BZ PRODUCTS TRANSFORMS DEERE' GATOR INTO GOLF CART
By CHARLES EMERICK, Courier Staff Write

Nearly everything about the John Deere CS Gator resembles a golf cart. The 8-inch wide tires, the 8-horsepower engine and the similarly designed 653-pound body make it an easy comparison. Only the 5-cubic-foot cargo box and a non-pedal start system set it apart. But that wouldn¹t be difficult to change, thought Cedar Falls, Iowa businessman Tom Boe and his partner, Terry Zwart, a Greene, Iowa native who lives in Breezy Point, Minn. When we talked to (John Deere) dealers almost every single one said this thing looks like a golf cart, Boe said. Everything is similar to a golf cart.

Boe and Zwart figured with some clever engineering, the Gator could easily transform from a utility vehicle to a golf cart. That led to the birth of BZ Products, which designs and manufactures after-market products for the Gator.

Founded in October, BZ Products ‹- BZ stands for Boe and Zwart ‹- first focused on building a plastic mold that would replace the cargo box and hold two sets of golf clubs.

BZ Products began distributing the Quick Caddy golf box in April. The Quick Caddy replaces the cargo box in five minutes and allows for two standing golf bags to be tied in. It also features 1.6 cubic feet of covered storage. Initial sales have beat projections, and units have been sold across the United States from Arizona to Virginia.

We were happy how it took off at first, Boe said. After three months sales slowed a little, though. As it gets out there a little more I think people will start to like it.

Following production of the Quick Caddy, BZ Products developed the Pedal Start System, which makes the Gator' engine run like that of a golf cart. When the accelerator is depressed, the engine starts and puts the cart in motion.

Most suppliers have shown interest in the Quick Caddy and Pedal Start System, Boe said. And on the golf course, the golfbox-equipped Gator draws the attention of many golfers.

The John Deere base unit is really nice, Boe said. It gets a lot of stares. It has a much nicer look than a regular golf cart. It' much more deluxe.
The vehicle even caught the attention of two drivers while Boe hauled the vehicle to Cedar Rapids along Interstate 380. A couple guys pulled me over just to ask about where it was from and what it was, Boe said. I¹ve had people stop as I¹m cleaning in my front yard. Boe plans to release more products for Gator.

A brake release system and a trailer kit are in development. The brake release causes the parking brake to let off when the accelerator is depressed. The trailer kit can support a 400-pound payload and tow behind the Gator. It also can store the Quick Caddy when the cargo box is being used. We¹re just going to keep pushing the Quick Caddy for a while, Boe said. We'll move to others once it takes off.

Editor's note: To contact BZ Products call: (319) 553-0684.
(Printed courtesy ©The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 6/27/2004 Waterloo & Cedar Falls, Iowa)