Excellent day

[2014SE]

How are you liking those suspension seats. Is it a little tight with two adults in them? Love the machine

Their great!! It's not to bad with me and my wife, she's small (when she's not in a double insulated snow suit).

[deerchaser]

Looks like you had another great day out riding on the cutlines.So far how do you like your set up? Would you change anything like clutching or gearing? By the sound from the video it seems like it runs down the cutline through the snow with ease. Well keep the videos coming .

[2014SE]

Looks like you had another great day out riding on the cutlines.So far how do you like your set up? Would you change anything like clutching or gearing? By the sound from the video it seems like it runs down the cutline through the snow with ease. Well keep the videos coming .

Thanks, as you can see in the powder snow we have here this year it's rubbing bottom all the way!! Average about 3' in the Caroline and Burnt Stick lake areia. I really like the machine. Argo has a 6.4 tranny coming and will change it out at no charge to me (they installed a high torque 8.4 what I didn't want or ask for so their going to change it out) it is slower and does reeve out more than I like so want the low torque, higher geared tranny. I'm also going to try a set of 275 gram weights in the clutch. It comes stock with 240gr weights and after checking things out I discovered they use the same clutch in their XTI/XTD. The XTI has the exact same motor, tranny and clutch but the tranny is geared with a 7.3 ratio. The XTD (diesel) has the same 7.3 admiral tranny and clutch but has 275 gram weights. I got a set of the 275's on the way and will try them. As you probably already know the heavier weight will open the clutch faster and give you more speed faster and help keep the engine reeves down. If that don't work out and I have lack of power issues I can put the stock weights back and I'm only out maybe $100. (I didn't ask what they cost I just ordered) NOTE TO ANYONE ORDERING A NEW ARGO IN WESTERN CANADA. If you want a low torque standard 6.4 tranny they consider that a option!! But only the Argos bought in this area and bought or ordered through the western Canada distributed in Edmonton, in the rest of the world high torque is the option. The dealer in Rocky Mountain House was supposed to tell me and every buyer, Edmonton orders all their Argos with a high torque tranny unless the customer wants the standard. The vast majority of Argos are sold in Alberta and are rental units or used in the oil field or seismic, exploration so they think every one is going to buy their optional 4 man ROPS, rubber tracks and a cab then haul 1200 pounds of grear, chain saw, equipment and tools all the time. I don't quite understand the logic, even their XTI what is a bigger and heavier machine with the same engine and clutch comes with the same admiral tranny but is geared with a 7.3 ratio and they don't even offer the option for a high torque tranny! With a bigger heavier machine! I know every one has their opinion about gearing in a AATV and it's your choice and none of my business what you want to do or use it for so choose accordingly if you do want to buy a new Argo. I just thought I'd bring it up so if you do go looking, be aware that the stock floor models are going to most likely have high torque 8.4 trannys. Other than the tranny and wanting to tweak the clutch I REALLY like the machine and if you watched the video when I climbed over the log deck you know why I ordered Escargo tracks with thin steel grousers. Even the steep snow banks the grader piled up next to the road 6-8' high, didn't even spin the track, just straight up and over. I don't think rubber or wide UHMW grousers can grip frozen wood or snow like that and the same with frozen ground. One of my deciding factors for buying Escargo tracks was I seen a video on YouTube, something like "Escargo VS all UHMW tracks" and after trying to get up a frozen bank with UHMW repeatedly he put on Escargo's and made it, I think it was the same machine but don't remember. Theirs dozens of videos, articles and on this site, threads on tracks and it seams price is understandably a big factor. Theirs advantages and disadvantages to your choice of tracks, gear ratios and various other options you can chose from and their is no one "Right" do all, what you choose and want is your own choice and no ones business but your own. If you buy one you'll like it and wish you had it years ago!!

[Buzz]

2014SE- I made that video just to show the difference. You're probably tired of hearing me say it, unless you like driving your machine essentially "with the brake on at all times" you need to disconnect your center hubs. Your center axles carry most of the weight in your machine (end axles are elevated in the frame). The centers have to try really hard to slip with your tires. (they still do..but). If your even considering clutching changes, gearing changes, or want faster speeds, you really need to see how your machine should (and will) perform differently (speed and otherwise) when you disconnect your center hubs with your escargo track. Please trust me. And I like escargo tracks probably more than anybody. I'm probably pissing in the wind....

[2014SE]

2014SE- I made that video just to show the difference. You're probably tired of hearing me say it, unless you like driving your machine essentially "with the brake on at all times" you need to disconnect your center hubs. Your center axles carry most of the weight in your machine (end axles are elevated in the frame). The centers have to try really hard to slip with your tires. (they still do..but). If your even considering clutching changes, gearing changes, or want faster speeds, you really need to see how your machine should (and will) perform differently (speed and otherwise) when you disconnect your center hubs with your escargo track. Please trust me. And I like escargo tracks probably more than anybody. I'm probably pissing in the wind....

That was a great video. I can't use track tuners and don't want them. My tracks require 3" spacers, theirs only about 3/4' of space between the tub and the inside of the track. Track tuners are 2 1/2" and he don't intend to make wider ones, I called and asked. They are mig welded and welding C1045 shaft with mig is not a reliable weld, They need to be welded with 70/18 or tig for that higher carbon shaft. I'm a welder and know a few things about welding dig rent materials.

[deerchaser]

Thanks for the reply, I would be interest in hearing your review after you have had a chance to run the taller gear transmission for a while ,it would be interesting /informative to hear your thought's ,Buzz has some very valet advise with to regard's of running some track tuners on the centre wheels to reduce load do to chain wind up .It would be nice if you could get the 7:3 transmission and split the difference ,might be the ticket with the heavier escargot tracks compared to the UHMV tracks???just a thought 2014ES,what do you think Buzz ?

[Buzz]

well gee. In all honesty then, I would trim your inside belt 1/2" (it's very easy with a utility knife) for 2.5" tuners/spacers, or ask Adair to make you a set of 3" tuners (to your specifications I guess). We have used the 2.75" tuners, and they have even made me a 5" wide set. Someone like you could probably just make your own for "personal use" maybe. Just an idler hub over a spindle mounted to a plate. Plate bolts on just like a wheel spacer. I respect your knowledge, but it's crazy not to disconnect the hubs. I mean, I could drive a tandem axle trailer down the road with one set of wheels rolling and the other just "skidding along". Although I have the power to do it, I never would. You just can't appreciate matching your center tread speed with the track-belting speed until you do it.....I won't bug you specifically any more. I apologize.

[Buzz]

Thanks for the reply, I would be interest in hearing your review after you have had a chance to run the taller gear transmission for a while ,it would be interesting /informative to hear your thought's ,Buzz has some very valet advise with to regard's of running some track tuners on the centre wheels to reduce load do to chain wind up .It would be nice if you could get the 7:3 transmission and split the difference ,might be the ticket with the heavier escargot tracks compared to the UHMV tracks???just a thought 2014ES,what do you think Buzz ?

Such nice new machine. I know it wasn't cheap. The tracks are well worth the money too. I would absolutely just bolt on track-tuners first. It's basically mandatory if you want the machine...engine/transmission....and all available speed to work to their fullest. At least then you would know the limitations of your engine HP, your current clutching, and your transmission gearing. If a guy still wants to swap, I understand. Problem is, as you attempt to increase transmission output RPM...which translates into faster axle speed, tires speed, and ultimatley track speed....your load increases dramatically. You can get away without tuners (I still don't recommend it) if you plan on very slow operating speeds only. If want to get more speed, you'll suffer a snowball effect of the extra slip required of the center tires and increased load along with it. Your machine's clutches will do what they're supposed to do....adjust to keep engine rpm high and transmission input speed low. Your top speed will be less and your engine will always be working harder (at least harder than it has to). The gear reduction of the track will allow the engine to turn the track well enough to drive and perform, but it is much better if your center tires simply roll in the track instead of peel out very fast relative to the corners. Your AT189's and their tall paddle tread will probably thank you as well. It's amazing when you can chug along (at a decent speed) and just barely use the throttle. The engine sounds happy. Fuel mileage increases. More usable top speed in addition to the already tractor-pulling grunt of your track. I know..the land of milk and honey. You really just have to experience an elevated-belt track when the belting/tire tread speeds all match....to really appreciate it.

[deerchaser]

my op's ,didn't see my other post

[Buzz]

I personally think the price is super fair on a track tuner for what that's worth. By the time you look at an idler hub/spindle, bearings and seal, and fabrication of the mounting plate. Even if someone was going to make one on their own, I wouldn't recommend it. Their strength/durability seems to continually improve as customers give feedback.