How to lube chains & proper tire pressure

[Mr. Moose]

Just bought a 2001 Bigfoot with tracks and 2 sets of tires & riims. However no manual so I don't know how much air pressure to put in when I'm using tracks(the tires with the tracks are 22's. How much pressure. Also in the summer time I'll put the 25's (no tracks) on , but at what pressure. How do you spray on the lubricant on the chains? do u lift the whole machine off the ground and put it in gear and then spray on while the chains are turning. I also read where someone was using chain saw chain oil with good results. What's the consensus on this a good idea or ? So many good people out there willing to share their experiences and knowledge. I've only tried out the argo for a little while and its a blast.. I think I got a really good deal and I got it in the same city I live in which is Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ( lots of snow , swamp, bog, mud, etc.) I would appreciate any help I can get. (he also gave me a burnt on dvd of argo's service manual but it doesn't seem to work on my dvd machine. where do I get an owners manual for it? Thanks again.

[ve1sar]

Hi I live in Nova Scotia have a 97 Conquest. and we have a little snow here not much of a snow winter so far. As for lubracting the chains I use castrol chain lube, I don't lift my vehicle but to lift it would be your choice. It keeps the chains flexable. Do not use anthing that is not chain lube be cause grease etc. drys out and will cause the chain to eventually seize up. I spray the chains every time I have the floor pans out to clean under. I just spray the of the tops of chains and lower where I can reach. The lube will drip down where you cannot get at. I recently installed rubber tracks with runamuck tires. Use these just for the tracks. Have another set of rawhide tires for the summer or no snow. As for a manual I would try the dealer in your area or maybe someone in your area that has an argo so you can copy there's. For air pressure set yhe pressure at 4- 5 LB also the same for the plastic tracks. They a different for the rubbler tracks.

[LarryW]

You should measure the circumference of the tires instead of using air pressure. The tires will always vary even if they are all the same brand. If the circumference is different on some then you are constantly fighting the odd ball one. Some may need 3, some may need 6...

For the chain oil, I dont run mine off the ground but I do push it to reveal the hidden links. I use what ever I happen to have.

For your tracks I read that you should take the front chains off. That is basically for the same reason as the tire pressure. If the front and rear tires are slightly different the chains will always be binding trying to fight the difference off in a tug a war, chains vs tracks. I have never ran tracks but it does make sense to me.

Congrats on your new argo!!!

[Razorback Randy]

(he also gave me a burnt on dvd of argo's service manual but it doesn't seem to work on my dvd machine. where do I get an owners manual for it? Thanks again.

Try Richards Relics - from what I can tell so far he has most things you could want and is very helpful if you give him a call (812)-944-1643

[AlaskaGrizzly]

For lubing the chains I prefer to put the machine up on blocks in the garage. This way I can lube all the chains completely. Stick with using spray can type chain lube.

For tire pressure w/o tracks I'd say around 4 psi. Your prefference. With tracks you apply tire pressure to get the proper track adjustment. I'd recomend buying one of the low pressure tire guages (0-15 psi range) as having all the tires the same pressure helps the machine run in a straight line.

[mike bar]

Hello Mr.moose,You live in great country to play with your argo.Check out Rock Doctors videos, they should compare to your terrain I would think. Any chain lube will do as long as you keep them coated up. As far as air pressure I would run 3lb without tracks and like Larry said anywheres from 3 to 6lbs with tracks,but what is most important about tracks is , with the vehicle jacked up there should be 2-3inches of slack track hanging in the middle.This can be achieved by adjusting pressure in tires,I find mine seems to be at 5lbs.If you have them to tight it can put a lot of pressure on your corner wheels which results in faster bearing wear.We all know how fun bearing changing can be,just like bear wrestling sometimes!

[dgh110]

i would give the dvd a try in the computer, when he burnt it, it might have computer files instead of a movie file on it. just a thought. hope that helps. as far as tire pressure i am running 3 psi on the corners and 5 psi in the center axles on my conquest. so far works great. only had the tracks on far a week now, but judge for your self. i have also been using a spray lube between cleanings on the chains and after each cleaning i use bar oil for a chain saw. hope that this will help you out.

Darin

[Mr. Moose]

Thks very much Darin as I tried the disc in the computer and voila it works. I'v shot geese years ago at Kindersley and had a blast. Thks again and good riding. Mr. Moose