IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Fishing Transportation => Topic started by: Wiener on Feb 19, 2010, 08:08 AM
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How many of you guys use an argo for icefishing?
I was thinking that if the ice broke, at least it would float.
Thanks,
Wiener
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Not yet, but I'm saving my pennies for an 8x8 Avenger with rubber tracks. No first hand experience with them on ice, but they're used by a lot of emergency crews for ice rescue, so they must work. I've been scouring youtube for any video's of them actually falling through the ice, for me, the big question is how stable are they if just one side breaks through. Once they're in the water, they float great, and with a few studs in the tracks I bet they'd climb right back out in a hurry.
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here's one
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hYXVYnwHXw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hYXVYnwHXw)
I'd found that one too, but that machine isn't a true "Argo", it's a clone, not sure how much of a difference it makes though.
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I noticed that but I figured it was a quick example, although he drove into a worst possible situation I think you could find on ice.
If it was studded I think he may have gotten himself out ???
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Came across this when looking at the other video posted above. It is crazy looking. I have to go see how much they run.
&feature=related
D3
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Ive seen videos of them getting back up on the ice but it was in a river and it seemed like they were hitting bottom. ive had the same Q for years. it doesnt do me much good to break through if i cant get back up on the ice. the whole reason i would buy one is to be able to go out on very bad ice when no one else can.
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An experienced owner/operator mentioned he always backs into/onto doubtful situations which leaves the winch facing in the recovery direction. Also on board is a substantial spud to be used as a deadman thru safe ice.
The 8X8 payload at 900# ~ a bit more than most of us carry.
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A few guys use argos around me. Most have tracks on them and they get around the ice very nicely
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I use an attax 6x6. Just like an argo only better ;D 25hp kabota, borg-warner transmission, and pretty much bullet proof. I've never had it break through while out on the ice, but I have messed around with it on my pond when the edges were shot and I was able to go from the water onto the ice with a little practice. You have to get one side up on the ice first then the other. No tracks, just chains on the front tires. The only problem with them is they are rough as ****. Fine on smooth ice, but a pita on the rough stuff.
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they sure look like fun &feature=related
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This settles the debate,
[ Invalid YouTube link ]&NR=1
I have a 6x6, would be great for ice fishing other than the lack of suspension.
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I use an Argo Response 8X8. With the tracks on it and cleats it will climb back on the ice from open water. Only downfall is you have to back onto the ice from open water as they are nose heavy.
http://s99.photobucket.com/user/alholmjr/media/IMG_2047.jpg.html
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Plenty of Argo videos on youtube I guess.
My friends dad has one. Not for icefishing but he bought some remote property he thought it would be good to use it to access.
They do float which is a bonus.
They are slow which is a detractor if you have to travel long distances with one. I think the one I rode in topped out at 18mph. So say you are traveling a few miles out you will not keep up with a group of 4 wheelers.
I would worry a little about mechanical breakdowns while stuck in the ice but I do know they have a dependable reputation so probably a rare issue.
Definitely want the tracked version for getting out of the ice.
The Wilcraft's look nice for ice fishing but I think the Argo has a much wider usage range. Things like deer hunting or to access remote lakes or cabins in the summertime.
But as long as the Wilcraft is I'm not sure how they would do on an ATV trail in the woods.
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Wilcraft's are pretty dang nice, I had a chance to ride in one last year.
One downside is the cost, which in my eyes makes the Argo more affordable.
WS
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Not yet but definitely want one.... the video that I came across that convinced me is named "ARGOS ON ICE" on youtube.
Definitely want the 8 wheel with tracks!
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Another downfall is there is a lot more maintenance on an argo or maxx than there would be on a 4-wheeler or snowmobile. I was considering one until I did more research on them. There is a web site called 6x6 World. It is just like this one but dedicated to 6x6 and 8x8s. The guys that have them sound like they love them, but sounds like they are always wrenching on them.
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I have seen a few of them on simcoe, never get stuck I hear.
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I have had mine for a while now. Maintenance on it is easy, and they are much more reliable these days than they were say 15 years ago. Mine with the tracks on it will climb over anything, pressure cracks, steep grades, downed trees, you name it. It is unstoppable and I always get guys that will walk over to check it out. I made the custom half top, and put a hinged board in the back to keep the snow out. Holds my Shappell DX4000 perfectly with all my gear safely tucked underneath. [(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/alholmjr/IMG_2047.jpg) (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/alholmjr/media/IMG_2047.jpg.html)][/(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/alholmjr/IMG_0972.jpg) (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/alholmjr/media/IMG_0972.jpg.html)]
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Nice looking setup!
WS
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Thanks, I like it. I can't tell you how many guys have come over just to check it out. I always get somebody at the launch that says it's the coolest set up they have seen. Now if we could only get some ice to use the darned thing
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How about high centering? The belly on those Argo's looks really low to me. Do you run into high-centering issues where you lose weight on the tires and get stuck?
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If they don't have tracks they high center really easy in anything over a foot of snow. Got mine stuck 50ft onto the ice last year and it took almost an hr to get it unstuck. And they are slow! Im always the last one to get out to our spot. Great for hauling gear though.
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Have never had a problem getting her stuck. But then again I am cautious on how I drive it. Yes, I agee with the earlier reply that they are slow. But I can get out in mine when guys with side by sides are stuck on shore because the ice is only 4" thick.
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I have a Max II 6x6 with tracks and I love it. One of my best purchases of all time!!
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Here's mine
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=137857.msg2226526#msg2226526
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If they don't have tracks they high center really easy in anything over a foot of snow. Got mine stuck 50ft onto the ice last year and it took almost an hr to get it unstuck. And they are slow! Im always the last one to get out to our spot. Great for hauling gear though.
How fast does it go? I've heard 20mph is average top speed.
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Tracks off I get it to about 24 mph, with the tracks on it is topped out at 18 mph. Both of those speeds were off of my GPS.
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Thanks, I sold my old Argo after bringing it to tip top shape. Hated to part with it, as I had it set up just the way I wanted. Turned a huge profit on it, so I bought this..... Even better set up than before. Has a cab heater, full canvas canopy, front suspension seats, rear bench seat and almost twice the power of my old one. I am going to throw the 18" rubber tracks on it and a wicked bright light bar. Thinking of mounting a remote control spot light on the top of the windshield to give the passenger something to play with lol
[(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l293/alholmjr/IMG_1740.jpg) (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/alholmjr/media/IMG_1740.jpg.html)][/img]
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Nice fishin rig. I run a Max IV. I built it just for ice fishin. I put stainless cleats on the tracks, cab, heater, windshield wiper, front and back winch,auger rack, and a 27 horse power liquid cooled Kawasaki. There's not too many places I won't go.
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I like to fish Saginaw Bay when I can. Usually a lot of sketchy pressure cracks, sometimes 6' wide. It's nice just to blow right over/through them. Lets hope this season is a great one as far as the weather goes.
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Whats the weight on something like that?
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Manufacturer says it's 1,410 dry. I figure with all my gear and someone with me it's close to 2,200 fully loaded. With the tracks on it, it applies 0.67 psi and even without the tracks it's only 1.7 psi (empty). If a person weighs 200 lbs, their applied pressure is 0.98 psi.
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I bought an argo last year and I don't think I will ever be without one as long as I live in Alaska. What a rig!!! First trip was a moose hunt and it swam a few river sections on the way in and hauled a moose out swimming the same areas easier with a load. The engine is in front, making it front heavy and this is why people are best of backing into water unless it is shallow and gradually gets deeper. With a moose in the back it takes the weight of the front end and floats better. I used it for ice fishing last winter and it hauled the new shack no problem. I'm guessing the shack is around 3000lbs 10x16... and the argo doesn't even grunt. Dog loves it and wife and kids stay warm, its a win win ;) Easy sell to the wife for ya when you tell her she can ride in a heated cab to the shack. It is slow, but much faster than walking because you are not taking wheelers or side by sides where it will go when hunting wet areas. If I plan on covering a bunch of area on the ice, then I usually take the snow machine, because the argo is a rougher and slower ride.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k583/jiggenfrogs/f6_zpsepxjuyff.jpg) (http://s1117.photobucket.com/user/jiggenfrogs/media/f6_zpsepxjuyff.jpg.html)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k583/jiggenfrogs/argo2_zpswnwfd4xu.jpg) (http://s1117.photobucket.com/user/jiggenfrogs/media/argo2_zpswnwfd4xu.jpg.html)
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I know a guy who has one with a full cab enclosure and tracks. I think tracks are almost mandatory for snow. It is a nice machine that can carry a ton of gear. They spread the weight out well so you can run on some thin ice, not to mention, you don't have to worry about it going to the bottom if you do break through.
Downsides; it is really big, need a large trailer and it is slow... really slow.
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It is slow, but a two place 12' trailer has hauled it for 10 years no problem. It takes the place of two sleds...I just hauled a buddy my daughter, two dogs and gear in the back and its warm. They are the perfect rig for Alaska IMO.