BEAUTIFUL VIEW

BEHAVIOR
Carries half of a foursome around 18 holes and to the 19th hole as well. It

HABITAT

You find these fun-driving machines on golf courses and in retirement communities, especially in Arizona and California.

HOW IT WORKS

Electric motors or gasoline engines propel this buggy up to 15 miles per hour. Low-pressure tires spread the weight of the cart and cargo so not to damage grass. Even so, it is against the rules to drive on a putting green.

Golf carts have automatic transmissions that change the effective gear ratio from about 3:1 at low speeds to 1:1 at high speeds. The clutch has two parts: one attached to the crankshaft and the other to the shaft that powers the differential and turns the wheels. They are connected by a drive belt. The two clutches change in opposite ways as the engine speeds up. The one attached to the engine forces the belt to ride on a larger diameter shaft, and the one that powers the wheels moves onto a lower diameter shaft. At low engine rpms the engine turns three times for every revolution of the wheels, providing power. At higher engine rpms the engine turns once for each revolution of the wheels to provide speed. This magic is made possible with ingenious centrifugal weights and springs.

Gasoline engine golf carts have governors to limit the speed of the engine. The governor is there to prevent damage to the engine and not to limit your speedy driving. Some carts have a spring device that limits how far the accelerator can be pushed. Others limit the throttle by means of a device connected to the clutch that powers the drive wheels. A third type controls the spark plugs electronically.

A field guide to automotive technology

Ed Sobey

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