By Jim on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Can anyone give me a company website that makes hydrostatic drives that would work in an 8x8? Thank you

By Jerseybigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

contact http://www.eaton.com/products/index.html
Eaton has a line of hydrostatic pumps and high torque motors they use for mowers. Direct drive hydrostatic 6x6's have a very narrow performance range and will not meet the performance of Argos or Max's unless you start with a lot of HP. The 25 hp Kohler is only suficient to give about 12-15 mph. The Gerotor high torque motors also have speed and pressure limitaions. What may work out the best is a high pressure high speed piston pump and motor combination and utilizing a CVT off of the engine and a geared chain drive. The higher speeds and pressures would keep the component size down and and keep the price lower.

By ISAAC EISENMAN (Tropicjungleboy) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

HEY JIM:

here are some brand of hydraulic component factory

commercial

vickers

rexroth

sundstrand

prince

barnes

look for the follow component:

* variable displacement hydraulic pump

* fixed displacement hydraulic motor

* system accsesories ( oil cooler, oil reservoir, hoses, fittings, oil filter, )

for proper component's selection you should know first the follow:

* physical space to fit the whole system

* performance curve and mounting detail from power plant

* general performance's goal

By Jim on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks guys. I think if I use this set up for an aatv I would use a bigger engine than a briggs or kohler. There are cheap mercedes diesel engines on ebay that might work. But I think RPM plays a role in speed and diesels just donht have it. My goal in building this is to have a medium sized 8 wheeled machine that can go 25 to 40 mph and be able to float and do everything a max or argo can do and more. Now If I could just get the money........ to be continued

By Jim on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jersey I like your idea about the CVT conected to the pump but in a hydrostatic atv or aatv or mower the motor keeps a constant rpm. I dont know much about CVTs but if I had the engine at 3500 rpm and it felt too much strain on the motor would it do a "down shift" and change the final product RPM off the CVT or would it keep the RPM on the pump constant? I dont know I confuse myself thinking about it. Now about these eaton hydraulic products, what do I need?? Do I need a pump motor or transmition?

By Jerseybigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The engine speed would stay the same but you would not have to back stroke the pump to keep the engine from bogging down. The vehicle would slow down in either case. The CVT would act normally like any atv and the pumps would allow your foward revers for the right or left. If you check any of the hydrostatic ATV links, none of the vehicles go fast, they are heavy and expensive. Mowers and bobcats have very good power but very small speed changes (slow and stop)You want an AATV that has a broad power and speed range. Just remember HP=(GPMxPSIxeff)/1714.

By ISAAC EISENMAN (Tropicjungleboy) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

HEY JIM:

to obtain good torque and high speed on relative small ammount of power plant you should configure 2 variable displacement hydraulic pump with 2 variable displacement hydraulic motor with speed sensing hydraulic governor ( self adjusting according with psi from pump)...but you must have to be $$$$$$$prepare and to built up a bigger aatv frame with bigger and wider tires to obtain max-argo psi factor......( bigger and wider to obtain enough flotation space to compensate extra weight of the hydraulic component)

By jerseybigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Isaac, Hydrostatics sound good because the exceptional amount of construction and excavating equipment that works well. In reality a hydrostatic 6x6 or 8x8 will be heavy slow and expensive. When you do the calculations to combine good speed with good hill climbing you need 2 large volume varible pumps to obtain the same gear ratios avaiible from a CVT. This adds weight and requires additional horsepower. I put together a spreadsheet with the calculations and if anyone need some help to calculate the HP,pump flow,pressure and motor size based upon a vehicle weight, grade and speed let me know.

By ISAAC EISENMAN (Tropicjungleboy) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

HEY JERSEYBIGFOOT:

personally i won't select an hydraulic driven or water cooled engine on an aatv size or performed as an argo or a max...sure hydraulic is a very efficient way to transfer power but on the long run needs more manteniance and care than a direct drive/chain drive....if you realize that many many machines still working as new after more than 30 years you will find that hydraulic rubber component ( seals-hoses-)breaks down by nature
every 5 years and can fail without ANY warning!!!...and that will occur when you need it badly ( on no man's land )...of course that a factory designed integrated unit..( like the kid) it's something else!!!....but still related to internal damage due to dirt/contaminated hydraulic oil.....just figure out that hydraulic reservoir takes moistisure by condensation each time oil temp change...if you use it on daily basis will be better that from season to season....and this water/rust..(because metalic component loves to built up rust on water's presence)......anyhow i believe that what makes argos and maxes a remarkables desing whas SIMPLICITY and standard component easy to find and replace ( bearing-chains-sprocker-drive belt-) even on the engine stuff you check many "swap" stuff so people doen't mess with them!!!.....
happy bounce!!

By Craig Lasher (Celasher) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Isaac, I not sure I agree. I have a thirty year old KID, and the Hydro-Stats are fine. there are no high preasure rubber hoses. the only part that needer was the inter connecting chains. The kid is heavy (It was built to be a tractor)2200 lbs but can travel 25 mph with a 30hp wisconsin engine. I don't know if the new hydro-stat machines are built as well. but it can be done!!

Craig

By jerseybigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Isaac I agree with you 100%. The KID is another matter. A ton of money was invested in the KID to develop it and the company and investors lost a ton of money. Im sure it well engineered but to replicate it today would be very expensive.

By codyj on Unrecorded Date: Edit

If your looking for cheap you can go with a VW engine and transmision. check out http://www.amphibiousvehicle.net/6x6.html
this has one and you can e-mail the guy that built it. I was thinking of building one too. I have access to cheap vw stuff though

By nik'o the woods on Unrecorded Date: Edit

please, please, please, enough with the limited thinking. A hydrostatic machine need not be heavy, slow, or expensive. As proof I will very soon present a living, breathing, prototype of the worlds first and only ultimate amphibious fully suspended, 30 plus mph, under 600 lb. hydrostatic drive, super buggy- THE TRUDGER! no more high centering, no more slow water travel, no more stuck in mud, snow, rocks etc. due to an obtrusive body tub and more friction than traction. The TRUDGER is a ground up new design utilizing the ultimate in old fashioned technology- creativity, an open mind and uncommon sense. The TRUDGER! coming soon to a swamp near you. (the trudger is a product of D.I.U.- Design Innovations Unlimited, based out of the Ocala forest area of central florida. We will be in touch.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

no offence, but does anyone see a repeat of the extreme machine 2000 building up here?

By Nik'o the woods on Unrecorded Date: Edit

My apologies for perhaps sounding a bit flashy in my description of the TRUDGER in my last note- this was a result of another late nights work on the machine with the results being very positive- (engine fired up for the first time and hydro drive tested with only two wheels on the chassis so far, the gearing came out to be nearly spot on...) I would be very interested to hear more about "the extreme machine 2000" as I have never heard of this. In retrospect, the TRUDGER will be everything promised in my former letter and it looks like top speed may end up being more on the "fun" side of 30 mph+ than originally expected. We are extremely open minded here at D.I.U. and work as a team- so anyone with ideas, questions, suggestions, etc please don't hesitate to post because now is the time. We have a tentative goal to finish this machine before the end of the fall... N.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Nik'o the woods

Lets see some pics of your machine- we all love pictures it seems!!

By George on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Do you have permission of Extreme Machine to act this arrogant?

By Marc Stobinski (Jerseybigfoot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

This I gotta see. The only design that came close to have any real performance was made 30 years ago and had hydrostatics,CVT, 2stroke engine and chains. After all that fuss the T20 was cheeper, more efficient, and easier to work on.

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

You sure got my attention,,when you first posted here on the forum board,,about the newest Amphib design called ---> the Trudger.

I can,t wait to see some pics of new "Trudger" posted on Route 6x6.

Please keep us all imformed as to the progress you are now making,,on this "inovative" amphib of yours. Good luck,,you,re on the right track!

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Gentlemen,
In all due respect, I really do hate to get involved in these "what If" senerioes but some time you just say a bunch of stuff that simply is hard for me to stomach.
Once again, I make my living driving up and down the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline in argoes.Year around in all kinds of weather.I do like playing in them but I own a Hydro-Traxx.I have owned many of the nice "LIGHT" little machines that you all are so happy with. Good! Many happy returns!!
I just come in off my annual moose hunting trip from the BOGGS. With moose and gear in the back. Never was I stuck. Not even in the "Black Water Swamps "that my argo driving pardners are terrified of.
None of the big high pressure hoses failed. None of my wheel motors failed.Come to think of it ,NOTHING" failed!Not even the 32 Hp. air-cooled engine.
My machine weights in at 1300 lbs.Yet I crossed the boggs, logs, and creeks and didn't even sink. I can float 1000 lbs.and carry 4500 lbs.So me and my wife, gear and moose made it back fine.
In the last 8 years of production, not one wheel motor, Sundstrand Pump, or hose has failed.
I know this must be hard for some to take, but I did spend a bit of time pulling some of the others out of mud holes.
I said all that to say this...enjoy your machine.It may be just the ticket for your needs and you will be happy you own it.However cut us "HYDRO-STAT" owners some slack!Having owned most of them I can tell you with-out stuttering that hydrolic motors seldom ever fail. Ask the Bobcat or Cat owners.
Just for giggles, I have 10 1/2 inches of ground clearance with tires and 7 1/2 inches of ground clearance with tracks. The next you think of saying how much better you can go in the rough, measure your ground clearance. Those low-crotched machines drag on a cow terd.
Bubba, Alaska Bear Hunter

By Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Glad to hear you are happy with your machine and can justify spending thousands more over a Max or Argo. I do, however, know from years of riding many different amphibs that weight makes all the difference. The Max IV goes where nothing else will and it weighs 800 pounds by itself. It goes through these otherwise impossible places with one person in the machine. It will not do the same with another 500 pounds of cargo or people in it. Your Hydro Traxx weighs 500 pounds more than the Max IV which tells me without question that the Traxx can't follow the Max. That really isn't a bad thing, you still have all the other inferior machines to ride along with.
Another issue you don't mention is width. The latest info I have on the Traxx says it measures a full six feet wide, or 72 inches. The Max is only 56 inches wide and is good on most trails, even though some people still complain about width. The Argo Bigfoot is only 4 inches wider at 60 inches and just that little bit will sometimes add a bit of trouble to woods riding. Your beast is a full foot wider than even the Bigfoot. How you even get to the mud holes, I don't know.

By mike martindale (Wetsu) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

bubba,that just hurts.never once did i get hung up on a "cow turd"with my argo bigfoot.as far as hydro-static drive...i'm all for it,but it must be affordable.and since i'm no lawyer,doctor ,engineer,or pipline walker(rider).i simply can't afford a hydro-traxx.so if this trudger accually works and is cheaper than the h-t.i'm all ears.so nik,get busy building this machine,then prove it will work.because these boy's and girls on this post are pretty set in their ways.and your machine will have to pay it's dues,to survive.good luck on your project and keep us all posted.

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

( Bubba Hunt)

Brother,,,don,t hold back at all! Why don,t you say what you REALLY MEAN!! Ha-Ha! Let all of the know it all "nay-sayers" on this forum board, have it with both barrels!

I,m very sure that you have took your machine through enough boggs,swamps,and perilous places, and also, have owned your Hydro-Traxx long enough,to see if you could find any weak links in this well engineered,,and robustly build amphib.

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Well Heck,
I wasn't trying to put down the other machines as I have owned a few of them and have liked playing in the mud with them.But since I've only been messing with them since 1969, I guess I'm some what of a novice.I was just trying to stop some of the "Know It All" dealers who spend a bunch of time promoting their machines from trying to convince the world that they should beat a path to their doors and BUY the ULTIMATE machine.
Every machine has it's good points and bad points.Yep, the MAX will walk over mud that the dealer can't walk on foot.Yep, it even floats better than most, and is narrow to get between the legs of a mud flea. Not saying bad things about the argo either. There are thousands of them up here.
Get used to it fellers. New machines are coming along that will be more efficient, have more power,and will have something other than the whips and chains that you seem to be so happy with.
I seem to have stirred up some of you dealers.Well get your hackles back down. Didn't mean to mess with your poor old blood-pressure.However don't sit there and think you can slam the Hydro Machines without getting a raise out of me.My old Hydro-Traxx can carry a full sized moose through a mud bogg that some would have trouble carrying a house cat and believe it or not I can even get to that bogg without even having to tighten a chain. Having said all that...enjoy what you have.It isn't any more of the ULTIMATE machine than the Hydro-Traxx.
They all are good!!Personally if I built the machine, I would make it a little narrower and figure out how to mount the wheel motors under the outside for more ground clearance.Oh well, until then!!
By the way,my back 40 used to look like a grave yard of lost and broken aatv's. Some of my friends have relieved me of those old dead aatv's and now there's nice green grass growing back there, next to the big mud bog of course.
So, my swamp running friends,sit down and take three or four deep breaths and relax.More machines are on the way..the worse is yet to come.
Hey Mud Bug,haven't been able to break this thing yet.I'm still working on it.My only problem is my wife has given it a NAME and is trying to take it away from me!She made a good shot on the moose.
Bubba

By Mike Longest on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bubba:

Never mind, the know it all dealers some of whom are only
18 years old. Keep in mind some people on this
6x6 board want to mix things up, for what reason I do not
know, except that they must be as....holes. It is sad.

I do not think that their nasty comments and their claim to be
an expert will ever convience any one to buy a machine from
them. I wonder how many machines they have sold? I seem to
remember someone once stating that they would give them away
for almost nothing. Anyone else remember?

Keep in mind that most dealers that post on this board are really
good people and trully try to help folks out, my hat goes
off to people like Fred from MT.

I bet the Hydotrax is a nice machine, too much money for me
but I can still think of owning something like that someday.
I hope you enjoy your machine. Please do not let a few people
on this board overshadow the fact that there are thousands of good
people that read and enjoy this board from Route 6x6.
Michael Longest

By Howard on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Yes I agree:

Anyone who sells needs to remember

You catch more with sugar than with salt

Howard Hoover

By RickMoMoBigfoot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bubba, Do you go to any of the rides that are on this site? I would love to see one of those machines . I've been to many of the rides and seen diffrent kinds of 6x6 makes there but no hydros.I'm sure there great but i beleive that the driver makes most of the diffents. Do they cost so much to buy and repair that the hydro traxx people can't make these rides? I really would love to ride with a H.T. owner someday.
Rick

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Mike Longest
Thanks for the words of encouragement, although the hide on my old rear is the same quality as alligator.I never entended to slam dunk anyone but sometimes the good old truth isn't that easy to digest. Time will make a big difference. By the way, I just finnished an article on "Bears".If anyone would like to read it let me know and I'll e-mail a copy. It seems to be going over big up here and down there too.It deals with what to do when things are not looking very good with the big fuzzy critters hanging around.It is a chapter of a book I'm doing on living in the bush.
Let me know.
Bubba oldbearhunter@gci.net.

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

( Bubba Hunt )

What size moose ( weight ) did you shoot, and then carry out of the Boggs on your Hydro-Traxx?

By Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Mike, I think the only thing "sad" about this whole thing is you trying to put down a friendly disagreement. Bubba posted an opinion on his machine and I presented a few facts against what he was saying. Please, keep the personal attacks and mindless hatred for someone you don't know, to yourself.

Bubba, I hope my facts weren't as harsh as Mike makes them out to be. I like to hear of your adventures but you can bet I'm going to call you out if I think you are wrong. In return, I'm always interested in constructive thoughts about why my opinions might be wrong. No hard feelings against you. I'd be happy to pull you out with my Max if I ever find your clumsy beast bogged down in a mud hole or wedged between two trees. haha

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Howdy again,no I haven't been on any of the rides. I'm sure they must have some up here but I've never had time to ride and play, just hunt and fish.My wife's moose was 56 inches and weighed about 900 lbs of meat. Yep,it all fit in back of the Hydro-Traxx which didn't seem like much of a load for it.
I keep hearing about how much the Hydro costed over the price of others like the argo. Well, I can buy a new argo for 12,500 in Anch.My Hydro was $ 13,500.Then I loaded it up with about everything it would hold. So $ 1,000 more wasn't enough more to cause me to buy something else.I would have been glad to pay $5,000 more for the difference. To each his own.Oh, I could have also bought one of the little Kiddy-carts but I wanted some thing that would carry a load without breaking down everytime I overload it.My loads consist of caribou-moose and gear.Others pack their lunch,house-cat or maybe the family dog.
I've been trying to figure out how to get tracks on a roller skate so I could get in between the trees a little better.There's not any trees in the arctic so it hasn't been an issue yet.As soon as I can find two trees close together, I'll let you know how hard it was to get between them.
Unlike the "brake n skid" rigs ,I can reverse levers and do a 360, or maybe just run over the danged tree.
Brandon,I appreciate your kind offer to pull me out if I ever do really get stuck.I would also like to extend the olive branch to you. So if I ever find you stuck, I'll be more than happy to pick up your MAX, put it in back,and haul it out and you won't even have to get your feet muddy:)
Really,no hard feelings on my part.Disagreeing is a healthy thing and I enjoy a good laugh once in a while.
Bubba

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Brandon,

"find your clumsy beast" almost sounds like an attack on the hydrotraxx or the machine bubba has. I know you are joking around-- ALL OF YOU, CUT OUT THE ATTACKS- WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT MACHINES, WE HAVE THEM FOR WHATEVER REASONS, ENJOY THEM, DRIVE EM LONG AND HARD, AND SHUT UP ABOUT THE COMPETITION ASPECT OF IT ALL!!

By Nik'o the woods on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hello from the hot swamp and thank you all who had words of encouragement for the Trudger project. It is making progress, though sometimes it comes to a temporary halt due to the usual things- D.I.U. is in it's genesis and the Trudger is the most fun but least important of the things we are working on. We are also a local sign manufacturing company and are working on obtaining several patents for components/design configurations on the Trudger as well as unrelated ideas. SO... bottom line is we are busy. Just trying to make $$ like everyone else. Want to clear one thing up though, when the Trudger is finished it will be a prototype- whether or not it comes to production depends on patents, company funds etc... Pictures will be coming as son as we make sure everything works!! Here is some technical info so far...
POWER- modified honda goldwing engine-1500 cc
DRIVETRAIN- single self contained large capacity hydrostatic transaxle which will drive three axles per side via kevlar belts or possibly a triple roller chain- we are still debating this.
Trudger will use, for the time being, three 25x12x9 tires per side plus three 23x10x8 also per side(inboard of the larger tires)
In effect to prevent high centering, or bogging due to friction of a belly pan as there won't be any to speak of. Water propulsion will be mainly from a p.t.o. driven screw or prop type mechanism as the tires will end up being largely ineffectual due to several factors which I wont get into now... Final flotation is still somewhat up in the air but we have several ideas which will come into play as progress continues.
My eyes are tired and so am I so good evening for now and thanks again for the encouraging words, they really do mean something! N.

By John Schwab (Johnschwab) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bubba- This is a tough crowd. Please keep your experiences with your HT coming for those of us interested. When I saw my first amphib not that long ago, I immediately wanted one but was wary of the mechanicals ( chains, sprockets etc.) Hydraulic drive seemed like a good fit for this type of machine and I wondered why there wasn't one available. Now that I have owned my Max 11 for a little over two years I am already tired of fixing the same things over and over. I hope someone builds a fun hydraulic-drive machine someday for those of us who don't haul moose around.

By Attex Bob on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Nik'o: It may be a cool machine but you arn't going to make 600lbs. Not even close. That Goldwing and tire wheel combo will be close to maxing out your 600lbs.

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bubba Hunt )

Yeah,,I agree with John Schwab! Keep the Hydro-Traxx trail adventures coming!!!

I,m quite certain that the majority of readers on this 6x6 forum board,,would just love to hear about some of your Hydro-Traxx adventures and also, some of the extreme places that you have been able to take it!

I know I would for sure!!

In fact,,from my point of veiw,there are not enough amphibious trail riding adventure stories to suit me,each and every time I read this 6x6 forum board.

I have been a great fan of the Hydro-Traxx ever since I logged onto their website, and saw for myself,just how they durable that they are made,and also,all of the many options that are now available for them,when you buy one.

The workmanship of these fine amphibious machines ,is a step above the rest,,and they are also "very well constructed".

They also look to be a lot more durable, when you start to compare them to any of the other amphibs that are now being offered for sale.

I have also watched a video of the Hydro-Traxx in action, and I was most impressed when I saw a close up veiw on the video,of how well they are built,,and also,just how heavy duty they are!

By Howard Hoover on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I Live in Indianapolis and today before I went to work I went to see the Hydro Traxx Where they make them. I didn't have a lot of time but It
was well worth the short trip out there.
The model I rode in and drove had a 4 cylinder Nissan in it I wasn't dissapointed in the machine at all really it's just that it's a little big for my taste (wide) and I don't like having to keep an engine redlined to get maximum performance out of it for the Hydraulics I do like the hydraulic system though, if only there was a way to get it to perform reasonably well without having to keep the engine reved up all the time like that I could tell it would be annoying after not much time at all driving it, it wasn't real loud but that constant reving for a pleasure or fun machine just doesn,t do it for me. I was impressed with it's ability to climb even though it was on concrete it was a pretty steep hill on the side of the road it was dirt at one time but apparently they were tearing up the hill so bad the highway dept got on to them about it so they had concrete poured on the side of the hill. The machine seems to be very solid, we didn't go through any water or mud so I could only report on it's hill climbing which was great in my opinion. They were working on a new machine and they showed me the frame it is 1/4 inch thick steel that ought to make for a pretty strong foundation. The machine might be a little heavy a little too big and it's definitely expensive but I think it's a very capable machine. I knew the machine was fiberglass but it had an HDPE skid plate on it! I also liked the ride it seemed to be pretty smooth, that probably had a lot to do with the suspension seats that were in it.There wasn't much leg room in it though or a place to brace your feet! front engine design I guess, there was more than enough room in the back but you don't drive from the back seat!

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Howdy from Alaska,Yeah some of my new friends are a bit rough around the edges but I have been known to be a little crusty myself.I also know I brag a bit much about my old Hydro.Well, it used to be mine,SHE has about taken it away from me. Two years ago I had surgery and when I got home we went moose hunting.I shot a 60 inch bull and she totally gutted,shinned,cut up bagged and packed it 50 yards to the road.So I can't say much.We use the machine to run the beach for clam digging,skid logs,ice fishing,and hunting. Should any of you come up, I can give you a tour of the best fishing,summer or winter.
Besides programming fiber optic lasers, I have Shadow Mountain Lodge which over-looks the Kenai River.The hardest thing to do is figure out what to do.This is a little chunk of Heaven that we love to share.
I write articles on Alaska and some of you have responded. Kool.My article on "Bears" may be something to read for those who spend time in the woods.Shoot me an e-mail and I'll e-mail it to you.
Bubba oldbearhunter@gci.net

By Howard Hoover on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Who ever posted the message on wednesday sept. 24th @ 6:41 pm with the name of Howard please contact me we need to figure out who should use a different posting name password or something since I did not post this message but when you click on the name my e mail comes up.
Thanks Howard Hoover
H_N_H@msn.com

By uzi2100c on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Just a few comments on the Hydro Traxx since I just happen to have one. This is my first and only AATV but have had several quads. That reminds me, I need to crank up the old Kawasaki 400 to see if it is still running :). Just can't seem to go get on it when the HT is sitting next to it. One issue that keeps coming up is the width and use in the woods. I admit I was concerned about that but it is no longer an issue with me. I go through places now that I would not dream of going on a quad. I can plow through briars and saplings up to 2" like mowing grass. Fair sized logs and rocks are no longer an issue. Sure there are a few places that the smaller size AATV or quad will fit that the HT would not go through. However, you can generally go around them. I will admit that I have one gulley on my place that I routinely transversed with the 4 wheeler that is a problem with the AATV. This seemed to due to almost verticle sides of about 21/2 to 3 feet and a narrow bottom. The 4X being short could almost level out before going up the other side. However, the HT is like standing on it's nose with the top of the front nearly touching the other side. I have always backed it out (lack of nerve I guess)(also did not want to rake the front through the dirt and rocks) although I believe it would push on up the other side. This is the only place or situation that the 4X beat out the HT with me driving. More experienced AATV type probably would laugh at my reluctance. One other issue that was posted earlier about running full throttle all the time was another concern for me as well. I agree that I do not like this but have found that you get use to it to the point that you generally do not notice it if you are in the ruff i.e., climbing steep hills, going over obsticles, etc. It is a nuisance when on trails and such and trying to talk to someone. However, I just throttle back. The performance drops but not a problem under these circumstances. I got a bit long winded there didn't I. Just wanted to share info and there is not much on here about the HT. Happy bouncing to all. Ron

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Ron,well said.Actually the width kept me from rolling over when I constantly slid off in the sink holes.At first I thought it may be a problem but with the reverse direction of the wheel motors I have always been able to go around or over whatever was in my way. The trick is always looking ahead so you don't get locked in to a place so bad that you get hung-up. I have been in some ugly places where I've had to do that 360, and it was not a problem.Folks can hoop and hollar about the width of the hydro or the weight, but neither is a problem. That 360 rotation is so forgiving that it keeps even me from getting into places where width is an issue.I have had to use my winch only once and that is when I fell off into a hole 6 feet deep and 20 feet across.The sides were vertical and I climbed straight up and lost my guts.So I run the 4500 lb winch line out and pulled myself out.
These woods up here are full of those holes and the deep grass keeps them hidden. Last year I dove off into one of them in my 4-wheeler and was lucky I wasn't killed.My hydro has a strong roll-cage and seat belts.The last thing I want to do is injure my OWNER,(wife).She would kill me. I go nowhere unless I'm belted in.
I have never talked to a hydro owner who wasn't thrilled.I grin so much that I have to put salve on my teeth to keep them from drying out. Up here mud bogs come far down the list of bad things behind sink holes, downed logs that are hidden by tall grass,underground creeks that cave in,and ponds that are covered with a thin layer of moss.You can't see until you are in them .That is how I sunk my trackster.
Well, so much bragging for now.
Bubba

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

( uzi2100c )

Not long winded at all,just a good explanation of your Hydro-Traxx and the places you have taken it.

In my opinion,,the constant sound of noise from the engine and sunstrand pump, would seem to me,to get very irritating after a short period time when trail riding.

But,I have also thought, that maybe you could just use less engine rpm,,when you did not need so much power, and then have less over all noise if you chose to.

Thank you for clarifying this for all of us.

Another concern of mine with the Hydro-Traxx,,is the wideness of it. I have a 2002 Max IV now,,and I can not see it fitting through most of the trails my friends ride on with their 4x4 ATV,s.

But,,a few people have also posted on this 6x6 forum board,,that if the trail is just too narrow to fit though, you can just push down the small trees in way, with your "do it all" Amphib.

But,in lots of trails that I ridden in Louisiana,,the trees are too think to push down,and would damage your amphib if you tried to.

Also,,on some ATV trails, here in Lousiana,there are acreas and acreas of trees, growing very close together. This would makes it very hard for some with an Amphib,,to make any reasonable forward momentum in situations like this.

Sure,,in some trail riding situations,,you can go around in some places,,but,,in a lot of places you can not.

You just need a small ATV that the trails have been made with,,to go down them!

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Mud Bug,you are absolutely correct. In an environment like what you are talking about, a smaller machine would be a lot easier to get around in. I don't face the same problems up here. Being a foot wider isn't much, but it could cause you to go around rather than in between.I have heard of those who use hydro's in the swamps down there,but they don't seem to have those problems.
I think it is kool to have a large selection of machines to choose from. It lets us pick the right one for our needs. There are no bad machines, only different machines for different jobs. Personally I need a big work-horse. I skid logs, pack heavy loads and don't go too fast. I do only 14 mph, but I don't move too fast myself either.
Bubba

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

( Bubba Hunt )

Bubba,,I really dont plan on riding my Max IV in the majority of the swamps where I live at,,because of the fact,,,we really do have aligators where I live.

Who knows,,I might have to wade out or swim out, if I get really stuck by myself,,, ha-ha!

The riding places I was referring to, in my previous posting, on this forum board,was mainly woods riding, where the majority of the ATV trail have been made.

These are ATV trails with lots and lots of trees,,and never ending switch backs that turn left and then right.

About the only amphib that could navigate these kinds of trails easily,,would be the smaller size "Max II"

But,,because of its 22-23 inch tires,,and very limited ground clearance,,it would some times be at a disadvantage in the very muddy and deeply rutted trail sections,,that are often very narrow where we ride.

The much larger Argo Big Foot or Max IV, would have an even harder time still,,trying to skid stear constantly left and then right,,on most of the tight wooded trails I have ridden ATV,s on.

And any amphib bigger than this,,would be absolutely out of the question,,because the majority of the trails I ride on,,have tree that are too thick and way too many to drive over!

By liflod (Liflod) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bubba,
I see why the engine sound doesn't bother you, after driving a Trackster for any lenght of time, everything is more quiet or you are now partially deaf and can't here it!! :)

By Eddie Beddingfield on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Mud Bug how many hours do you have on your Max now? Does it really get hung up that much where you ride? Sounds like you spend more time saying it wont fit or go somewhere, when you should be finding a way to make it do what you want. Eddie

By Bubba Hunt on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Liflod, Yep, can't hear myself pass gass most of the time:)As far as the high rpm's on the hydro, I wear ear protection. It is a bit noisey but us old Pharts can't hear it anyway.The water cooled units aren't that bad. It's mostly the high rpm's that bugs folks. Small trade off for what you get in power and performance.The SundBerg Pumps require the rpm's to work properly. I loved my old trackster except I wasn't able to get it to float.I put 20 moose in it over the years and it never let me walk.Having said all that,the hydro seems to be as tough.Wound up wallowing in two moose this year, and caribou hunting is ahead.So far haven't been able to break it even with heavy loads.
Bubba