Argocat anyone ??

[SikaStag]

I have had my Scottrack for 3-4 years. I have spent a fair bit of cash on it in repairs. These machines are hardy, but they have their weaknesses. Chains id the big problem. First thing that should be kept. If the tensioners are maxed out. That means the chains have wear and have stretched. Biggest problem I had though was when the front tire thumped sideways on to a rock and sent the whole wheel bearings and all into the engine bay. The sprocket that the duplex chain rides on got all mangled, the teeth were ground from points to rough bits of metal. I had to buy a sprocket blank and find someone to broach the centre to fit my shaft. Was quoted £360 to broach a £16 sprocket. He was told swiftly to go §§§ himself. After about a month of searching I found a company down south that done it for £60. Touch wood, no repairs for a while.

I prefer my machine over an Argo. The Argo is quite light weight. I couldn't go where I go in mine if it was an Argo, the Argo would start spinning before it would go up the slopes mines can.

I have had guys jump out of mine and say they would prefer to walk as they thought it could not go where I was taking it.

I took it up hill that no one believes me that I did. I did. Wouldn't do it again. But I did. I wished I had of had someone videoing me.

I changed the tires on mine to 4 ply. The 2 ply were getting punctured too regular. The 4 ply weigh twice as much as the 2 ply. they lower the centre of gravity of the machine. I can drive sideways along a slope that a quad would struggle to drive up. Amazing machine. It can take 3/4of a ton across an amazingly rugged terrain.

All this from a 20hp honda GX620 engine.

One tip for anyone getting a machine like these. when driving down steep ground you have to give it a little bit throttle to keep the belt tensioned, or it will just want to run away from you, free wheeling

Ian.

[rodp]

If yours is the same principal as the Argo why didn't you just machine the old sprocket off the boss and weld a bought blank or laser cut new one to the original boss?

[SikaStag]

If yours is the same principal as the Argo why didn't you just machine the old sprocket off the boss and weld a bought blank or laser cut new one to the original boss?

Could be that I ain't as clued up as you on the subject. I am learning for the future though, I thank you for the info. I still have the old damaged sprocket so that could be an option in the future. If the same thing happens again, I am firing inbound pm's to you, for info on the subject.

I have still to look into the conveyer belt chain prices that you mentioned in another post. The chain my machine uses is Renold duplex chain. Would be easily £600 to replace them.

If there is any members out there that are savvy in the repair of Gearboxes. The gearbox has a problem where it jumps out of gear when in low. You get a warning, the engine gives a high pitch whine sound then it pops out. I have seen me holding onto the gear lever to keep it in position whilst doing a steep climb. seat of your pants stuff.

I think it is either a ball bearing or spring and ball bearing that have popped out of position or out of where they should be. I have a drawing of the internals of the gearbox, I can see what I think is the part that is not doing its job. The machine is not the hardest to work with, the engine and gearbox can be got out without too much difficulty. I have done it myself on a couple of occasions to get to the bearings on the wheels to replace them.

It is a problem that I would really like to get fixes. It is a much needed function. I do almost everything in the higher gear, and I also have seen me reversing up a really steep bit of hill as the reverse gear is the same speed as the low gear.

Would be absolutely super if someone on here, or knows of someone that could repair this fault for a fee.

Fingers crossed.

Ian

[rodp]

No PM's here Ian ? And my inbox isn't full Email me the gearbox drawings if you can to take a look at.

[SikaStag]

Rod.
My comment re the pm incoming was referring to when I have another sprocket needing replaced. I will be seeking further info re your fix suggestion.
The broaching is the expensive part. so brilliant idea if the old broaching can be used.

I am off to the Doctors with my Wife in a bit. I will have to troll through my computer to find the drawing.

Will defo do when I get back.

Many Thanks
Ian

[hillkeeper]

Carefull what you spend your hard earned cash on I have worked with both Argos and Scott tracks for many years and my advise (george and rodp) is make sure if your buying anything over six years of age that you've got deep pockets and plenty of time to spend in the garage as we've spent thousands keeping them running and lost more weeks than I care to think of repairing them. Bearings, chains, chain tensioners, sprockets and axles will all need replacing on a regular basis and they aint cheap!!!! Argos are cheaper than Scott track for parts but will break more often, however if you get in a bad situation an argo is better to shift by hand or winch being lighter! As in our experience if you want tracks on the machine then get the newer agros (avenger) as the tracks on the older argos wear out the bearings, chains and sprockets in a heart beat.
My advise would be look at the polaris six wheelers we've tried them out and would have them over argos any day of the week for ease of use and reliability, also track units for quads are a good choice if ground presure is your concern we've found these will float a quad on 6ft of fresh powder snow and can be put on and off in about an hour and half and you can use your quad with normal wheels when ground is hard meaning less wear and tear. If after all this you still want an older argo machine I have an argo conquest that you can collect from aberdeen for a snip at £2500 (just needs new battery, bearings, chains chain tensioners, sprockets and one axle )

[PESCA]

Thanks for that, Ed.

I'll be honest, unlike Rod or Ian, I'm simply not into working on motors. Don't have the inclination, time, knowledge or space to be rebuilding stuff. Takes me all of my time to put oil, water and fuel in the trucks.

I've seen lots of Polaris stuff but always thought that I should shy away from them. Simply thought that the engines would be soft and they would fall apart. No grounds for thinking that really.

Unlike Ian, the terrain here really isn't very demanding and any fourby would cope admirably. It's really down to the footprint. As it's money out of the landowners pocket, the cover crops and set-aside need to be undamaged. The ground can be particularly wet too.

Big fan of quads, but do have a fancy for something more car-like. Those pickup/tipping backs would be good for shooting from and for carrying bags of feed or drums of water for the birds.

Thanks.
George

[Fox Hunter]

George, sounds like a UTV would be the answer for you....

[rodp]

Be aware though George that if the going gets very soft a UTV will stop or destroy the ground. Having said that, as Fox hunter says, a utv may well do for what you need. Personaly I can't see the point in spending on a utv when you could spend the money on a atv Unless you want to carry stuff down hard tracks or tarmac roads.

Just been offered another Argo at good money ..........................up in Ayreshire I ain't driving up there.

[sunndog]

polaris are ok george, and they do a diesel quad
i would've loved one of those big tray back tipper things when i was keepering