By Rick Cushman on Unrecorded Date: Edit

looking at the Triton Predator and wondering if anyone out there has a newer version with the Kubota diesel. I would like to talk to someone other than a sales person to get the straight story. There not cheep that much I do know. I was told about a guy that put 2400 hrs in one year with no problems that sounded great. Hope someone can help out that ownes one. The vidio they sent out looks like hydrostatic drive has some great advantages.
Thanks, Rich Cushman

By Kyle L.Vogt (Cmdrvogt) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rick, I saw the same video and the machine was impressive to say the least,however I was not impressed with the poor quality & production of the video.Max sent me a video which was litteraly twice as long as tritons and far more proffesionaly produced ,with footage of the factory and vehicle layout.My point is for you to check out all of the companies & compare which one is the best bang for the buck. 2nd, a Triton sells for $12,500-14,500 and thats alot of hard earned money.I contacted Argo,Max & triton before making my dicsion as to who's product & service package would be best to sell & service.Argo took 2 Phone calls (all toll calls by the way),3 E-mails before they responded 2 weeks later,and when they did it was a poor responce at best,no printed material ,nothing ! Triton took 1 week and responded with a video & printed material. Max responded within 24 hrs.of my inquiry , by phone,then 24 hrs with video & printed material,they also have a toll free no#. My point in all this is you've got to look at the initial product & the service before you decide who to go with.If the're hard to contact before the sale,what will they be like afterwards when you need service or help,could you even work on the machine yourself if there's no dealer in your area to cover warranty work ? Remember ,a warranty is worth no more than the integrity of the indivisual giving it! 1st impressions are every thing when it comes to buying & selling,if a company cant spend the time to hire & train their employees propperly, if they can't follow up quickly and their visual materials are poorly laid out then that concerns me. As to a diesel in a 6x6,it better have a turbo! Why would you want a diesel over gas in something so small ? In a fullsize truck yes,in a 6x6,no thanks!you'll have to deal with a very messy engine compartment and the stink of diesel (I own a dielsel truck and love the fuel millage,but wuold'nt consider another w/out a turbo,way to slow! my other truck is a big block gas engine),besides,it's not like a gas engine is going to wear out quickly any way! I filled my fuel tank on my Max 900T and have driven about 4 hrs. and my gauge reads 1/2 full,it has plenty of torque(39.5 ft lbs to be exact!)and a top speed of 33-35 mph. It swimms approx 6mph. No ,this is not a long winded sales pitch for Max,I wanted to sell a machine that would meet my high demands of qaulity and service and that I could also enjoy with my family ,use on my farm & other bissinesses. All in all ,I cant see paying that much money for a Hydrostaticly driven machine unless your mission parameters require it,maintanance will probably kill your budget (unless your name is uncle suger!). You ought to make a list as to what your machine must accomplish in it's given tasks,then call all the manufactuers and gather info to compare(Price,warranty,availability of parts etc.)then make your descion . Hope I was able to help you with some food for thought. Kyle

By BILLY on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I agree with almost all of the points Kyle made, but sometimes there is an even bigger picture.
He's right, you really have to cover you ass with the "before and after purchase". I especially like the part about, what good is a warranty if the closest dealer is too far away. Also, if people know anything about diesle engines (owned one or work with them), it's over kill and messy for a 1000 pound vehicle, unless you're a bear hunter or entering a tractor pull competition!
I sent away for Preditor info too:
I received everything I asked for promptly, considering I'm in PA, they're in Saskatchewan.
I about fell down when I saw the price sheet.
Gas retails; $14,495
Diesel retails; $18,995 and higher (33 & 37hps)
My opinion is at that price, they better run for a lot longer then 2400 hours before I have a problem!
Lastly, you have to keep in mind that the Triton Preditor was only released to the public in 1996 and the Max has been around for over 3 decades. Of course the R-I people have their ducks in a row by now with sales, service, warranties, and even literature (brochures)...etc...
It doesn't make Triton irresponsible, just new. I'm sure they'll figure out what Max know soon enough. As for Argo --- no real excuse for customer service problems, they've been around too long.
I like the run Land Tamer is making in the AATV market, but it looks a little funny. I do like the performance numbers and the price, though.
I'm not defending anyone, just keeping an open mind.
Don't see what you want to see, see what is!

By Rich Cushman on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Kyle, First I'd like to thank you for your impute on the Triton Predator. The quality of the tape is not the deciding factor after all look at all the great info commercials that sell junk. What I am looking for is a great machine. Money is not always the biggest issue you know how that goes sometimes you pay for what you get. Sometimes you don't get what you paid for eather. I am not sure what everyone else expects from a machine but I have always liked how ease a Bobcat was to control. The warranty issue is only as good as the company that built the unit. I'd rather pay more now and not have to later. This is why I would like to talk to someone who owns one they should know first hand if it is any good.
I will say from what I have been told that the Max has the better of the drive trains out there. I just don't really like the looks of the machine, sorry to all of those who do but this is just personal preferance. I guess we can't have everything and who knows I may end up with one of ugly machines after all. Once it's covered with mud what the heck. How do you get the speeds of 33 - 35 mph on land and 6 mph on water ? there not rated at this. Is your machine stock? Well thanks for the impute I hope there some others that can tell some stories from there own personal experience with a Predator. Thanks again this is a great place to discuss all the good and bad and we all benefit. Thanks Route 6x6
and Richard Clark. Rich Cushman

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rich - The Max IV 900-T does have a stock speed of 33-35mph on land. It easily does 6mph on water with 26" tires. I think I'm going to have to buy a new 900-T next year.

MaxRules

By snowco on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hi Rich,with a last name of Cushman, how can you think of anything else,but a "Super Trackster"?
Steve Snow
Snowco Cushman

By Kyle L.Vogt (Cmdrvogt) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rich, i hope you did'nt misunderstand me, I was'nt saying that one should base their perception on any one aspect of a company(ie. video tape),but the whole picture they present.When I see something that I deem to be substandard,Then flags go up as warnings.Take what I'm saying w/ a grain of salt,as I have very strict standards when it comes to professionalism from my time spent in the service(you know,"attention to detail",etc.) and am not trying to "nitpick". When I reviewed the triton dealer package I was dissapointed with some aspects and impressed with others from a stand point of product (well designed ,attractive & reliable in function) and service (ready availability of parts & customer service) and I almost forgot,affordability! That brings me to my conclusion of the above issue,that when you compare as I have the above principals , the Max upper line of vehicles (600T & up , in cunjunction with our custom militerized Hvy Dty accesories)are the best return for the expenditure of funds ! I personally own a stock (engine & drivetrain) 900T w / "26 tires,I estamate it to travel @ 32-35 Mph. I could be wrong , but I'd be suprised ! I'll test to know for sure,then post it. I've only modified it w/ a custom designed 6 point cage,using 1 1/2 roll cage tubing w/ a complete wrap around mounting system .This set up allows me to safely & comfortably carry 5 med build adults (2 frnt,3 rear)a "56 x "36 rear cargo area,2 40MM ammo cans (secured),roll bar mounted lights,front bumper w/ brushgaurd and a 2500 lb. winch. I agree that the old style Max 4 was ugly (no offence to older vehicles intended !),however,with the new changes to the body seeing is believing,I've only had positive results from every person who's seen it and I love the way it looks,tough,a mans machine (It would make a great airborne droppable unit!)! I've taken it over some hills & through some swamps that I thought I surely would be stuck in,but to my suprise it did'nt even slow down a bit! The Max 900T w/ "26 tires will go places you woul'nt ! The 900T is VERY torquey (sp?) and combined w / the "26 tires you gain substantial top speed w / no loss of bottom end,impressive 0-20 Mph and very quick & controlable handling! I have alot of Hi-qual photos,still shots,action & accesories that I'd be happy to E-mail you ! Thanks, Kyle

By BILLY on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rick and Kyle;

It sounds like Kyle has a beast of a machine and I would love to see it. I agree with Rick about spending more now then later. Not many people think like that. Actually, not everyone can afford to think like that.

Kyle are you a Max Dealer? I think I read somewhere else in the discussion board that you said you were. All Max info aside -- we still don't know much about the PREDITOR.

I'm sure that the real light needs to be shed by a Triton PREDITOR Owner or if worse comes to worse - a Triton dealer. Growing up, my father always taught me not to talk out of my ass. I haven't even seen a PREDITOR to know the differences, other than the literature sent to me.
I do think the Max is a great investment in an AATV.

No disrespect intended to anyone above, its just that we're not the ones Rick needs to hear from.

I think its about time we hear from a TRITON OWNER, about the PREDITOR!

By Rich Cushman on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Billy, Now you are on the right track. This is what I an after. I'm begining to wonder if there are any others that own the TRITON PREDATOR or maybe they just don't want to talk about it.
Kyle, If I was going to buy a MAX I'd would be the same one you have. I just recieved a video from Superior Off-Road ATV'S in MI and was very impressed with what I saw. These guys put out one of the best video's I have seen. They had a small 14 hp pushing a foot of snow with no problem so I could just picture that 25 hp. I always like to have the extra power. Kyle I would like to see your pictures also and the new machines with the changes were a big plus for MAX. So as of now I am still looking for feedback on the Predator. I gues I is hard to sell something when you can't see or try it. Thanks Guys for your input again. Rich Cushman

By BILLY on Unrecorded Date: Edit

RICK-------[REAL INTERESTING]

Check out a conversation about the Preditor that took place a year ago.
Even the manufacture got involved on the discussion.
I want to know more (real) inside info on the Preditor too.

Discussion Boards-
Other ATV Interests-
Triton Preditor hydraulic motor failure-

By Dave Blackburn (Dave) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Rick, before you buy ANY machine test one to the limits, hills, mud, water whatever you can test it in do so. If you plan to use it in the water, will it still float with the diesel? It's a lot more weight.
I bought my Power-Trac untested, unseen based on my experience with Bobcats et. al. and the positive feedback I got from their staff. Before I bought it it could do most anything short of laundry and flying! Now that I have discovered it won't float and can't pull hills with 4 adults, they just can't imagine why I thought it could!
I'm sure the Tracksters are much better machines, but without feedback from owners, and a very vigorous test session, I'd leave em be!