By argoferret on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Howdy! I have COMPLETELY rebuilt my 1980TB 8 wheel Argo for a moose hunt in Ontario, Canada. I leave in a week. I started my ground up rebuild in February and completed the project about 2 weeks ago. This has the 16hp Tecumseh and the regular Argo transmission. I replaced all the wheel flanges/bearings etc. and decided to "take a dip" in the lake. This is a little bit scarier than I thought it would be. In any event, I slowly pulled into the water (backwards to begin with) and by golly, the thing floated. I was really happy until the front end got in the water. It still floated, but my front end was significantly lower in the water than my rear end. Upon thinking about it, it really makes sense. The unit weighs in at around 950 lbs (so I am told) and most of the weight is in the front (engine, transmission, winch, me, etc.). The only other real weight would normally be in the gas tank (I only had 1 gallon of gas in it since I was only going to take a brief swim). Other Argo's that I have seen pictured on the water seem to be significantly more level (front/rear) in the water (floating at about midway up the tires). Do I have a problem, or is this normal? Will the problem be solved by having 12 gallons of fuel in the tank? Should I add weight to the back of the Argo to balance things up? I could find no information on this in the owners manual, so I would appreciate any veteran's input on this. I leave for Canada in just a couple of days, and would appreciate any information that could be provided. If you want to email me directly, you can reach me at ferret@iowatelecom.net. THANKS!!!!!

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I gave you my number and I'll give you more info!

By argogeru on Unrecorded Date: Edit

ferret,
I have a 82 tb argo 8 and what you are experiencing is totally normal. these older 8 wheelers frames weigh only half of what they do now and that is why its booty sits a little higher than the front. the new argo 8s do the same thing with only a inch or so of better balast. the best way to level her out is to put a 1200 lb. moose in the rear and take it for a swim. If you have the manual breaks, which unless you converted to the new hydralics, you will do yourself a big favor and put a break cooling system on it. odg discontinued these brake systems because after 14 years of using them they figured out they are inadequit for 8 wheels. if you are going to be hauling some serious weight, they will get hot in a hurry, and shortly their after will fail. I would try to put as many hours on the machine before the hunt that you can to make sure all the bugs are worked out. good luck and have a good hunt.

By argoferret on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks very much for the responses and the photos! I was apparently worried for nothing. Any recommendations on how to convert from my manual brakes to hydralic brakes?

By roadwolf on Unrecorded Date: Edit

argoferret, is that what your mother really named you? hey congrats on yer aatv rebuild. you are now offically welcome to the real men's aatv club. oh i hope you voted for your favotite aatv on the tree view.

By argogeru on Unrecorded Date: Edit

it is cheaper to buy a new machine, almost. just mess with them a while and they will be alright. cooling fan and a little wrenchin' and you can figure em out.