Are argos more fun than they are work?

[im a logger]

Hi guys,
This is my first note to the site. I have been a fan of argos for quite a while ,been for a ride, really enjoyed it. I have lots of room to ride but I am wondering am I going to be doing a lot of mechanic work if I take the leap and buy one. It would be a used machine, please let me know what you think
thanks a lot

[eightwheeler]

All depends on what machine/year you buy, pre '89 8x8's are not too bad if you can get one with hydraulic brakes, mechanical brakes however tend to loose thier adjustment quite frequently, most early 6x6's have mechanical brakes untill '89 when the magnum came out

[im a logger]

thanks eightwheeler
So what do you think the ratio of driving to repairing is?

[jerseybigfoot]

It depends on how the unit was previous maintained. 6x6's can be abused when new and not show it till later, with worn out chains, bad bearings etc. look at the tub with the floors out, if its clean it's probably a good find. The more debris in the hull the greater the lack of general maintenance, the deeper the dirt, the more the wear. I have a 2004 argo bigfoot since new and keep the tub clean and dry and all i do is grease it after a lengthy water excursion or 50 or so hours of driving and lube the chains, and the normal engine maintenance.

[lewis]

Have a 06 Avenger, love it. The only thing that i have changed on it so far has been the front chain tensors. Went to the larger tooth tensor. After 105 hours that is the only item that needed attention. This by the way was a upgrade from Argo. Mine was produced earlier in the year. Keeping the maintenance up on your machine is the key to a long life with these machines. When you go to purchase your machine ask about the maintenance done to it. If they have the "deer in the headlights look", maintenance probably was not high on their list. Beware!

Jersey pretty much much gave you the skinny.

[chapy]

I bought a 2000 bigfoot with 180 hours on it and it now has 255 and I have changed all six outer bearings and the front drive chains. Both were due to lack of maintainence. When you get it home change all the oils and lube the chains and greese the bearings before you go on a big adventure. Jack it up when you are greesing the bearings and wiggle each tire. if there is play in the axel plan on a bearing job. The bearings are pretty easy to change. Over all I still happy with the machine.

[im a logger]

Thanks for all the comments guys, this is a great site. They say experience is the best learner but it is also the hardest.