.

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Flash!!! Today I called Land Pride about the Pug-Gondo-Badlands. Got through to Bob, a nice chap who was very helpful. He offered that Land Pride ceased production of the Gondo in 2006 and there were NO plans to sell the package to another manufacturer, nuts! He did say that he'd check into it for me / us. If you wonder why I'm so driven about the Pug-Gondo-Badlands machine its because I've owned so many utility vehicles, Pug, Attex, Sur-Trec, Unimog 411-404, Steyer Haflinger, Mechanical Mule M274 (6) and I was a Max dealer. The Pug is at the top of the list regarding Off-Road ability, Load Carrying, Maintainence, Parts Availability, Dump Bed, Durability and Reliability. Anybody keen on this type light a candle and cross your fingers. Merry Christmas. Out. Riley

[liflod]

I notice you did not mention it was tops of "turning abiltiy"

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Dear Iflod: Your story made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. You were very lucky indeed. The reason the Pug was not mentioned for maneuverability was an army mule M274a2 had 4 wheel steering and could do a 360 with a diameter of +/- 15 feet. I had a fleet of 6 that I would rent to Hollywood production companies for $350 a day and they would request the 3 with 4 wheel steering. With the pug you would need to plan ahead and as I remember you had to do alot of steering wheel turning for effect. Other than that its #1. Just saved some searches on eBay for Pug, Gondo, Badlands wish me luck. Merry Christmas. Riley

[ElDiaOctavo]

I had an older Pug which I probably should have kept. It was the best utility vehicle for work around the house. I hauled blocks, dirt, gravel and brush with absolutely no problems. It would climb like nothing I've ever experienced.

Unfortunately, you are correct about going across hills. My son and I were taking a very slow ride through the woods and tried to climb over a log on the trail. It rolled over as opposed to going forward. I grabbed my son and threw him up over me onto the ground and I went over with the machine. Having that much machine land on my back was not very fun at all.

It sat in the woods for 3 days upside down until my neighbor dug a path to it with his Bobcat. Got it home and it fired up like nothing ever happened to it!

I think the newer machines use an automotive clutch and 4 speed transmission which alleviates the wet clutch problems.

I've got a 2003 model with 4 speed. It is a tough, tough UTV. I can carry a face cord of oak with little effort and tow a loaded utility trailer behind it at the same time. Around my farm, it is indispensible. I use it everyday, sometimes all day.

I read your comments on driving across a hill and am not sure I'm following you - were you driving along the side of a slope? Like across the side of a hill?

I have had my Pug in some pretty odd positions but have never felt like it was more unstable with respect to rollover than, for example, my tractor. It does not seem top heavy to me - the engine is beneath the seat, as is the trans and differentials. I'm sure it could roll - there is a warning sticker on the dash that says not to drive on more than a 20 degree slope and I take care to follow that advice...but I would take that same care with any farm or utility vehicle. I would not drive my pickup across a 30 degree slope, for example.

What I'm wondering is whether the Pug is really more prone to roll than, for example, a Mule or Gator. I don't have experience with any other machine but, as my childrend drive the Pug all the time, I'm concerned if the thing is more dangerous than other, similar machines.

BTW, mine has a Ford Escort 4sp transaxle coupled to a 20 HP V-twin Kohler with Dana Spicer differentials and axles. It is bombproof. The trans is rated for 100 HP - it would take four or five Kohlers to make enough power to harm it. I'd buy another Pug in a heartbeat if this one disappeared. My only real complaint is that it sucks gas. Maybe all machines do, I don't know, but I do know this one seems to use quite a lot. I can burn three or four gallons a week with it just doing chores.

The center of gravity is outside the machine. Highlighting once again the superiority of the AATV.
Thanks again Mike. Riley

Riley: I do not understand the C of G "outside the machine". Can you explain a little more?

As I mentioned in another post, my kids drive my Pug - I want to make sure they are properly trained and educated in how to do so safely.

To me, with the engine, trans and heavy hardware at chassis level, it seems like the C of G would be down low. I have also heard that Pug's can flip over backwards when going up a steep hill. I know mine will climb anything but after I read that comment I've been careful not to try any "test pilot" moves. Any intel you can provide would be appreciated.

I'm trying to upload a photo of my Pug carrying a load of elm tree last summer. It'll give you an idea of how much work it can do. The only limit was I ran out of cubic airspace in the dump box.

The pic I tried to load is 60kb...might be too large but here goes.

[liflod]

I really think the torque of the drive shaft rolled the bed over intsead of going forward. I, the driver was on the upward side of the hill. I would just about bet that if I were going the other way, driver side down hill, it would not have rolled.

The left front tire was up against a rotted log about 6 inch in diameter and I pressed the throttle very slowly. I had barely moved forward up onto the log and we were rolling.

[GondoFan]

Land Pride Gondo 4400EX

BonzoDog,

I have a 2005 Gondo with 65hrs on it. It has a full cab enclosure, 72" plow blade, log skidder, steel dump bed, personnel carrier box, two spare bar tires and wheels, and more.

Contact me if you are interested

[BonzoDog]

Pug-Gondo-Badlands

Dear GondoFan: What is that number?? Any extras?? Where are you located?? Can you send me some pix?? 86l7s@sbcglobal.net Thanks and Merry Christmas !!!! Riley