Ice fishing overrated😎

[shorthairsrus]

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Seen this on fb

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Mn

 

[watson]

I thought they float

 

[Vollmer]

Where?

 

[shorthairsrus]

Perham ice is thin

 

[SDMF]

 

[ISELLGUNS]

I thought they float

I don't think so.

 

[Jigaman]

I thought they float

Kinda. they wont sink to the bottom of the lake but they dont float like a boat.

 

[bowcarp]

Where?

it said Eagle lake between Perham and Fergus

 

[Jigaman]

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https://www.facebook.com/pg/Tri-Sta...0/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1553042284711472

here is the link to the FB page of the company that retrieved the Sunkbear

 

[Captain Ahab]

They float enough for you to not die in a sinking grave. That's about it.

 

[NDSportsman]

Damn things cost more then a new truck and they still don't float? F... that!

 

[Vollmer]

 

[pluckem]

Damn things cost more then a new truck and they still don't float? F... that!

I always thought that was their weak link and why they are way overpriced or at least prime to get knocked off to a competitor that can provide something similar but be amphibious.

Why don't you see more Argo's on the ice? tracked atv that not only floats but can climb in and out of the water on its own? It still confuses me.

Wilcraft has the right idea, but it needs to be tracked and give access in any snow/ice conditions.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Argo's float but I don't think they would climb out of the ice very good on their own, would need help from a hook. The tracks can really make that machine a mean beast but you need to remember that it is rubber on rubber and need to understand how the driveline works, too much binding and you tear apart the driveline.
I've used one a lot and fixed on it a lot at my previous job and they are good machines but like everything have their quirks and niche areas that they excel at.

 

[SerchforPerch]

I always thought that was their weak link and why they are way overpriced or at least prime to get knocked off to a competitor that can provide something similar but be amphibious.


.

Im guessing cost and perhaps coast guard approvals?? to make something float on water would be the first challenge.

 

[powerman]

I think the new 4x4 hydrostatic wilcrafts will give the best peace of mind in those conditions. And they are coastguard rated.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I think the new 4x4 hydrostatic wilcrafts will give the best peace of mind in those conditions. And they are coastguard rated.

I was looking at upgrading my 2x4 to that model, but I am sure Obama will give me the shaft here shortly at tax time.

 

[dean nelson]

Argo's float but I don't think they would climb out of the ice very good on their own, would need help from a hook. The tracks can really make that machine a mean beast but you need to remember that it is rubber on rubber and need to understand how the driveline works, too much binding and you tear apart the driveline.
I've used one a lot and fixed on it a lot at my previous job and they are good machines but like everything have their quirks and niche areas that they excel at.

That's why you put ice cleats on the track.

https://youtu.be/dHW_ArBP1CU

 

[powerman]

I got to drive one about a month ago. The new ones are sweet. The 2x4 is nice as well, but looking for some tire chains as it is not the best in snow.

 

[pluckem]

Argo's float but I don't think they would climb out of the ice very good on their own, would need help from a hook. The tracks can really make that machine a mean beast but you need to remember that it is rubber on rubber and need to understand how the driveline works, too much binding and you tear apart the driveline.
I've used one a lot and fixed on it a lot at my previous job and they are good machines but like everything have their quirks and niche areas that they excel at.

Valid points on the driveline and maintenance. Adair Argo in Iowa has some custom wheel hubs they call track tuners that allow the center wheels to free spin in a tracked application. They claim this would help with the driveline concern you mentioned above.

There are numerous videos out there of Argos climbing in and out of holes in the ice so it seems they could functionally do that. Worst case buy a couple climbing rated ice screws. I believe some are rated over 2000 lbf and easier screwed in to the ice by hand. Hook a winch hook to those and that should cover most of the other worst case situations where the machine needs some assistance getting out of the hole.

It looks like Argo has expanded their models recent years. They should take a look at the ice fishing market and see what they could come up with to cater a machine to that.

You don't need 8 drive wheels to turn a track, so if they went with a dedicated tracked machine I would think the entire driveline could be simplified in some aspects.