Need to cart a 1,300lbs bull Alces alces off the Alaskan tundra ? You ’re lead to need an Argo . The world ’s only eight - wheel - drive , amphibian ATV can literally go anywhere .
What ’re they presuppose to do ? Where a distinctive ATV or other wheeled fomite would get bogged down , an Argo is design to get you through bad situations while acquit a heavy load . Manufactured in Canada , these baffling 8×8 vehicles are made to get you through C , muskeg , marsh , quaggy tundra and even unresolved water .
Argos float and are amphibious , but rely on wheel spin both for motivation and steering . They ’re best apply on serene water in predictable condition .
How ’re they supposed to do it ? set off around $ 12,000 and currently uncommitted in five different recreational models , an Argo is capable of carrying four people over rough terrain with its eight - wheel - driving and optional rubber tank track . design as an amphibious vehicle , they can well cross small creeks and streams . They are equal to of open water crossings , however this should only be consider when water conditions are very tranquil as constancy and navigational abilities are minimum at best .
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Using a differential steering system — one side ’s wheels are drive quicker than the other — maneuvering on pee is not easy nor accurate , but that organization does come in handy when span tricky terrain . Sitting fairly humiliated to the ground , an Argo has grand stability , pass on you an impart amount of trust on exorbitant hillsides . With its eight - wheel traction and ground headroom — there basically is no breakover , you ca n’t high - center — you do n’t involve to worry about bottoming out or stalling on enceinte objects .
Powered by a range of Briggs & Stratton power equipment motor , the Argos are n’t fast . Top velocity is fix to 19 mph and the 627cc motor in this test social unit only develop 23bhp .
to a great extent utilise in the Arctic , the Scottish Highlands and even the swamps of Louisiana , an Argo is at its good when the terrain is rough and the ground is wet .
Argos have fend in for lunar bird of passage during retiring simulations and now , the society is even helping NASA develop future wheeled vehicles for space geographic expedition .
How do they perform ? I ’ve used these vehicles extensively out on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska , where every column inch of ground is embrace by waterlogged tundra , with large grass tuft gain any journeying a tough one . The going on foot is almost unsufferable , as the tussocks threaten to easy snap an mortise joint , thus Argos are used to cover the vast distances and haul with child loads .
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Argos are not design for comfort , and they ’re not remotely comfortable . After hours of rebound up and down over the hills looking for Alces alces and caribou your keister is going to be feel a little stamp . With no literal suspension system the axels are a minuscule vulnerable and you ’re perish to need decent posterior cushioning .
Argo are also one of the few vehicles that can repulse through deep , cushy snowfall . Nothing else is this divers in its capableness .
Quick backsheesh : although they are designed to carry around four citizenry , the guys in the front seat get a much softer drive .
But no even four - bike ATV would live out there for tenacious and but would n’t have the hauling electrical capacity required to get the job done . With a freight capacity of 1,500 pound sign and a tow electrical capacity of up to 2,000 pounds an Argo will make lite employment of big loads .
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Argo have several optional feature film that are very ready to hand out in the bush . One feature that is a must up north , or in any rainy clime , is the addition of a operose top . Shelter from the wind , rain and C is really apprize when you ’re drive out in the component for an extended amount of time . After hr of glassing for animals it feel good to be able-bodied to close a door on the element and warm up up a bit . Climbing on top of the roof also offers a better vantage point to take a peep out over the willows , which can be very handy . in particular when looking for bear .
Various armed services around the creation have use Argos as all - terrain usefulness vehicles . They ’re much cheaper than your standard HMMWV and capable of accessing even more hostile terrain .
Another utilitarian MBD - on is the winch . These are very helpful when you need to drag fleshy objects ( such as a moose ) out of a unmanageable locations ( they have a hang for dropping in moderately awkward spots ) as well as pulling the Argo itself out when stuck in the muck . Although an Argo can somewhat much go anywhere , I would extremely recommend travel in pairs when in removed areas in case of breakdown or needing helper to labor the other out of tough office .
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The optional army tank tracks make a world of difference in both how smooth the ride is and the Argo ’s power to navigate unmanageable terrain . Tundra is pretty finespun , but an Argo is light and soft on the undercoat to start with , and add together rubber storage tank tracks distributes the weight even further making it relatively gentle on the thin terrain . Using just the tires , maximum ground pressure is only 2.1psi ; equipped with tank tracks , that drops to .67psi — an Argo literally treads lightly .
When negotiating a steep river bank you ’re really choke to treasure the track ’ ability to grip and carry the Argo up and over to the other side . After dozens of flow hybridizing I ’ve never develop wet once . Well , except for the few times pushing it out when it got stuck .
The author ’s “ own ” Argo lives in a remote Alaskan hunt camp and sportswoman a homemade cab .
Even though these fomite were being used year after class in a remote camp in the eye of the Arctic , they have singular longevity . Serviced only once a year at the beginning of the time of year , they have had many years of chugging along . That is n’t to say that they do n’t have mechanically skillful hiccups every now and then . They do . It certainly helps to have those individuals with the necessary mechanical skill around camp and an extensive tool outfit to turn with .
Where there genuinely are no roads , the Argo can haul passenger and cargo reliably , safely and ably . pic : Geoff Fandrick
risky venture quick ? Yes , bear you ’re willing to go to the place it ’ll take you . I would recommend an Argo to anyone who needs to get at jolty , remote orbit in a wet clime . These machines are a lifeline in the wild and if you do n’t mind get your hands a small greasy , can be an outdoorsman ’s effective protagonist .
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