By Alan Lester (Alan) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred S, & John D., what it all comes down to in the Argo vs. the Max is which one will go through the most nasty stuff and which won't! It does'nt matter in theory what the Argo says it will do or what the Max says. All you have to do is get a couple Max's and a couple of Argo's and run through the mean stuff, mud, swamp, cattails, muck fields, etc. Let's face it, I have never had an Argo show up when faced with this challenge. Even in N.Y. this past July at the big bash, the new Argo Centaur, the first supposed all-wheel drive vehicle that Argo has manufactured is seen spinning on one side while stuck in the mud whole, videos are great for catching this true-life evidence. Twice the Centaur attempted to go through two different mud holes that Max's were blasting through one after another. Both times the Centaur backed out and went around, never trying more than once, and it is suppose to be better that their 6x6's or 8x8's! Flat out operation in the nasty stuff will make them shut their mouth. Just make sure you invite a local writer from the newspaper to do an editorial on the two vehicles. Never have had a Argo guy show up yet. Alan Lester.

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The Centaur is not supposted to be better in the mud than the Argos. It is designed as a super heavy duty commercial vehicle. It weighs over a ton so of course it will be bad in the mud. The Argo Vanguard really suprised me in the mud with those bald Runamuks and I think it would really do good with some more aggressive mud tires. The Bigfoot is also very good because the larger tires make up for it's extra weight. The Bigfoot really shines when it comes to deep ruts because it is wider than any other 4x4 quad or a Max and Argo. This allows it to hug the sides of the ruts and it doesn't get bottomed out. Wider is better!
Besides the mud stuff, an Argo is about the closest thing you can buy to an M1 Tank. It might not make it through one mud hole but it's going to be around for many dependable years, and unlike a Max, you will be "farfromfixing".
That is my complete and unbiased opinion.

By mike s. on Unrecorded Date: Edit

say it aint so brandon. Will the aliens who have obviously abducted the real Brandon Price please bring him back.---He must have flipped his max and seriously injured his head.

By Eddie Joehrs (Max450t) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Brandon, good buddy......
let me introduce a phrase into your vocabulary--
"preventive maintenance"
we could look up in this archive you actually bragging about never touching or doing any maintenance on your machine. time has finally caught up with you. you could probably own a m1 tank and have breakdowns.

c'mon Brandon..........snap out of it!

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have not yet decided what I am going to buy next. I am going to sell my Hustler (when it is restored) along with my Max. I overlook what I "could" have done to make this Max last longer (because 'could' didn't happen). What DID happen are things that could not have been avoided with any amount of maintenance. I won't go into details.
I am still open to all machines and I will still look at a Max IV. I looked at some 26" Vampire Super Swampers today that will make a nice addition to my next mud machine.

By P.J. on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Brandon: It is refreshing to see someone buy an AATV based on what he wants and not what everyone else thinks is best. Those who promote one brand only are missing the point. There is a reason for there being more than one manufacturer out there. If a Chevy could do everything there would be nothing else! Same for Ford & Chrysler! An intelligent informed decision is based on what the consumer needs.

Personally,I own an Argo. It does exactly what I want it to do and I know is capable of much more. I'm sure there is a Max I would like just as well. Those who offer their ludicrous opinions based on claims that their vehicle can do everything including climb Mount Everest are laughable.

In 1962 my very intelligent Uncle told me that he would never own anything other than a Corvair from then on!!!!

Maybe Brandon will buy another Max or maybe he won't. I bet he buys the one HE wants.

By V. Greg Hintze (Floodrunner) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Ah yes, mechanical failures, “things that could not have been avoided with any amount of maintenance.” The very same complaints that brought me ridicule at the hands (fingertips) of the author. So what do you think Brandon, now that you’ve had your share of Max troubles? You once refused to believe I even owned a Max. When that notion proved false you resorted to insulting my driving ability and accusing me of lying about the mechanical failures I experienced. My Maxes have always been meticulously maintained. Yours have not so no doubt you have created some of your own troubles. But due to your attitude about the troubles I’ve had I have no empathy for you. It’s rare that I delight in another’s misfortune but in your case I’ll make an exception. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy. Max Rules! (hehehe)

By Sam Keys on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Greg

I second your above message, we all remember the MAX RULES of old, he sure made a name for him self, really a pain in the rear.

More of the same to you Brandon

You know what I do feel bad saying this about a 15 year old kid....NOT

Sam Keys

By 99bigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I really do not think it is fair to blame Brandon's problems on his machine. He would have had just as many problems if he owned an argo. Every AATV requires maintainence to be a troble free machine.

There is only one person to blame this time. BRANDON.

Of course it is sure fun to finally put him in his place.

By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

ditto, :-)

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

It looks like I spoke too soon (and so did you). I figured out what happened today while studying the problem. I had chains jumping the sprockets I thought they were just cheap chains and sprockets. If you will remember a few months ago, I had the bright idea of cutting a link out of the chain to make it shorter. Well guess what folks, YOU CAN'T DO THAT! That made the chains stretch to the point that they no longer matched with the sprocket. I ran them for about 5 months with them riding hard on the sprockets. This messed up the chains big time and didn't help the sprockets any.
Today I went to a John Deere dealer (because nothing runs like a Deere) and bought 4 new chains for the lower sprockets. I just finished putting them on and all problems are solved. I may need to replace one rear sprocket since I gave it so much hell. I don't want that bad sprocket to ruin the new chain too quick.
You could say that too much maintenance caused this (cut out links) but I guess I wouldn't have done that if the chains wouldn't have streched so much. I wish I would have got o-ring chains when I bought it.
It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. I swear this thing must be bullet proof.

MAXRULES!

By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

BRANDON, ITS TRUE THAT O-RING CHAIN IS NICE BUT THAY ALL STRECH, THE BETER STUFF WILL NOT BREAK AS EASILY BUT IT STRECHES THE SAME.

By Marc Stobinski (Jerseybigfoot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

David, you brought up an interesting topic. Don’t know where it fits with the original Argo 3 wheel drive thing. I have new sprockets and chains on my Hustler and after about 15 minutes on the Humphrey night ride they were slapping the floor boards like crazy. Readjusted them twice in about 20 hours of use. Is this normal? I did install the US TSUBAKI 50 chain recommended by Richard. (although the box said made in Taiwan) The chains also appears to have stretched unevenly. What happens to the chains? Does the side plates stretch or doe the pins bend, or both? What is the difference with heavy 50? Buy the way if anyone has a Hustler and has trouble aligning the primary chains because the idler sprocket tensioners are bent or misaligned you can install a pair of spherical washers on each side of the sprocket and easily realign the idler sprocket. Email me if you need the details.

By Jack Chambers on Unrecorded Date: Edit

David:

You are right by saying all chain stretches. You are wrong when you say it stretches the same. O-ring chain stretches far less than regular chain. Since O-ring chain doesn't stretch as much, you do not have to adjust it as often. I owned an older MAX with regular chain and now have a IV-900T with o-ring chain. There is no comparason as to how much better the o-ring chain is.

By roadwolf on Unrecorded Date: Edit

king david is correcto. all chain stretches. it does intially cause of production tolerences, eg misalignment of side plate bushings, pin trueness an peening processes etc. after the seating in, proper tension and lubrication, wear an stretch is predictable.
better steel reduces breakage. jus feelin the chain weight compared to lighter inferrer stuff an ya'll know what i mean.
one of tha biggest problems fer chain wear iz too tight of tension. when adjusting chain do it at the tightest point, a lot of hubs are not concentric with the sprockets.
there iz no doubt that o-ring iz superior and assembly tolerences are tighter, but remember what RC saz, check yer side clearences.

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jack how much did you have to adjust the o-ring chain? I hate adjusting the chains on my Max (I just have regular cheap chain). The only experience I have with o-ring is that on my old '96 Polaris. The o-ring chain is the only good part on that machine and it went four years with no lube and no adjustment.

MaxRules

By GARY WHITLOCK on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I HAVE A MAX4 LOVE IT SO DOES ALL MY KIDS.THE ONLY DRAW BACK OR COMPLANT I HAVE IS THE MUFFLER RUSTS OUT QUICKLY AND IS VERY LOUD EVEN WHEN NEW IS THERE A FIX AM UNAWARE OF THINKING OF MAKEING MY OWN CUSTOM ONE BUT HOPEING THERE IS SOMETHING OUT THERE ALLREADY.THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP

By Bob Bascomb on Unrecorded Date: Edit

RI does have a new muffler that has been in production now for a little over a year now. It is very quiet. Mine is about 10 months old and it is still quiet and there is not a spot of rust on it anywhere. Call RI to see if you can buy one.

By Alan Lester on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Brandon Price: It would be wonderful if you would just retire from the airways. First the max atvs are wonderful, then when you encounter problems due to lack of mechanical knowledge/maintenance you bad mouth them. Then Argo is the greatest thing, then you discover what you did wrong from a Deere dealer and don't even admit fault and now max a great. You throw out pros and cons about vehicles that you have only seen on the web and read about. Face it, you are a 15/16 year old snot nose kid that has no other life than to give people the impression that you know alot more than you really do. What are you going to do for the rest of your life? Grow up and quit playing like you have all the answers about every vehicle in existence. And oh yeah, an Argo Centaur does not weight anywhere close to a ton and I have ridden with several folks that have had them and I know first hand what they will and won't do. I have the action first hand on video. Accept it like a man, wipe your nose and shape up. Alan...

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Everyone check out this page about the Centaur:
http://www.odg.com/centaur/specifications.html
First I want to make sure that Alan knows a ton is 2000 pounds. What does it say near the bottom of that page, right beside "shipping weight"? It plainly says 2100 lbs. Since shipping weight is usually dry weight, it would weigh even more by the time it was trail ready. I'm only 16 so I guess I just read it wrong, or it could be that you just got proved wrong by a 16 year old.
I really like how you say "Argo Centaur". The Centaur is made by Ontario Drive and Gear but in no way is it an Argo. The Argo is a completely different line of amphibious vehicle.
If I were selling lives I would be a millionaire.
Get a Life.

MaxRules

By Richard Clark (Richard) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

OK OK OK

Everyone: Lets stop the inflammatory comments.

I understand everyones concerns
however.

Richard Clark
ROUTE6x6

By Alan Lester (Alan) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Yes, Brandon, you are probably right once again. That's why most people come to the discussion board, to get your expert opinion before purchasing a $10,000 vehicle. Keep it coming. This is my last comment on this subject.

By George on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hey guys!!! If you really want to see a great machine. Look at the Triton. I ahve not had a chance to really check it out, but it sound impressive.
I think the main thing to remember is this. When I drive my 6x6 through brush and briars and over trees or logs it doesn't matter what brand it is, I do not get scratched and banged-up. When I go into the water and watch quads go two miles around to get to where they are going, it does not matter what brand it is, I do not get wet. WHen I drive by quads that are stuck in the mud, it does not matter what brand it is, I get to smile and waive (My favorite - I get to pull them out.)