sxs utv or argo

I have a newer Yamaha SxS, best buddy has a newer 8X8 Argo, he definitely has the advantage when the terrain gets sloppy, but I have the advantage every where else. And where we hunt, the SxS goes WAY more than the Argo does. If you buy the Argo, get a kidney belt, you are going to need it!
 
I've had them all, still have Rangers and an 8x8 Argo.
My views:
Argo require tons of maintenance, slow,noisy and rough but unstoppable in swamp/muskeg with tracks. Floats, but terribly slow in deep water with tracks. With just tires, unless the mud is soft, you'll get stuck. As mentioned, it gets high centred easily because of little ground clearance. Basically it sucks driving it in anything but swamp.
RZR and other dune buggy type UTV's are toys. Prepare to get muddy and most have very little cargo capacity.
6x6 ATV's are very capable and the next best thing to an Argo in mud/water, but limited for storage.
Ranger and others like it are my choice. With proper tires and driving technique they are by far the most versatile even in some nasty mud, and unless you're crossing a creek several feet deep, they'll handle it.
 
There are other tracked amphibious vehicles out there that aren't on your list.
I have also heard from two argo owners that they were "not what they thought they would be" and though they work awesome when they work, both owners had various and differing issues requiring more parts and maintenance than they were worth.

I don't know about these 13,000 and under prices for argos. We were serious about buying one and were in touch with the dealer in alberta back and forth for a couple weeks and we bout the yamaha grizzly 550 eps instead which came out to 12,399. after added options and taxes. It came with steel rims, mud lite II tires, 2" receiver hitch, upgraded Super winch and upgraded snow plow.
The Argo Unit we were being quoted on with the set up and options we thought we would want came to 34,000 so not sure what kind of machine argo has that is 10 to 13 grand?
We were going through our shopping phase in 2011/2012 and the ATV is a 2012 so I realize it's been almost 10 years but I can't see a well set up argo being that cheap.
Even the well set up Polaris side by sides I see around here, including things like hard doors, cab heating systems, lighting and track kits are 30 to 40 thousand

what am I missing here.

Edit to add..... has anyone seen a civillian Polaris Rampage tracked amphibious vehicle yet?
Hopefully they bring it to market..... I will be one of the first in line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hWE5mGN6cw&t=159s
 
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Not something I owned, but we used to stay at a camp when elk hunting south of Hudson Bay, Sask. A really decent abattoir there. Owner would do animal recovery for you if you paid him and/or were staying in his cabins - he used an older Argo. Had good winch on front - went out alone - drove thing nose first into closest big tree - he stood on front deck and attached a snatch block as high as he could reach - ran the front mount winch line up through that block - then walked that line over to downed animal. Winch would pull - and eventually lift the animal as it got close to the machine - lowered it back down into the back part of the Argo - recovered his snatch block and trammed back to the abattoir. Was most definitely NOT a high speed thing, and the machine (and that little Ukranian owner - his first name was "Orest") might have had decades of experience.
 
Looking at videos from Russia... they sure seems to have their fair share on different ATV

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I have been following the Tinger and have been hoping for a Canadian dealer but haven't looked in a while.
I may go the route the russians do and DIY something up LOL
Those crazy russians have all kinds of tracked vehicles built in home garages
 
wouldn't be that hard to build such a beast if one had access to some track and bogey sets or even custom fab the bogey sets.
Steering by skid steer and chain drive from the power plant above the water line down to the tracks makes it all water proof , though throughhull bearings could used instead I guess.
I have been wanting to build something like the Tinger for a while know and I have even drawn up all my own blueprints to scale , by hand. Old school drafting hehehe
Picked up a 75 foot roll of 30" wide x 1/2 inch conveyor belting for free and it is the perfect stuff for making tracks. Got a few different engines n things that would work.....
My first project is tearing down a craftsman die hard II 18hp lawn tractor and building a tracked "snow dog" like machine for ice fishing. Hope to test it out in january or february
 
Most of our guys use standard ATVs, however, a few years back our oldest member got himself a small Honda SXS. He was having issues getting his leg swung over the seat on the standard ATV. His is a bit longer than the ATV's, but not a lot wider. Small Honda.

He can go most places that the regular ATV's can go, only issues are some high centering due to the wheelbase, and we needed to trim some trees for roll bar clearance. For the most part, if you're aware of that, you can usually avoid the issues.
 
so i ordered the argo at 13999 for the 2022 ,8x8, 650 frontier ,limited time pricing and ended also buying a honda rubicon 520 for 13050 out the door. will use it till argo arrives as all argo s are out of stock. only problem wife doesen know i got two machines and its easier to hide a new gun that hides in the safe verses the red rubicon.she finds out tommorow.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Most of our guys use standard ATVs, however, a few years back our oldest member got himself a small Honda SXS. He was having issues getting his leg swung over the seat on the standard ATV. His is a bit longer than the ATV's, but not a lot wider. Small Honda.

He can go most places that the regular ATV's can go, only issues are some high centering due to the wheelbase, and we needed to trim some trees for roll bar clearance. For the most part, if you're aware of that, you can usually avoid the issues.
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Love my little Honda p500! Goes anywhere I need it and it sips fuel. It has a large rear rack that I can put a lockable toolbox (pictured) or a dump bed that I custom made. I also made the front bumper and a front rack that lifts up and down with the winch for loading up deer. It's almost too easy. I paid less than $10000 2years ago for it brand new! The new p520 has a dump box instead of the rack.
 

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Very much terrain dependant imo. The Argo is king of skeg, swamp, and wetland. I only have a bit of time in sxs. However I have quite a bit of time on quad and argo. First vehicle I ever drove was an argo at the age of 11. I have used them extensively for guide and forestry work. They are a great machine if you understand and are ok with their short comings. Ride can be rough, I have a bad back and air down the tires some in rough country. I keep spare parts on hand with a toolkit (do it for quad to tbh). I have had to spend more time reparing in the field with an argo than anything else. But if you learn to repair your own chains and keep a drive belt, wheel bearing, and axle on hand it's easy enough once you've done it once. All failures I've had with argo's are ones that had been used extensively and hard before I laid hands on them. I never had a failure I couldn't repair on the spot or limp to easier ground in a pinch. PM me for more info if you go the argo route and want some more info or tips. End of the day a good operator who does a modicum of maintenence will never have a significant problem.
 
Just saw your last post OP. Good call. I run a quad and an argo for my needs for work and hunting. I take the ex wife out for hunts every year and my 2 boys. Sometimes we use both, but usually whichever machine is needed. More space, the argo. Skeg, the argo. One or 2 ridersin decent terrain, the quad. You get the idea I'm sure. In the summer my oldest and I go on trips with my quad a lot. Once my second is older we'll all pile into the argo.
 
thanks,i had so many doubts about the smaller cc machines but looking at your posts im glad i got the 2 for deal .instead of 1 1000 cc .i got 2 that will cover all my basis.yes im not the fastest but hey it gets me out .doing the things i love,when normally i couldnt do that without relying on other members of the group.
 
Be cautious if you plan on putting bigger tires on. If its for looks and a bit more clearance you will likely be ok. I know 1 guy who put on bigger mudders on a brand new machine. Ended up with a major repair bill and warranty was void because of it. I'd wait until the warranty was done if you feel bigger tires are necessary.
 
I have used Argos extensively and some how I keep finding new ways to destroy them

I don’t think you can put a ton of gear in them compared to some modern sXs

Check out the mud ox I hear they actually work


Unless you are exclusively travelling on muskeg or through swamps don’t bother with an Argo


The small Honda’s are not speed racers but they are excellent machines. If you put massive mud tires on a side by side you risk tipping due to changes centre of gravity and increased sense of confidence in your abilities. Mechanical issues with tire changes likely come from running it full out in high gear and taxing the engine. Know your limit, play within it. The Argo sure as hell is not getting you anywhere fast
 
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