Conquest front chain tension adjustment?

[wiswampguy]

I have a question for the Conquest experts. I just bought my first Argo yesterday, a used 2001 Conquest 8x8. I downloaded all the manuals I could find and did a quick read. The machine appears to be in very good condition overall. A few of the drive chains appeared loose. I pulled up on the tensioners as the manual said. The pawl clicked and took up the slack. But the two chains driving the front wheels are shorter than the others and appear way too loose. I dont see any tensioners on these two chains. One is almost hidden by the battery. I can't find a reference in the manual. What am I missing? I see McMaster Carr has a couple of types of chain tensioners that might fit if there is enough clearance. How do i solve this problem? Thanks

[dale7637]

The only proper way to deal with loose front chains is to change them. Just did the front chains on my conquest, took an hour or so and about $100 worth of chain. I purchased the front chains direct from argo because I was in a hurry. You can probably do it cheaper if you buy a roll of chain and cut it to length. Good luck.

[Rock Doctor]

I'm with dale on this
Don't buy the pre-cut chain from Argo, it's not great chain (at best), and way overpriced. Your parts manual has the proper chain length listed by "Pin Count"


RD

EDIT:
You can get 100ft Reels of Tsubaki 50-2 chain for around $400 (hard to find, but they are out there)

[wiswampguy]

Thanks for the info. I was afraid you would say replace the chain. I made a tensioner out of a thick block of moly impregnated nylon and screwed it to the cross members that runs under these front chains. It isnt adjustable, but it got rid of the slack until I replace thew chains.

[wiswampguy]

Quick update-My local Argo dealer, being a thrifty sort of guy, suggested i save my money and put in a offset (half) link. He said the current chain once shortened will go a long time.

[gearhead1937]

I've read quite a few threads on here staying STAY AWAY FROM HALF LINKS. I haven't been around the hobby long enough to have run into anything with half links, but I guess they eat sprockets. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.

[JohnF]

Don't do it. Your sprockets will wear to match the pitch of your warn out chain and then, if you don't replace the sprockets, chain won't last because it will wear to match the pitch of your warn out sprockets.

[Rock Doctor]

I'm not a fan of Halflinks either

Halflinks are weak links
Adding a halflink to a stretched chain will cause extra wear on sprockets, and can be sticky on the sprocket due to the difference in pitch with the worn chain.

Really, it's not THAT bad, but I still lean away from using them, unless I'm in a bind.


RD

[Slimpickin]

I'm with RD. Quick fix ok but if you want grief go ahead and use them
Slim