Mighty Max's new 650 Argo 650 HD with swimming tracks

[smog]

If there is a limit to what my machine can do I haven't found it yet. Every time I run into what looks impossible the machine just pulls through.

I got the point where the adair tracked argo is so much better than non-tracked AATV but how about a comparison with another tracked AATV ?

my old argo with the 18" supertracks is almost unstoppable exception made of bare rock (HDPE plastic is no match for rubber on hard surfaces) ... and swimming sessions.

I will have to get a new set of tracks for the MAX IV 500t 2008 I have coming and the adair tracks with snow extensions could be an option.

[Roger S]

I guess this winter will show what Tim's tracks will do in various snow. They have a lot less rolling resistance than my supertracks did.. I can say that.

[smog]

I guess this winter will show what Tim's tracks will do in various snow. They have a lot less rolling resistance than my supertracks did.. I can say that.

another point for them is the openings between the bars. It prevent snow packing in the tracks leading to broken axles or hub flanges.

the remaining question is the durability of the chain used to keep the track together. It's not a problem in snow but it look like abrasion in mud will wear them fast.

[mightymaxIV]

another point for them is the openings between the bars. It prevent snow packing in the tracks leading to broken axles or hub flanges.

the remaining question is the durability of the chain used to keep the track together. It's not a problem in snow but it look like abrasion in mud will wear them fast.

Its been my experience that the tracks clean out almost immediately when you get them out of mud. If there is water in the mud they stay clean. If you have straight mud the mud doesn't seem to get into the chain area because of the way the track and chain fits together (it's a very intelligent design). I would also like to point out that these tracks are very quiet. About the only time I hear them is when I am through roots that knock against the grousers. Even running down the trail at high speeds I hardy know I am running tracks. Over all an impressive design. Tim told me he continues to make improvements and one of them is a heaver stronger chain. I personally haven't seen any thing that offers the all around performance that the Adair tracks offer. I have been able to pull out of every mud hole I have been through and never had a problem. I have gone up grades i was sure the machine wouldn't make and been amazed that they presented no problems for the machine. Robert and his wife now own the Bigfoot with Adair tracks, I would love to get his input on there over all performance on his machine.

[bilimrl1]

This is Robert with the Argo 2006 with Adair Tracks. Bought the machine cuz it has the steering like a 4-wheeler. The wife can jump in it and drive it almost no different then the 4-wheelers we own. You got to admit, huge differences between the stick steer and a wheeler. So, we bought it for her! Back to the tracks, everywhere we got stuck in the wheeled Argo with Vampires, the tracked Argo idled through, savings on fuel and less wear and tear and no mud slinging. Mud slinging is cool, but going home clean is better. Performance of the tracks are great. Steep hills, brush piles, dead trees, almost anything it will drive over and not spin a track. It has issues sliding around on stumps. You have to learn how to maneuver over them by braking other side, or you'll do donuts.

I must admit, we've had to winch out twice this last weekend. We couldn't ride with the other guys at River Run cuz of kid events, but we rode some at the deer lease.

First, steep incline and too much butt in it, three folks in deep steep hole showing off, was tired of fighting it and winched it up. To clarify, once I winched out the wife and her friends, I got in it and went back in the hole and did donuts and walked it right out about threes times with no issues. Knowing how to drive is key!

Second, in narrow creek (beaver run), just as the whole Argo dropped in it had to try to come out with trees in the way. It could not twist on its own because of creek walls had it wedged in. We had to use trees (brush) to force the Argo around 180 degrees back out the same entrance while trying to use the tracks to widen the creek. We should have never dipped the nose into this creek, there was no way out. But here's the interesting thing. We almost walked it out of one side of its tracks while twisting it, if only we had a camera to show you. The center wheel got on top of the inside edge of the track. The wheel was trying to ride over the track pushing it out because of a grass clump that wont budge. I had to push with my boots as she eased it back into the hole to prevent it from walking off. The outer wheels had twisted and mushroomed over allowing the track to twist in a arc shape, bowing out the center portion. It was a EXTREME condition the machine was in. Between me running the winch and a lady who knows how to ride (and now drive), lots of sweat and prayers, we worked it out of the hole. We were in a slue by a pond that only another tracked vehicle (Super Dave's Mudd Ox or Dan) could have made it to us and help.

Over all, for what we drive in and over, these tracks are awesome.

[mightymaxIV]

I checked out some of my local swamp last week and the area was almost drained with impossible thick mud and watery areas there were impossible. I was sure the Argo could make it but I've have been in swamp like this before with Heath and decided I shouldn't go into there with out another AATV or two. The area was just to bad with that awful sticky mud and fallen trees and roots that you cant walk in. I am hoping we get a little rain but for now there is none in the forecast.

[Roger S]

Maybe I've found a new application for my seldom used snowshoes.

[Bud]

C'mon, be adventurous!

Some of my best "stucks" have come when I was by myself, but had a winch, come-along and a shovel.

[mightymaxIV]

C'mon, be adventurous!

Some of my best "stucks" have come when I was by myself, but had a winch, come-along and a shovel.

Bud, last time I went into this area With my Max IV I almost burnt my winch up, It was after that I trashed the 3000 pound winch and bought a 4000 pound viper, you should note that the winch on the front of the ARGO IS A 4000 POUND WINCH WITH THE SYNTHETIC CABLE, I haven't used it yet but it's there if I need it.

[Bud]

I was just messing with you, Dan. I have been in a situation like you describe, and that is precisely why I am getting that same 4k winch on my new Argo.

To quote Dirty Harry: "A man's got to know his limitations."

[mightymaxIV]

Some Video Taken at the Big Nasty ATV Park 27 November 2010

It rained last night and I wanted to get out and take advantage of whatever mud could find at my local ATV park and I wasn't disappointed. Here are some high lites.

I still haven't got this machine stuck. This mud was a lot softer than it looks in this video and as you can see it stuck to everything.

As you can see logs and downed trees and log piles present no challenge for this machine.

The climb you see my machine making when I go into the dip has flipped a lot of quads.

The back seat area in this machine makes an excellent place for my dogs to ride.
I was finally able to use the low range. If you simply touch the bars left or right you can make minor changes without the counter rotation and that makes this machine a real bear in soft mud. The low range has enough grunt to pull just about anything. You just have to be careful with the bars and not over react in the soft mud.

I have also learned that getting in the back seat and lifting the nose increases the water speed. This park is full of watery mud holes but that is boring stuff for an AATV that swims so of course I don't even bother videoing these areas. The mud holes without water present much more of a challenge for this incredible machine!

[jpswift1]

Great video as always, Dan! Looks like those tracks took your Argo through everything without any issues at all......nice work!

[mightymaxIV]

Great video as always, Dan! Looks like those tracks took your Argo through everything without any issues at all......nice work!

JP I couldn't have run those rutted trails without tracks. The extra ground clearance and the traction they provide makes them almost unstoppable. The Admiral transmission puts it all on the ground. Quads see this mud and just turn around. They don't even want to try.

[jpswift1]

Quads see this mud and just turn around. They don't even want to try.

I love hearing that! I love the treads on those tracks........it's almost like you're driving a bulldozer (minus about 15 tons of weight).

[Bud]

What a machine.