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Hi all, new here. Still reading up.
I'm currently search and rescue, RCAF:
It's been 28 years and now I'm just too beaten and broken to carry on. So I'm being released. Pension and benefits are pretty good, I'm OK there. I've seen and done things most people will never even imagine. Saved lives and seen tragedy.
Even with my issues; No regrets.
"That Others May Live".
But now that I'm "retiring", I'm looking at getting in to Ground search locally. Even though I'm out of the "Rock Star SAR job", I still want to contribute somehow.
I have mobility problems as a result of my service, so I need wheels. I'm not crippled, I just can't walk over uneven ground for extended periods. Thought about a quad, but that seems limited around here. The local terrain is lots of swamps, lakes and woods. Sounds like prime stomping ground for an Argo and I've seen people do some strange things when they are lost, hypothermic, injured, scared, etc. You just never know where they are going to go: hide under a bush, try to swim across a river or lake, etc.
The local service is volunteer and they don't have an Argo, which would seem could be an asset to them. I see an niche for me and a capability I can bring to the local ground search team.......
I'm going to look at a local Argo in the next few days. We both have a price in mind and I'm ok with it if the Argo check s out ok. I'd be looking to customize it a bit for SAR use (mostly roll bars and stuff mounted on them, searchlights, gps, radio, etc), and this looks like a fairly good, unmolested unit.
8x8 gives me a lot more usable room for SAR than a 6x6. My wife trains tracking dogs, so the extra space would be good for that too.
Probably look at building a custom trailer to tow with the 8x8 for extra SAR kit.
The guy doesn't know what year or model it is, just that it's an 8x8, runs good and comes with tracks:
I think it's a mid to late 80's by the pics I've looked at online.
The tracks are highly desirable for me, as winter can be a "B" here with lots of snow and widely swinging temps and weather.
I'm mechanically adept (cars, bikes, boats, aircraft, etc - I'm a "do all" mechanic if you will) so looking at the basics (engine, hull, etc) won't be a problem.
What I need is some pointers on what to check that is unique to the Argo. IE: chains, drives, noises that are bad, what to look for or do on a test drive that reveals problems, etc.
Anyone have a little advice to offer?
I'm currently search and rescue, RCAF:
It's been 28 years and now I'm just too beaten and broken to carry on. So I'm being released. Pension and benefits are pretty good, I'm OK there. I've seen and done things most people will never even imagine. Saved lives and seen tragedy.
Even with my issues; No regrets.
"That Others May Live".
But now that I'm "retiring", I'm looking at getting in to Ground search locally. Even though I'm out of the "Rock Star SAR job", I still want to contribute somehow.
I have mobility problems as a result of my service, so I need wheels. I'm not crippled, I just can't walk over uneven ground for extended periods. Thought about a quad, but that seems limited around here. The local terrain is lots of swamps, lakes and woods. Sounds like prime stomping ground for an Argo and I've seen people do some strange things when they are lost, hypothermic, injured, scared, etc. You just never know where they are going to go: hide under a bush, try to swim across a river or lake, etc.
The local service is volunteer and they don't have an Argo, which would seem could be an asset to them. I see an niche for me and a capability I can bring to the local ground search team.......
I'm going to look at a local Argo in the next few days. We both have a price in mind and I'm ok with it if the Argo check s out ok. I'd be looking to customize it a bit for SAR use (mostly roll bars and stuff mounted on them, searchlights, gps, radio, etc), and this looks like a fairly good, unmolested unit.
8x8 gives me a lot more usable room for SAR than a 6x6. My wife trains tracking dogs, so the extra space would be good for that too.
Probably look at building a custom trailer to tow with the 8x8 for extra SAR kit.
The guy doesn't know what year or model it is, just that it's an 8x8, runs good and comes with tracks:
I think it's a mid to late 80's by the pics I've looked at online.
The tracks are highly desirable for me, as winter can be a "B" here with lots of snow and widely swinging temps and weather.
I'm mechanically adept (cars, bikes, boats, aircraft, etc - I'm a "do all" mechanic if you will) so looking at the basics (engine, hull, etc) won't be a problem.
What I need is some pointers on what to check that is unique to the Argo. IE: chains, drives, noises that are bad, what to look for or do on a test drive that reveals problems, etc.
Anyone have a little advice to offer?
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