While the fully amphibious all-terrain Tinger Armor 8x8 ST isn’t something you’ll come across frequently on New Zealand farms, it’s still a fascinating mix of overengineered durability and no-nonsense functionality
On first impression, the Tinger Armor ST looks like a mix of a supersized quad bike and an eight-wheeled miniature army tank. Sometimes first impressions aren’t far off the mark.
It’s clear from the start that the whole aim of the game here is to get you where you want to go, whatever the terrain.
These machines are Russian-designed and manufactured to perform equally well in the freezing northern winters as they do in scorching summer environments. They’re also proving to be in high demand in the agricultural sector, offering farmers the ability to get to parts of their properties where other vehicles simply can’t go.
Whether it’s spraying country that can’t be driven on by either self-propelled units or heavy tractors and machinery or being able to fit neatly between rows to spray grape vines, the possibilities for customising the Tinger Armor are almost endless.
The Tinger Armor ST operates essentially like a skid steer machine, which is operated by handlebars inside the cab of the unit.
Because all wheels are essentially diff-locked, it will turn in a circle on itself, meaning it can manoeuvre in extremely close quarters without difficulty.
 |
|
Jeff Gibbon from Tinger ATV Australia
|
After taking the machine for a test run, trust me, it will turn in a circle without a worry in the world.
The Tinger Armor ST isn’t all just grunt and no flair. Safety is of paramount importance, with the unit equipped with a ROPS-certified roof frame and front bucket seats with seat belts.
It also comes with accessories that may be classed as extras in other units, including a steel bullbar with electric winch and steel frame with hard top — both powder-coated — as well as a windshield and electric wipers, side mirrors, high and low beam headlights, and brake lights.
A tow bar with ball, bilge pump, double row drive chain, 12V DC outlet, and a 9mm full-length under-belly skid plate help complete the package.
 |
|
An electric winch helps the unit operate in deep water and climb steep hills
|
In all, though, this machine is not your family SUV designed for a quiet drive around country bitumen roads; for one thing, this ATV can swim.
The Tinger Armor 8×8 ST is fully amphibious with sealed bearings all round and can travel at about five kilometres per hour in water.
“No matter how deep the water is, you can just drive straight into a dam or a river and come out the other side,” says Jeff Gibbon from Tinger ATV Australia.
 |
|
The Tinger Armor has a 57hp Chery SQR engine
|
The functionality of the vehicle is quite simple and not overthought, and it’s
clear from the start upon viewing and driving the Tinger that despite its size, it’s built to move.
This Tinger unit is powered by a powerful and reliable three-cylinder fuel-injected 57hp (42.5kW) liquid-cooled motor. The gearbox is a commercial-grade, three-speed transmission with high, low, and reverse gear.
“These are commercial grade transmissions, and in the thousands we’ve sold, we’ve never had any issues — they are literally tough as nails,” Gibbon says.
 |
|
Handlebar controls on the Tinger Armor ST
|
At the heart of the Tinger Armor’s performance is the constant eight-wheel drive, allowing it to crawl or barge its way through or over obstacles impassable by
a traditional 4×4 vehicle.
Though it has a top speed of 45km, included is a great carrying capacity of up to 500kg and a towing/pull capacity of 1000kg; rubber tracks can also be added for extra traction if one really wants to get serious.
Another feature is the low ground pressure to weight ratio, as the weight is spread over all eight wheels and has more than 300mm ground clearance.
 |
|
Bucket seats with seatbelts as standard
|
This is not only a positive attribute environmentally but also from an agricultural perspective, it causes less damage to crop and pastured country where heavy machinery would make
a mess in wet conditions.
Whether it’s property repair work, rounding up stock, delivering feed and water, vegetation management and spraying, hunting, or transporting fuel and equipment to remote locations, it’s easily navigated by the Tinger Armor ST.
In heavy mud, wet or swampy conditions, deep scrub and bushland, rocky or hilly terrain, soft sand, and even over snow, the Armor ST is unstoppable.This adaptability and durability in harsh environments has made the Tinger Armor a sought-after exploratory vehicle for mining applications, with some groups retrofitting smaller drilling rigs to the rear of the machine to work in hard-to-get environments.
 |
|
Brake lights and headlights are installed
|
In recent times, the units have been recommended and used as an emergency response vehicle, transporting injured people out of areas where standard emergency vehicles are unable to gain access. The passenger seat is often taken out and replaced with a medical stretcher bed, which is easily accessed from the rear bench seat.
Another destination for the Tinger Armor ST is the hunting and recreational market. As we have stated, the machine will go almost anywhere driving over most obstacles and terrain.
It will climb up to 40-degree gradient, navigate up to 30-degree side slopes, and overcome obstacles up to 40cm high, covering country from waterlogged paddocks to creek crossings; it can even take a joy ride through the lake.
Quite possibly the most impressive feature that stands out upon investigating further into the attributes of the Tinger Armor ST must be its ability to be adapted to suit such a range of applications, scenarios, and environmental situations.
 |
|
The motorbike-style controls are easy to use
|
Sure, it’s a simple enough machine on first appearance, a no-frills workhorse. But when have you been able to put a tiller steer outboard motor on the back of your four-wheel drive and go fishing in that perfect spot you could never even drive to in the first place?
Now we’re talking not only functionality but well… fun.
Tinger Armor 8×8 ST Specifications
| Engine |
3-cylinder Chery SQR |
| Power | 57hp/42.5kW |
| Fuel | Unleaded petrol |
| Transmission | CVT planetary differential |
| Brakes | Hydraulic with manual park brake |
| Max speed | 42km/h |
| Weight | 950kg |
| Length/width/height | 3100 x 1700 x 2100mm |
| Towing capacity | 1000kg |
| Load capacity | 500kg |
| Load on tow bar | 100kg |
| Ground clearance/with drive chains | 300/220mm |
| Ground pressure | 0,11kg/cm2 |
| Fuel capacity | 55L |
| Number of passengers | 6 people on land/ 4 people on water |
Find new and used farm machinery for sale in NZ
Photography: Charlie Suriano