Toyako Manufacturing TM-4000 Mini Hover-Mule:

Toyako Manufacturing makes a wide variety of different products within the Three Galaxies including hover bikes, heavy vehicles, and a wide variety of electronics. While it is only a fraction of the company’s products, their light cargo vehicles are one of the products which they are best know for. In many ways, these vehicles could be considered analogous to light "All Terrain Vehicles" from the late Twentieth Century and during the Twenty-First Century. While the "Mule" type is a hover design, there are also four and six wheel models. There are also sport and utility models. Utility models are often used in places which are too small to operate full sized utility vehicles. They are small enough that even relatively small starships can carry one of these hover vehicles without using a huge amount of cargo space. In some cases, a ship may visit a world with very little in the way in the way of support facilities and the mini hov er mule can be extremely useful. As might be expected, Mini Hover-Mules are similar is basic design as full sized Hover Mules but are smaller. Several companies manufacture similar designs.

The TM-4000 has a driver section with a windshield but does not have a fully enclosed cockpit. There is a protective cage and crew have harnesses so they are not dumped from the section. There are available covers for the cage for protection against the environment but are not fully environmental. Models can be operated in a vacuum but operator and passenger must wear environmental body armor. Behind the cramped pilot compartment is a small cargo bed. The vehicle is rated for a maximum payload of 250 kilograms. Electronics are extremely basic but the vehicle can be equipped with a variety of mini entertainment systems and can be equipped with a satellite automatic navigation system. Distress beacons are often mounted in the light vehicles as well.

Top speed about 100 kilometers per hour on most models although there are upgraded versions with more powerful engines with a top speed of 120 or 160 kilometers per hour. Maximum altitude is 100 meters although some are programmed with a maximum altitude of only 2 meters for safety considerations. Power to the contra-grav is usually provided by a high capacity battery and the vehicle has a maximum range of 500 kilometers. They can be recharged easily. While uncommon, there are a variety of companies which specialize in fitting micro-fusion reactors into the light hover vehicle.

The TM-4000 is considered to be an extremely rugged design but should not be considered a combat design. This has not stopped some "nominally" military groups from using these vehicle in combat roles including mounting weapon systems in the cargo bed. These include paramilitary organizations, rebellious forces, and some criminal organization which consider themselves military. Of course when engaged by true military vehicle such a tank, they virtually always come out short. While the larger full scale hover mule is preferred by most militaries, many militaries operate the mini hover-mule in secondary roles.

Model Type: T.I. TM-4000
Vehicle Type: Light Contra-Grav Hover Craft (Cargo)
Crew: One (and one passenger)

M.D.C. By Location:

	[1] Hover Unit:	60
	[2] Main Body:	180
	Cockpit (Open):	40
	Cargo Bay:	40

Notes:
[1] Destruction of the hover unit will cause the vehicle to be no longer under the pilots control.
[2] Destruction of the main body will cause the vehicle to crash.

Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Standard Model: 62.14 mph (100 kph) maximum. Upgrade Models: 74.56 mph (120 kph) and 99.42 mph (160 kph.) The hover craft can make sharp turns and float over any obstacle.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Standard Model: 62.14 mph (100 kph) maximum. Upgrade Models: 74.56 mph (120 kph) and 99.42 mph (160 kph.) The hover craft can make sharp turns and float over any obstacle. Maximum Altitude is 328.08 feet (100 meters) although some are programmed with a maximum altitude of 6.56 feet (2 meters)
Maximum Range: With electric power system has a 310.69 miles (500 km) range and with fusion (after market upgrade) has effectively unlimited range.

Statistical Data:
Length: 10.50 feet (3.2 meters)
Height: 4.92 feet (1.5 meters)
Width: 5.905 (1.8 meters)
Weight: 1,212.54 lbs (550 kilograms) empty.
Power System: Electrical with High Capacity Battery (Advanced Fusion Conversion with a 3 year micro-fusion reactor available)
Cargo: Minimal Storage Space in crew compartment. Cargo bay can carry a maximum of 551.15 lbs (250 kilograms)
Market Cost: 5,000 credits for a new model with a top speed of 62.14 mph (100 kph), 6,000 credits for a new model with a top speed of 74.56 mph (120 kph), and 8000 credits for a new model with a top speed of 99.42 mph (160 kph.) Various accessories can increase the cost of the vehicle and used versions cost from one third to one half cost of a new model. The micro fusion conversion costs 50,000 credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:
None standard but some have weapon systems added (Mainly Paramilitary Organizations.)

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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