comparing a coot to a 6x6

[TURNEROFFROAD]

I'm still waiting on my new throttle lever and cable, due here Mon. but I wondered how my Huslter 980 bigfoot will compare to the coot 4ws I had many years ago..... I am talking serious mud, the ole coot was a go getter and I hope to be happy with the 6x6 performance in the tough stuff..... anybody feel free to jump in with your .02 thanks

[jpswift1]

I drove a Coot before and I will tell you that your 6x6 is going to be able to walk all over it. There are a bunch of videos of a Hustler with big Super Swamper Vampire tires on it on Youtube and you can see that it is practically unstoppable. The Coots are good for carrying a lot of people and cargo, but they don't have the capabilities that a 6x6 has.......especially your Hustler.

[TURNEROFFROAD]

thanks for the props.... it would seemthat there are not alot of the 980 bigfoot model around? I think 28 inch vampires would fit..... I have a friend that has some ( I did a lil measuring) I bet that would have to be AWSOME 28 inch tires on a 6x6... I'm anxious

[mudbug3]

I have posted almost all of the Hustler video,s that are on Utube , and I can tell you they are very capable machines if set up for the right application. Almost all of the video,s posted on Utube are of the 950 Hustler. In comparrison , the Hustler 980 will be even more capable in the mud because you can install bigger and more agressive mud tires , because of the taller tub design of the Hustler 980 . I plan to use Vampire 25" 12x12 , and mount them on 12" Max rims on the Hustler 980 I bought . Even the new Coot2 that has 4 wheel , hydrolic drive , plus four wheel steering , would not be able to compete with your Hustler 980 in the places that boncrshr and I take our amphibs at River Run Park. Not being able to skid steer is a BIG disadvantage .

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE ] it would seem that there are not a lot of the 980 bigfoot models around? I think 28 inch vampires would fit..... I have a friend that has some ( I did a lil measuring) I bet that would have to be AWSOME 28 inch tires on a 6x6... [ QUOTE ]



TURNEROFFROAD ,

The Vampire tires run pretty close to size at 3 psi , unlike the tires that come stock on factory amphibs built today . 28 inch Vampire tires on a Hustler 980 would look awesome .

[TURNEROFFROAD]

[QUOTE ] it would seem that there are not a lot of the 980 bigfoot models around? I think 28 inch vampires would fit..... I have a friend that has some ( I did a lil measuring) I bet that would have to be AWSOME 28 inch tires on a 6x6... [ QUOTE ]



TURNEROFFROAD ,

The Vampire tires run pretty close to size at 3 psi , unlike the tires that come stock on factory amphibs built today . 28 inch Vampire tires on a Hustler 980 would look awesome .

just making sure i read you correctly..... you believe they will fit also ?

[Joe M]

I had a Coot 2WS... Believe me, you're going to love the Hustler because of it's maneuverability.

[boncrshr]

thanks for the props.... it would seemthat there are not alot of the 980 bigfoot model around? I think 28 inch vampires would fit..... I have a friend that has some ( I did a lil measuring) I bet that would have to be AWSOME 28 inch tires on a 6x6... I'm anxious

Hey Turner,

You are thinking along the same lines as me. However; a few things to keep in mind:
1) Check the center to center distance between the rear and center axle, as there is more distance between front and center.
2) Tall tires will increase your capabilities, but IMO, the widest tires are most important as the bigger contact patch is what lowers your exerted psi. Just like tracks.
3) Also the taller tires will take more HP to turn and will be harder on axles, bearings etc. So you may get yourself in a situation of diminishing returns.

If I had a 980 and I may someday, my two choices would be either 27 or 26" Vampires. Probably the 26" ASX because they are the widest tire that Interco makes (pretty sure). The tread width is listed as 13.4". But a 27" tire at 2psi may flatten out pretty good. Also, with the 26's you would not be putting undue stress on the axles and bearings and your 18HP should turn them pretty good. Another option would be to go with the 25x13-9's like I have and get some MattO 9" rims. You would lose 1" of ground clearance, but they are a full 13" wide. On the plus side, the ride is great because you have really soft 25" tall tires on 9" rims.

[TURNEROFFROAD]

I would hate to give up ground clearance.... and i'm a horsepower junkie so I expect that I will enhance my engine quite a bit ..... I'M REALLY READY TO RIDE !!!!!!!!!!!! .. and I did measure between the 2nd and 3rd tires looks like they would fit.... anybody done it before???

[boncrshr]

Riding is the key!! We all do so much riding in our heads as we are building, and then once you get some hardcore riding in, you will find that some things you thought were important are not, and vice-versa.

[mudbug3]

One thing to keep in mind though , is that ground clearance is not always king in certain mud situations . At River Run Park there is a large pond like mud hole called " suicide hole " and its avoided by almost all of the atv,s that ride there . I tried driving through it with my higher ground clearance Max IV and could not make it out with out help from an atv rider. Boncrshr,s Hustler 950 has less ground clearance than my Max IV has , but he drove back across this same mud hole with out any help . This has to do with tire selection and ground psi . A larger tire will give you more ground clearance , but they are also heavier and this increases your total psi on the ground . This becomes a BIG factor in certain mud conditions . Look before you leap .

[TURNEROFFROAD]

so you definitly think I will be thrilled at the performance of the 26" goodyear chevron tires. I think I am going to switch the two front tires for climbing up out of ruts, etc...