Max or Argo

[larrydean]

Hi All,
This being my first thread and never having owned a 6x6/8x8 the obvious question is which one is better/best? I currently own an A/C 400 4x4 man. and a A/C 650 4x4 auto. The main thing I have to consider is which AATV will pull my home made plot master (400+lbs.) best. I plant a lot of food plots in out of the way places. I'm rough on all of my equipment but at the same time I take good care of it. So which one is better Argo or Max?

[jpswift1]

The HUGE plus about any Max, and some other older machines (Attex, Hustler, etc) is that they are equipped with the T-20 Non-differential Borg Warner Skid Steer Transmission. This is the best most bullet proof AATV transmission ever built that will drive all 6 wheels through the deepest mud holes. It offers TRUE 6 wheel drive, it doesnt make 3 or 4 wheels on one side of the machine drive when one side stops. There is no uncontrolled transfer of torque to either side of the wheels spinning. I wouldn't ever consider a machine without this transmission (except my old Attex racer with the Baker Hill stratight shaft transmissinon but that is a different story). Another plus with the Maxes is that they have the engine mounted in the back, as opposed to Argos that are mounted up front. If I were you I would consider any T-20 equipped vehicle. You could always take an older Attex or Hustler and put a big fuel injected 4 stroke engine like forum member Hydromike did. I know that Recreatives Industries is now producing a Max IV with a 29HP liquid cooled fuel injected Kawasaki engine. Even a Max II with a Briggs Vanguard will give you plenty of power, and if you really want a powerful monster you can get it with a big Kohler V-twin in it. These are some things to consider. Good luck with your AATV search!

[Mike]

This is going to be a difficult question to answer because there is no perfect machine, it really comes down to personal preference. Also, most everyone is partial to the one they own even if it is inferior. It's just natural to want yours to be the best. With that said, the Max II is the best AATV ever made

I'm kidding. I'm not going to answer anything but the capacity question. Without a doubt the Argo 8x8 can win that hands down...ahhh, the easy out

[Mike]

I combined two threads that asked basically the same question.

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE ]
I like this site and for now I'm on it QUITE a bit.. ( wife's not to happy

Tomass,,thats a very loaded question as to which amphib is the best at all you asked about. But one thing I think all the married men on this web forum can agree on , is this :

If a wife is happy,,a married man finds out this real soon,,,,, it,s not for long .

[Roger S]

A T20 is true 6 wheel drive, yes it is. That implies it will go where an argo won't. At the Ledges ride this year, didn't an Argo Frontier (differential trans and engine in front) repeatedly climb out of a slick creek bank where II's and IV's had trouble? Not knocking the T20.. I like them and asked Brandon to take his for a spin on the last ride, 'cause I was tired of my clunky 8x8 eating power in the turns. Their geartrain may be bulletproof but the shifting mechanism is delicate. That wouldn't keep me from buying and enjoying one for all the good points they have.

I don't see the point of comparing 'chevy vs ford'. Dealers like to do it as a sales pitch. It depends on lots of things. For example, if all your friends drive max II's and see every tree as a slalom course marker, following them in an 8 wheeler is no fun But the 8 is nice to roll out onto the lake, step into the back and walk around like a deck boat. Owning just one is like having only one car, it won't do everything.

[Roger S]

Some of us fall in love and become loyal to the first one we see, others jump from one to the next looking for a new thrill.

[Mike]

Some of us fall in love and become loyal to the first one we see, others jump from one to the next looking for a new thrill.

And others have multiple ones they love at the same time.

[whipper-ag]

Some of us fall in love and become loyal to the first one we see, others jump from one to the next looking for a new thrill.

Are you talking about women or ATV's???? My wife of 34 years says I don't deserve this much happiness.
Whipper

[Rock Doctor]

I try to avoid the "Us vs Them" Arguments, so I will just tell you why I like my Argos:
Quality seems to be pretty good, I don't seem to have to "upgrade" to better/stronger parts.
Maintenance is fairly easy, A few basic tools and a little free time is all you need to "do it yourself"
They will haul anything a 4 wheeler will, plus the 4 wheeler itself.
Drivetrain is very strong, and pretty much self adjusting (chain tension)
High/ Low range is nice
Will climb just about anything, other than a straigh up, vertical face.
I have never had any problems making all tires turn at any given time (makes me wonder about the "True AWD" hangup some guys have)
Very strong transmition (I have only ever seen one damaged, and it was run low on oil)
Cargo capacity is second to none

I have nothing against any of the other AATV manufacturers, I just find that Argo works for me. There is no rocket science to them, and they work.
Just my 2 bits worth.

PS. TI don't think pulling a 400lb "anything" will even be noticed behind any of these machines.

[mightymaxIV]

max or argo

if I were going to buy a new aatv and I didn't mind dropping $11,000.00 I would buy the Argo frontier. this is the newest most updated machine with several improvemnets over other AATV's . It has plently of power with a 23 horse Briggs. It has a high and low range for towing or going through the really impossible stuff, and it swims better than any AATV I have seen. The draw back is the tires are somewhat fragile, but driven with that knowledge and proper care you should be alright. Another nice thing about this machine is it sits low but has very good ground clearance, skid protection on bottom, extended axle bearings front and back, and can go just about any where. If you are willing to give up some water speed it will fit a very agressive 26" tires (vampire, mudbug, etc)Fitted with big tires and ground clearance I don't think any other AATV or quad could follow this thing and that includes 8X8's. Best of all it is easy to clean out and maintence it some what easy. The main draw back with my Max IV is cleaning out the tub and performing maintainance,both very difficult tasks. If money is an issue I would get a MaxII with biggest engine I could find!

[kovac]

I agree with you about the max as far as cleaning out the tub, and the maintainence. I find the avenger easier for both of those. As far as the frontier, are you including the avenger in that comparison. I am new to the argos so I dont know. But the avenger seems extreemly capable, and has awesome ground clearence. much more than my max 4 had

[Robio_8x8]

Think of it like buying a car

A corvette may be a great car to some but not if you want a Cadillac

A Lincoln may be a great car to some but not if you want a Mustang

A dodge Viper may be a great car to some but not if you want a 300M

My point here is you are comparing two different types of machines and it would be more of an opinion based of preference or what that person uses his AATV for

If you want to fit lots of passengers and carry heavy loads to a cottage I would suggest an 8x8 and from what I see only the Argo still makes it. You may say this is the Cadillac /Lincoln type choice

If you want a sporty 6x6 for recreation use and holds few passengers I am sure allot would say Max or get an old Attex. You may say this is the Mustang, Camaro type choice.

If you got the funds buy one of each.

I do not see what the big deal is about the T-20 and the claim it is all wheel drive. They all are all wheel drive or they would not go straight when they swim. The Argo I have seams to be fairy posy contrary to the claims made on this T-20 loving website. The Argo that I have seems to have a very strong 2speed+ reverse transmission. The T-20 is a one speed

[liflod]

Robio, have you posted pictures of your Argo ?

[jpswift1]

I do not see what the big deal is about the T-20 and the claim it is all wheel drive. They all are all wheel drive or they would not go straight when they swim. The Argo I have seams to be fairy posy contrary to the claims made on this T-20 loving website. The Argo that I have seam to have a very strong 2speed+ reverse transmission. The T-20 is a one speed

So many people on this site, and all around the AATV community love the T-20 because it is a tried and true design that was used in so many different machines for many years, it is very reliable, and it is not an open differential set up like the Argo transmission. The T-20 was used in machines such as the Max, Attex, Hustler, Starcraft, Sears Sportster, Swamp Fox, Camel Centipede, Chaparral, Vamoose, Tomcat, and even the German made Solo. The T-20 design is certainly good since all of these manufacturers built their machines with it. I have driven many different machines and I had an open mind about all of them and tried to be unbiased since I think all AATV's are interesting, but I can say that the Argo transmission feels like there is uncontrolled transfer of power from one side to the other. When one side was driving in muddy conditions, it all of a sudden would stop when it got traction and the other side would start spinning rapidly without turning the handlebars. Try driving a T-20 machine right after you drive an Argo and you will find this out.