By Garred Huber on Unrecorded Date: Edit

We use our 8 wheeled Argo for hunting in the fall and for hunting only. Two years ago we went 50 miles in the mountains of Northern British Columbia and hauled out two huge moose, two caribou, and two men with all our gear, and have many pictures to prove it. I know the gvw is only around 1000 lbs on our Argo, which we surpassed easily by 1000lbs!!! Now our argo is far from stock, having rollbars, 5000lb warn winch dual batteries, bigger tires, etc, but I would dare say that PSI or not, your not going to get that kind of weight on a MAXX or any other 6 wheeled drive machine. Furthermore, we are always crossing these four to eight foot wide creeks with banks that are straight up and straight down. A shorter six wheeled ATV would not cross because of the shorter length. They would end up digging their front ends into the banks on the other side. I would also say that the length of the 8 wheeled machine makes it more stable on hills. We have owned 6 wheeled ATV's so I can atest to that fact. It all depends on what you are going to be doing with your ATV, a MAXX would be impractical for us, unless they made an 8 wheeled version, but if you just want to get from point A to B in a hurry, on fairly level terrain a 4 or 6 wheeled ATV is the best choice.

By stephen bach (Stevebac) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

A local dealer has an Argo Bigfoot for sale with only 100 hours on it. The price is too cheap for 100 hours. The track is worn a lot. I suspect that he has taken a hour meter off of another machine and disposed of the original!!!
Any suggestions on where else to look for tell-tale signs of more use. I have never owned one.
Steve

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Never buy an ATV according to what the hour meter says. I see way too many dealers cheating by unhooking the meter.
It is possible that is has 100 hours and the track was just abused. I always look at the adjustment of the chains to help determine how much time the machine has when I doubt the hour meter.
There is nothing like a new machine, if it is at all possible go the extra mile and buy brand new. No need to pay too much for a machine that has been tore up and will be nothing but trouble.

By Phil Herrold on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Garred, what kind of bigger tires do you have on your 8x8? I was thinking of getting bigger tires also, but my runamuks work great. They give a soft ride and are more aggressive than you might think(those ribs really dig into the dirt)I agree that 8 wheeled machines are better in hills. 6 wheelers are more agile when your in the woods, though. Go Bush,
Phil Herrold

By Gord Young on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Garred Huber:

Having read your recent post, I am interested in how you managed to fit a second battery into the engine compartment of your ARGO. Do you have the accessory alternator fitted as well? I would agree that with such a large winch a second battery is a good idea. What modifications did you make under the hood to ensure a proper fit. Drop us a line!

By Garred on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Gord,

As you know, there isn't much room under the hood especially after we installed one reg. sized car battery and put in braces to beef up the front end for the winch. When we travel, there is usually only two of us, I stand up on the side of the Argo and hold onto the roll bar. So I'm never sitting on the seat. So we decided to buy a battery case and mount it where the passengers feet would go.

By Gord Young on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hello Garred,

Boy, that wasn't the type of answer that I was expecting from you. The idea of having a lead-acid battery in a plane vunerable to damage is not a healthy one.

Have you considered placing the battery in a marine battery box and securing it behind the seat near the fuel tank? Using booster cables or other heavy guage wire, I would think that the wires could be routed along the side of the body past the firewall and connected in parallel with the existing battery. The securing arrangement might be as simple as two eye-bolts fastened to the frame channel with appropriate sized holes cut from the floor pan to allow it to be removed for chain maintenance.

For your consideration...


Gord

By JACK NEWTON on Unrecorded Date: Edit

WILL SOMEBODY GIVE ME AN HONEST OPINION ABOUT THE DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY CONCERNING THE ENGINES OF SAY THE HONDA 450-S 4X4 AND THE ARGO OR MAX 18HP.I THINK THE 6X6S ARE IMPRESSIVE BUT WILL THEY STAND UP TO LONG HOURS OF USE WITHOUT COSTLY REPAIR BILLS.

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

Jack,
I will only speak about the Max ('cause that is what I know). The Briggs 18 hp vanguard is a very good engine (as are all engines used by RI). If you will change the oil, filters and spark plugs as recomnended and keep clean fuel, you will get thousands of hours of use from the engine.

If you will keep the chanins properly adjusted, use a little grease where required, keep it kinda clean and dry under cover when not being used, and lube regularly (cover with a plastic bag when you use it in rain or snow) the throttle lever, you will get many years (10 - 30) of use.

If you will ram it and jam it, "ride it hard and put it away wet" (that is a horseman analogy), it will only last you a matter of months (12 to 16) before you will need to do some pretty major repairs. They are machines exposed to some pretty harsh use and conditions, but if you will take care of it, it will last practically forever.

Merry Christmas to all!

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The best durability comes with the better Max models. The base model 14hp II and 16hp IV are mostly low cost machines to get people into the 6x6 world. They do not, however, hold up near as long as the 18hp II and 25hp IV. The standard chain in the base models wears way too fast. O-ring is the way to go if you want something to last a long time.
I replaced the chain on my 14hp II at about 250 hours of use. This time would have been greatly extended with the use of a little lube. I don't really mind though, the fun I've had with this machine easily pays for that new chain.
I have never once had anything break on this Max, only some things wear out from a rather severe lack of lubrication. I ride it hard and put it away muddy. It is not a rare thing for the entire machine to be covered in 1/4" of mud from top to bottom.
I have some experience with the Honda Foreman 450s also since there is a brand new sitting in my shed right now. My friend paid $5600 for it and all I can say is, "What were you smoking?"
As long as you are not worried about going 50mph, there is simply no comparison with a 6x6 vs 4x4. The Honda of course has suspension but rides unbelievably rough. My Max is a lot more comfortable in that you have a back rest and lots of leg room. Some people say Honda is tough as a brick, unfortunately it rides like one too!
What ever you get, Max or Argo, you will be very happy with its performance and reliability.

By waynew on Unrecorded Date: Edit

with a honda engine you will have to get every part from your honda dealer which will mark up the price alot. and if you need work done on it
the labor is out raigous.with the briggs engine you can find parts at a hard wear store for a lot less money.