Argo vs atv with tracks

shtickhead · February 27, 2009, 12:55:10 AM

Quote from: isawlogs on February 26, 2009, 08:54:17 AM

How steep and how long are the grades , I know that Sprucebunny has tracks on her atv's and she could tell you about those . Personaly, I would like the argo,"

Mostly downhill,that's why I'm worried about running logs into the tracks on an ATV. Some trails have a couple of gullys 30*-45*(I'm guessing) the bigger one I would be pulling up 50-60' of elevation with 20-30' of give 'er (level) at the bottom.

Kevin · March 14, 2009, 07:04:59 PM

I had a friend working with me today, here's a video of him hauling a sixteen foot cedar log twenty inches on the butt up the hill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7OX0J2Ovhw

Coon · March 15, 2009, 01:11:37 PM

I have just purchased an old Attex 6x6 that I will be building into a small logging unit. I have plans on tearing this unit down and putting in a real frame to which I can put a blade and a decent hitch to use. As of right now the Attex only has a 16hp Tecumseh on it for power but willl be changed out as well for a bit more hp. I will also be looking at building a set of tracks for the unit. I have a homemade logging arch I can use but the skids are more often than not too long. To resolve this problem I am building a small grapple trailer like those sold at Bailey's.

I like your little set up Kevin. How many horse power is your Argo?

Kevin · March 15, 2009, 03:19:35 PM

The model I have is the Conquest , 620cc, 20HP.
That ATV with the tracks has no problem with the hill but it's a brute to steer.

slowzuki · March 16, 2009, 10:30:25 AM

My best advice is decide if you want to pack trails, then decide how much weight you need to pull, then decide what to pull it with.

My tractor and winch on beat down skid trails will pull an amazing amount, but once the belly starts dragging snow I'm soon stuck. A cheap snowmobile can beat trails down faster than anything.

I just bought a 4wd atv for use on the farm and firewood hauling. It won't pull anything like the tractor but its faster and a lot more nimble. It too won't move in snow once the belly drags.

My favorite option would be a like Bombardier J-5 with a winch on it but thats not in the cards.

moonhill · January 01, 2010, 11:49:25 AM

http://www.argoatv.com/utility/recdetailvehicles.aspx?x=mRszmDaRcsOkWZIHXxzNzOviWdqn9zqO#specdetails

The Argo Centaur is a larger and heavier unit. It appears to be able to handle a small self loader in tow. Or a arch as well. All the comforts of a Bronco II, I bet is still comes with a larger cost though. A nice little 3 cylinder diesel. Someone said they were slow, 38mph, not bad.

I somehow keep returning to these types of machines, smaller, agile, capable of the work to a certain point in relation to the true skidders out there. I have done my fair share of 4 wheeling with trucks and atv's, I know the limits. These alternative machine seem to fit a nitch I am trying to fill.

Tim

Kevin · January 01, 2010, 06:33:07 PM

The only problem with the Centaur for my purpose is it isn't amphibious.

BARPINCHER · January 01, 2010, 07:55:44 PM

I talked to the Argo rep about a Centaur this spring and he told me they were amphibious. They also stared at $42,000 dollars so that put a quick end to our conversation.........

Kevin · January 01, 2010, 09:00:16 PM

Thanks barpincher, they don't list it as being amphibious on their web site like they do the argo.

Reddog · January 01, 2010, 09:04:33 PM

Quote from: Kevin on January 01, 2010, 06:33:07 PM
The only problem with the Centaur for my purpose is it isn't amphibious.

The ones I have seen set up for water crossing, had plastic barrels lashed to the front for flotation. Makes me wonder if it is not as balanced as the Argo in the water.

Kevin · January 01, 2010, 09:06:57 PM

It might be that it's top heavy.

Kevin · January 02, 2010, 04:13:37 PM

Here's the proof ...

http://www.atvargo.com/centaur_amphib.htm

Quote from: BARPINCHER on January 01, 2010, 07:55:44 PM
I talked to the Argo rep about a Centaur this spring and he told me they were amphibious. They also stared at $42,000 dollars so that put a quick end to our conversation.........

Ironwood · January 02, 2010, 04:54:59 PM

Boy, those are neat machines for the niche use. You northerners w/ snow/ ice / half frozen lakes/ peat bogs sure would use one. They mention flood use, at 3 mph that would make me nervous, (30 mph) water :

that would net you -28

I guess you need the outboard engine.

My heavier crawler would NOT suit you folks, (not much floatation) but for my latitude it's perfect.

All these small machines, ATV's included have their place in a modern utility use. It just depends on the scale of the job and speed at which it neede accomplished.

Ironwood

moonhill · January 02, 2010, 05:07:33 PM

At $42,000 that is just a little more than a set of tracks for my tractor.

Tim

Kevin · January 02, 2010, 07:04:07 PM

I bought a plow for my argo this year, want to see if it will push logs around at the landing.
It should.

Ironwood · January 02, 2010, 08:17:10 PM

I thought of plowing w/ my crawler, I need to figure out if I can drive lag bolts thru parts of hte tracks w/ out messing them up. I need side stability and ICE traction. I have a 9' power angle blade that would be great for the machine.

Ironwood

BARPINCHER · January 02, 2010, 09:17:50 PM

I have a friend in Wisc that has a Kawasaki Mule with tracks and it is awesome. Anybody else see a UTV with tracks. I realize its no ARGO in floatability but it may have the extra weight plus suspension to make skidding logs a bit better than a regular ATV on tracks

motohed · January 03, 2010, 06:17:10 PM

Quote from: Kevin on February 22, 2009, 10:04:50 AM
This is a company that is experimenting with a new track design for the Argo.

http://www.escargotracks.com/video.html

Hi Kevin
Those are really cool track set ups , I have thought about getting an Argo for a long time . I guess they are pretty expensive . I may have to look at one , one of these days . I am sure there are decent used ones in the USA .

Kevin · January 03, 2010, 07:20:43 PM

They are expensive but I get dual use from it.
It skids logs and get's me and my gear into the bush any time of year.
I also use it for hunting in the fall.
The area that I'm in is a cedar swamp, the forcat would work but for the money the argo was the better option for me.
I can even pull my LT-15 all year around.

moonhill · January 04, 2010, 07:17:59 AM

Kevin, if the cost were comparable which direction would you have gone? The Argo centaur vs the forcat with the diesel engine?

Tim

Kevin · January 04, 2010, 08:36:09 AM

For logging operations only I would buy the forcat but I don't do enough to warrant the expense.
The argo is more versatile and has a heated cab.

John_Haylow · January 09, 2010, 07:41:57 AM

Quote from: BARPINCHER on January 02, 2010, 09:17:50 PM
I have a friend in Wisc that has a Kawasaki Mule with tracks and it is awesome. Anybody else see a UTV with tracks. I realize its no ARGO in floatability but it may have the extra weight plus suspension to make skidding logs a bit better than a regular ATV on tracks

We just had tracks installed on a Yamaha Rhino UTV last week at work.We are still experimenting with it, but so far so good. I will try and get some pictures of it.
John