Old Argo chain tensioners

[racer2304]

Hi,
Did all Argo's have some sort of chain tensioner even around 1977 ish, as I was looking at the parts manual for mine and it shows them, but mine didn't have any on it when I got it. And I was wondering if them can be retro fitted and if anyone has done something like that.Mine is only a single drive chain model and tensioners would be a big help.

[Tinodesis]

Hi,
Did all Argo's have some sort of chain tensioner even around 1977 ish, as I was looking at the parts manual for mine and it shows them, but mine didn't have any on it when I got it. And I was wondering if them can be retro fitted and if anyone has done something like that.Mine is only a single drive chain model and tensioners would be a big help.

Hi racer,

Yes, your machine should have chain tensioners on all chains except the chain driving the front wheels (if you have an 8x8). I have a 77 8x8 with plastic sprockets on a threaded L-shaped rod.

You can upgrqade to a newer style which will require some fabrication to you frame. I'll see if I can find a good picture for you.

[racer2304]

Thanks that would be great, mine must have lost them somewhere in it's previous life.

[Tinodesis]

77 Chain Tensioners

Racer,

Here are some pictures of the chain tensioners on mine. If these look like they would match your frame I might do a quick CAD drawing so you can make some. I need to replace three of mine that have been abused.

Two bolts mount the plate to the frame, which can then be adjusted with the bolt.

I hope this helps.

T

[racer2304]

Thanx heaps,I'll check out my frame, can you still buy the idler sprocket?

[Tinodesis]

Thanx heaps,I'll check out my frame, can you still buy the idler sprocket?

I tried to buy them from Welcome to Richard's Relics Parts for Amphibious ATV's, and they don't have any. They have a newer style only. I'm not sure you can buy the sprocket from Argo, but you might try google to find something close.

[Paquette]

I was wondering the same thing. Mine has those teflon pads that are spring loaded to drag on top and bottom of the chain. Seems like a poor design. I was thinking of redesigning some form of rolling tensioner, I like the looks of those

[Northshore]

Hi...
I have the same problem as you, the ones from my 1970's machine are either destroyed or missing.
I contacted ARGO and this was the answer I was given:
"The small nylon gear is no longer available for the chain tensioner system, however a solution would be to buy some nylon bar stock of the same diameter of the sprocket and drill a hole through it that allows it to slip over the metal post and then install the retaining ring. You do not need the cogs of the sprocket for it to work. The drive chain can just slide over it when the vehicle is in motion."
I have seen some very interesting chain tensioners hand fabricated by bike builders for their choppers using a small swing arm with a spring and a roller skate wheel. I'll see if I can find a weblink and post it here later.
I am considering simply fabricating some new ones like this to just fit the existing holes and using some 1.5 inch nylon round stock instead of the gears. .
If I get around to doing this (wont be for a while, after I get some materials) I'll post pictures of my attempts.

[Paquette]

Any farm supply store will have a steel sprocket that can replace the nylon one.

[LarryW]

How about one of these. Click the link and go to idler and so on. They have a nylon one and UHMW Polyethylene one.


McMaster-Carr

[Northshore]

Hey... Thanks for the info on sprocket suppliers. Now I just have to fab up some of the parts/tensioners that the sprockets are actually mounted to as these are either destroyed or missing as well.