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Bill Weis
New member
Username: Wmweis
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2013
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 04:07 pm: | 
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I bought a used 2004 Vanguard last year with less than 100 hours on it. It came with 13" plastic tracks. I live in the UP and want to use it in the snow (a foot or so of snow). My experience is that it does not steer well in the snow, and often times instead of turning I hear the chains slapping the floor board. I suspect this is because wheels are slipping. I did not notice this when I bought the argo, but then again the wheels were over inflated. It does seem like there is too much slack in the tracks and although I have a half track segment, I cannot imagine getting the track to stretch with the half track in there unless I deflated the tires to the point they were smaller diameter until the track was installed, then re-inflate the tire to standard low pressure. The lack of steering is very frustrating. It steers fine in the summer without the tracks. |
Dave Keeso
Advanced Member
Username: Argomag
Post Number: 128
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 08:07 pm: |
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Hey Bill
Running any ARGO with tracks is different than without- A couple things could be happening in your case- Most likely problem is your tracks are too loose and your tires are spinning inside the tracks- Another consideration is what kind of tires you are using. Are you running stock ARGO tires or aftermarket tires? What size are you using? Make sure your tires are 22x10z8 to start-
Another thing to check before you run the machine much more is your drive chains. Above you mentioned that under load you hear the chains- It is not uncommon to feel movement in the floorboards in older ARGO's. That being said, you don't want to be jumping teeth on sprockets- Pull up the floorboards and check your chain tensions with the machine off the ground a bit - If your chains are too loose they can jump teeth with the added load of turning tracks.
Running tracks you never over inflate your tires- Your tires should be set between 2.75 and 3 psi cold. Another question is are you using stock ARGO tracks?
Start with these things and let me know how you make out- I can get in contact with you via phone if you need more help |
Bill Weis
New member
Username: Wmweis
Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2013
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 10:23 pm: |
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Thanks so much for your reply Dave. I can confirm that the tires are Goodyear Runamuk 22x10.0 8NHS and are set to the correct tire pressure. The tracks are also stock. I also think that the track is too loose and tires are allowed to spin under certain conditions. I tried to remove a full track section and replace it with a half track section, but could not stretch the track around the tires far enough to insert the pin. I am not sure if it is ok to fully deflate the front and back tire to allow the shortened track to fit, then re-inflate to proper pressure. Short of doing this I am not sure what else could be done to take up slack in the track.
I don't think the drive chains are jumping teeth, but I will confirm in the next few days.
I appreciate the quick response. I will drop you a personal email with my phone number and would welcome talking with you.
thanks! |
Bill Weis
New member
Username: Wmweis
Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2013
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 10:37 pm: |
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Dave, I am looking at the pictures on your website and see a tool that you use to draw the tracks together during installation. Where did you get that tool? Perhaps it would answer my question of using a half track section to shorten my track. |
Bill Weis
New member
Username: Wmweis
Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2013
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 09, 2013 - 06:40 am: |
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I managed to remove a full link from the track and replace it with a half track to shorten it. Much improved. I am still intrigued with the various tools people have created for aiding with the installation of the tracks, but for now I am content with deflating tires per the Argo installation directions. |
Dave Keeso
Advanced Member
Username: Argomag
Post Number: 129
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2013 - 06:30 am: |
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That's what I was going to suggest- you beat me to it- I have a very stupid question for you- are you sure your ARGO is a Vanguard? The reason I ask is the Bigfoot was almost identical except the most noticeable difference being tires- The only machines that required half links were the Bigfoot with rawhides swapped for Goodyears-
I am going to go through my stuff and look back on those vanguards- Haven't dealt with one in a while but there were 2 vanguard models and the bigfoot- all 3 had very close similarities-
As for that tool, it was custom made for my father 20 years ago when he had an ARGO- I will see if I can track the guy down who made it and see if he has any more- I could even sell you mine - I don't have an ARGO right now so I have no use for it- |
Bill Weis
New member
Username: Wmweis
Post Number: 5
Registered: 03-2013
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 05:11 pm: |
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My machine is definitely a Vanguard, 2004. I am not certain what tires come standard with Vanguards of that vintage, but I can only tell you what was on it when I bought it used last year. 28 full links and 1 half link vs 29 full links makes a huge difference with this machine.
How much would you want for that custom tool? |
Dave Keeso
Advanced Member
Username: Argomag
Post Number: 130
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2013 - 11:32 pm: |
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Hey Bill, sorry I was out of town for a day and it turned into a week- Send me an e-mail dkeeso@rogers.com with your contact info- I will call you sunday or monday depending on when you see this and we will talk ARGOs - I have a bunch of info for you here |
Shop Talk: Tech Tips and Q&A section