My experiences with 6x6s and other vehicles

[mike lindsay]

I have owned 3 Hustlers and ridden in many other 6x6s 8x8s and numerous tracked vehicles. I always enjoyed my Hustlers but had nagging problems which I finally remedied with my last Hustler. I would like other opinions on what people have found.

All of my Hustlers had problems keeping the tension correct on the chains. I have adjusted chains until I thought I would go crazy. Finally on my last machine, 16 hp Kohler, I had a friend of mine design and install spring tensioners on all chains. They worked perfect!! The last 2 years I owned the machine I adjusted the chains at the start of hunting season and never touched them again. Now 10 years later I can even remember how they worked all I know is that they did!!

The second problem I had was periodic breaking of the pin holding the sprockets in place. I solved that with grade 8 bolts long enough so the solid section was through the sprocket not the threads.

After the modifications to the 16 hp machine I felt it was nearly perfect. Many times I carried 4 people,gear and 1 or 2 deer several miles through river bottomland with no problem.

A couple of years ago I found out that Hustler made a large tired version. I would have loved to have one of those or at least seen and driven one. The extra ground clearance would have been helpful because I was battling roads used by 4x4 jeeps and trucks. There was no 3 wheelers or 4 wheelers when this all started!

Another need mod I had was adapter to run duals on the rear of the machine. I used these when it got really bad.

Well I better shut up, I look forward to talking about lots of vehicles.

Mike

[mudbug3]

Mike,

You seem like a man who has lots of experience with 6x6,s ,and also one who would have plenty of amphib stories to tell ?

[jpswift1]

The Hustlers with the big tires ran 26" Goodyear Terra tires and they were powered by Briggs 18HP flat twin 694cc engines. They were build right towards the end of Hustlers time in business. I actually found a basket case (but it was also very complete) down in Alabama and I bought it and restored it. They called the Hustlers with the big tires, the Hustler 980 BIGFOOT. There is also a guy from down in Texas that is on the forums that has one as well. Here is mine all restored. Come and take it for a drive if you are ever in the Buffalo, NY area!

[mike lindsay]

That is a wonderful machine!! Tell me about the drivetrain? Are the axles pinned? How well does the transmission handle the big tires? Your machine has to handle the mud much better than my 22 inch tired machine.

[jpswift1]

Thanks! The T-20 transmission holds up great even with those big tires. It is the best AATV transmission ever built in my opinion. The middle axles actually have two pin holes that hold the sprockets on since they are the ones that have most of the torque on them. I only had this machine in the mud once so far, but it did really well. It is geared down quite a bit more than the standard Hustlers. It has TONS of torque and it sure feels like it could pull a house down.

[mudbug3]

jpswift1,

You have done one fine job in restoring this Hustler "Bigfoot". Its a keeper for sure, and one that I know you are very proud of .

[jpswift1]

Thanks guys! And mudbug, would you say that some of those Mud Bug tires would be good on this machine?

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE ]would you say that some of those Mud Bug tires would be good on this machine? [QUOTE]

jpswift1,

I know some one who has a gps , and he has messured the water speed of the Maxes Mud Bugs , and also the Interco Vampire tires on his Argo Big foot. He told me the Vampires walk all over the Mud bugs for water speed.

Both are great Mud tires, but the Mud Bugs are lighter than the Vampires by a few pounds , so they will float better. The Mud and Vampires ride about the same. But the Vampires will shead mud better I think based on the tread pattern they have.

The Mud bugs will work better for a smaller engine machine , because they weigh less than the Vampires do. I have a 25 hp Max IV , with a " red spring " on the T-20, for more low end torque , so my choice this spring will be the 26" Vampires.

Every one seems to be so concerned with water speed when choosing an amphib tire. But,,what good is water speed if you struggle to make it up a muddy creek bank, or you can,t make it up at all , when coming out of the water ?

I,ve watched the Vampires swim on video , and they swim fast enough for me. 2 mph in the water

I ride in a lot of swampy areas, water bayous, and low river , bottoim land trails. Most of these trails have moderate to soft mud , and also different textures of mud , ( gumbo clay mud ) so I need a more aggressive tire than most amphib riders, that will shead mud.

There are now three good choices in a more agressive amphib tire :

1. Vampire
2. Swamp Fox Plus
3. Mud Bug

This is the order in water speed

I know three people that run these tires on their amphibs, and all three are happy with their choices.