Is ODG Listening?

[Rock Doctor]

I thought this was pretty COOL, I was just talking to a good friend yesterday. Keep in mind that I was not involved in this, and am running on memory. Here's the story:

My buddy had some concerns/questions about design improvements/flaws (his words) in Argo's (new and old), so he contacted ODG via email a couple times. They refered him to our local dealer, and told him to take it up with them. This anoyed him (he does not approve of the local dealer), so he tried sending ODG another email (more of a SNOTOGRAM this time). To his suprise, they got back to him...........somehow they got his work cell # and called him, He still has no idea how they got his cell #.
Turns out that the Rep that called him is a 30+yr ODG employee, and he wants to travel from Ont to our home in northern BC to meet, in person, to discuss some of the issues. The rep was here about 2 weeks ago now (I wish I could have got in on the discussions, but I was away at work)
My buddy took him around to various homes and looked at some of the "local modifications" that have been designed over the yrs, as well as discussing some things that could be different (better) in the design. Discussions included:
Weak engine/trans mounting plates, Seat/fuel tank frames.
Too many moving parts in the new stearing system
Modifications to winch mounting plates (not strong enough)
Black lower tubs (you already have to do maintenance in a dark hole, why make it darker)
New style clutches/belts
C to C distance between axles (RE, driving over logs, and getting logs jammed between tires)
Chain tensioners
New "tie down system" for cargo area
Remote grease lines to inaccesible bearings (super simple, why not do it)
Auto chain oilers
Hokey intake/exhaust Screens and hokey mounting system
Push bumper/Winch guards (Rep really liked some of our designs)
Headlight mounting systems (PITA to get back in properly)
Hand brake system (Good points and bad)
Cup holders that keep cold drinks nice and warm (RE. location)
Rops System (need built in headlights)
Why not put in Japanese motors, they have been proven better (acording to some) He had a good answer for this one. Argo DID spec/source other engine options, but when the manufacturers asked how many HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ODG WANTED, the negotiations fell through. The min # of engines they could order would have lasted ODG for about 8 yrs.
Why not a T-20 transmition? I am not clear on why not, but the rep seems to think that the T-20 is a good product, and that if they did use the T-20, then ODG would control 100% of the AATV market.... lol

Good changes were also discussed:
One hand stearing
Battery under the seat
Park brake

The rep was absolutly astounded that 24" Frontier Tires fit a Conquest. He had been assured that they WOULD NOT FIT A CONQUEST. (This may not have been a good thing. He was a little suprised at how many sales they had lost, due to people like "us" talking guys into just buying tires for there old machine instead of getting a whole new machine............I wonder if 24" Frontier tires are going to get slightly larger in the near future????)
The rep was concerned about our rear rack systems and insisted that they had to be braced to the frame (non of ours are braced to the frame). His concern was overloading the racks would crush the tub. Our concern was, if this system will crush the newer style tubs, maybe they should stick with the older style tubs ("WE" have never had an issue with it)

This is getting long, so i will quite here. I'm sure that I have missed some items, and may have misinterpreted some comments.
The main point I am trying to make is that ODG sent a Rep, THOUSANDS of miles to talk to "SOME GUY" about Quality, Functionality, Reliability, ect of there product line.

I'm a little shocked, and very interested in what ODG will come out with for new mods in the near future.


RD

[lewis]

Funny thing

I talked with 2 of the ODG reps just recently also. Much of the same conversation came up. They took lots of notes. One heavy discussion was about the new style steering. Strange how these things work out.

Lewis

[Hey_Dan]

Most if not all Briggs motors are made in Japan, although many people don't think of them as "Japanese".

[Rock Doctor]

Most if not all Briggs motors are made in Japan, although many people don't think of them as "Japanese".

Well, that's a little strange, The Briggs website says "Built in America". I wonder if components are made in Japan, and then assembled in America.

Like I said, The point was that I was suprised that ODG would send a Rep to this location to talk about this stuff with a guy they know nothing about. Some of my points could be off the mark a bit.


RD

[lewis]

John Deer

Bought a John Deer pressure washer with a Honda engine. Bought it because of the style of pump not the motor. The motor was not made in Japan, made in Thailand. Who knows where stuff is made now.

Maybe ODG has its ears out and is listening. I understand that this is a nitch market but they sometimes seem to go backwards instead of forward with designs.

Don't get me wrong i really like my Avenger but my biggest beef with ODG is the bicycle style steering, i really liked the tank style steering. If a kit ever appears to switch it back to the two stick I'm in.

Lewis

[Roadtorque]

Like I said, The point was that I was suprised that ODG would send a Rep to this location to talk about this stuff with a guy they know nothing about. Some of my points could be off the mark a bit.


RD

A step in the right direction. Manufacturers that listen and act on customer feedback = even better product

[Roger S]

He didn't know frontier tires would fit on existing 8x8's? What do they pay this guy? It is good that they are asking questions!

I think the Vanguard twin is a Diahatsu.

[Rock Doctor]

Well, I'm not sure if you remember or not, but I had a bugger of a time trying to get a set to try on my Conquest. As soon as I told my local dealer that I wanted to try a set, he called his supplier. They tryed everything they could think of to talk me out of it:
The tires will not fit between yout axles.
The tires will not fit on your rims.
The rims that they will fit will not bolt onto your hubs.
The tires will rub your upper tub.
Ect, ect, ect.

It took about a month just to get 2 tires to try, then once I had proven that they would fit, it took them about another 6 weeks to get the next 6 tires to me.
Between myself and friends, we have now talked many people into running Frontiers on older machines. I can think of a couple dozen converts, and some friends think the number of converts is upwards of 50 right now. This all adds up to lost sales for ODG (I KNOW some of those converts were about to buy new machines, now they are happy with just the tires).

I guess the moral of the story is:
Don't let EXPERTS tell you what will work. Remember......Experts built the Titanic, An amature built the Ark.

RD

[lager99]

The problem is not enough units produced. They need to run too long to get their money back. But things like fit & finish of the floor tubs that drop in on the new Avenger. No reason to be that sloppy. And the new drain plugs, great idea but even though it is the only possible place to get a hole...the only week spot...I punched a 1" branch right thru it.

Apparently you can flassh the unit after 60hrs to speed it up too, but I can't keep up to my kids Suzuki 50cc right now. Just dumb.