Endo in an Argo 6x6?

[Rusty-Gunn]

Hi. I'm new here, and have been reading the Argo threads. I came across a comment regarding going down hill in a Argo being a bit scary due to the engine being up front. Can I get more info on this? Thank you.

[madmac]

i have gone down some steep hills/ditches with mine, it hasn't nosed over yet.

[jerseybigfoot]

Depends on your speed , terrain and how hard you hit the brakes. The Transmission in an Argo has low range so controlling your speed down hill should not be a problem. Abrupt ledges and drop offs are a problem for most Atv's and AAtv's. 8 wheel machines work better on steep terrain.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you guys for the comments. I suppose one ought to go down real slow, using the brakes carefully, until they learn how the Argo reacts. I've been reading up on Argo's this past week, and will read more. A bit of education never hurt anyone.

[jpswift1]

I would never try to go down a very steep hill in an Argo, especially if it was a descent into water due to the fact that if you go into a deep body of water with a steep drop off too fast, you'll get water in the intake duct and then the flywheel will shoot it up into the carb and the engine will get hydrolocked. I've driven Argos on some very steep hills and I just don't trust them, especially with the differential style transmission that can grab and transfer torque unexpectedly without driver input.

Pushing the limits in the Argo - YouTube

argo cart jumps in pond then sinks funny - YouTube

[lewis]

Six Wheelers / Amphibious ATVs - YouTube!

Check out the first few minutes of the video above. This was a pretty steep hill. Administrator Mike (Max), Mike Cummings (Hustler), Avenger (Lewis). Notice a one point Mike's wench touches the ground.

[MaxRules]

The older Argos were much worse going down hill than today's Argos. The Vangaurd (about pre-98) had a very short wheel base. The Argo was stretched a bit longer at the wheel base to make the Bigfoot model, so the Vangaurd benefitted from that change. The Frontier made the best improvement and it is very well balanced. Changing from the two lever steering to the handle bar also improved safety. It was too easy to lock up the brakes with the two levers, applying a hand brake on the handlebar is much more controllable and familiar to riders.

ArgoRoll.jpg

[jerseybigfoot]

I would never try to go down a very steep hill in an Argo, especially if it was a descent into water due to the fact that if you go into a deep body of water with a steep drop off too fast, you'll get water in the intake duct and then the flywheel will shoot it up into the carb and the engine will get hydrolocked. I've driven Argos on some very steep hills and I just don't trust them, especially with the differential style transmission that can grab and transfer torque unexpectedly without driver input.

Pushing the limits in the Argo - YouTube

argo cart jumps in pond then sinks funny - YouTube

Don't think a Max would fair much better in either case.
it really depends on the drivers skill level.

Richard Clark had a video on his site a number of years ago showing a Max4 flipping going down a hill and destroying the roll cage.
I have also seen the aftermath of a max 2 flipping going down a hill at Copper Ridge.

The best machine I have driven up and down hills is a 12 hp Scrambler which has a very low CofG. The next best was my Hustler. I still find my Bigfoot in low range better than my Max 4 even with its hydraulic disc brakes.

[Mike]

I was really impressed with the couple of Argo Bigfoots that ride with us on a regular basis (jerseybigfoot & McCoy). They seem to do just as good as any Max going downhill even with the weight bias differential. Of course the Avenger is in a league of its own. But back to the 6x6's, there is a video somewhere in our youtube account that shows McCoy in his Argo Bigfoot dropping off a ledge into the water and even though water came over the hood, it didn't hurt anything.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks for the responces.
Mike (and others for this matter)... what do you mean the Avenger is in a league of its own?Is the new Frontier 650 HD close to a Bigfoot model?
I suppose a full roll cage might be safer than a "light" roll bar (Argo of Anchorage's word).

We will be riding mostly on sand/gravel beaches, and the tundra (with some tundra swamps), but we will also have to go up the bluffs and thus have to come down. These are merely tundra drainage gullies, of various gradients (angles). Spme are low, and will pose no issue, but some will be steeper. We expect to skip these steeper ones, but just in case we have to use them, its good to learn what an Argo might do.

[Roadtorque]

The avenger is argo's 8x8. Any 8x8 will handle steep hills and drop-offs better than a 6x6 due to the longer wheelbase of having another set of wheels. I would think you would be ok in most situations as long as you dont try and drive above your skill level and keep the weight in the rear under manufacture recommendations. I don't see the tundra holes being any worse than some of the holes mightymax has climbed out of in his frontier 650 hd

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you for the responce.

Can I assume a 6x6 will ride smoother over the tundra than a Honda 4x4 Rancher? I figure it would due to the extra middle wheels, but I figure it/s best to ask those who've rode 6x6's on the tundra (I am aware 6x6's don't have suspension, so "smooth" is refered to having the vehical bounce all over the place).
The wife and I have used our Rancher on the tundra each time we ride, and it does get harsh after a while.

How long do the brake pads last? How often are they replaced?

[DerekF]

Rusty,

I have an avenger and I use it to hunt in the tundra (Northwest territories, Canada). "smooth" is relative. If the tundra is all tight hummocks (those round grass/dirt/rock bumps) then the Argo will be smoother than a quad as it will somewhat ride on top. If they are not so tight, then the quad is probably better due to having suspension. The other factors are 1. speed, I found the Argo is generally smoother than a quad in tundra when driving slow and steady, and WAY WAY rougher if you are trying to push it faster and 2. that fact that you can stand up on a quad is a plus to help absorb some of the bumps.

Here is a pic of my cousin on a quad in the typical tundra, you can see how uneven the ground is. It was quite a rough ride on the quads to get to the moose that day, however, in the Argo on the same route it was smooth as long as we did not try to push the speed. We were drinking our 'coffees' there and back.

Tundra.jpg

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you, Derek.

[chris davison]

I remember looking at an argo conquest and reading the owners manual warnings about braking on steep hills and windy days on the water and seeing the motor location.