By Tom Wolff on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I don't feel in control of my Max II going down steep hills. I am pulling back on both levers and not using the foot brake at all. On several occasions the Max began to bounce going downhill and I nearly lost control of it. These hills are quite steep and I am thinking the Max just isn't made to handle it going downhill. It has no problem at all going uphill. I lowered the tire pressure to about 1 lb. per tire. That seems to help the climbing. I wonder if it effects the downhill ability. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tom

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

Tom,
Going down steep hills in a max can be hard work and takes a little practice. More time and smooth stick control will make downhills more confident.

I don't know how many hours your tranny has on it, but it takes about 25 hours of use to set the bands good. The bouncing is from the bands gripping, but not gripping evenly (either high spots on the bands which will wear in or uneven pressure from the operator).

When I come to a steep downhill, I almost stop at the top as I engage the tranny brakes and use just the tranny brakes as I go down. I do go slowly and can stop at any time I need to regain my composure.

If you are using the tranny brakes just to slow you down intermittently, you need to have enough control of the sticks to keep from completely engaging the bands (when the bands grip, the wheels will stop turning and the on/off bouncing begins). You can try resting your arms on your knees/legs to lessen their travel.

I guess not everyone is as comfortable going downhill in a Max as some of us, but I go down stuff with the rubber on my max where it belongs after I have seen lesser machines roll, bounce and end up at the bottom by themselves with broken parts. Yes, there are downhills I won't go on, but I have never tipped a max over on dry ground.

By Tom Wolff on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks for the good info. Fred. My Max is new with maybe 5-7 hours on it. So those bands have definitely not set as of yet. I tend to want to get going at a good clip down a hill. Then when I try to regain control I pull back as hard as I can and the bouncing starts. In the future I am going to take it slow and steady. It sounds like from what you are saying the Max has the capability of coming to a complete stop on just about any slope if there is good traction under the tires.
I am wondering why it feels as if there is no compression braking going downhill? Anyway, I'll keep practicing on easier slopes and work my way up to more challenging ones. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I have dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, LandCruiser, and the Max is now my vehicle of choice. Nothing can stop it. That's what I really enjoy.

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

Tom,
To get engine braking, you have to keep the engine revved up enough to keep the drive belt engaged. This works pretty well on slopes up to 25/30 degrees.