By s holt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

hey guys, looking for advice. we're thinking of using an argo on a moose hunting trip. we need to cross a certain creek 6 or 8 times as we head up the valley. it is about 3 feet deep normally and flows prety swift ( 7-8 knots ). about 30 feet across i think. is there some method of running a line across first and using a pulley to float the argo across? has anybody tried something like this?

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Your best bet is to buy a Max IV 900T with the 26" tires and lead the argo. That's a pretty swift current and you will float down stream just a little. Take your rope across with the max and then use the max as an anchor for the rope for the argo to follow. You will also have the max to pull the argo through the tough stuff and up the steep hills.

By Douglas MacCullagh (Dougmac) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The idea has been used with ferry boats. If you angle the line down stream you can get the current to help move the Argo. My concern would be the bow wave a 7 or 8 knot current would pile up against the Argo. If you secure the pully to the winch mount water could come in the cooling grilles if the bow wave grows big enough. The Argo's bow is pretty well shaped for an amphibian, but it is still a small barge and a little bow heavy. Go slowly in case you have to pull it back in a hurry!

By Argogeru on Unrecorded Date: Edit

well, you do have the right machine, on the count you can put an outboard motor on it with a legitamite mounting area, i.e. the outboard motor bracket kit, that is the only safe way of crossing a 30 foot river with that kind of current with an amphibious vehicle. also make sure all your gear is balanced in your machine. if you have an eight wheeler a moose in the rear gutted out would not be and issue, as it is the only machine in production that can handle this kind of hunting trip. I would stay away from ropes from one side of the river to the other, in my opinion it would be safer to get washed down stream a little ways than be tied to a rope and have water drown your machine. a 10 hp. outboard is you best option and the safe option. if you have a 6 wheel, I would suggest quartering or halving a moose and hall him out in pieces, no six wheeler could handle a moose and a driver without taking a swim. the eight wheel argo will do the job though. good luck and be safe, water is always cold were moose roam.

By jerry smith (Deerhunter) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have never crossed a swift river with my Bigfoot but I have crossed lakes and beaver ponds many times. I have had moose halves in the back of the Bigfoot going around the edge of a wet marsh and it worked real good. One time we put a hole calf moose in the back and crossed a big beaver pond and I had to have my hunting partner sit up on the hood so we did not pop a wheelie in the water,we will never do that again. Now we bring a 12 foot tin boat up on a rack on top of the argo back into the bush for the heavy loads crossing water. Good hunting :Jerry

By Douglas MacCullagh (Dougmac) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Argogeru, I'd agree with you on the outboard except for one problem. S Holt said the river is only about 3 feet deep. Keeping the propeller in the water and off the river bottom in water that shallow could be a problem.

By Tom Pike on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Argogeru

7-8 knots is a real current. I would go the rope route but I would attach it on to the back of the argo. That end will stay afloat and angle the rope as in the above post. Use a second/third rope to pull it across and back. I would make a bracket for the attachement that you could adjust what height the rope is held relative to the argo. The motor thing could work but current turns things bad real fast and if the current hits the side of the argo and it dips a little the whole thing will go over if it has a descent amount of weight in it. You will never get more holding power from the motor than from the rope and the rope will always keep the best end of the argo upstream. Ask any kayaker what the best method would be.

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Right Dougmac, And S. Holt also said the creek was only 30 feet wide.

By argogeru on Unrecorded Date: Edit

doug,
On my machine the tires will hit bottom before the prop, so I no when to kill the outboard, but must admit the prop has kissed a few rocks.

By Wild Dog Machinery on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Ahh… I wish I could go on a moose hunting trip, but it's a bit far from Australia to anywhere that has moose, and the zoos take a dim view of people stalking their exhibits, so I guess I’ll have to dream on and stick to ducks, foxes and deer on occasion.

Elsewhere on R6x6, I’ve made comments on outboards – see Route 6x6 Discussion Board: Shop Talk: Tech Tips and Q&A section: Outboard Motor Questions - and the only thing I’d add to this topic is that if you use the set up I’ve discussed above, the bottom of the prop is more or less level with the bottom of the tyre, in line with the tyres and thus well protected from damage from the river bed. A two-man crew should be able to drive the Argo and the outboard simultaneously, and the boatman can pull the outboard up as the Argo wheels take control of motion out of the river.

You blokes in North America really have a Hell of a range of animals to hunt. I am damn jealous!

Jim Deering

By TIM O'KEEFE on Unrecorded Date: Edit

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THAT BEARING GREASE THAT THE CANADIANS MENTIONED? IS IT AMISOL? THE ONE THAT REPELS WATER BETTER THAN THE REST. PLEASE REPLY I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT BEFORE CHANGING MY BEARINGS!

By s.holt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

forgot to mention that the bank is cut out right at the crossing, and then gets steep ; so if you get washed downriver, it's a bad scene. i think we'll have to gauge the creek depth and swiftness when we get there. alaska is having a dry summer, maybe the creek will be low.

By jerry smith (Deerhunter) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

It sounds pretty risky crossing that river with the argo. If you have to cross that many times I would think about making some sort of portable bridge across the 30 feet or so . Jerry

By mike martindale (Wetsu) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

as a former sailor,from waaaay back. i would suggest you find a spot in the river that is either deeper or more shallow.the deeper the water the slower the current,hence an easier crossing.if you can find shallow water,you willbe able to drive right across.look for a sandbar,or gravel bed.the extra time spent looking for the safest way to cross will be worth it.after all you have an argo,and if getting there is half the fun,well you ought to have a blast.good luck,and good hunting.and remember,it makes a better boat then a submarine.
mike