Admiral tranny id.

[2014SE]

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the regular stock admiral tranny and the high torque I know the stock tranny is 6.4 ratio and hi torque is 8.4 ratio and I can't find any of telling witch is what. Thanks!!

[ARGOJIM]

It will be stamped on top of transmission.

[2014SE]

It will be stamped on top of transmission.

Thanks. I went and found 8.4 and what I assume is the serial number. When I ordered it I wanted the standard high speed tranny so I guess they'll be replacing it!

[msafi65]

If your going to run tracks I would keep the low gear one. Just me but I think the hi-gear ones are a bit hard on belts

[Buzz]

2014SE- are you running track-tuners with your escargo tracks? And, it sounds like you have the 8.4 gearing in your tranny? If that's the case, you might be okay to move to a taller gear ratio....maybe...but there are some speed improvements to be made elsewhere with your set up. I tend to shy away from running anything but the lowest gear offered..but I have yet to drive such a low-geared admiral tranny Avenger either. With a gear-reduction track like yours, you might "crawl" incredibly slow (currently), especially in low range. Currently, on escargo tracks, your speed will be reduced compared to running on tires....but also because of slower-track-belting speed as well as your CVT adjusting to load especially as you attempt to increase speed...not simply because of the gearing in your tranny. I wish I had more information. You might be okay to do this but hold on... Do you use your machine mostly for flat-ground travel, or do you see yourself really working it hard from time to time? What is your top speed currently (on flat ground) in "low" range with your tracks installed, and track-tuners or not on the center axles? I like the idea of being able to use high range all (most all) of the time. Disconnecting your center hubs may allow you to do this if you keep the 8.4 and gain more speed as well.

[Buzz]

just remember simply running the escargos will lower your machine's speed (track belting speed is slower for a given axle speed)....be careful before changing gears. The change in final drive ratio (with your tracks installed vs. running on tires only) could easily throw your speed-expectations off.

[2014SE]

No track tuners, these are grouser type tracks not belts. I decided against track tuners for this style of tracks after reading a few articles, (Alaska out doors I think) one guy threw a track and couldn't get out because the centre 2 wheels on that side didn't drive and left him stranded back in the bush. I can for sure see wanting them for rubber tracks but it's not really necessary for grouser type tracks anyway. As of yet with this machine with or with out tracks on I have never had any reason to use low range yet other than turning tight, even when I had 4 of us on and climbing 45-50 percent hills in 2'+ of snow with the tracks on. I like the admiral transmission with the counter rotation option in low but as of yet I only used it 3-4 times turning around on a narrower trail. Speed wise on flat I haven't seen any real speed difference with or without tracks. Personally I like higher gear ratios, even when I order a new truck I order the highest speed gear ratio they offer. For the amount of time I have my trailer or heavier load on it's not necessary to run the engine at 2700 rpm just to move the truck down the road when 2300 will do it with better fuel economy and less noise, (my truck sits at 11,500 lbs. It's a welding rig and is always loaded or even over weight) if I have to I can pull it outa OD and use 4th on the hill. Again we all have our own idea what we want our machine to do and my preference is higher ratio and more speed with less engine reeves and let the CVT take care of the rest.

[Buzz]

hmmmm. Something is not right with the machine speeds. Your machine physically has to go slower with an elevated-belt track installed. There is no way around it, but it is an advantage and makes high-range more usable. You'll have to trust me I guess. You'll pick up some speed simply by intalling track tuners with your particular track set-up. Your CVT system will provide more speed via your transmission when possible if you lessen the load and eliminate the center wheels from "slipping" to match speeds with the corner axles. This is multiplied as your attempt to go faster in high range. The track belting/crossers move under the center axles-slower than the tires are turning and require constant slipping if rigid wheel spacers are left in place. This load multiplies as you drive "faster." So your top speed will be significantly limited by the CVT....and also because of the slower track-belting speed of your elevated belt track.
Your track, with tuners, will get better and faster. While track-tuners aren't a necessity with your escargo tracks, they will absolutely help your machine make better use of its power (and increase speed especially in high range) when running your track. (a bunch of us are running your specific set-up...I'm guessing 5-inch spacing crossers...up here). I would absolutely do that first before you switch gear sets. Right now that's the option I would take, and I really like your particular track set up.

[foxvalley]

I've had the chance to run both gear ratios in the admiral tranny,and now have the 8.4 gearing.This gear lets me run a little higher rpm at a slower speed,which I really like, as it helps going over obstacles much easier at a slightly slower speed than the 6.4.
There doesn't seem to be any loss of speed,however,with the 8.4,so as for me,and my aplication,I am hands down sold on the 8.4,and would think hard about switching back to the 6.4.

[tracmaster]

Just bought a 2013 hdi and i think i hate the 8.4 tranny. Bought my ride from Bost Argo In North Carolina. They never mentioned that it had the optional 8.4 tranny. i think they just unloaded a machine they could not sell. So i Guess i got screwed. Got Home and man this thing whines and sounds like an old 3 speed willy's. I had a 2007 Avenger 750 EFI and it was much quieter and more pleasurable to ride. Low gear in my 2013 is just about useless and uses much more fuel. In high range i can't even get to 15 MPH with the trottle wide open with no tracks. Feels more like a lawn tractor. I have owned a Argos for the past 30 years and have never been more dissapointed. I do have choices though. #1 Buy a new 6.4 tranny and sell the old one which only has 5 miles on it. Then sell the 8.4.... Option #2...Have my lawyer teach them to tell the truth. I asked for a 2013 750 Hdi with the standard tranny and got a modified tranny without them telling me. The 8.4 is not even on my receipt. What should i do?

Tracmaster

[ARGOJIM]

Tracmaster, talk to Ken and explain your problem. I'd bet that he orders most of his machines with the 8.4 due to tracked applications, he may order the next machine in with a standard trans and switch them out to keep you satisfied.
However if you got a blow out priced deal on "that machine only", well that's another story. I've heard nothing but good things about Ken.

[2014SE]

Just bought a 2013 hdi and i think i hate the 8.4 tranny. Bought my ride from Bost Argo In North Carolina. They never mentioned that it had the optional 8.4 tranny. i think they just unloaded a machine they could not sell. So i Guess i got screwed. Got Home and man this thing whines and sounds like an old 3 speed willy's. I had a 2007 Avenger 750 EFI and it was much quieter and more pleasurable to ride. Low gear in my 2013 is just about useless and uses much more fuel. In high range i can't even get to 15 MPH with the trottle wide open with no tracks. Feels more like a lawn tractor. I have owned a Argos for the past 30 years and have never been more dissapointed. I do have choices though. #1 Buy a new 6.4 tranny and sell the old one which only has 5 miles on it. Then sell the 8.4.... Option #2...Have my lawyer teach them to tell the truth. I asked for a 2013 750 Hdi with the standard tranny and got a modified tranny without them telling me. The 8.4 is not even on my receipt. What should I do?
Tracmaster

Talk to the dealer. When I talked to the one I bought mine from they checked all the paperwork and they never ordered it with the granny tranny, it just come that way. Either they ran short on standard trannys when they built my machine and slapped in a 8.4 or someone just put the wrong one in. I never use low range at all, Even in the owners manual they don't recommend using low other than for tight tuns. Does it make noise in low? Mine don't make any noise but like I said I never run low other than a couple times.

I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and see if they contacted ODG and what they plan to do.

[Buzz]

Just bought a 2013 hdi and i think i hate the 8.4 tranny. Bought my ride from Bost Argo In North Carolina. They never mentioned that it had the optional 8.4 tranny. i think they just unloaded a machine they could not sell. So i Guess i got screwed. Got Home and man this thing whines and sounds like an old 3 speed willy's. I had a 2007 Avenger 750 EFI and it was much quieter and more pleasurable to ride. Low gear in my 2013 is just about useless and uses much more fuel. In high range i can't even get to 15 MPH with the trottle wide open with no tracks. Feels more like a lawn tractor. I have owned a Argos for the past 30 years and have never been more dissapointed. I do have choices though. #1 Buy a new 6.4 tranny and sell the old one which only has 5 miles on it. Then sell the 8.4.... Option #2...Have my lawyer teach them to tell the truth. I asked for a 2013 750 Hdi with the standard tranny and got a modified tranny without them telling me. The 8.4 is not even on my receipt. What should i do?

Tracmaster

Sorry for the disappointment. Most people (unless they plan to run just tires) would prefer the lowest gearing they could get and operate "tractor-style" in the 0 ..to maybe 15 mph (if lucky) range in bad conditions. In the name of trying to help...Do you plan to run tracks? I mean when you're in really bad conditions, you're going to want that extra gearing as you're crawling and maneuvering. To me it might make your Admiral steering transmission very usable in "high" currently while running tracks at the same time. One of my machines was an avenger EFI with a 3.3 transmission and a top speed of "maybe" 16-17 mph on tires in "high". Now if you were to encounter any significant load in deep snow...even small brief inclines, the engine did not have the power (or enough gearing) to maintain speed. You could hear the machine struggling. That was travelling in a straight line, so I know it wasn't just when turning. Your admiral won't have the additional loss of power (when turning) that I had, and it should work fairly well with tracks and "high" range "steering" mode with those gears....I would think. You might still need low range?
Anything over 15 mph is very tough with 31 hp and 230+ inches of track on either side in deep snow, inclines, and other bad conditions. Flat ground compact snow or down hills is easy. My advice would be to keep it if you plan to run tracks. If not, I could see where you might want your high range to provide more speed. Believe it or not, you might need that low range on tracks at times.

[foxvalley]

I agree with Buzz, it seems to me that the tracked argo with the 8.4 just "feels" like the setup is correct.You might really be disapointed with the 6.4 running a heavy set of escargos. Also, I dont think I went any faster with the 6.4 when I dropped the hammer.
I havnt checked,but the 6.4 might not even be offered any more as an option.

[Buzz]

you've got the more agressive, lighter escargo tracks around 150 lbs or less, but still, to get much improved speeds (especially in high range), hub-disconnects (tuners) and 8.4 gearing might be critical. I would recommend at least trying the tuners first....then you would know for sure how your performance and speed looks with your particular gearing/clutching. With either gear set (or any transmission really), the tuners hugely improve the performance of your elevated belt paddle track. You can run without tuners with NO danger of placing undo stress on your tensioners, but spinning the center tires is simply like having a constant break on, or towing trailer uphill all the time 24/7. The center chains will see a higher constant load anyway without tuners installed.