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I am very new to the world of AATV's and have been spending my spare time learning everything I can about them. I have driven and owned Polaris Sportsman's for about 8 years now and am taking the plunge into the AATV world. With the limitations the Polaris has in very rough and wet terrains I am excited to explore new territories. My only remaining question is about expected maintenance. I keep very good care of the Polaris's with regular scheduled maintenance and always making sure I have a clean machine when I returned home from a weekend of outdoors, and have yet to encounter any mechanical issues at all. I have already made up my mind on the purchase of the ARGO and the dealer tells me that they are very reliable machines. Anybody care to share with me their experience with cost or type of maintenance issues I am headed for. Thank you in advance for your comments.
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What I do on all of my machines is keep the inner and outter wheel bearings greased with marine grease, keep the chains lubed, and change the fluids in the engine and transmission as scheduled, along with any filters that may need replacing and you will be in good shape. Congrats and welcome to the amphibious world!"Looks like you have a problem with your 4 wheeler........you're missin' two wheels there"
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Originally posted by rangecreekdude
rangecreekdude ,
You have made the right choice to enter the world of ampibs , because when you own one , you will be able to go places you never could with your Polaris . I used to own a Polaris 500 Sportsman when they first came out , and I loved the cushy ,4-wheel , independent suspension .
But , since owning an amphibious 6x6 machine in 2003 ,,I will never go back to a 4-wheeler again . 
I can just about go down any trail made by a big tire 4-wheeler , but they can not follow me ,when the trail gets beyond their ability to continue . Also , when you get your Argo ,, you will be able to amaze your friends , that still own 4-wheelers .
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+ You will always come home clean...except maybe muddy boots from winching out your friends.
My Argo is always clean like your Polaris is after every outing. I always do the chains, frequently grease the nipples. There is a maint schedule for the fluids as well...I wanna say 25/50 hrs kinda thing.
The only problem I have ever encountered was snapping a throttle cable out in the bush.
I should have seen it coming.
Have fun...I'm picking up the same unit!
2008 Argo Avenger EFI 8x8
2001 Argo Bigfoot 6x6Comment
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The only thing with getting and aatv is once you have one, more will come. Well for most anyways. Congrats on your choice. Keeping up on the maintances isnt bad you just have to do it. Sound like you'll have no problem though.
Have funComment
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The Argo vehicles are very reliable and maintenance is less than it's ever been in the past. Just make sure your riding style matches that of the vehicle you buy. There is a huge difference between the Sportsman and the Avenger. The Argo can't be beat when you require a vehicle that runs in swamps, deep mud, or needs to cross water. At the same time, the Sportsman can't be beat when it comes to fast and furious off-road fun with a vehicle that has unbelievable power and suspension. If you want a vehicle that keeps you cleaner than a quad but seats more than just you, take a look at the new Polaris RZR side by side sport utility vehicle. It seats two plus cargo in a small bed, has an 800 EFI engine, is 50" wide, full independent suspension, and goes 55 mph. Plus they retail for only about $10k. It's the hottest vehicle on the market and is simply the baddest vehicle off the road.
I'll probably get banned from this site for that recommendation!
Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.Comment
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Originally posted by MaxRules View PostI'll probably get banned from this site for that recommendation! You won't get banned but you will probably get shunned. How dare you recommend a non-amphibious ATV and a FOUR WHEELER at that
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Polaris or ARGO
Funny you should recommend a Polaris RZR. I've been looking at purchasing a RZR or a Ranger. I've been a huge Polaris fan for a number of years now, and have owed a few Sportsmans, but I figured I'd probably live longer in a ARGO then driving a RZR. I've talked to a few Polaris dealers and they have actually told me they are having alot of RZR's flip over at high speeds, which equals body Pain and lots a money to get them fixed. Of course to some of us that could actually be Fun. So with the RZR out of the running for my new toy it left the Ranger or the ARGO and I guess the way I see it is the only advantages with the Ranger is price and the fact that I won't ever drown, cuz It can't get in the water long enough to allow that to happen.
I really do appreicate all the comments on this subject, it's helping me make my decision just a little easier. You guys (or ladies) are Awesome.Last edited by rangecreekdude; 03-02-2008, 11:03 AM.Comment
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If I were new to this site & new to 6x6 & 8x8 machines, I'd look over what YOUR needs & wants are! Find alocal dealer for Max & one for Argo. Drive each one. Possibly find someone from this website that lives nearby and ride with them, which may be a better idea,(no salesman to pressure you, one way or the other). Then go to the Ebay/Craigslist links & watch for a machine near you that is affordable,(maybe 2 different experienced units for thei price of 1 new one!!) That's my 2 cents worth, hope it makes you newbies think!!Comment
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The Ranger is a good machine too. It's more utility than the RZR but still plenty fast and fun. You can even get a double bench seat Ranger that seats six people and still have a dump bed.Originally posted by rangecreekdude View Post
I believe the RZR only rolls at high speed for one reason: stupid people drive it far past their ability. It is the narrowest side by side vehicle on the market which is one of it's great benefits for trail riding. The Ranger is much wider so it would be harder to roll. Both vehicles have roll cages so they would be quite safe if you wore the seat belt. Drive it within reason and your ability... and ride it like you stole it!!!Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.Comment
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My Argo just arrived !!!
I just received a call from my Argo dealer telling me my new Avenger EFI has arrived. Xmas in March for me. Now the wife thinks she needs something special. I told her I'd buy her a new Frontier. She didn't laugh.
The dealer said it would take about 4 days to install all the extras I added to it. I added a Winch, Heater, Brush Guard, Windshield and wiper, Complete top, Rubber Tracks.
I live in Utah and have some land at 10000 ft above sea level. I went up there last week on snowmobiles and found around 10 ft of pretty soft snow. The snowmobiles did OK but you couldn't step off your machines without sinking about 3' to 4' feet. Lots and lots of powder snow. Does anybody have any experience with the new Argo EFI's with tracks in that deep of powder? I kind of wanted my new Argo's maidens voyage to be in snow and I figure this would be a great test. I'm going to have a buddy bring his snowmobile just in case but any information about what to expect would be so helpful.
Again I would like to thank the people on this site. Without you I might not have been convinced to move over to the AATV world.Last edited by rangecreekdude; 03-12-2008, 11:56 PM.Comment
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cool ! have fun in that powder now . robbieOriginally posted by rangecreekdude View Post1999 max 2 18 b&s 22 tires custom . new max iv 23 k 26 i/n tires brown . ht cable promark winch . new toy 1972 attex st400 400ccjlo and she will be bad . ( the frog )
if it don't float with out you getting wet . don't bring it ! 
R.I.P sage rogers 4 11 09 . you can't fix stuped !!!!! raceone 3 .)Comment
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Hi RCD, just a couple things to keep in mind (experience talkingOriginally posted by rangecreekdude View Post
):
Don't be afraid to check your drain plugs, BEFORE you get into the water
Try not to leave things like "Ratchet Straps" laying on your back seats. If they fall into your tub, and a strap hook should drop between your floorboard and your body tub into your drive chains
, your chain will snap like a twig (and make one hell of a BOOM when it does
)
Only run your tracks as tight as you need them, to keep them on. This will reduce the load on your 4 outer corner bearings.
Normally you don't need much for spare parts in the field, but a few things like: chain breaker, bit of spare chain, master links, spare belt, tire plug kit, tire pump, basic tools, extension rope for winch line (I often find that the nearest tree big enough to winch to is just out of reach), can of either (to set tire back on bead), some good hand cleaner, isopropaline, spare body plugs, ect. 99.9% of the time you will never need any of this stuff, but it only takes one 10-20 mile hike back to the truck to make you realize how handy this stuff can be.
ARGO'S ARE VERY RELIABLE, BUT "STUFF" HAPPENS
Read your owners manual to get recomended inspection and maint intervals.
Take care, and have fun.
RDComment
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Originally posted by Rock Doctor View PostHi RCD, just a couple things to keep in mind (experience talking):
Don't be afraid to check your drain plugs, BEFORE you get into the water
Try not to leave things like "Ratchet Straps" laying on your back seats. If they fall into your tub, and a strap hook should drop between your floorboard and your body tub into your drive chains, your chain will snap like a twig (and make one hell of a BOOM when it does)
Only run your tracks as tight as you need them, to keep them on. This will reduce the load on your 4 outer corner bearings.
Normally you don't need much for spare parts in the field, but a few things like: chain breaker, bit of spare chain, master links, spare belt, tire plug kit, tire pump, basic tools, extension rope for winch line (I often find that the nearest tree big enough to winch to is just out of reach), can of either (to set tire back on bead), some good hand cleaner, isopropaline, spare body plugs, ect. 99.9% of the time you will never need any of this stuff, but it only takes one 10-20 mile hike back to the truck to make you realize how handy this stuff can be.
ARGO'S ARE VERY RELIABLE, BUT "STUFF" HAPPENS
Read your owners manual to get recomended inspection and maint intervals.
Take care, and have fun.
RD
Exellent post with great advice. One time I was driving my Max IV and heard a LOUD pop ! This was because my front seat belt had fell into the lower tub , and wrapped around the front sprocket . This trashed the seat belt buckle , and lucky for me ,, did not break the chain . I was driving down a hill beside my friends house ,when this happened , so I could easily fix the problem . This would have been a different story had I been in a swampy bayou .
Last edited by mudbug3; 03-13-2008, 02:34 PM.Comment
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Women are so shallow.Originally posted by rangecreekdude View Post
Interested to hear how you make out in the powder. It's not like you can just lift the back end out if you dig it down.
2008 Argo Avenger EFI 8x8
2001 Argo Bigfoot 6x6Comment
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