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danx

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Looking at buying a machine with the main use being in deep snow. What is the best machine and tracks for snow? Will they go in deep mountain snow?
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jdhoath

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

danx:
By far an argo conquest with supertracks and the ice cleat kit, Ive drove them all and the gound the supertracks cover with the eight wheels and the strong 20 hp motor in my opionion is your best bet. Did I mention this will be by far your most expensive bet! you get what you pay for though. the Second best would be a bigfoot with the standard track set. that is what I have and the extra horsepower helps in deep snow. with the shorter wheel base than the 8 wheeler standard tracks are better because they dont push as much snow as the supertracks.
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Chris

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What are the differences between the standard and super tracks for Argos? Would either of these work on a Max?
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jdhoath

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

chris
standard tracks are about 14 in. wide and supertracks are about 18 in. wide. As far as argo tracks on a max it would probably work with the 22in. tires but I am not sure if the tracks would clear the muffler or the front of the underbody.
I am an argo guy but I wont hold any punches back when talking who has the best track system and it is definatly the max. I am currently making my own set of tracks for my 73 argo 8 out of half inch nylon reinforced conveyor belt. My only problem is I half to find a max dealer who will sell me just the tire keepers. I have a freind who made a set like this and they work better than the argo or max tracks, I have seen them in action.
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jerrypulda

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

jd, i didn't know tracks fit on the bigfoot. i am deciding between the argo vangard 2 and the bigfoot, but was told tracks wouldn't fit it...
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jdhoath

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

jerry
the bigfoot track kit comes with 6 new tires and rims to accomidate the tracks. that is why the track kit for a bigffoot cost so much more. I think you would be much more happier with a bigfoot. trust me i have had both.
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Chris

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Why are tracks so expensive on these machines? Do they really cost that much or is it such a niche that we have to pay high prices for the low volumes? I've seen the Max tracks and they are nice... but $$$$$.
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jerrypulda

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

jd, this vangard 2 vs bigfoot is a new topic that i haven't really read about....
i assume the bigfoot is nicer all around in that it is beefier, has a longer wheelbase, more ground clearance, bigger engine...anything else?
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Alaska Bob

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Of course when you are done screwing around with the argo. Look at the MAX, the track system does cost more but it will(and I have seen it)literally run circle around any argo.

Up here in Alaska we need a tough snow machine. The rubber track is far superior to plastic. Everyone I know that has an argo has to carry spare pins, track links, and tools to fix their tracks while in the bush. The track RI uses is snowmobile track which is designed to be run in the cold and in snow.
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jdhoath

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

jerry
The wheel base is longer on the bigfoot which in turn makes climbing steep hills safer. One improvement though would be the vanguard exhaust (sp?) on the bigfoot. it is a larger pipe and it sounds better. I am sure it would help performance also. the tire perfomance compared to a runnamuck vs. rawhide is no comparison. I know a guy that took his runnamucks off and put 22' rawhides on and the performance boost was amazing.
you still cant beat the soft ride of the runnamuck tire though. to bad they didnt make a 25" runnamuck.
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ARGOGERU

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

alaska bob,
tell your friend to put lock-tight on his set-screws for the rod collars for his tracks. Max tracks are better but when it comes to riding in just snow they are not much more durable. argo tracks are designed for cold weather, they are made from the same plastic as the bodies, and i know the argo itself is all weather machine. how deep does the snow get up their in Gods country anyway? I have always wanted to go to alaska but never have gone. I am going on a moose/bear hunt up their next year and looking forward to it.
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Alaska Bob

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

So from what you are saying... Snowmobile tracks are not made for cold weather. Hmmm. I guess all the snowmobiles in the world will be switching to argo tracks. NOT!!!!

The problems guys in Alaska have with argo tracks is:

1: lack of traction unless you get the cleat set.
2: poor hard ground performance.
3: after a short period of time the holes through the links elongate and get sloppy.
3: link breakage. Always carry extra pins and links when traveling in the bush.

The MAX tracks are made from snowmobile track. Definately made for cold weather use. Very durable. excellant all condition performance. As the tracks stretch you can compesate with air pressure in the tires.
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argogeru

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Alaska Bob
are you a max dealer? Just wondering. I never said max trax were not designed for cold weather. I think myself as an argo owner that max has a better track system. argo makes a reliable track system if properly installed and maintained. argo tracks are not good on gravel or other hard surfaces, it does tear them up. they were designed for snow and marsh and have used mine and others in both and they preformed very well for me. I never had problems with my "used" set i purchased. Why would any one use tracks on any thing other than snow or marsh? If someone does I would like to know to make my riding more enjoyable, i really dont like getting stuck, most of the time. I hope someone benefits from the tip on the set screws on the collars being installed with lock tight because it works well for me. Hope I helped a brother 6 wheeler reguardless of what they drive.
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jsaylors

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Alaska Bob, I too live in Alaska, Valdez to be specific. Valdez is the snowiest sea level city in the world and the snowiest city of any elevation in North America. We average around 300 inches per season and have had as much as 560 inches right here in town, not just up in the mountains.

http://www.valdezalaska.org/climate.html

I've had my Argo Conquest with supertracks now for 3 years. I run it very hard and have not encountered any of the problems you are talking about. I've not yet needed them but I do carry an extra link and an extra pin. I find that these two small insurance items take up less space than the extra axle, section of chain, spare sprockets, spare bearings, and the roll-away tool cabinet that most max drivers need to carry.
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ARGOGERU

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Alaska bob,
I have never seemed to have any problem with traction with my tracks either. I do not have the cleet set, and as far as the tracks getting sloppy in the slots that hasn't happened either with 200 hours of use on them. If you have to raise tire pressure to keep max track tight on the wheels as you say above i wouldn't prefer a set of those because the ride is already rough enough with tracks let alone with 5 or more pounds in little 22 inch tires.
isaylor,
all that snow sounds like a blast, we are lucky to have 2 feet on the ground at one time. Do you use locktight on the set screws on the collars of your tracks?
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neil otto

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Tracks & Gravel: I've been watching this discussion with great interest since I plan to put tracks of some kind on my Max IV this fall. I have 21" rawhide tires with 5" axle extensions and 20 hp Kohler motor. Been considering Tru-Trax. The situation is that our cabin is on 15 miles of gravel road where the snow blows off the ridges leaving several 1/2 mile bare stretches followed by 100 yard stretches of 4 foot drifts. The last 2 miles is through trees where the snow is really soft and deep and the hills are steep. Any words of wisdom for me? Thanks.
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Oliver (Digipix)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I've never seen Argo tracks up close, just the tiny pictures on Argo's website. Does anyone have a picture of them showing them up close that I could see?
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johnprince

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Van2 vs Bigfoot...what I'm hearing is that if you put the the 22" rawhide III's on the Bigfoot instead of the 25"(8" rim), that's when you'll get the real impact of the bigger engine...bigger engine drives smaller wheels not bigger wheels if you are looking for low end power...though you will lose it on high end.
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ARGOGERU

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

neil.
cant comment on truetrax but the gravel your talking about riding on to your cabin would not do any bad damage to the tracks from argo so i dont see why trutrax wouldn't be a good alternative. they are supposedly made from the exsact same material.
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Mark M (Mark2)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have the super tracks for my Conquest. I'll shoot a few pictures of the tracks up close for ya as soon as I can. I want to get those pictures of my wiper install also.

Oh and I haven't run into any problems as of yet with using my tracks. They work great, so far. Time will tell though.

If you click on my profile you will see a picture of my Conquest with the tracks on it.

Mark
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Oliver (Digipix)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Would Argo Tracks fit on a Max? Since you can add/remove links as needed, it seems like they would work just fine. The Max track kit costs $2700 for everything, bearing cages, etc... or about $2000 for the tracks alone. What do the Argo tracks run? The problem I see with the Max tracks is that if you tear one, you're screwed and have to pay a $1000 for a replacement. I like the idea of the repairable links. Hmmmm, this broke, but with my handy tool kit and an extra link... back in business. Is this not the case? Are the Max tracks strong enough that getting a rip/tear in one isn't that much of a concern?
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neil Otto

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Can't speak for Max tracks but the rubber tracks on my Cushman Tracksters are 30 years old and still going. The biggest enemy of rubber tracks seems to be sunlight. They begin to tear at the edges. I have had some luck repairing these by bolting strips of belting across the tear on the inside of the track.
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Henry Jones

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Before I bought my tracks I asked RI the very same question. They have never sold a replacement track since they have been using the solid rubber track. After 425 or so hours it does not show much wear at all. I only use them in the swamp or in snow. There's nothing like them.
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Mark M (Mark2)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I finally got the pictures of my tracks taken and I'll put them on line soon. Just wanted to let you know in case you still need to see them.

Mark
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newmax

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

mark i would like to see those pics also
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Mark M (Mark2)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hi hmmmm this is really weird. This will be my third attempt to post the link here for the pictures. Well, they say three is a charm. :-)

Here it is.
http://www.totalparadox.com/argo/pics/html/tracks.htm

I can always take more pictures so if you need a different angle just ask.

Oh I'm working on the site. It was thrown together real quick to get the pics online.

Mark
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Chris

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I keep hearing that the Max tracks are so much better, but these seem pretty nice. It looks like they're strong enough for anything, and looks like they've got lots of surface for floatation on snow. How strong is that linked hindge between segments? When turning one of these skid steer machines, there is HUGE amounts of stress sideways, can those links hold up? I like the idea of easily repairing a link in the field.... hmmmmm. Thanks for the pics.
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MaxRules (Brandon_price)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I like the idea of never having to repair a link. The Max video I have from a dealer in Minnasota shows a Max II with tracks sliding sideways down a steep hill. It was an excellent example of how well the tracks stay on the tires and will hold up on a skid steer.
I've had an Argo dealer tell me that the Max tracks were better. Now that's rare.

MaxRules
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argogeru

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I agree with brandon that the max tracks are better than argos but, if the argo tracks were a poor design they would have changed them a long time ago. my tracks have taken alot of abuse and i have had no problems. Argo is supposedly going to a new rubber track some time in the near future from what people were saying at humphrey and I will be interested to see if that is true and how they will differ from maxtrax.
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Chris

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What's the cost of the Argo Tracks? I think the Maxtraks run about $2000?
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Gord Young

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Mark,

That is a good site that you've built there. Keep adding new pics and keep up the good work.
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Mark M (Mark2)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

OK Argo makes two different size tracks. The regular tracks which are 13 inches wide cost about $1400.00 for the Vanguard 1 & 2, $2100.00 for the Bigfoot and $1700.00 for the Response and Conquest.

Their supertracks, these are the ones I have, are 18 inches wide and come with spacers to move the wheels out to fit them cost about $2000.00 for the Vanguard 1 & 2, $2700.00 for the Bigfoot and $2500.00 for the Response and Conquest.

As far as having any problems with them. None so far. The pins that hold each individual link together seem strong enough to me. I haven't bent or broken anything yet. Biggest problem I had was putting them together. It wasn't hard just took a while.

Thanks for the comments on the site Gord. I do what I can with it as I have time. I hope to remember to take my digital out with me more when I go riding.

Mark
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Dane

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Are cushman tracksters good in the snow?
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Bubba Hunt

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Dane,
I owned a cushman for many years. I never had a problem in any type of snow.I ran the powder at 50 below in Fairbanks and the muskeg bogs in the summer.I sank it twice due to my own stupidity. It went everywhere I wanted to go, sometimes dragging a moose behind.
One winter my brother took a cushman into the back side of Lassen Park after his bear dogs. He crossed drifts 20 feet deep. I can't do that with my Hydro.As you know, there are all kinds of snow conditions.I have fallen through in my snowmachine and had to dig out.Most of the conditions are nothing to the cushman.
Bubba
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Barak (69.213.110.131)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 05:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I heard that if you are attempting to travel through/over 2' of snow it doesn't matter what you drive w/tracks (argo or Max) they won't be able to handle it and will get stuck. Is this true? Anyone tried it? Is over 2' of snow Piston Bully or Scot Trac Land?
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Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer (Fred4dot) (216.166.168.53)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 07:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Well Barak, you must not have been talking to any Max owners (at least Max owners with the new solid 15" wide rubber tracks that came into use in 1997 or so. I use my machine in some of the driest snow around and it goes fine in any depth of snow as long as you don't try to climb too much of an incline. It won't climb a 45 degree incline in the powder the way it will on dry ground or hard pack snow (if it can get traction on the snow); my guess is 25 degrees is the maximum in deep powder. I think probably the best performance machine is the 25 HP Kohler powered machine (Max IV 900T) as it doesn't weigh as much as the 950T and gives that little extra ground speed because of the increased diameter of the drive pulley that you don't get with the 600T or 850T.

I think the Argo Avenger can also go in most any snow conditions. It doesn't have as low of PSI on the ground that the Max machines have, but it also uses a solid rubber track.

You didn't say where you plan on using said machine or how much you intend to haul in/on it. but as long as you stay within the factory specs for load, you can use a Max in most any conditions. There is a slight learning curve to get the most out of a max; gotta stay off the throttle in some conditions.

I'm sure I will get heat for this as I most always do. The Max has the lowest PSI on the surface (snow, mud or ground) of any skid steer in current production and can go where no other can. I think probably the Max with tracks has the lowest PSI on the ground of any machine in production.
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Barak (69.213.108.253)

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Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 01:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Fred,

Thanks for the info. We don't have a ton of snow where I live but might consider taking the Max to a place that does. Obviously what I heard (about it not going in snow over 2 feet) was not exactly accurate.

When it comes to climbing steep inclines it would be more difficult. My engine manual says not to operate the engine on a steep incline for an extended period anyways so I would avoid doing that.
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fred sain (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 07:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Fred, are you sure that the max has lower PSI than the Argo 8x8.
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Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer

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Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 03:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Fred Sain, I'm not sure how the Avenger and Max IV compare (I can't come up with accurate figures on any of the Argos - according to the brochure and web site, they all have the same PSI on the ground regardless of model, tire or track - something fishy there someplace). Looks to me that both the Avenger and the Max IV have similar PSI on the ground (I have misplaced my figures and I'm not sure of the weight of the Avenger ready to use - including weight of the tracks system). The Max II has less than either . I question whether the balance of the machines will really equate to equivalent performance and I also think the center wheels being out of plane will increase the PSI on the ground, at least the area under those four tires. I think if the driver can sit in the back seat of the avenger and still drive that it will probably go as well as a Max (assuming only the driver as cargo). I think the efficiencies of the T-20 (and the extra ground speed of the 900T) will allow the Max IV 900T to out perform the Avenger.

I think the Avenger is competition for the Max, but I also think it is close but no cigar! I would like to be able to ride in an Avenger. I guess I am just going to have to get back to one of the rides you fellas have if I am ever going to see an Avenger ( any Argo) in action.
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Rogersmith

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Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 06:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My pencil says you can load a 100 pounds of cargo in the rear of a tracked Avenger and have a psi slightly less than a Max IV. And more ground clearance.

How are we figuring it.. tracked psi values. Weight divided by (track width*length(wheelbase)*2 tracks)?

avenger/1200 lbs, 18" track, 79" wheelbase

max iv/800 lbs/ 15" track, 58" wheelbase

Grabbed those #'s off the 'net. Are they accurate? not including driver weight, max track kit weight, track weight for either vehicle.
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Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer

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Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 01:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Roger, I can't find my figures (I have posted them on this board before), but I have an electronic scale that I used to weigh a tracked max IV and a tracked Max II. Both max were full of gas, battery installed, roll protection, windshield, winch and top. The Max IV had one of the old wooden cargo carriers. I will try to find my notes, but the Max IV was about 0.98 PSI loaded with 750 pounds and the Max II was about 0.90 with a 500 pound load. I figure contact area is the wheelbase plus 8.5" (4.25 inches of the round (both front and back) supports the machine. Total machine weight of the Max IV was about 1200 pounds and total machine weight of the max II was about 1050 pounds. Contact area for the Max IV (in my figures) is 1995 square inches; contact area for a Max II is 1755 square inches.

Using the figures as you presented them, I agree with your math. However, I know what the max machines weigh because I have weighed some with an accurate scale in "ready to go out" condition (the weights are very close to what RI says they should be). I have measured how much the tracks sink in both going forward into fresh snow and going backward into fresh snow (the max is very well balanced with no perceptible difference).

What the avenger weighs equipped with tracks, full of gas and decked out as a machine with tracks would be is a mystery (at least to me). My guess is an avenger's working weight is about 1700 pounds, add 450 pounds for the tracks and 750 pounds of cargo and you have an "on paper" PSI of about 0.92 (machine weight of 2900 pounds, contact area of 3150 square inches. As earlier stated, I think the design of the Avenger does not support a balanced PSI on the ground so the actual working PSI will probably be in excess of 1. One other question is if the track is a full 18" wide: the Max track is actually just a hair over 15" and the whole setup weighs about 300 pounds.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone would actually weigh their tracked machine, of any and all makes and models (with all the accessories and loaded as it would be if they were going out) and post that information.

Why won't anyone address my concerns of the stated PSI on the ground of all Argos being the same; for tires or tracks being the same for all models regardless?
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fred sain (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 11:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have been hunting in Argo,s for over 10 years in 200 acres of flooded timber, the conquest, and the response always got me in and out, but in all honesty they both worked hard to do it, very swampy area. The Avenger went through it like it was nothing, did not spin ,did not sink in, and floated excellent in the deep parts. The new transmission that is in the Avenger keeps all eight wheels pulling until you apply the brakes, add the big tires, HOMERUN!!
FRED SOWERWINE, since it bothers you so much, I will call ARGO,s V.P. and ask him about the PSI thing.
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Louisiana mudbug (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 09:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

How does the Argo Avenger transmission differ from the other Argos now being sold?
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fred sain (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Mudbug, I have not received any specs on the Avenger tranny. But I will try to get some info, on what ODG has done to change how that tranny performs.
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Louisiana mudbug (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 02:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

( Fred sain )
Ok when you do,,I,d love to find out exactly whats different with the new Argo Avenger tranny compared to all the other Argo tranny,s before it
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fred sain (Unregistered Guest)

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Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 03:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Mudbug, I talked with ODG tech dept. They say that the main changes in the tranny are that the gears have been changed to a helical cup, which means curved teeth rather than straight, and that the input shaft gears have been made seperate, instead of being in one piece. Which really does not tell me why it performs so much better. All I know is that the tranny is much queiter,shifts much easier, and pulls much more evenly. I have to wonder if the big tires are just getting a better bite to help them pull more evenly. What do you guy,s think?
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Anonymous
 
Posted From: 66.194.57.213

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Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 09:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Has anyone taken the argo frontier out in deep powder snow ,we got 35 inchs in one day here upstate NY.I got paths in our woods that are realy up hill.about 40 degrees,what machine would go up this ,thats made today argo or max?
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Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
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Username: Jerrynuss

Post Number: 478
Registered: 02-2005

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Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Are you wanting to go up the hills with all the snow on them? I would not be able to give you an automatic yes or no on any machine. I would imagine both Max and Argo would do it with tracks but it depends. Do you have anyone in the area with a machine. I would recommend getting a test ride in a machine or having someone bring one over to try.

When you say 40 degrees how are you measuring it?
Degree of slope or percent or using 360 degrees and going down from zero/360 to 40 Degrees. 45 degees is a 100% slope.
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Len Cater
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Post Number: 25
Registered: 02-2005

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Posted on Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 08:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Depending on the snow type. If the snow fell and the temperature has remained in the 0f or colder, then even with rubber tracks it will be a struggle. You will make it with rubber but not plastic. If the temperature has been above 10f then the snow conditions should be fine for any track to get you up the hill. I just find that if the snow fell when temperatures were very cold and it has remained cold, then the snow crystals are very slippery and you spin a lot.
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Brad Morcom
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Username: Evil1

Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2007

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Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My avenger with rubber tracks is an animal in the snow and it still amazes me at what it can climb. 29 hours on my machine all in the snow. 16 of those hours with the tracks. We only have about 18" of snow on the ground but it has not been stuck.
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philip w.cox
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Username: Philipatmaxfour

Post Number: 280
Registered: 01-2005

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Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 08:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Brad, Love to hear from people who are happy. In the Upper penninsula you can,t be far from water. When it warms up, let us know how it works in the water. Do you have the new E.F.I. ?
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Brad Morcom
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Username: Evil1

Post Number: 5
Registered: 02-2007

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Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 07:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Philip, No EFI. I was affraid it may still have some bugs to be worked out so I kept it simple. Yes we have water everywhere. I'll let you know how it does. All of the swamps and water we have is the reason I wanted an AATV. I also run 2 dirt bikes, 1 snowmobile (my seventeenth sled) and 2 modified 4-wheel drives but often they are limited by water and deep swamps. So far I love the Avenger. I will build a rollcage for it this summer (Im building our house now) and I plan on a top and winshield for next winter.

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