6x6 or 8x8

[Rock Doctor]

I use a product called "Milcott 220" (sp?), that I find works very well, I get it in 5gal pails from one of the Bulk Plants here.

I will stop there, I think I'm hijacking the thread lol


RD

[number1cas]

How are your chains holding out now? I think it was you that mentioned, a while back, that you had about 600 or 700 hrs on your machine and the chain tensioners were starting to ratchet up.

That was me, but it was Miles not Hrs. I now have over 1000 Miles on my Avenger (with the tracks) in 7 months. About 120 hrs, I have very little chain stretch none of the adjusters are nearing the halfway mark yet. Sprockets are good so far too, only a very small amount of wear on the drive side of the teeth. I do clean the tub and oil the chains quite regularly ( every 2 or 3 days of riding) but it is quick and easy to do now. I can do it in 10 or 15 mins if I am in a hurry. Also I use Polaris brand chain lube, it is the slickest stuff I have ever seen. I use it all over the place for any lube issue I find. I have used it for handguns to semi trailer tarps. Very good stuff. In fact I have used it for YEARS and only now am I actually using it for chains !! LOL!

[Rock Doctor]

The drawback is that the 3rd axle is not reinforced and it cracked the frame. To fix it they have welded plates inside and added an external bracing bar to the 3rd axle on the outside of the tub, for this reason I wouldn't advise running the shorter tracks as the machine is not designed to take those stresses on the middle 2 axles....

I]

Yes, this is not as much of an issue with the 13 or 14" tracks, but once you start addng axle spacers and wider tracks it can be a problem. I ran my 6x6 for quite some time with 13" tracks without issue, and it had no bearing extensions at all. My guess is that there was not enough room in the 6x6 to put a heavy enough load in it to damage the axles/frame.

How are your chains holding out now? I think it was you that mentioned, a while back, that you had about 600 or 700 hrs on your machine and the chain tensioners were starting to ratchet up.

RD

[number1cas]

RD. He is running the Argo rubber tracks, and I am sure that the spacers are on the rear tires too. He bought the machine from the sands in Alberta, it was used to transport workers, so either they just used a set of 6x6 tracks they had or they believe that it is easier to operate with 6 guys in it on the shortened tracks. The drawback is that the 3rd axle is not reinforced and it cracked the frame. To fix it they have welded plates inside and added an external bracing bar to the 3rd axle on the outside of the tub, for this reason I wouldn't advise running the shorter tracks as the machine is not designed to take those stresses on the middle 2 axles....

I may be mistaken, but I think the Centaur runs 2 tracks on each side right from ODG?
Yeah, just checked ODG site and the Centaur track kit is 4 tracks for some reason?

[Rock Doctor]

RD, just curious which set of tracks you think might work better in the snow. 18" rubber tracks or 18" supertrack? I'm curious to see reviews on the Adair tracks in deep snow, I'm not sure those tracks will improve flotation as much as just traction...time will tell

My opinion is that the Rubber Tracks out perform the Plastic.
I've heard that Adair is in the process of developing wider tracks for snow, the impression I get is that the current Adair tracks are designed more for mud, muskeg, swampy wet conditions. They actually swim too.

I do have a friend that runs an 8x8 with rubber tracks on the first 3 axles only and 1 tire at the rear on each side, we have noticed a diffrence in the summer as he has more difficulty climbing out of some holes, my theory is that once the front end lifts he is then relying heavilly on the rear tires and not the tracks to push him.
.

There are a few guys here that do that, if I'm not mistaken, they consider it to be about 85% as good as full tracks. Some others just track the middle 2 tires, they think that they are almost as good as tracking the front 3 tires, but turning with a load is much easier.
I don't think either of these options work great in loose snow, but might be OK in snow that is packed or has settled.
I also know one guy that has seperate tracks around the front 2 tires, and the rear 2 tires. I've never talked to him about it, so I don't know what he thinks the advantage of this is. He runs a Centaur for work related purposes.

Your friend that runs 3/4 tracks, does he run the wide tracks? and if so, does he bother to put in the axle spacer on the rear?

RD

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE=number1cas ] I have run my rubber tracks for 1000 miles last summer through everything I could find to run them through, I did not get stuck, not even once. I could always back out if I stopped going forward. I did trips through gravel road, Loon****, gumbo muck, clay, muskeg, large sharp rock, floating grass, hills, sand, fallen logs, stumps, you name it we seem to have it here somewhere. The tracks performed flawlessly I will NEVER run my Argo without them.[ QUOTE ]



I feel the same way about the Adair tracks on my Mudd-Ox.

[number1cas]

I am in Northern MB, 7 hour drive North of Winnipeg. and have similar conditions to RockDoctor but probably not as deep. I have not had the chance to compare a 6x6 with tracks, however I do have a friend that runs an 8x8 with rubber tracks on the first 3 axles only and 1 tire at the rear on each side, we have noticed a diffrence in the summer as he has more difficulty climbing out of some holes, my theory is that once the front end lifts he is then relying heavilly on the rear tires and not the tracks to push him. It is a noticable diffrence. What does it mean in snow? I don't know yet as we have not run them side by side, but will soon.

I have run my rubber tracks for 1000 miles last summer through everything I could find to run them through, I did not get stuck, not even once. I could always back out if I stopped going forward. I did trips through gravel road, Loon****, gumbo muck, clay, muskeg, large sharp rock, floating grass, hills, sand, fallen logs, stumps, you name it we seem to have it here somewhere. The tracks performed flawlessly I will NEVER run my Argo without them, it is just as fast with them on as with the tires as well. (Mine is anyway) I only ran the tires for about 100 miles and had 3 tire repairs and one is sidewall damage so I had to tube it. I have had no tire punctures since the tracks went on. I tell people who ask about getting an Argo to go and buy the tracks and then pick a machine to put in them!!!! With the PROPER install of rubber tracks on the new Argo's you will be nothing but impressed. Ask your dealer for the install instructions for the tracks, read them and then quiz him to be sure he is following them, it is VERY important for trouble free operation.

[Roadtorque]

RD, just curious which set of tracks you think might work better in the snow. 18" rubber tracks or 18" supertrack? I'm curious to see reviews on the Adair tracks in deep snow, I'm not sure those tracks will improve flotation as much as just traction...time will tell

[Rock Doctor]

I will give my 2 bits

I also live in CAN, in the far NE corner of BC. I have 2 8x8 Conquests and reciently sold a 6x6, I have 4 sets of tracks at the moment ( 2 Supertrack sets 18", Standard Tracks 13", and a set of 14" rubber tracks. We typically have between 3 and 5 ft of snow that is the consistency of Course Salt before it is disturbed, and concrete shortly after it is disturbed. Winter temps range from -10C to -40C

Not sure where you are, so conditions could very well be different.

The 8x8 is better in the snow. Larger footprint = better floatation...............Period. Paddle Track or Flat Track makes little difference in the crystally snow, although once the snow sets up cleated tracks make a huge differance. Tires SUCK in the snow.

Tracks make a big differance, both in traction and in repaire bills. They are not necessary in MOST conditions, and are detrimental in some conditions. Typically I will only run tracks in the Winter (some exceptions apply). I am going to try running my Rubber tracks on one machine this summer, I hope it works out, but I'm not holding my breath.

Tracks do increase Traction, as mentioned, and they also decrease PSI to the ground, both are an advantage in Marshy, Boggy, Soft terrain but can be a disadvantage on Hard, Rocky, Stumpy terrain.

Good things have been said about the new Adair Tracks, they may prove to be the most versitile tracks available..........I have not had the oportunity to try a set of them.


RD

[madmac]

thanks for the info guys,but i got a couple more.(i prefer to think lots and buy once, than think quick and buy twice)

the snow question (i live in canada) are the 8x8 better or worse than 6x6 in the snow?

how much difference do tracks make? are they really necessary or just a nice add on?

and what advantages do tracks give an aatv, do they increase traction?(i have seen pics of tracks that are smooth looking)
or is to decrease the psi of the track "foot print"?

[Rock Doctor]

Yes, older machines have the option of 3 different gearings in the trans, plus 3 different options for drive sprockets for the drives off the trans, plus a few other tricks. I don't know if the new machines have any gearing options at all.

RD

[number1cas]

I am only familiar with the new Argo's as I only just got into this (too bad it took so long) I have read on here that the older models were faster, and believe me, I would LOVE that some days, however the new Argos are very close in top speed, this is from ODG's website
"Depending on load and terrain the top speed for 8x8 models varies between 18-20 mph and for the 6x6 models between 20-23 mph. In the terrain that the ARGO is designed for, high speed is not an issue."
So that is what I based my comment on, I have personally never driven a newer 6x6 to see for myself, but I don't think 3 MPH is enough to persuade a purchase based on speed.
I have a friend with a 6x6 Argo and he has all kinds of fun with us, so either way it's awesome.

[Rock Doctor]

Heres a Vid in the bush, the ATV's wouldn't even follow us here....
]

That terrain looks familiar, much like what we have here.
Wonder why the quad didn't follow

I have added a front Pushbar and an extended rear Rack on my Conquest. I've also never been left behind becouse I couldn't fit down a trail. I'm sure such places exist, but have not had that problem yet.
The 6x6 Argo that I had was about twice as fast as my Conquests, but gearing and clutching can be modified and makes a huge difference.


RD

[number1cas]

Well I have to throw in my 2 cents here, I completely disagree that an 8x8 wont fit in places a 6x6 will. I ride with a 6x6 and lots of ATV's in heavy forested area's and swamp, I have yet to be left behind because i "don't fit" I think cargo and price would be the main factors and then probably preference after that to influence your decision. As for speed, an Argo 6x6 may be about 2 MPH faster, but not much more so speed isn't much of a concern (although I realize that 2 or 3 MPH is a noticable diffrence when in an Argo) Now I am only speaking about Argo as they are all I have experience with and also are what you are deciding on, other 6x6 models are much faster.
So unless you are going to navigate through extremely tight concrete walls or forest with a minimum tree size of 6" or so, I don't think you will have any trouble with the extra length. Either way you are going to have a blast !!

Heres a Vid in the bush, the ATV's wouldn't even follow us here....

[sieg]

the maneuverabilty is why i love the 6x6. Sure an 8x8 is better in many ways, stability in water, smoother ride, more cargo space. but it cant match the fun of a 6x6. all depends on what you plan on doing with it i guess. Theres alot of trails near me where an 8x8 wouldnt be able to maneuver through with all the tight turns. plus they're generally faster. evereyone loves speed right? till you hit that bump.....anyways just my 2 cents