Argo Centaur misbehaves in icy water

[mtims101]

Hi All:
I recently purchased a 2004 Argo Centaur 950DT 8x8 to add to my “stable” of tracked vehicles I use mainly for deer hunting in Northern Michigan. They get my 80 year old body into places I could never walk into.

The Centaur came equipped with what they call “All Season Tracks” and even after replacing all 408 Wheel Guide mounting bolts with longer SS bolts creating pretty good ice cleats, it still has the most irritating habit of breaking through ice and then sitting in the water helplessly bobbing up and down just bumping into the chunks of ice refusing to climb up onto the ice ahead of it.

My Argo Response 8x8 with Plastic Tracks was even worse. I also own (5) Cushman Tracksters 2 of which are floating Marsh Models. These are slightly better at getting up onto ice after breaking through because the front tracks are more slanted up (like tank tracks) so they are better at breaking ice in front of it until you reached the other side of the puddles (more like ponds) on the swamp road getting to my deer stand.

Has anyone had any luck putting aftermarket tracks on a Centaur (Adair, Chanel or Escargot(sp))?

I love the way the Centaur rides and handles, but I’m getting too old to keep winching it out of the ponds I keep getting stuck in every time its cold enough to make ice.

I hope someone has an idea, I know that other Argo 8x8 owners have had this problem.

Mike in Northern Michigan

[ARGOJIM]

Be careful with the Centaur in water as they are not truly considered amphibious.

Perhaps contact Adair and see if the have an ice cleat kit that might work for you.

[CarlR]

I think that the Escargo tracks swim, but I've never tried them personally. I'd suggest keeping a small electric outboard on it to get you out of the pond if you break through. Probably a lot cheaper than another set of tracks...

[mtims101]

The ponds I referred to are actually just large puddles only about 3 foot deep and 100 feet across, and when they freeze 2 inches thick, having an outboard will not produce enough thrust to get the Centaur up onto the ice in front of it. Perhaps the Escargo tracks MIGHT do it, but it would be a very expensive mistake without finding someone who has already solved my problem. It isn't how well they swim, but can they grip and climb onto ice.

[Sparx]

Escargo's are what you want exactly for those reasons! I have put in the time and many miles and they work amazing for those situations no doubt!
They swim great to move around in water but don't count on fighting any currents or heavy winds, yet again that is outboard motor country for the big open ponds.
The traction they have is unbeatable and bust up and climb up on the thicker ice without issues especially in reverse.

[scimanstev]

I agree with Sparx. Escargo tracks will solve your problem.