Argo - Who uses them...what do you think

jraab

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Hey Buddies.
Just wondering who out there is using a argo 8x8 and wondering what you think about it?
Better than quads?
ability to move? after market service? issues? problems etc?
 
I think the terrain you are going to use it in will make the difference on whether or not it is better than a quad or side by side. :)
 
I've been tempted on many occasions to buy one, but the terrain around here dictates four wheels.
Swampy or peat country an awwrrrgo would be best.
 
There is absolutely no comparison......the Argo wins in all categories but speed. I have 2 quads, 2 side by sides and had 2 Argos but down to one now. They float, they go through swamp no quad or SXS would even attempt, they climb better than either, they go through 8' dogs hair willows like it wasn't there, they will handle 2 moose, properly packed and like all motorized ATVs they will leave you farther back than you could ever conceive walking out. As with any chain drive vehicle they do require maintenance, bearings need to greased, chains need to be lubed and tensioners set, tires equalized, but all in all they are not bad maintenance wise.......I take mine to the dealer every late fall, after the snow flies and get a good once over, fix anything that's wrong and give 'er the maintenance routine. I love mine and highly recommend one to any hunter, but they are pricey, new, and I would never buy a used one as unmaintained they can and will be a money pit nightmare.
Argo has dealt with a lot of earlier nagging problems they had, tires too thin walled, chains too light, clutches too light and the latest version I do believe even has self greasing bearings........what's not to love...........

I was going to throw you a couple pics but photobucket is "relaxing" right now and refuses to get up and let me access my photos..........

OP......if I knew how to search for it I would repost a little Argo story I did a couple years back.......it was quite humorous. If anyone knows how to find my previous post, it might be worth a reread at this time.
 
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There is absolutely no comparison......the Argo wins in all categories but speed. I have 2 quads, 2 side by sides and had 2 Argos but down to one now. They float, they go through swamp no quad or SXS would even attempt, they climb better than either, they go through 8' dogs hair willows like it wasn't there, they will handle 2 moose, properly packed and like all motorized ATVs they will leave you farther back than you could ever conceive walking out. As with any chain drive vehicle they do require maintenance, bearings need to greased, chains need to be lubed and tensioners set, tires equalized, but all in all they are not bad maintenance wise.......I take mine to the dealer every late fall, after the snow flies and get a good once over, fix anything that's wrong and give 'er the maintenance routine. I love mine and highly recommend one to any hunter, but they are pricey, new, and I would never buy a used one as unmaintained they can and will be a money pit nightmare.
Argo has dealt with a lot of earlier nagging problems they had, tires too thin walled, chains too light, clutches too light and the latest version I do believe even has self greasing bearings........what's not to love...........

I was going to throw you a couple pics but photobucket is "relaxing" right now and refuses to get up and let me access my photos..........

OP......if I knew how to search for it I would repost a little Argo story I did a couple years back.......it was quite humorous. If anyone knows how to find my previous post, it might be worth a reread at this time.

Doug,

is it the chopper version?
 
ATV with tracks if your up in the alpine or or in Central BC works grate used them working up in the mountains around Stewart you need a big ATV with the tracks
Ther is only 3 real advantages to a Argo it floats water and it packs a lot of stuff put the right track and it's good in snow ther pretty cool
I keep looking at the j-wheelz any one try them out on a ATV or Argo ?

http://j-wheelz.com/gallery.html
 
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When things are ####ty for 4 wheelers that's when Argo start to shine. Had one for many years both 6 and 8 wheel still have the 8 wheel. Great for hauling things and usually stay clean and dry unless you sink one then you get wet
 
Rokons will get you in to thick bush the Little branches stings the corners of my eyes so I wear goggles and a mask plus one of the short helmets so not to interfere with shooting and gloves but it will get you in the bush only 200 lbs
plus it like a hillbilly Version of sons of anarchy riding a motorcycle hunting haha
 
Two of my buddies had them and after experiencing riding in them I'd equate it to a 6'6" 350 linebacker beating on you endlessly with a 2"x4"!!! NO THANK YOU, NEVER AGAIN!!

I spent a week riding in one. It went many places that an atv wouldn't go, but it was slow, and yes, the ride was extremely rough.
 
They're slow in water, on tracks they barely move in water, so you need a small outboard motor. They need constant maintenance. For muskeg/swamp/cat tails they can't be beat, when outfitted with tracks.

If you have no mechanical knowledge, it'll be at the repair shop frequently.
 
I think the terrain you are going to use it in will make the difference on whether or not it is better than a quad or side by side. :)

This is the main thing to think about, where do you plan on using it? One of the guys brought one hunting one year (it was a 6 wheel version, not the 8 you're looking at). The area we were in is mostly rocky, bumpy trails and roads, not much mud/swamps although there's always wet spots and lakes to be found.

For the majority of the areas the argo was very slow, had very little ground clearance, and was a very rough ride compared to the ATV, so it didn't work well in our area.

That being said, there are other areas I have worked/hunted in that are almost completely swamp with dry spots in between and I spent countless hours getting atv's and side by side unstuck where an argo would have driven right through without a second though.
 
Boreal/muskeg country, argo with tracks, moose. They're not great at climbing big long hills but with tracks will pretty much go up a vertical muddy slope after crossing a bottomless river of liquid mud. We don't start hunting until a couple miles after we stop seeing quad tracks. At least here where there's constant year round kill anything that moves pressure from the, "stewards of the land". You have to get in deeper than they can to even find a moose(or most anything that's living for that matter). Argo's the only way if you want to hunt calling season imo.

Argo without tracks have a winch on both ends, you'll need them but with patience will still get there, or most of the way anyway. Keep your maint. up, carry spare chain, repair links, chain breaker, and the same engine spares you would for anything motorized. You could spend an ungodly amount on a new one or else buy an older one, disassemble the axles assemblies, check/replace bearings, put new chain on, go through the drive train and be good to go. Personally I'd stay away from the old 2 strokes, or change out the motor. The 4 stroke briggs seem pretty bulletproof.
 
if you drive trails, roads or areas that are not swampy then I would go for a quad as easy to move around with. But for getting back in as area where no one else is then argo Newer ones do have better clearance(10-12") and better tires but cost more to purchase. Remember argo would not be used for every day use as a quad would be around a farm, acreage or just a joy ride.
 
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