what would be the most significant advancement in 6X6 or 8x8

[Ronaldlewis]

Hi there fellows, this is my first post here, ive cruised these forums for a while as a guest, but when i saw this post i just had to get in on it , I voted for shaft drive , I think that the chains and such are the most troublesome part of these machines, some mfgs have gone to hydrostatics but it is soooo expensive and heavy that you need a bigger machine and huge motors ,the makers of the hydrostatic units have gone the wrong way I think ,and their machines cost 40,000 to 50,000 they are way to big for most of us, if you can come up with a reliable shaft drive that doesnt weigh too much and dont cost my first born i'm all for it , as for suspension , it sure would be nice to put bigger tires on the Max II but that would take a tub redesign
PS i c you are in AB but where the heck is High Level?? im in Edmonton drop me a line

[Jeff t-boss]

I'd say hydrostatic steering. Sipmler, more responsive, allows for tighter turns/zero turning, and minimizes mechanical structuring.

[Marc]

I also want a suspension but AussieMax is right with the point that this changes the complete system. In my opinion the driver is a heavy part of the vehicle compared to the rest (ok maybe only in my case so maybe a suspension seat would change a lot but not the price. And I realy get rid of the engines, I have my big riding time behind me and only pull out a AATv twice a year for example. But everytime I have trouble with the fuel lines, sparkplugs, carburator, throtle cable or fuelpumps, and thats boooooring. They should build an electric AATV, much less parts and only two possibilities - energy or no energy, of cause this is science fiction but a manufacturer in England once changed a cupple of Max IV to an electric vehicle. And I have problem, but this is only here in germany, i need a roadpermission for every road i cross, and our street network is so dense that I always have to cross roads. And changing a AATV to be street legal is heavy because you need a handbrake directly working on at least one axle, seatbelts, different front and rear lights, brakelights and so on and so on... Of cause they will never change this for the 10 german users but I think a handbrake should be possible an it is useable also for other people.
And I also sometimes miss a good looking hard top, not only to keep myself dry, also I dont want to need to cover it at each rain or snow, but the existing hardtops are much too expensive and uggly as hell. And even it is safe from agressive seawater from the underside, a few raindrops from the upper side will destroy the vehicle over time...a bit shizophrenic from my view or?

[Malee]

Overall I think basic machines price a lot of people out of the market already, particularly here in Australia. I vote "none, they are fine the way they are" just to keep prices at accptable levels to encourage bums//butts in seats.

If i had to advance a machine it would be with optional extras. like springers and better design an economical trans.. I'm not familiar with any shaft drive 6x6 so I couldnt comment.

[Swamper]

I agree with Malee and a few others that the price does keep some people out of owning a new or close to new machine or in some cases good used older models. So does the lack of advertising. Where I work there is a large group of people with quads. I mention an AATV to them and I get the deer caught in the headlight stare. Several of the guys have mentioned to me that they can buy 2 high quality quads for the price of one 8x8 Argo. And they go faster. Yea but I tell them AATV's swim and can go places they can't especially with tracks applied. Oh well they still come at me with cost and speed. I think that options such as more engine choices is good as is the option for suspension or not. But installing suspension on these machines could be/is expensive. Suspension has more advantages than just a smoother ride. It gives better cross country mobility by having more rubber contact with the ground, which gives better traction and decrease the amount of pressure per square inch on the ground. Suspensions also improve the use of tracks for the same reason. Suspension doesn't limit swimming as much as some might think. Where I work we produce wheeled armoured vehicles and depending on the variant some swim. We don't use paddle tires like our AATV's and yet we can get between 5 and 8 MPH water speed. Doesn't sound like much you say? Consider the smallest variant that swims weighs 33,000 lbs. Perhaps a well thought out suspension seat could be in the manufacturers next design reviews. The driveshaft idea has merit, but would have to be small because of the space claim involved. So that would mean chrome moly or aircraft quality aluminium thick wall tubing. I have used both material as driveshafts in my drag cars with horsepower ratings in the 750 to 1,100 HP range with no problems. But what about the Gates belts and cogs to replace the chain and sprockets. Good idea, but need money to try it out. I also agree with better pricing on the accessories as bundles. But would that mean these items would be made off shore to keep the price down? Like many here I would prefer to keep as much of the manufuacturing here in North America as possible. Hydrostaic drive is a good way to go too. But some say the cost is too high. Well the manufacturers have to build these to a reliability standard so the parts cost more and in some cases weigh more. The MUDD OX is a good vehicle that has a bit of both types of drive train if I am right. The truth of the matter is that these companies have share holders, and they want as much out of their investments as possible. Are these machinse the best they can be? For the price in some cases maybe. Can they be better? Of course they can, but at what price? I firmly believe in the machines whether they be Argo, MUDD OX or Max's and everthing in between. They are better in a lot of enviroments than a quad. Are they the be all end all. Nope, but they definitely have a place and I think with some of the ideas floated here on this venue is a great start. Keep up the debates and conversation. I read here awhile ago that the manufacturers do read these threads. Sorry for the long post.
My thoughts on the subject.
Cheers,
Al

[JRP3]

I voted "other": Electric drive, independent wheel motors with full suspension No chains, no gas, no oil. Won't happen, until I build one of course

[LarryW]

I voted "other": Electric drive, independent wheel motors with full suspension No chains, no gas, no oil. Won't happen, until I build one of course

Hey JRP3,
Where you been? Have seen you in a while.
Would an independent wheel motor be mounted in the hub? If so, on a springer you wouldnt have any driveline angles to worry about and you could really increase your wheel travel with a smaller A-Arm and stay narrow! Very interesting concept!!!

[JRP3]

Been busy working on my electric Fiero conversion, which is up and running, taking me to work every day
Yeah the wheel motors would be the wheel itself, there is a guy making them for motorcycles and he thinks he can make them waterproof for this application. No real technical hurdles to doing it, just time, and money of course.

[Robinhood02]

so does anyone that hangs here have a machine shop with a CNC milling machine to make prototype suspension that ive designed ?? i dont have the final dimensions yet but all that will come as machining and milling starts

[vader8x8]

Mine holds 6 people yet only has 2 cup holders. WTF Argo?