Company Profile: Meet Linhai

Usually when we think of Chinese ATV manufacturers, we imagine companies that appear (and disappear) overnight- creating poorly assembled, cheap quads with no dealer support, no parts catalog and an inventory sold in the parking lot at your local drug store.

However, this isn’t always the case. Some Chinese manufacturers take quality and longevity every bit as important as their Japanese counterparts. China’s Linhai (Jiangsu Linhai Power Machinery Group Corp.) is a shining example of this philosophy. Having been founded in 1956, these guys have a rich history of more than fifty years developing and producing power machinery.

In that time Linhai has successively developed a variety of two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines and the ancillary power machinery (ranging in size from 26cc all the way up to 700cc). Its main focus these days is the ATV and UTV market though they still produce a variety of general-purpose engines, mini gasoline generators, small power machinery such as pumps, chain saws, pneumatic extinguishers and bush cutters, gardening equipment and so on.

A look at their ATV line reveals models of most size and discipline, starting with a 50cc mini and ending with a 550cc liquid cooled, fuel injected 4×4.

Their side-by-side offerings are equally diverse- including a a 400 and 700cc liquid cooled gas engine model and an 800 (762cc) dump-bed-equipped diesel.

Perhaps most unique, however, is Linhai’s off-road fire fighting line. Designed to navigate narrow, irregular roads, these guys have an entire line of machines designed with powerful fire extinguishing systems right from the factory.

Since most forest fires take place far from the road, it’s tough to imagine a more useful setup of water haulers and sprayers than what can be mounted to an ATV or side-by-side.

Admittedly, Linhai hasn’t enjoyed a dominating presence in the US as of yet but that could certainly change in the future as the company is making all the right moves including establishing a dedicated dealer network, full parts support with a massive backlog inventory and machines with factory warranty. It will likely take some time to overcome the damage to the reputation of Chinese manufacturers caused by flighty companies a few years back, the fact of the matter is Linhai is no hurry. They feel their reputation for quality and support will speak for itself. And since they’ve been around for nearly 60-years now, we think they may be right!

Their official site can be accessed here.