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John Hunter
Junior Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 14
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 02:11 pm: | |
I'm strating this post in hopes of getting a huge database of info that is important for new owners of these atvs. Hopefully bringing together these tips will make a good starting point for new owners to get all the enjoyment out of this great hobby while keeping their machine safe and reliable. Maybe if this turns out good it can get posted as a FAQ or on top as a sticky. |
John Hunter
Junior Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 15
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 02:14 pm: | |
Tip 1
If you dont have one, buy the manual for your macine.
Tip 2
Check your chain for proper tension. Retighten if necessary. Make sure all chains are in proper alignment. |
Chuck McGhee
Member
Username: Chuck_050382
Post Number: 25
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.170.193.98
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 02:40 pm: | |
tip 3:
make sure your plugs are in before trying to float. |
Bud Dunn
Member
Username: Budtx
Post Number: 27
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 167.230.104.90
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 03:59 pm: | |
Tip 4. After checking the tension, keep your chains clean and properly lubricated with o-ring chain lube.
Tip 5. If you drive a Max, keep your axle bearings lubed regularly. |
Howard Hoover
Member
Username: Howard_hoover
Post Number: 29
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 4.161.109.45
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 03:47 am: | |
Tip 6. Before putting any fuel in the plastic gas tank, remove it and check for plastic shavings from any drilling for the fuel lines. This will save you some headaches down the road because if there are any in there like I had in mine they will work there way all the way up to the fuel filter and possibly clog the line also. Because one things for sure the factory doesn't check and they probably don't care either at least at Recreatives anyway because I informed them of the problem and they didn't act very concerned. |
jim stefanowicz
Member
Username: Maxindetroit1
Post Number: 24
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 205.188.116.8
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 12:10 pm: | |
Tip 7----Never leave home without a set of spare plugs, and a wrench to remove and install them. |
John Hunter
Junior Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 16
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 01:21 pm: | |
Tip 8. If you bought a used machine, definitely drain the tank, and put in fresh fuel. Of the two machines i have, one had very old fuel that had varnished the carburetor and fuel pump. The other machine (a fairly clean looking fairly new max II) wouldn't run very good, and sometimes after running, it would die and wouldnt start again. We put some heat in it to see if it had a little bit of water in the fuel lines, and still had the same problem. We then shined a flashlight at the bottom of the tank and looked thru the filler hole and found about a gallon of rusty sludge in the tank. We then drained the tank, put in fresh fuel and the thing preforms flawlessly(untill the throttle cable broke!) The saw shop i go to says the first thing he does when someone brings in a saw, lawnmower or any other machine, is change the fuel. He says that fixes about 50% of the machines that come in there. Even at $3.00 a gallon, it is the cheapest part of our machines to change out.
9. If your machine doesnt have one install a fuel filter close to the fuel tank. They are cheap and easy to add on. If your machine has one, change it out. They are like $3.00 and worth every penny. |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 129
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 209.226.251.102
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 03:20 pm: | |
Howard HOOVER, You advice is very good. Beehoo Industries in Streetsville Ont. repaired the 2 stroke in my Amphicat under warranty because shavings in the tank caused the engine to seize when it starved for fuel going downhill,over 35 years ago. I don,t agree that R. I. don,t check and don,t care. If they didn,t care I suspect that they wouldn,t be in business, wouldn,t show up at rides like Olean N.Y. with parts and advice for whoever needs them and open their plant doors to Owners with a repair problem like you'r a member of the damned family. They also answer the phone with unlimited advice and are willing to put the parts on a bus to you if you need them quick. If you know for sure that they don,t care,you have a right to express your feelings, but I have 2 1/2 years of experience with no nearby dealers (Canada is Argo Country) and several happy experiences with the factory. W. Philip Cox |
Howard Hoover
Member
Username: Howard_hoover
Post Number: 30
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 4.161.108.106
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 04:26 am: | |
Philip, thanks for the thumbs up on my advice but I am just speaking from experience they may not be like that towards everyone but that was my experience. It could have been that I did not buy it new I got it in a trade from a guy not too far from me at the time, and it was only about 2 years old or so not that many hours on it. As far as I could tell the tank had never been off before I took it off and it hadn't been redrilled or anything like that. If I recall correctly at the time they told me that they never had any reason to check before. I don't know what year they switched from metal to plastic tanks but maybe it was one of the first year or two that they switched to plastic tanks not realizing the potential problem, or just failure to check? When I told them about the problem they didn't say well I'll sure let some one know about the problem and sorry for any inconvenience or thanks for making us aware of the problem! it was just basically thanks for calling. The machine I had at the time was a 91 Max II I believe, with a 16hp B&S. I have since had an older model with the 18HP 2 cycle Rockwell JLO. I never stuck either one but was not satisfied with the power of either one of them for climbing hills. |
John Hunter
Junior Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 18
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 08:43 am: | |
Tip 10 If you bought a used machine, change all fluids (oil and transmision) When was the last time the used one you bought changed? Probably never! |
John Hunter
Junior Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 19
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 09:16 am: | |
Tip 11
If you purchased a used machine, now would probably be a good time to give it a good cleaning. Remove the floor pan and the upper body (if possible) and wash that thing out real good. make sure the are no rocks, sticks or other debris in there. Anything in there can get inbetween chains and sprockets and cause major damage and embarrassment, not to mention having to walk back in the dark.
Tip 12
While you have that floor pan out, inspect and adjust the brakes. Replace any worn or damaged parts of course. |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Fred4dot
Post Number: 149
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 216.166.168.53
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:44 am: | |
TTip 10.1
Lube your throttle cable, choke cable and ignition key slot. For your cables, use a cable luber or compressed air to remove the old lube and gravity to re-fill the cavity with new lube (remember that water is heavier than any lubricant and will make its way to the low spots and stay there until it is forced out either with an excess of new lube, air pressure or drained out by hanging).
If a cable freezes, never force it as you will just break it.
Tip 11.1
Anytime you wash out the inside of your machine, be careful not to get water in the key slot, the choke cable or the throttle cable as they will all freeze and need to be removed and hung so gravity can completely remove all the water and re-lubed. Be sure to re-lube your bearings and re-lube your chain. Be careful using high pressure sprays as they can force dirt into areas that should not have dirt. Use compressed air to dry the inside if temperatures don't allow for rapid water evaporation. Spray WD-40 or similar product all over the inside to prevent rust and corrosion (SFR's Protecta is the best spray lube I have found and when it dries, it leaves an "invisible to the eye" film). |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 288
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 71.244.170.248
Rating:
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 08:49 pm: | |
Tip 12: Always use Sta-Bil or a fuel additive to keep the fuel from turning to varnish. This is a big problem and gets brought up on the forum frequently.
Tip 13: Attach an automatic float or trickle charger to the battery when parked.
Tip 14: Keep a cover on the machine, especially when parked outside. Some people have let their machine fill with rain water...then let it freeze.
Tip 15: Get a torque wrench and torque down the flange bolts and other bolts...do it on new and used machine regularly. I have seen a new max come from the factory with one side tight and one side loose. This included flanges and chain tensioners. I saw a driven clutch come off an Argo once because the bolt holding it on fell out.
Tip 16: Get a low pressure tire pressure gauge and use it before every ride, changes in elevation, and changes in temperature. The guys in the mountains, like Fred, can attest to the necessity. This is especially important with tracks.
Tip 17: Keep the machine locked down with a supplemental lock or theft prevention. I used a lock through the disc brake on an Argo and use a lock around the chains on the Max. The machines are hard to push and roll, but it can be done. So do some theft prevention to keep it from getting stolen. It can still be stolen but make it a hard target. |
Dave Keeso
Intermediate Member
Username: Argomag
Post Number: 68
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 69.194.126.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:39 pm: | |
Don't wait for something to fail- when you check your machine, and/or replacing failed or worn out parts, check everything over and anything in need of replacement, do it- don't wait- one thing goes, another will shortly after if not repaired. When the manual says to perform a complete inspection of all drive components, do it- their is a reason they give you a service guide, use it. |
Runningwstorms
New member
Username: Runningwstorms
Post Number: 9
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.218.139.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:08 am: | |
Always follow the recommended maintenance schedule that should come with the paperwork of every machine bought. You do it with all your other cars/trucks/suv's and an AATV should be no exception.
A well maintained ride, is a ride with very few problems and or breakdowns. |
Runningwstorms
Junior Member
Username: Runningwstorms
Post Number: 10
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.218.139.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:14 am: | |
If you can't do the maintainance yourself, don't let it go not being maintained. Take it to your Dealer and have them do the maintainence, as they all should know exactly what to check for during any maintainence done for these types of machines. Granted, this will cost a bit more, but saftey is a major concern, just as much as not having breakdowns happen anywhere off-road. |
John Hunter
Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 24
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.34.204.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 12:08 pm: | |
Tip 21
Hey, change that air filter! It looks like to me the last time it was changed was probably never! |
Runningwstorms
Junior Member
Username: Runningwstorms
Post Number: 16
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.218.139.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:24 am: | |
Before every trip out, always check your tire pressure and make sure all tires have the same pressure, otherwise they may pull you to one side or the other. Also a good thing to check is the tightness of all wheel lugs, to recommended torque limits.
It could turn out to be a real bad day if your running a narrow ridge, and your tires keep trying to pull you in any direction other than straight. Especailly is that ridge is say 50' up, with very steep banks along it's sides.
Check you tire pressure before Every ride! |
John Hunter
Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 27
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.68.106.95
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 01:57 pm: | |
Tip 23
If your machine stops all of the sudden or malfunctions, stop and take a look. Don't force it, that will only make the problem worse.
Dont ask me how i know this! |
John Hunter
Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 28
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 69.68.106.95
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 01:59 pm: | |
Tip 23
If your machine stops all of the sudden or malfunctions, stop and take a look. Find out what is wrong and see if you can correct it. Don't force it, that will only make the problem worse.
Dont ask me how i know this! |
david berger
Senior Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 321
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 70.22.134.50
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 05:55 pm: | |
john i bet i know a few of thoughs reasons!
i used to force mine!
today i finaly got the fraim out of my maxII,
it's defenatly toast.
next fraim has to be strenthend before i put it in, tip 23 is a good one,
i hope i remember it the next time it comes up on me. |
Anonymous
Posted From: 71.199.109.107
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 10:49 pm: | |
And don't forget "Keep the rubber side down" |
John Hunter
Member
Username: Rotten
Post Number: 33
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 71.0.57.163
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 08:02 am: | |
And the shiny side up! (okay the plastic side, no, the side with the seats up!) |
david berger
Senior Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 334
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 72.85.132.201
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 01:01 pm: | |
just a DSL test folks |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 155
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 216.208.194.71
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:48 pm: | |
No thanks David, I don,t know what a dsl is BUT i THINK MINE IS O.K W. Philip |
david berger
Senior Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 337
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 72.85.132.201
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 09:04 am: | |
im switching from dialup to broadband internet connection, and it's not going too smoothly,
i was looking for the # that chainged:
posted from:72.85.132.201
it dosent automaticly set in my new pc and i took it from rt6x6 and put it in manualy, still dosent work yet though. |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 158
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 216.208.194.120
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:46 am: | |
I,m envious, we are still on dial-up and it,s slooow. The only option here is very expensive.Good luck with your broadband-Will you be able to ship 6 wheeler movies even faster now? Philip |
david berger
Senior Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 338
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 72.85.132.201
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 04:25 pm: | |
posably,
maybe some demo's.
but it's not working in the prefered pc.
on that pc i might still need the dreded dialup.
too badd too because i had planned to use it strictly online!
it's a linux operating system wich is free of the endless updateing and security problems asociated with windows operating systems.
too bad DSL comes with 1 full year requirment.
i think the salesmen lied to me about supporting linux systems.
no matter i will figure it all out. |
Driving Tips and Techniques