Buying a new HDI

[Slimpickin]

I'm with RD, although I've not had anything to do with the avenger. I have little trouble with my conquests and I do put them them through some tough terain. I don't have a lot invested either, but it does take a little maintenance.

Slim

[vader8x8]

sssshhhh! Hey guys don't tell him i told you but the junkman is a max dealer in maine that turns wrenches for the argo dealer down the highway a bit.......i think he's biased against argos.......im supposed to go riding with him soon so sssshhhhh

[lewis]

Will not tell a soul!

[Model Citizen]

Wow. That could be good.. If you detonate anything, then you know who to take it to.

Bridget

[Model Citizen]

The T-20 generates heat as we had readings on the T-20's from a heat gun while in the Glamis Dunes. The T-20 is also located behind the driver which makes the heat issue less noticeable.

A while back Whipper & wfo did some off roading north of Tucson. We posted the videos in the Max IV springer thread, I think. It was pretty extreme rock climbing & the ride was continuously uphill. When they finally got to the top of the climb, the T-20 was radiating so much heat that when you threw some water at it, it sizzled like water on a griddle. They let it cool down, then headed back. Later, out of curiosity, Whipper decided to open up the T-20 to see if any damage was done. There wasn't any. It looked fine. Even the fluid was fine. Pretty amazing, because it probably could have been bad.
So, knowing that we would be riding for long stretches with resistance from the sand at Glamis, Whipper bought a heat gun so he could take readings on all the T-20's just to see what they registered. Each machine had a different reading & we really have no idea what is a mean range.
We thought anyone out there with a T-20 might want to know why Whipper was checking all the T-20's. He just gets curious about things like that.

Bridget

[thejunkman]

Actually i wish i was a max dealer....

[thejunkman]

I guess what ever type of machine you own you will always have issues with them max/argo/muddox/honda polaris anything i am partners with white flag argo in southern Maine but we are closing up shop for sales on Argo i have thought about taking Max or Muddox under my wing but with the economy today its a big risk i just feel bad for the guys with the admiral tranny who have been having issues its a big investment to purchase a machine .Some people who own these have not had any trouble at all with numerous hours on them . I remember one of my maxs that i bought new in 2006 it was a max 4 with the 23hp kohler i could not get that thing to stop belt squeel no matter if it was empty or loaded the belt would chirp once and a while finally i sold it . So im not slamming Argo at all just want people who are looking to by a machine to make sure they do their shopping and see whats out there ..oh and Vader im ready to pull you out with my max when we go for a ride.

[vader8x8]

LOL, Sounds good. I'm not worried about being pulled out, I'm worried you'll lead me far out into no mans land and then bolt away at 40plus MPH. I better bring my GPS.

[max 4 mike]

Yeah i ride with junkman his max is a little crazy at times when he gets on the throttle its a shame he and John are calling it quits with Argo they have had some warranty issues in the past that they had to pay out of their pocket junkman has a good reputation with repairs and service on all types of machines they both have been selling Argos for about 5 yrs now .. hate to see them go .. just my 2 cents

[vader8x8]

It is a shame. Argo should be supporting the dealers. Most are small especially in the North East. (3 in all of New England? Now maybe only 2?) I've bought new dirt bikes, street bikes, and trucks, always with the same hassel high pressure "what will it take to blah blah." When I called John he just said "come up and test one." The machine was brand spankin new and without hesitation he had me ripping around in the dirt behind the shop. I bought it on the spot because he beat every price on a new frontier 8x8 on the internet by a long shot on his first offer. (with no B.S.) Argo should be thinking twice before letting dealers like these guys slip away, instead of turning thier backs on dealers and customers having numerous problems with the admiral. Sorry for hi jacking this thread akpride.

[akpride]

Vader8x8 this is just the conversation I was looking for when I started this thread. Thanks for all perspectives!

[AdrenalineJunky]

Hi, I this will be my first 8x8.......So I am about to buy a new hdi, but now I'm a bit worried the tranny will blow!.. Really? This is not internet hype is it? These new hdi avenger seem like a great rig too me. I'm not sure I buy into all the tranny failures. Am I wrong? Argo replaces them under warranty, only to fail again? How does argo or dealer handle warranty of a machine bought from a dealer that is gone out of business? Thanks.

[vader8x8]

Not sure about the warranty question. Have you considered an 8x8 Frontier? I don't know what you plan on doing with it but IMHO an HDI is overkill unless you plan on using it for commercial use. I have a 2010 8x8 Frontier and I haven't had ANY problems. (knock on wood) It swims better, lighter, and easier access in the engine compartment. (air cooled) Not to mention a proven trans that does not have heat/breakage issues. (pretty sure it's not just internet hype) I put a set of Adair tracks on, winch. brush guard, outboard motor w/mount, skid plate, 2 spare tires, and additional lights for over 2k less than an HDI with zero options. I've run it with over 1000 lbs in it and it doesn't flinch. It ran through the bush great with tires but the tracks just bring it to a new level. Not saying an HDI isn't an awesome machine. It is. If you buy one I hope you don't have any issues. Just something to consider.

[steve mcd]

I bought a 650 HDI last september and used it for hunting and then snow plowing. ( I clear snow for three country properties with laneways so steep you only walk the laneway in the winter). The machine is 10 times the Bigfoot that I had. Traction with the admiral trany is amazing to say the least. ( yes I have a set of tracks). The reason I am replying to this thread is that I just go in the house after seven steady hours of pushing gravel on one of these steep laneways because of a recent wash out rain storm. Yes the engine and tranny were hot. but not as much as I would have expected after a seven hour workout. I was in high range all the time because I needed the traction so I dont know what would have happened if I had been in Low range.But I cant understand why you would even need Low range for any extended time. I only use it when I am stuck in a tight place and have to spin arround.

[mightymaxIV]

I bought a 650 HDI last september and used it for hunting and then snow plowing. ( I clear snow for three country properties with laneways so steep you only walk the laneway in the winter). The machine is 10 times the Bigfoot that I had. Traction with the admiral trany is amazing to say the least. ( yes I have a set of tracks). The reason I am replying to this thread is that I just go in the house after seven steady hours of pushing gravel on one of these steep laneways because of a recent wash out rain storm. Yes the engine and tranny were hot. but not as much as I would have expected after a seven hour workout. I was in high range all the time because I needed the traction so I dont know what would have happened if I had been in Low range.But I cant understand why you would even need Low range for any extended time. I only use it when I am stuck in a tight place and have to spin arround.

Thanks for the information Steve, like you I haven't any problems with the Admiral. Like you I rarely use the low range, and have only seen a need for low range on a few occasions, like you I love the traction provided by the Admiral transmission.
The Admiral transmission is the only machine I have seen (besides a Mudd Ox) that can be steered in awful mud.
Love my Admiral and love the build quality of my HD.