By Bill Davis (Nvbigblue) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hello all,
I had a friend come over today and I was showing him my totally disassembled MAX II. As he had never seen a 6x6 before, I was explaining to him how the T-20 works. Since it is out of the frame, the shift linkage is disconnected and I was only moving one shift lever to demonstrate forward and reverse, then turn the driven clutch to make the output shaft turn. So as I'm showing him, he reaches over and moves the other shift lever, so the output shaft on his side starts to turn. So now both output shafts are turning, EXCEPT, they are running in opposite directions! So I had this great revelation. Install 2 shift levers, so that you could operate each side of the tranny seperately or opposite of each other. Running them in opposite directions would give you the ability to make true, zero-length turns. Why you would need to do this I have no idea, but it may come in handy at some time. Besides, it would be COOL to do this in front of a bunch of people. I know that to make zero-length turns would require a little more effort than a hydrostatic machine (stop the machine, shift the levers opposite each other, rev the engine, push on one lateral, pull on the other, make the turn, stop the machine, shift the trans again, continue on), but at least you'd be able to do it if needed. Has anybody out there already done this? Would it hurt the T-20 to operate it like this? Thoughts? Comments? Pro's? Cons?
Thanks for the imput,
Bill Davis

By Bruce on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I think it is a cool idea and I am anxious to hear the comments from rest of guys who know a whole lot more than I do about this subject. Depending on the response, I may be doing the same thing to mine.

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bill, & Bruce,
This definitely can be done and some of the early manufacturers did install two sifters. Personally, although a neat idea, I would not do it because it would be very easy to fail to get one side completely engaged resulting in internal (expensive and time consuming) damage. T-20s are tough to shift at times with both sides going the same direction, imagine the frustration trying to get one one way and the other the other way when the gears aren't lined up.

If it was to be done, I would make it so both shifters worked together and could only be worked independently if the operator did so intentionally (maybe a spring loaded pushbutton that automatically locked them back together whenever they were lined up).

I'm also not convinced in my own mind that it would be a good thing to have. I see people in the mud getting themselves hopelessly dug in when they could have just backed out and tried another spot. I see someone trying to shift on a hill and getting themselves in real trouble and danger (a T-20 out of gear on an incline is not good). The T-20 in a Max is so good just the way it is.

By Eric Magyor on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I was just talking to someone yesterday who has been doing exactly the type of thing you are talikng about here. I ran into them on one of our roadtrips.

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

My Hustler had separate shifters for the T-20. It was fun to spin and maybe it could get you out of a tight spot. You need the shifters close together or able to lock as one. It is a hassle to shift each separatly when you just want to back up or go forward.
I have thought about making two shifters but I am doing fine with one. I can shift it fast and easy as it is.

MaxRules

By Bill Davis (Nvbigblue) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred and Brandon,
That's exactly what I was thinking. Two levers, close together, that stayed locked together unless the operator wanted to do it. Something like a reverse lockout. You'd have to shift to neutral, pull the lever to the side, then shift up or down. And of course, you'd have to make sure that this kind of turning was appropriate or needed depending on conditions.
Thanks for the input!
Bill Davis

By shane forsythe on Unrecorded Date: Edit

bill, fred and brandon,
i think fred's right, it's too easy to not shift properly and it wouly result in a damaged t-20 (or 2 in this case).
but dont forget if it did break down in the middle of nowhere would it realy be worth doing this mod then?
fred forgot to add 1 thing, as he says , extra t-20 trans = extra weight and that means more psi on the ground. low psi or more tires is the key.
shanefor1@yahoo.com.au

thanks shane

By John Martin on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Shane-what do you mean two t-20? They are only talking about 1 t-20 with one side in forward the other backward at the same time=one t-20 broke. The only thing extra is the extra lever and assembly to shift one side at a time. Maybe you thought that they stuck two whole t-20 in their and somehow had two clutches to run them both. I think you might have misunderstood. I saw this post and you got me thinking about it.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

How much does a t-to weigh? 20 Lbs extra won't make much of a difference on the psi on the ground. It doesn't affect psi on the ground as much as everyone thinks, If you put a huge amount of weight on the machine, lots of accessories etc, the first thing would be the wheeles (tires specifically) They would start looking flat, this makes them wider, which means more area that the tires cover- this means less psi on the ground. IF you had that much added weight that it made all the tires smoosh, you would effectively be using the same idea that we use tracks in winter for. My point is, a bit of added weight doesn't make much of a difference if any, they could use some ass end weight anyways!