Long time Bigfoot owner looking for others

[pheagy]

Hello

I've owned a 98 Bigfoot since it was new. The machine has been rugged and reliable. I now have 900 hours on it and it is still going strong. I'm interested in locating other Bigfoot ownwers as while the Bigfoot is a great machine there are some situations that are specific to it . Such as equipping it with tracks, and now maybe parts. I recently needed a caliper for it and the original is no longer made. The replacement fit and works fine but I'm concerned about future needs.

Now the big one, has any one bought the bolduc tracks for the Bigfoot? If so how do they work? Are the tracks the full 20 inches? I assume that you must still purchase a second set of tires and wheels for the conversion. I'm specifically concerned with how they work in deep powder and are they worth the cost in the users opinion. Thanks for any info in advance and I look forward to hearing from you. Phill

[johnschwab]

there are some guys at Route 6x6 forums with bolduc rubber experience. I think they liked them better than argo rubber tracks by a small margin. I bet if you search the fourums for "bolduc" it'll show up.

Len Cater.. that's the guys name who has used them ..

[pheagy]

Thanks

John I appreciate the info, I have the same message posted on Route 6x6. I'll be monitoring both sites to see who knows what. Those are quite the extreme pictures you have there. I work for the USDA in an agency called Wildlife Services. You probably know us as Government trappers. I use my argo for work and so far that has been NC, TX, NM, PA, and now WY. I could tell you a few stories by I don't have any videos. Keep up the good work. Phill

[xrover]

LC here. I ran bouldoc tracks on our conquest and they were great. Full 20" and really unstoppable. Unfortunately when we traded up to the Avenger we went with the Argo tracks. While they are of similiar rubber, the construction is inferior. Argo uses plastic tire guides which break easily, and are a pain to remove as they use carriage bolts which round out the plastic once they are siezed. We have replaced all of the carriage bolts with standard galvanized bolts. I would imagine a bigfoot would be truly unstoppable since it has a better weight balance on the snow than a front heavy conquest. You would need to go with the 22" tires, however I think I heard that the new 24" frontier tire may fit the track on a bigfoot. The bouldoc uses metal tire guides. The rubber track provides a much smoother ride and very quiet compared to the racket the plastic tracks make. Give Rejean a call as he can explain it all. (418) 424-3346 And he can have them shipped anywhere. We bought both tires and tracks from him.

[pheagy]

Thanks

Thank you X

It's nice to speak with someone that has experience with both types of track systems. I will call Bolduc and get all the particulars from him. Just as an afterthought, have you ever used the tracks in swampy stuff? I was in NC 2 years ago and there was a utility right of way that went through a swamp. There was no way the Bigfott would have gone through it. When I got to looking you could see where a vehicle with tracks went the length of the swamp and crossed the road and went right back into the stuff on the other side. I was impressed because this swamp had no bottom. If you went out into it with waders on you would sink out of sight. But this tracked vehicle had stayed on top of the grass and logs and apparently went right through it. I wish I would have been there to see what type of machine it was.

Anyway thanks again for the info and if I can ever help you please let me know. Phill

[pheagy]

LC not X

Sorry LC I didn't see that you had included your initials. Phill

[GREASEMONKEY]

Thank you X

It's nice to speak with someone that has experience with both types of track systems. I will call Bolduc and get all the particulars from him. Just as an afterthought, have you ever used the tracks in swampy stuff? I was in NC 2 years ago and there was a utility right of way that went through a swamp. There was no way the Bigfott would have gone through it. When I got to looking you could see where a vehicle with tracks went the length of the swamp and crossed the road and went right back into the stuff on the other side. I was impressed because this swamp had no bottom. If you went out into it with waders on you would sink out of sight. But this tracked vehicle had stayed on top of the grass and logs and apparently went right through it. I wish I would have been there to see what type of machine it was.

Anyway thanks again for the info and if I can ever help you please let me know. Phill

The local power company sub contracts to a guy that has a home built half track. He gets to the unreachable places & sprays killer to keep the kudzu growth down! Like you say, it can go through some amazing stuff.

[xrover]

Bolduc in swamp

Sorry for the delay, haven't been on for a bit. There is a bottomless bog in the area we run our Argo and we have only made it through it with the tracks on. It was almost like it surfed through it, as the weight of the argo pushed the peat and muck, the tracks kept it going. I was in there a few weeks ago, and thought it would have been frozen over but sunk in deep. The bog was a lot less fluid, but I was able still to get through it. This bog is the type where it would be like trying to cross a pool of jello.

[pheagy]

Hey LC

Good to hear from you. That sounds like what I'm talking about as far as swampy stuff goes. Some of the stuff you couldn't walk through if you wanted to. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. The darn tracks are expensive and the last thing I want is to spend the money and then be disappointed with the results.

I've been checking out another track system called escargot tracks. The web site has a bunch of videos of the track in snow and water and climbing banks (and I MEAN BANKS!) but nothing really in the way of swamp. The thing I like about this track system is it looks like it can be easily repaired if it breaks. Anyway check it out if you get the chance, Escargo Tracks - Timmins

Take care LC and Merry Christmas to you. Phill

[RickMo]

I've got one

pheagy, Get me a job doing working with you. I've got a Bigfoot.

[pheagy]

Momo

Get on USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site, type in usda aphis wildlife services. The jobs that are available will come up. If you have college you may qualify for a biologist job, if not then technician is the route to go. If I can help let me know. Phill