By Jim C. on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Our family bought a new MAX waaay back in 1969. As a young kid, I thought it was a blast. HOWEVER, MAX seemed plagued by a variety of mechanical problems. Many of those problems related to the 2 cycle engine, which apparently now ae things of the past.

However, I'm still concerned about the drivetrain. We couldn't go a week it seemed with sprocket/chain/torque converter issues. I drove that ATV daily, BTW (when it was running) Has the reliability/durability of the drivetrain in newer AATV's been improved?

Another bug with the old Max was the Borg Warner transmission/torque converter. We would frequently have problems with slippage; sometimes the Max would come to a stop on hills, with the wheels at a standstill and have insufficient power unless someone got out. And that was with a 20 hp engine. I see many of the new Maxes with 14 hp engines. Do these have enough power to spin all 6 wheels?


My general impression is that the Argo is a better machine, built more "heavy duty" and more reliable. The two speed tranny should solve the above "slipping" problems too.

I'd like to buy a new AATV, I just don't want to work on it 2 hours for every 1 hour I drive it. Your thoughts, please.

Jim

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

Jim, rest assured that the current model Max is an excellent machine. With the splined axles and o-ring chain, you will not have any drive train problems for a long time (longer yet, if you will attend to chain adjustment). The T-20 tranny is still basically the same, but I think your problems were driver or belt related. Your springs must be tight to hold the laterals forward or you must consciously hold the levers forward to keep the bands engaged when climbing. If your bands were engaged, I feel sure your drive belt was slipping (I encourage all to use belt dressing). A 14 hp Max II has plenty of power unless you will be hauling heavy loads up steep hills at high altitudes. Unless you are in slippery terrain, it is hard to spin all six wheels on any max and spinning wheels is not a good idea - you will just dig holes and get stuck. You also need to realize that the torque on the modern machines is significatly improved over that of the 2 strokes (the new machines do not go as fast, but they climb hills slow (or fast) like a goat.

The Argo is most certainly a lot heavier than a Max but IMO heavy is not an advantage. I can't speak for Argo, but if you have to work on a current model max 1 hour out of 150 (aside from changing fluids), I would be surprised. IMO, the two speed tranny is a limitation to experienced operators - it would shorten the learning curve, but why be stuck with an inferior setup just because it is easier to learn on?

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The new AATVs are very different from those in the 70's. Both Max and Argo are very reliable and should get you home every time. Even the 14hp Max II will turn the wheels in most any situation. It is slower than the others. Mine always had enough power to go up a hill no matter how steep. I had very few problems in the three years I owned my Max II. I recommend getting at least the 16hp model so you get solid axles and o-ring chain. Keep the bearings and chains lubed well.
I recently sold my Max and now ride a Polaris Scrambler 500 4x4. I didn't sell the Max for the 4x4 but it was time to move on. The two vehicles are completely different and which is best for you should be determined by your riding style. Both are fun depending on what you are doing. Basically, the Max needs tough terrain to be fun and challenging. I can have fun on my 4x4 in nothing more than a big field. It is fast and furious with non stop action. I never though it would be so much fun to ride balancing the front wheels in the air, but I can't get enough. Both vehicles are tons of fun in the mud and water. Both require good skill to push them to their limit when the going gets tough. I rarely drove my Max in deep water because it was so slow. It's quite a thrill to see how deep I can ride my 4x4. I've pushed the limit and she floats!
Maintenance is the big one. Quads use the latest technology and everything is designed for optimum performance with near zero maintenance. The chains are the biggest maintenance item on a 6x6. Some of the Argos make it easy with auto adjusters so that saves you some work. The Max II is the biggest pain to maintain. Eight chains will require periodic adjustments. You have to pull the floor board and raise the top to reach them. It takes time and you get dirty, but it is simple.
I maintain my 4x4 mostly after I ride all weekend or in mud and water. This involves making and quick run around it with a grease gun and adjusting the chain every few months.
Hope that gets you started.

By Chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jim, I have a Max Buffalo Truck (20HP) and I've had to do no repairs on it yet. Maintenance is a must, chain tension, cleaning, oil changes, etc but it's been very reliable. I use it for work, so it is often towing fallen trees (without a trailer) out of brush to be cut. It then carries them on it's back, and tows a trailer filled with even more cuttings. The power is near amazing and I've not had any slippage problems. The setup looks like it would slip, but it hasn't. From what I've seen of the Argos, they do look to be heavier duty and built better. That said, they also have a bit of plumbing involved and they're higher tech. That allows for more opportunities for things to break. The Max's are very very basic units, nothing high tech about them. Simple transmissions, simple chain drives, simple mechanics. It's also simple to see and monitor for wear, simple to fix and very reliable. I think you'd do fine with either, I opted for the Max because the Buffalo can carry so much on it's back. Haven't regretted it at all.

By argogeru on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jim,
both argo and max are reliable machines, given you properly maintain them. Maintence is the key for reliability. a little maintence every now and then, and you will be fine. these are alot more maintence than a quad, but as was said in a recent discussion, they do 10 times more than a quad.
Max has gone a long way in the last couple of years with splined axles and inner bearings, and they have started using alot better bands in the transmision, all this info is from a factory employee who knows these machines. I would at least go with a 18 hp. motor though. the main problem I have still seen with the t-20 is the bands slipping when climbing hills, alot of that though is ajustment, but t-20s were not designed to pull or hall alot of weight, regardless of whats said, but they are a great transmission for mudding and trail riding, which is what the max is great for.
the argo is also a well built machine, but their problem is the charging system. the brake cooling fan puts to much on the charging system, and if you have one connection that is corroded a little bit, chances are you are going to end up pull starting the machine, happened to me more than once. argos are a good work horse and a good sport machine. Maxes have better rims (k-lock) made by kawasaki, and you will rarely loose a bead. argo rims that have rawhides on them will blow a bead alot easier.
Your best bet is to take a close look at both machines inside and out, test ride both machines untill you can get a good idea of how each one drives, and then flip the coin. It is also going to depend on what you want one for. Hauling the family or hauling the fellas at deer camp and hauling in deer, you cannot beat the conquest. if you want to trail ride and mud, the the max with rawhides or the bigfoot argo will do. It really depends on your use and dont let a dealer or anyone else tell you what you will use it for! these are both good machines, neither machine is a piece of junk anymore like they ALL used to be. good luck on a choice, and shop around.