Test Swamp (with tracks)

[DerekF]

Do you carry some type of Anchor to use in the swamp if you can't reach a tree when you get stuck?

RD

At work we bought a couple of Lewis Winches, and they came with an anchor system. Never had to use it, but thought it would be good to take along.

Ground Anchor

[DerekF]

DerekF, I noticed a shadow of a winch hook swinging on the back of your seat, do you have a winch mounted on the back of your top? Did I see a top??

Wow, someone is paying attention. I have a 2500lb winch on the top of my rops. I use it primarily for getting heavy stuff (read: moose) in and out of the tub. But I also have a snatch block that can attach to my hitch so I can run the line out as a winch from the bottom. Here are a couple of pics

Derek

Winch.jpgMoose2011 Argo.jpg

[Rock Doctor]

Nice moose

RD

[Lochalsh]

Two further questions, how do the Adair tracks swim? Also, do many people extend some kind of fender to keep the mud from flying or just go slow? I have an 8x8 Magnum with tires that are getting low on tread. The tires are hard to find so I was thinking of getting Adair tracks. Not so much swamps as steep mountains (Kootenays, BC). O.K.one other question, did you build the roll cage or is that the argo rops? Thanks.

[Rock Doctor]

Two further questions, how do the Adair tracks swim? Also, do many people extend some kind of fender to keep the mud from flying or just go slow? I have an 8x8 Magnum with tires that are getting low on tread. The tires are hard to find so I was thinking of getting Adair tracks. Not so much swamps as steep mountains (Kootenays, BC). O.K.one other question, did you build the roll cage or is that the argo rops? Thanks.

I can help with the first question:
The Adair tracks swim well, which is saying a lot 'cause the others don't swim at all. It has to do with the open design of the track, it allows the water to drop through the track instead of carrying it forward and throwing it in front of the machine. If you spin the tracks too fast, they will throw the water forward, it's very noticeable both visually and as a drop in speed. A nice calm 1/2 to 3/4 throttle works best for me. Also, "leaning" to turn works better than "breaking" one side. I have some vid of me swimming, but have not posted it ( it's kinda like watching paint dry)

Hope that helps

RD

[mudbug3]

how do the Adair tracks swim?

Here are some video's showing how well the Adair tracks perform in the water.

This last video shows how well an Argo 8x8 swims with the generation ' 8 ' tracks. Tim is now selling generation 12 tracks.

[DerekF]

Two further questions, how do the Adair tracks swim? Also, do many people extend some kind of fender to keep the mud from flying or just go slow? I have an 8x8 Magnum with tires that are getting low on tread. The tires are hard to find so I was thinking of getting Adair tracks. Not so much swamps as steep mountains (Kootenays, BC). O.K.one other question, did you build the roll cage or is that the argo rops? Thanks.

Its the Argo ROPS. Its overkill for what I need but it was on the machine when I got it. I bolted some plywood on the top for a rack so I at least could use it to carry bulk light stuff.

[DerekF]

There is no denighing that a closed face track has huge floatation abilities in mud/Muskeg, and I know just what you mean about the camera not doing justice to the trail. I chucked more than half the vid I shot last weekend just for that reason. If I had been on tires, I WOULD have been stuck, but with tracks, it looked like I was driving on a groomed trail.
I agree that "Whatever Works" .................... works, but I'm also one of those that believe Rubber Tracks are hard on equipment, especially in wet summer conditions.
When I first started looking at these Adair Track Things I was more than a little skeptical. Now, I would not even consider putting my Rubber Tracks back on for summer use, and I've decided to order another set of Adair's. In the end it may turn out that Tracks are not the answer for me, and if I come to that conclusion, I will tell you about it and give reasons why.

Just thinking about trying to turn my Conquests, on Rubber Tracks, with a Bison or a couple Moose in the back just sends a shiver down my spine.

RD

Hey RD,

Been out of town....but meaning to ask you. Where I hunt one of the things that has kept me from using the rubber tracks is the sidehills. With a moose and all our gear, trying to side hill along a valley, and its constant steering corrections, is tough enough with tires only. With rubber tracks and all the traction they have, I have serious worries about using them as it has GOT to be tough on the drivetrain. But of course, tires limit what you can do when you hit a creek bog on the way, thus the desire to have tracks.

With the Adair tracks, they "seem" to slide easier or steer easier, at least in the videos you have. (try doing the spin-a-roo on the highway like you did with rubber tracks ....) Would you say the Adair would be somewhere in between tires and rubber tracks for how they would side-hill?

If they are then the may be the answer I am looking for..........

DF

[Rock Doctor]

Hey RD,

Been out of town....but meaning to ask you. Where I hunt one of the things that has kept me from using the rubber tracks is the sidehills. With a moose and all our gear, trying to side hill along a valley, and its constant steering corrections, is tough enough with tires only. With rubber tracks and all the traction they have, I have serious worries about using them as it has GOT to be tough on the drivetrain. But of course, tires limit what you can do when you hit a creek bog on the way, thus the desire to have tracks.

With the Adair tracks, they "seem" to slide easier or steer easier, at least in the videos you have. (try doing the spin-a-roo on the highway like you did with rubber tracks ....) Would you say the Adair would be somewhere in between tires and rubber tracks for how they would side-hill?

If they are then the may be the answer I am looking for..........

DF

Whew, Derik that's a loaded question. I would love to tell you "Yes, they will work great in that capacity". Unfortunatly, every situation will be different. To date, I have not had any issues with "Sidehilling", but I can see it ending in catastrophy under the right conditions. The Adair Tracks that I currently use have Grousers shaped remarkably like Ski's. Now, I think that if the tracks are properly fitted and tire pressures are right, I don't think you would drive out of them, but if conditions were right (or wrong, depending on how you look at it), it might be possible to start the machine sliding sideways down a hill. THIS WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING (as I'm sure you know)

I tell ya what, I will do some extensive sidehilling on my next trip, loaded and unloaded, I will report back to you with my results. I won't hold back on my findings, if it works good I'll tell ya. If I end up rolled up in a mixed ball of "Stuff, Argo, and Body Parts"......... Um, I'll try to get my wife to post a message on my behalf

RD