Argo buggy, amphi buggy ?

[W.olly]

Well what a cracking doolally idea i have....again

I am looking for a vehicle to get down a very wet boggy field to my boats which are on the canal. Now my good boat has a 6 foot or so wide low down pontoon at the end of the boat mooring......you get the idea yet with the title of thread

What sort of amphi vehicles like an Argo are about, i would be after a project to faff with.

My idea is to use it to get down the field with gear and a trailer and then when more fun times are ahead take a cruise down the cut to the pub i can make the low down pontoon into a slip for it to launch

Not a clue on these things on any running gear or price, so what should i be looking at for a project atleast engine good and maybe running and parts etc.

Admiral Faffer

 

[gaz1]

 

[winchman]

Argo cat I think

 

[moose]

I have looked at buying an argocat for many years, would have to be 8 wheeled, there is a trailer you sometimes see, but for best control and speed in water really need an outboard fitted, they will propel themselves by the tyres.

Many years ago I nearly bought an Amphicar, not practical for carrying items to and from your boat, but would have fun.

 

[moose]

Should have said look on Ebay normally a couple on there varying prices depending on work required etc.

 

[W.olly]

Well just been looking around the net, they seem to fetch good money, over a grand for a non running project.

My last project idea was a amphiboat, get a boat hull and fit axles etc etc and do it that way for a laugh. or wrap a boat hull around a 4x4 chassis like an SJ of Landrover.

Now maybe i could build my own Argocat from ply/foam tanks etc. What running gear do they use ?? what can be used maybe ??

 

[sako243]

They do fetch silly money. Having just acquired one. Ours is a 2 stroke (no need to mix) driving a CVT transmission with 2 gears and reverse. Diff drives second axle via chains and each subsequent axle is driven by the neighbours.

Great tools but difficult to drive slowly or on grounds with lots of traction (roads) because you need to break traction on all four wheels. Everything on them is expensive though, custom for the vehicle and consequently difficult to obtain.

 

[Chillitt]

Stewart..

 

[armalites]

Argocat, great tool/toy but as @sako243 says they make stupid money and everything is expensive. Often you will have no idea if they will float. My mate bought a bitsa that had an engine from a different model but it wasn't fitted. Even as a project it cost £1000 but it was from a friend of his so he knew it was viable. We built mounts and got it all running, it was great fun. On wet grass I could go down the fill in the field and lock one side and do a 360. The later ones have hydraulic brakes I think, we were going to fit some motorcycle calipers which would have made steering easier. Fortunately it did float and he had a great time at a couple of offroad/camping trips where the site had water. Got his money back and some profit when sold it.

I would avoid buying to much of a project Argocat wise as used parts aren't that easy to come by.

 

[pedrobedro]

Banana splits buggies

 

[gti6gamekeeper]

I have a Terri 30. Gooogle and see what it is. Very rare in this country. It is currently in a 3/4 built restoration. Only slightly smaller than an Argo. 2stroke 2cylinder Rotax engine. Choice of gears reverse etc. With very strong built in winch into gearbox. Rubber tracks with floating bogey castor wheels keeping them on. Tracks are 2ft wide. Very capable machine. Cheers

 

[Bullet2012]

Rough terrain and amphibious, bring your own sick bag

 

[moose]

Banana splits buggies

It was because of this programme I always wanted one, have been fairly close a couple of times one day!

 

[Tangledfeet]

One of these..?

https://sherpatv.com

 

[sako243]

One of these..?

https://sherpatv.com

They are even more ridiculously priced than Argocats.

This guy has started building his own version of an Argocat:

We're considering building one but with a hydrostatic transmission so that the wheels are reversible and going to try and design out some of the failings of the Argocat (notably ground clearance). Still undecided as to whether to stick with quad sized tyres or jump up to Land Rover sized tyres. One of the reasons of thinking Land Rover tyres and half-shafts is that you could remove the half-shafts and all but one pair of wheels and then simply tow it behind the vehicle. (We use our Argocat regularly down in Wales but also take it with us up to the Highlands for stalking).

 

[W.olly]

After thought and research over this weekend i am sticking with a cheap ride on mower for this for now, quick and cheap. I bought a cheap runner that i have took a gamble on as it was only £100 i am picking it up next week so going to fettle it, needs new drive belts.

I was so close to getting an Argocat but then the money will be coming out the boat fund.

Thanks guys for the info