By Bill Entringer (Billyboy) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I've got a 2001 max II with the 14hp engine. My problem is that whenever I try to climb a steep hill (40 degrees plus) I get about half way up and then it won't climb any higher, at first I thought it was the tires spinning, because the engine is still reving high with no forward motion, but then I took the wife out and she watched me and the tires aren't spinning on either side. Could this be the belt slipping?
What else could it be? How do I fix it?

Thanks everyone for your help.
Bill

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

Bill, Try some belt dressing on both edges. I encourage everyone to dress their belts when they change oil if not sooner. It will make your belts last longer and give very good performance. I use the liquid kind and put it on with my finger - if you use the spray kind, take the belt off first.

If the belt has slipped too much, you will need a new one.

By Attex Bob on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bill: I think you have it pegged. There might be two other causes. 1. The bands in the tranny could be very worn and this will cause slippage on the drum.(Very unlikely with a 2001 Max) 2. The key in the clutch could be broken and the clutch slips on the shaft under a high load condition. (Also very, very unlikely). I would buy a new belt, pop it on and tape or wire the old one somewhere in the body; that way you have an extra when you blow one on the trail out in the boondocks. Hope this helps.

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

Bill, one other possibility is that you are inadvertently pulling back on the laterals just a little when the hill gets steep and thereby not having your drive bands fully engaged. I encourage everyone to conscientiously push the levers ahead when climbing - even, I, when the hills get steep, catch myself pulling back just a little at times.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I don't own a Max, but I do have an ARGO- IF the belt is slipping, it could cause this. Im not an expert at all, but if the belt is too loose, this may not deliver the power to the drive train. The belt spins fast when under power (nothing new) but when you torc it, it drops into the cluth and any slack, causes it to bounce. If the belt is too loose, it could be slipping under high speeds, causing no power to be delivered. WHen the belt bounces, it will likely start hitting something around the area and sheering. this happened with my ARGO last month. Just test the slack and replace the belt if needed. Hope this helps some

good luck