ATV to be Ordered, Carrying Platform Needed - May 4, 2006

To expedite the building of barbed wire fencing along the Mexican border, possibly allowing a team of 4 individuals to build 1/2-1 mile of fencing a day, I will propose that the board of directors authorize the purchase of a number of 150 cc 300-400lb. capacity ATV's available at various websites for no shipping charge. We also will have to design a platform for the rear end of the vehicle that can "spin-out" heavy rolls of barbed wire at about 6" vertical displacements to help roll-out half of the fence per vehicle pass - I think we can hold 5 rolls of barbed wire, the fence will have 10 rungs.

The ATV I am most fond of is this unit to the right for $1297 retail. The Explorer 150 is a 149cc single cylinder air-cooled 4 stroke model with automatic transmission and reverse. It has an electric kick and starter. It is ideal for climbing steep hills where much of fence building will occur and are often inaccessible for larger vehicles. We will investigate how to order large quantities for low wholesale prices and propose purchasing 50 vehicles for 50 4-member-groups of qualified volunteers who will probably build public fencing on weekends, and will be eligible for paid private fencing projects on weekdays. If we go with 50 vehicles, each team will be responsible for about 40 miles of border, so we will organize a homogenous distribution of teams across the 2000-mile border.

The platform I am proposing may look something like the model to the right but I am receptive to new ideas and proposals - please let me know. It will be secured behind the seat on the bumper with a rear-axle mount for extra stability. It will carry as many as 33 u-posts (which completes 330 feet of fencing) and 5-spools of barbed wire. A barbed wire roll with 1/16 mile (330 feet) of barbed wire weighs about 20 pounds. Unlike the tractor proposal, there will be no mechanical post driver, but I feel there is a long learning curve required to mechanize post driver with a post-pushing assembly line and great expense before the mechanized option speeds-up for post driving process.

I will order an Explorer 150 prototype Friday, design a platform, and likely use for a fence-building mission the weekend of May 13-14. Your feedback is most appreciated.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our unprecedented mission.

Sincerely,

Jim Wood

NoInvaders.Org President

http://www.NoInvaders.Org

http://www.BorderFenceProject.com