Snow vs. Argo

[gecade]

I am all new to this Argo stuff so forgive me. I bought an older Vanguard 6x6 with 16hp B&S as a test. It has 12 inch tracks mounted.

I bought it to get into a desolate cabin. In the winter because I am, frankly, sick and tired of snowmobiles I want to test the Argo.

The cabin is 5 hours north of me, so testing the capabilities in the snow isn't as easy as I like. I drive up and then the last couple of miles is rough unmaintained road through the bush.

What is everyone's realistic experience with how much snow these things could actually cope with? I don't want to get half way in and then get stuck and use the winch etc etc etc. There are a couple of large steep hills.

I know there are many variables, but just wanted comments from more experienced than me.

Thanks in advance

[olargo]

I cannot speak for the 12 inch track, but I have used the 18 inch plastic track in the past - only in snow. The 18 inch offer great floatation, but will not climb much of a grade if you are breaking trail in snow. If there is a packed trail, they will climb better. I assume the 12 inch track would offer less floatation than the 18's and thus offer poor performance for climbing.
Sorry for the 'bad news' evaluation...but would hate to see you drive those 5 hours and then be unable to get in to your remote cabin.
Perhaps someone with 12 inch tracks will weigh in and offer their experienced opinion.

[Noel Woods]

The older Vanguards are fine machine, but very under powered especially when using tracks. Alot depends on the type of snow you encounter, if it is dry and packs well you should be ok, if it is wet snow and the machine bogs on narrow tracks you may have a problem. I agree that changes in elevation will be a challenge.
I've always found it best to have at least one other machine on the trail with you in case there is an issue. It could be another aatv or even a snow mobile. I don't think I would try a mid winter jaunt on in an unknown machine by myself. Tracks will show you where the weak points are in the drivetrain quickly if something is amiss. Even a mile back in deep snow can be dangerous.
I do live in Texas now, but previously lived in the Northeast and in Germany as well so I do have some experience in the snow. Perhaps some of the other owners in the snow zones can add their advise.

[thorn]

I'm in the Rocky Mountain region and operate my Argo almost exclusively in deep snow and I have had the same set up you are running decades ago. To put it bluntly, unless you are running on a packed snow trail you are going to have significant issues. The 12-13" tracks are only made to operate in those conditions or swap type conditions. They 18" super tracks are much better but in stock form struggle to climb in a lot of conditions, but can be modified to be excellent. The wide Chanel type tracks, Adair with winter kit, Argo Rubber and the Beaver dam/ Escargot are excellent in deep snow and are designed to grip the snow/ice and climb. The biggest thing guys don't think about is there is a very wide range of snow conditions and tracks will operate differently in each condition and it can change on a dime depending on the weather/temperature.