Looking for the Pro's and Con's of the various AATV's still made

[lewis]

Pass that Ashtabula (Ohio) date along when you get it.
I will be there....
That must be why they have so many AATV' 4sale down there!
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We will be installing a front wheel drive transmission cnc machining line (56 machines, 16 over head gantry/robots, 24 conveyors, plus ancillary support machines) at GM Toledo starting Oct 5th. I'll be in and out of there for about 3 years, then it's on to GM Flint South and the GM VOLT project.
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thanks...
later...

i am sure it is in October but i am not sure that the dates have been set yet. Just keep an eye out for the Ashtabula Trail ride. Maybe someone which is going can fill in the dates. You will enjoy it...

[Eldon]

Good point Roger on the higher seat in the Argo not calling for putting your feet in front of you.It has been a while since I rode an Argo.I found a good deal on my Max II used and love it but up until then I was torn between a Frontier 6x6 or the Avenger 8x8.Money is usually, for most of us a serious consideration but it is still not an easy selection even if money is not a factor.I think they are all superb in their own way.

[PlumCrazy]

Thanks for the offer Art.
I sent you a PM.
later...ed

[PlumCrazy]

Drove a 95 Max2 6 wheeler today

Drove a 95 Max2 6 wheeler today. Body seemed in very good condition for 14 years old. Everything worked and it drove great. Oil was clean and the chains lubed. 14hp B&S Vanguard V-Twin had electric & pull start. Started easy and idled smooth with no smoke. Tires looked good with no age cracks and it had seatbelts.
It was a hilly landscape (not huge hills, just 12-15' long incline climbs) without any water. I think a better roll bar would be the 1ST purchase if I bought it.

Seemed a bit small for what I want to do with it. Not sure it would push a lot of snow easily if I bought a plow for it.
What would a set of new tracks and a plow, cost for the Max2?

[Mike]

The plow and tracks, mounts, bearings, etc will probably cost you as much as the used Max. On top of that, you may be a little disappointed with the 14hp motor while using tracks and the plow. If you are going to run the tracks/plow then you may want to look for something with a larger motor >= 18HP. Just my $0.02

[Amphiman1]

aatv's..

I have 2 that are 40 yrs old.... almost as old as joe m

[artist1018]

The plow and tracks, mounts, bearings, etc will probably cost you as much as the used Max. On top of that, you may be a little disappointed with the 14hp motor while using tracks and the plow. If you are going to run the tracks/plow then you may want to look for something with a larger motor >= 18HP. Just my $0.02

That's what I like about my Conquest, with the 20 h.p. under the hood, it doesn't even know it's pushing snow in low gear!! Especially after I added chains to each section of track!!!

[PlumCrazy]

That's what I like about my Conquest, with the 20 h.p. under the hood, it doesn't even know it's pushing snow in low gear!! Especially after I added chains to each section of track!!!

Art, did you get my PM's?

[PlumCrazy]

Thanks for the ride Art!

Well I got my first ARGO ride last Sunday....thanks to Art and his ARGO

Art took my son Mike and I for ride in his 2000 Conquest 8x8 that he has for sale in Clio Michigan.
You can tell as Art talks about his ARGO, he just loves them.
Art took us down the road to a neighbors property that they use for getting the big 4x4 trucks dirty. Art has a full square tubing cage mounted on the upper body seal and it sure helped to move some of the branches in our path, the full Lexan windshield helped out a lot too.
There were plenty of BIG ruts and I promptly got the ARGO stuck in the biggest one around. Actually I hung the ARGO belly pan up on the outside rut. Well Art got to show us how the front mounted winch and it's remote control worked first hand. After some winching and bouncing, it was off in no time and so were we. Creeping over small trees in a single bound, just to see them bounce back up as we went by. We didn't make into the pond, just ran through the woods and fields.

My son drove it the mile back to Art's place were he showed us the plow, ARGO tracks, storage box and the double axle trailer that goes with the sale. Art also showed us the helmets, life jackets, tree straps, Minnkota trolling motor, spare tire and 2" hitch mounted cargo carrier that are also part of the deal.

After leaving Art's we stopped for gas at Walmart for $2.28 a gallon, what's with all the cheap gas in CLIO? Gas is $2.53 by my house..........

My son and I talked all the way home about the ARGO, we were both impressed.
I have to admit the ARGO felt like the solidest (is that a word) built of the Amphicat, the MAX2 and Art's ARGO that I have been in, but to be fair they are all fun and great for what they were built for.

I did ride in a 1964 red AMPHI-car.
I really was not interested in it, but a buddy set up the ride. I actually rode in one in 1962? as a kid, the neighbor was a salesman someplace and took us kids for rides down a portion on the Clinton River out into Lake St. Clair during the summer months.

I think riding in Art's ARGO 8x8 kind of spoiled us.
It was a ball to drive/ride and play around with and keep around for awhile, and I think I will look for something new. That was actually the wife's suggestion and of course I said "Yes Dear".
I would not only like to use it up on Lake Huron, but also I would like to go to some of the outings you folks have in the future.

Well thanks for the information and ride Art and sorry for getting it, and you so muddy.
later...ed

[Rolling_X_6]

My advice is to look for a newer Max. The newer machines have o-ring chains and 2 bearings per axle (inner & outer) now, making them much more durable and more reliable IF you keep them greased regularly. Throttle & clutch cables are better-made now too, so there's less to fart with there as well. Of course the latest Maxes also have bigger engines - and more power is always a good thing.

If you don't mind tinkering and are mechanically inclined then an older model might be more to your liking. Depends on how much you like to wrench. If that's not your thing then steer clear of older amphibs of ANY manufacture.

Dirty Harry, I found your reply very helpful.

Even though this was not my thread, I found it to be very helpful to me, as a whole.

But, let me ask . . . what is the year cut-off that you are referring to here??? What I mean is after what year are the various brands' machines made better than the older machines were . . . as described above.

Thanks.

[Dirty Harry]

I am not sure about the timeline regarding Max AATV changes. I do know that a good many of their upgrades, (Max II & IV body re-design, headlight changeover to square shape/halogen, o-ring chains) gradually began taking place around 1998 or so. However the 2002 Max IV that I just bought still has the "old-style" throttle cable set-up. I know this only because when I went to purchase new choke & throttle cables for my Max II restoration this summer I contacted Recreatives and the sales rep there informed me that a new throttle linkage unit had to be purchased along with the new cable, since their current units now utilize vinyl-coated aluminum linkage instead of plastic. As such, the replacement cables they sell won't fit the older systems. When this particular upgrade to their AATV fleet took place exactly I cannot say, except it must have started sometime during or after 2002.

I know NOTHING about Argo stuff. Roger or others here on this board would be able to better guide you with respect to OGD vehicles and their various Argo brand models.

As far as Maxes, your best bet to get your questions answered is to go straight to the horse's mouth and call the good people at Recreatives. I have found them to be very friendly, easy-going folks. They're not your typical "Do you want to buy something from us? If not, then piss off." type of company. Good luck.

[coosaridgerider]

My $.02

I can only speak for the Max brand. My cousin's been borrowing my Max II to haul his ice fishing shanty and gear on & off the lake for many years now, as well as getting to his stands for deer season. I personally use it more for play than work. I've taken it to several group rides (ALWAYS a blast) and done lots and lots of pleasure riding - in all four seasons. I don't regret buying a Recreatives Max ampihib one bit. I've met a lot of great people through it and made some great memories with it over the years.

My advice is to look for a newer Max. The newer machines have o-ring chains and 2 bearings per axle (inner & outer) now, making them much more durable and more reliable IF you keep them greased regularly. Throttle & clutch cables are better-made now too, so there's less to fart with there as well. Of course the latest Maxes also have bigger engines - and more power is always a good thing.

If you don't mind tinkering and are mechanically inclined then an older model might be more to your liking. Depends on how much you like to wrench. If that's not your thing then steer clear of older amphibs of ANY manufacture. These rigs demand regular routine maintenance - otherwise they will quickly fall into disrepair and start to give you problems. I don't mean a complete tear down every other day, just commonsense stuff that goes above & beyond the "ride it hard and put it away wet" method that you can get away with on a modern quad/UTV.

Remember: a clean amphib is a happy amphib! Any time you take your machine into the woods or through mud, wash it out afterward!! Pull the drain plugs and hose out the tub to keep mud, sand, leaves & twigs out - or your chains & drivetrain will surely suffer. Wash the outside too - especially your wheels, and don't forget to inspect the backside of your wheels where the axles enter the body; remove any build-up of grass, weeds or muck on your axles. The rig will run better and your bearings will last a lot longer if you do.

Make certain fluids & filters are changed regularly - especially if you ride where it's dusty. Lube the cables once or twice a year (or more, depending on how much and where/when you ride) to prevent sticking/stretching/breaking. Even pressure on all tires is critical to a smooth, pleasant ride. Buy yourself a low pressure gauge and keep it handy. Chain tension is also a must or you'll start to have steering / handling issues. (Not to mention more frequent chain replacement if neglected. )

I don't mean to make these rigs sound like a upkeep nightmare. Just basic stuff really, but failure to do regularly scheduled routine maintenance will mean major headaches for you if left undone for long. (Don't ask me how I know this. ) These little buggers are TONS of fun and will give you years of riding pleasure if you understand and are willing to adhere to a few simple 'golden rules' of amphib care. There's nothing like the fun of doing things your buds on quads/UTVs could simply never do. Oh they may still say their rigs are better than yours, but you can bet they'll be amazed (and envious) each and every time you bull through mud and conquer terrain that their machines could only dream of... and of course the never-ending delight of purposely looking for bodies of water & slow-moving rivers to drive into that those poor fellows have no choice but to avoid - unless they want to sink.

You forgot one thing,A lot of chain lube.

[Rolling_X_6]

I am not sure about the timeline regarding Max AATV changes. I do know that a good many of their upgrades, (Max II & IV body re-design, headlight changeover to square shape/halogen, o-ring chains) gradually began taking place around 1998 or so.
. . .
When this particular upgrade to their AATV fleet took place exactly I cannot say, except it must have started sometime during or after 2002.
. . .
As far as Maxes, your best bet to get your questions answered is to go straight to the horse's mouth and call the good people at Recreatives. I have found them to be very friendly, easy-going folks. They're not your typical "Do you want to buy something from us? If not, then piss off." type of company. Good luck.

Thanks, Dirty Harry.

I was just curious if there was a "specific year" because I am looking to buy a used machine, so if there was a year to keep in mind, I wanted to know about it.

Thanks.