Mosquito Control is a dynamic industry. I am constantly searching for new solutions to old problems. One of the problems is transportation. How can I get my workers, equipment, and materials into remote, forested areas with difficult terrain? How can I access wetland areas that require low ground pressure, no petroleum contamination, low noise, no vegetation damage and low fire potential. How can I access areas with no roads, dense vegetation, obstructions, railroad tracks, steep grades and water crossings? The answer to all these questions is the Rokon All Terrain Tractor.

Rokon International, Inc. is a Portsmouth, New Hampshire based company that produces the ROKON, a two wheeled vehicle, similar to a dirt bike but with the power of a small tank. The Rokon has a top speed of forty miles per hour and can tow up to one thousand pounds. The Rokon has found several markets all over the world. It's unique off-road capabilities made it useful by the military in Operation Desert Storm, the United States Fish and Wildlife Department, the Maryland Park Service, and thousands in Taiwan, France, Singapore, and Japan.

I tested the Rokon and various other All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) for their potential in mosquito control during the fall of 1994. 1 found dirt bikes to be too fragile, could not carry passengers or weight well, and could not tow. Four wheeled ATV's couldn't penetrate deep woods, had a significant impact upon vegetation, compacted soil easily, required ramps and/or trailers to transport, could not cross water bodies easily due to low ground clearance, and were very expensive. Some were in excess of $8,000.00. When I tested the Rokon I found the following advantages:

1 . Reasonable cost. Approximately $4,000,00.

2. Easy maintenance.

3. Little or no environmental impact. The low ground pressure (3.5 psi) resulted in no observable impact on saltmarsh vegetation.

4. Easily transported. The Rokon can be driven onto the bed of a pickup truck without a ramp. Tie downs can be easily attached in minutes.

5. Lightweight. The Rokon weighs 185 pounds and is easily pushed when not operating.

6. Rugged construction. The frame is made from scratch at the assembly shop and is patented by Rokon. Protective shields cover vital areas.

7. Versatile. The Rokon can tow attachments via a hook at the rear of the machine. Attachments include hydraulic sprayers, turf spraying equipment, landscaping tools and garden tools. A rack at the rear of vehicle can be modified to carry power backpack sprayers and small ULV sprayers.

8. Easily operated. The throttle was easily operated. There was no jerky thrusts as I found with dirt bikes and four wheeled ATV'S. Balancing the machine was easy due to it's light weight.

9. Flotation. The large fifteen inch aluminum wheels are hollow and float the Rokon in deep water. This prevents submergence of the motor, cargo, and electrical components.

10. Long range. Fuel can be stored in the hollow wheels to supplement the 2.69 gallon fuel tank. A five hundred mile range is possible. Maximum fuel consumption is 0.45 gallons per hour or six hours per fuel tank.

11. Can handle weight. A passenger can easily be transported. The Rokon can transport three times it's own weight.

12. High ground clearance. The fifteen inch ground clearance allows maneuvering over fallen trees and large rocks. The air intake is high, enabling deep water travel.

13. Two wheeled drive prevents getting stuck in mud, vegetation, or ditches.

14. Power Takeoff (PTO) capability. A small generator can be mounted and run off the engine. This would provide electrical power for microscope light sources, light traps, and camping/field equipment. Electric pumps for sprayers would be possible.

15. Steep grades. The Rokon can climb sixty degree grades and come down smoothly in low gear.

16. Dense woods. The widest part of the vehicle is the handlebars. I drove through a red maple swamp with relative ease.

17. Heavy duty shock absorbers under the seat provide a soft ride. This is very important in off-road driving.

18. Low noise. When idling, it was difficult to tell if it was on. I did not use hearing protection when I drove the vehicle and it appeared that noise is not a problem to the driver.

19. The two stroke engine is easy to maintain. Parts can be shipped overnight.

I found the following disadvantages of the Rokon:

1. Not street legal in the United States. With a maximum speed of forty miles per hour it would not be easily driven in traffic.

2. Liability insurance may be expensive, as with all ATV'S. The vehicle may be an

attractive nuisance" with children and pose an additional hazard for insurers to consider.

3 . Employee recreation. I had all I could handle in fending off my workers when

testing the vehicle. Because of it's strength and unique handling characteristics, the temptation for "joy riding" is real.

4. The two stroke engine requires mixing gasoline and oil together. It is crucial to mix properly or damage can occur to the engine.

5. The kickstand sinks in mud and wet soil causing the Rokon to fall on it's side.

In summary, I found the advantages of the Rokon to far outweigh the disadvantages. It is a vehicle that can pay for itself in a short period of time by reducing labor and transportation time. The Rokon is easily operated and very versatile. Each Rokon is made from scratch and the assembly staff offer innovative adaptations designed to your needs.