Utility vehicle

Abstract

A utility vehicle is provided that includes first and second pairs of wheels, a controller, and a potentiometer. The first pair of wheels is propelled by an internal combustion engine. The second pair of wheels is propelled by a battery-operated motor. The motor drives a transaxle that drives the second pair of wheels. The controller controls operation of the motor. The potentiometer is configured to be manually activated to propel the utility vehicle, and is coupled to the controller to send a signal to the controller to rotate the motor. The potentiometer is also configured to activate fuel flow into the internal combustion engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A utility vehicle comprising:
 a first pair of wheels;   a second pair of wheels located opposite the first pair of wheels;   a first motor that is selected from the group consisting of a first electric motor and a first internal combustion engine;   wherein the first motor selectively moves the second pair of wheels;   a pusher cart selectively attachable to the utility vehicle, wherein the pusher cart includes:   a third pair of wheels;   a second motor configured to move the third pair of wheels;   wherein the second motor is selected from the group consisting of a second electric motor and a second internal combustion engine;   a hitch assembly that attaches to the utility vehicle such that the pusher cart cannot pivot laterally relative to the utility vehicle; and   a controller assembly located in the utility vehicle and tethered to the pusher cart to control the operation of the pusher cart to move the utility vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A utility vehicle comprising:
 a first pair of wheels propelled by an internal combustion engine;   a second pair of wheels propelled by a battery-operated motor;   wherein the motor drives a transaxle that drives the second pair of wheels;   a controller that controls operation of the motor;   a potentiometer that is configured to be manually activated to propel the utility vehicle;   wherein the potentiometer is coupled to the controller and configured to send a signal to the controller to rotate the motor; and   wherein the potentiometer is also configured to activate fuel flow into the internal combustion engine;   a pusher cart selectively attachable to the utility vehicle, wherein the pusher cart includes:
 a third pair of wheels; 
 another motor configured to move the third pair of wheels; 
 wherein the another motor is selected from the group consisting of a second electric motor and a second internal combustion engine; and 
 a hitch assembly that attaches to the utility vehicle such that the pusher cart cannot pivot laterally relative to the utility vehicle. 
   
     
     
         3 . The utility vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the wheels of the first or second pair of wheels is coupled to a generator such that when the at least one wheel rotates it rotates the generator which is coupled to a battery that operates the motor, and wherein the generator is configured to recharge the battery as the at least one wheel rotates.