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I have an Argo 6x6 on order through Adair, with a production build scheduled for this week at ODG. This site helped me in my research, so I thought I'd join and share what I l learned in my buying decisions.
I went with the 580 over the 650, not so much out of price, but just out of practicality. I know the 650 has the bigger engine, Admiral steering (which is cool), and such, but I'm running around on relatively tame ATV trails where I ultimately see the 650 as more machine than I wanted or will need. My family had a new 1985 Argo that I used for around 12 years while growing up, and it never failed me, so I reckoned that if skid steering worked for me then, it will serve me well now.
A question was whether the 580's 18hp Vanguard was a good choice? Some have said it idles a bit rough in ODG's Argo application, and that torque isn't near the 650. However, overall, I've read that the 18hp Vanguard is a sound engine, and as a 140 lb. guy, on hospitable terrain, I'm not worried about horse power.
Nevertheless, I work in the power wheelchair industry (and I use one, too), where I constantly deal with torque versus speed, and its effect on both use and equipment. I often explain to my consumers that giving up some speed for torque simply makes for all around better performance and drive system longevity. So, on my 580, I followed my own advice and elected the low 3.3 to 1 gear ratio over the standard 2.6 to 1 (a benefit to ordering a factory unit). I'm pretty confident that the lower gear ratio will serve me and the 18hp Vanguard very well over the long term, not just giving more torque, but placing less strain on the engine in my lighter use.
The oddest decision was whether to go with the single roll bar? Again, I'm not an aggressive user by most standards here, but a roll bar is never a bad idea. However, ODG says that the roll bar makes the 6x6 less stable, kind of saying, "You need the roll bar to protect you from itself!" I passed on it because I never flipped our Argo as a kid, and I simply won't put myself in such a risky situation now where I'd need one, so why make my stable machine less stable by adding a roll bar?
I did go with the brushguard and winch (as a guy who uses a wheelchair, if I ever get that Argo stuck, the winch will pay for itself quick!), and I added the rear grab handles for the kids. Truth be told, though, I think the brushguard, winch, and rear grab handles make a better looking machine (plus I went with a blue body, so it's more of an all-around contemporary ATV look).
For me, it's going to be great to run around on after work in the eves, as there's a lot of land around me, but winter is really going to be fun. We usually have 6" to 8" of snow on the ground all winter, so it should be a blast riding through the snowy woods.
Anyway, thanks for your great site and helpful posts, and as soon as my Argo is delivered and I get her set up, I'll post a video. Best wishes.
I went with the 580 over the 650, not so much out of price, but just out of practicality. I know the 650 has the bigger engine, Admiral steering (which is cool), and such, but I'm running around on relatively tame ATV trails where I ultimately see the 650 as more machine than I wanted or will need. My family had a new 1985 Argo that I used for around 12 years while growing up, and it never failed me, so I reckoned that if skid steering worked for me then, it will serve me well now.
A question was whether the 580's 18hp Vanguard was a good choice? Some have said it idles a bit rough in ODG's Argo application, and that torque isn't near the 650. However, overall, I've read that the 18hp Vanguard is a sound engine, and as a 140 lb. guy, on hospitable terrain, I'm not worried about horse power.
Nevertheless, I work in the power wheelchair industry (and I use one, too), where I constantly deal with torque versus speed, and its effect on both use and equipment. I often explain to my consumers that giving up some speed for torque simply makes for all around better performance and drive system longevity. So, on my 580, I followed my own advice and elected the low 3.3 to 1 gear ratio over the standard 2.6 to 1 (a benefit to ordering a factory unit). I'm pretty confident that the lower gear ratio will serve me and the 18hp Vanguard very well over the long term, not just giving more torque, but placing less strain on the engine in my lighter use.
The oddest decision was whether to go with the single roll bar? Again, I'm not an aggressive user by most standards here, but a roll bar is never a bad idea. However, ODG says that the roll bar makes the 6x6 less stable, kind of saying, "You need the roll bar to protect you from itself!" I passed on it because I never flipped our Argo as a kid, and I simply won't put myself in such a risky situation now where I'd need one, so why make my stable machine less stable by adding a roll bar?
I did go with the brushguard and winch (as a guy who uses a wheelchair, if I ever get that Argo stuck, the winch will pay for itself quick!), and I added the rear grab handles for the kids. Truth be told, though, I think the brushguard, winch, and rear grab handles make a better looking machine (plus I went with a blue body, so it's more of an all-around contemporary ATV look).
For me, it's going to be great to run around on after work in the eves, as there's a lot of land around me, but winter is really going to be fun. We usually have 6" to 8" of snow on the ground all winter, so it should be a blast riding through the snowy woods.
Anyway, thanks for your great site and helpful posts, and as soon as my Argo is delivered and I get her set up, I'll post a video. Best wishes.
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