new guy seeking advice on first argo- bigfoot perhaps

[Norbert77]

For the last few years I have been running Suzuki atvs, but beavers have been flooding more and more areas and I think I can justify an argo. Some of the places I go are trails and creeks so floating is good. Also nimble is good which is why I think a 6x6 bigfoot might be the ticket. The only thing I can't decide on is getting out of water onto ice, if maybe I should go with the 8x8 just for that. How much of that I don't know, hopefully none but lots of deep snow and ice use, would need tracks

Are all argos after the bigfoot with the 25 inch tires? All bigfoot have front bearing extension or just after 2005?

Was there ever an extra narrow argo?

How can I tell if one has bearing extensions installed already?

Can other models take 25 inch tires without tires rubbing or breaking an axle?

I looked at a vanguard 6x6 today with a plastic track, doesn't seem very good for ice. What tracks are no good for ice?

Saw a max I I for sale. Rear engined, does it get onto ice easier? Would an a r go backwards work better?

Sorry for the 21 questions right off the bat.

One more, the attex is insane fast. Is the chain, bearings the same? Could the argo drive train stand up to say 30-35 horsepower if I built the engine to rev out more? Not for dry ground but more wheel speed in water 2

[SHOTGUN]

Hi, can answer some of your questions. For climbiing up onto the ice any track with metal(can be added to some) will be better and an 8x8 will be better(length helps). I had researched the ice climbing alot and what I came up with is NEVER assume you can, certian situations with the right track and very light load you may be able to get out(floating). The problem is how you break through, if one side or front/back goes in first that part will take on alot of water, enough that you could just straight sink. I have watched every video out there and read all posts that I could find, anyone that was able to get out floating was totally unloaded and by themselves with cleats, picks or full steel crossers in a 8x8. If the unit is not floating you have alot more grace and most any tracked machine with some stud or cleat will get you out. One other thing I can give some insight to is that coming from an ATV to a AATV is the different nature of the machine, basically they are totally backwards. An ATV is a fast comfortable ride that in good conditions you can make good time, in bad conditions has alot of trouble. An AATV in good conditions at first is very slow(you will get used to it), but when you hit the poor conditions you just breeze through. There will be others that can help with the rest, good luck!!

[trevorakm1]

As far as I know the bigfoot came with a longer wheelbase and the front bearing extensions. I have an 01 and this is the case. They were part of the upgrade from the Vanguard not sure of the vanguard 2. The bigfoot also comes with a brake cooling fan and again not sure of the vanguard 2. The longer wheel base obviously provides for the 25" tires. Just beware that the tire circumferance(spelling?) varies quite a bit. Plastic tracks are slick, first time I used my supertracks I was surprised how slick they were on pavement but ran great in the snow, kept me on top. as Far as enngine placement it is a matter of preference and technique. I beleive the argo manual states going down steep inclines and into the water to back down and in. the Max is opposite due to weight distibution but it's a matter of learning to operate in a safe manner and knowing your machine. I don't find going down steep inclines and into the water nose first an issue but I take both cautiously. Looking at bearing extensions just look at the front and then the rear and you will Identify the quite easily on the bigfoot anyway.
Others with much more experience and expertise will chime in.
Transition from water to ice well maybe a winch and good anchor will do the trick. I've often thought of the grappeling hook that could easily be attached to the winch line and tossed into the undergrowth to help pull out but haven't tried and no use in the middle of the ice.

[ARGOJIM]

A little off head info.
All Frontiers and Avengers will take 25's, Bigfoot and Conquest 6x6 came with 25's. No narrow Argo's are around 58 inches with the machines having 25's about 61" and 18" tracks make them 72". Bearing extensions are a large chunk of aluminum most all 6 wheelers may have them on the front and some Frontiers may have them on the rear, as trevorakm1 wrote the later V2 was optional as it shared the Bigfoot frame, none on a standard Vanguard, the Magnum 8x8 had fronts, the Conquest had front and rear std. like the Avenger.

35hp will depend on how the driver treats the trans, 35hp at 5000 rpm and jamming both brakes at rpm will probably brake the differential as something needs to turn.

[Norbert77]

Getting out of ice, anchor... we need some James Bond shotgun powered ice hook deploying mechanism one could shoot into the ice a few yards away. If ice was thick enough to walk on i suppose an anchor could be drilled in and the winch connected while out.

But seriously thanks for the info. Still not sure which one to get. A bigfoot 8x8...

Actually I think the bigfoot would have a harder time coming out onto ice as bigger tires would need the body out higher to get the wheel onto the ice. Anybody tried studded front tires?