By Dwight Wehner on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Greetings to all. I finally made it to the owners circle (Used 96 MaxII). Had the Max for 2 days. I have many questions so I'll try to keep this short and to the point. 1. What year did the Max's start coming with solid axles and o-ring chain if you ordered anything above the base model? 2. My Max kind of clanks when I turn I am assuming the bearings on the back axles need replaced. What things should I look for and what are the real critical areas on the machine that need to be maintained. 3. Where can I get a owners manual and a parts book.

Thanks for all your help.
Dwight

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

Dwight, Welcome to the world of skid steer!

Solid axles (except on the 450 T) became standard during early (February?) 1998 for the Max II: O-ring chains weren't available on the II until later in the year - probably September.

Your clanking is probably chains. To check your bearings and to adjust the chains, get all tires off the ground (block up machine) so they will rotate freely. To check the bearings, grip the sides of the tire and try to move the wheel side to side (check both vertical and horizontal axis) - if there is significant play, you have a bad bearing. Would be a good idea to check the bearing bolts for uniform tightness and to grease the outer bearings while you have the machine blocked up (grease and bolts correctly tightened will keep vehicle water tight) if they are OK.

Make sure the chain trough is clean (no mud, rocks, wrenches, drill bits, ammo, plastic bags, seatbelts, rags, etc., etc. Make sure the chain adjusters are not gunked up and the spring is working correctly. Find the tight spot in each chain by rotating the wheels by hand - when you know where the tight spot is, slide the adjuster (up or down) at that point until it almost touches the chain (better just a hair too loose rather thatn a hair too tight). Make sure the chain moves freely and move on to the next chain (each chain has its own tight spot). The jack shaft uses bolts to adjust the chain tension (Are seperate bolts that hold it in position and that adjust it - so make sure holding bolts are loose before turning adjusting bolts). Keep your chain troughs clean and chains properly adjusted and you will get longer chain life - don't use too much lubricant (it will make a mess in the bottom of your machine and attract crud of all kinds).

Try Richard for manuals and parts books - Recreatives Indusstries and all Max dealers can also supply your needs.

Don't forget that there is a learning curve with the Max. Take a little time to understand what happens and remember what doesn't work. The Max is a finesse machine (speed and power will just get you in deeper). Certain noises are normal and a keen ear will alert you to adjustments before they are problems.