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Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.56
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 03:20 pm: | 
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I have recently joined the ranks of 8x8's. I am getting some slapping noise on the floor boards when turning and some minor poping noise. I have checked all the chains and sprockets. The tension blocks all appear to be sound and tight. I have heard that this noise is normal? Is it? I have a ton of other questions but this is my start. Any help would be appreciated! Have a good NEW YEARS. |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 411
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 131.230.43.3
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 06:46 pm: |
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What year of machine do you have? There was a design change in the late 90's that was a big improvement. If they are adjustable you can jack it up into the air and make an adjustment. Your chains could be near the end of their useful life. |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.57
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 08:25 pm: |
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Jerry thanks for the response. The Conquest is a 2001 with 152 hours. I thought the chains were the problem. I took the floor off and drove it around and did not see the chains flopping at all. I am wondering if the floor board is just too close to the chains.
Ron |
Len Cater
Junior Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 18
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 72.138.89.77
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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The chains should be fine with the low hours on it. There is some slapping that can come from the floorboards, but more than likely it is something in the tension blocks. Make sure they are in fact still intact (when the springs weaken they will sometimes come off), and make sure at each tension block there is not any obstacles that have gotten in there (sticks, missing wrench etc).
The other area to check is your idler chains behind the firewall. Check for slack (I don't have my manual at home with me to give the spec) and adjust if necessary. |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.39
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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I do have one chain spring that may be fatigued so I will put a new one on. The idler chains have about one quarter to one half inch of free play. They may need adjustment but not a lot. Do these machines require constant maintaining?. Thanks for the help Len |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.59
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:38 am: |
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OH I forgot one thing. Go BOISE STATE BRONCOS} |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 412
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.106.196.119
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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Ron, the machines do require routine maint. on a schedule. Most machines I see come in for service and repar are machine that have had no maint. The owner drops it off and says "fix it" It could have been sitting all spring and summer as a yard pond full of water. Or in a garage but never started for almost a year. Do the basic maint. and use the machine frequently and your problems will become infrequent.
I have a machine in now that starts and idles fine but is low on power. It would not get up to full speed and the belt would not travel the full distance up the pulley. The chains were all losose and a jack shaft adjuster was broken.
I finally got into the engine and found that an intake pushrod was missing!
The machine is a 2003, with obviously zero real maint.. |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.36
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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Okay, next question is that one of the Runamucks has a slit in it. It is holding air but I think it needs replacement. Is there a better tire out there our should I keep the same ones on. I have been told that the Rawhides are a good choice. What do you think? I will be using this machine in the Moutains (snow and rocky terrain) and for aquatic herbicide use in the Summer. |
Erich Kelter
Member
Username: Fisherman
Post Number: 38
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 131.137.245.198
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 08:04 pm: |
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The popping/slapping could well be the idler chains, if I'm not mistaken 1/4 to 1/2 is way too much. I can look it up in the book if you need. When I tightened mine up to spec, that noise stopped. |
Ken Strahl
Member
Username: Chibear
Post Number: 22
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 207.161.0.72
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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I've got both the original Runamucks and Rawhide III,s. To my eye, the Runamucks looked a little too delicate for my uses (I run mainly on newly cleared land with lots of pokies, etc), so I use the Rawhides in the summer and the Runamucks in the tracks in the winter. You need to use the Runamucks in the tracks. The Rawhides don't work, at least according to the dealer. If you're going in snow, you will need tracks. I tried without last spring and my winch got a workout from having to pull me out all the time. |
Len Cater
Junior Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 19
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 207.164.158.170
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 03:47 pm: |
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Ron, the argo is much akin to anything else, you do need to keep on top of the mfr maintenance schedule. Key things are:
- lubing the axles and chains
- changing the oil at least once a year regardless of hours, more if hours of use demand it
- always use a gasoline conditioner since the machines do sit idle for lengths at a time. We always put conditioner in every tankful.
- and then every 50 hours do what the manual says. Since most Argos (and there are those who will use it more) seem to do less than 50hrs a year, then I recommend it yearly.
As for the idler chains, 1/2" would be too much so yea it does need some taking up. The manual states to loosen all of the bolts. The furthest bolt is almost impossible to get to, and you actually can still pivot the engine height without loosening it. |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.56
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 12:26 pm: |
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Sorry everyone I was in the moutains playing with the Argo. I will try to tighten the Idler chains next time up. The noise was really loud on turns in snow. The machine made so much popping I thought the floor boards were goind to break. I again pulled the floor and dash out and all the tension springs and respective blocks looked fine and did not appear to be loose at all. All in all it was a very frustrating! I will try all chains again including the idler chains. The machine does run well and has plenty of go but I am a little concerned about taking it anywhere. If I had a dealer close by I would let them take a look. Ken, I think you are right about the tires If I can get comfortable with the machine I will probably get the Rawhides for the summer use.
Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it.
Ron
P.S. What do ya think about those Boise State Broncos!!!!! |
Alf Wieme
Junior Member
Username: Peppi
Post Number: 17
Registered: 09-2006
Posted From: 207.195.1.6
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 05:33 pm: |
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Hello Ron, I also purchased a 2001 conquest this year and found the same noises coming from the chains when I turned. I checked the chains for proper tensions. Everyting was fine. What I found was that my unit would chain slap the floor usually when I made a right turn. Through the advise and comments of the 6x6 web site users and some trial and error, I discovered that I was not allowing the belt to engage (not enough gas)before drawing back on the right stick. For some reason I have trouble twisting my wrist to increase the revs then pulling back on the stick. A foot peddle would have made things much easier for me. I also have the tendency to pull to hard and not feather the stick. This action produces a nasty chain slap also when you disengage the stick. I parked mine for the winter as I have no tracks and am still working up to getting tubes in all the tires. |
Ron Hutt
New member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 12.213.224.56
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 05:47 pm: |
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Alf thanks. I had mine in 10" of semi-packed snow with tracks, it fought any turning like crazy. I do notice it more (the slapping) with both directional turns. It makes very little noise on ice when we were having fun with it. Next time up I will get it off the ground and check the all the chains.
I have heard there is a thumb throttle kit available. It would make it much easier to use. My wrist gets a little fatigued trying the turning and throttling. |
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