Polaris Industries Inc., a manufacturer of off-road vehicles, on March 6 announced an initiative to expand into the commercial vehicle market. As a result of this initiative, Polaris unveiled the Polaris BRUTUS, the company’s first purpose-built commercial vehicle line and the first side-by-side utility vehicle in the market to deliver front-end power take-off (PTO) capability. 

The BRUTUS product line is an outcome of the alliance formed between Polaris and Bobcat in 2009. Manufactured at Polaris’ Spirit Lake, Iowa, facility, the BRUTUS models leverage technology found in the Polaris RANGER line and are comprised of three models – BRUTUS, BRUTUS HD and BRUTUS HDPTO.

The BRUTUS models offer a 24-hp diesel engine with hydrostatic transmission. A treadle pedal allows travel in forward or reverse without shifting gears. BRUTUS vehicles provide a class-leading six inches of suspension travel, which combined with On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive, allows for transportation over virtually any terrain.

BRUTUS models are the first side-by-side utility vehicles that use a multi-link coil over De Dion rear suspension to deliver superior ride quality for commercial work applications. The rear suspension supports a 1,250-lb. cargo capacity and minimizes suspension sag when fully loaded. The suspension also maintains class-leading ground clearance when trailering with its best-in-class 2,000-lb. towing capacity. A pallet-sized rear cargo box features Polaris’ exclusive Lock & Ride cargo system for easy installation and removal of worksite accessories.

The ability to operate several front-end attachments increases versatility. The Pro-Tach attachment system, standard on the BRUTUS HD and BRUTUS HDPTO, delivers work customers the capability to change from one attachment to the next quickly and easily. A front-end PTO system on the BRUTUS HDPTO draws power directly from the vehicle’s engine. The high efficiency, mechanical PTO maximizes power to a line of purpose-built, out-front commercial attachments. Featured in the complete line of attachments are three PTO-powered attachments – angle broom, finishing mower, and snow blower – and three hydraulically-powered attachments – snow blade, pallet forks and materials bucket – allowing users to sweep, mow, blow, lift, plow and scoop with just one machine. 

The BRUTUS, BRUTUS HD and BRUTUS HDPTO are now available to order through select Polaris dealers, with shipments starting in April.

Polaris’ commercial offerings include the family of RANGER side-by-sides and SPORTSMAN all-terrain vehicles, as well as the GEM line of compact electric vehicles.