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Message |
    
Bill cripe
Junior Member
Username: Bcripe
Post Number: 11
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 148.64.161.186
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:17 pm: | 
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Well I am getting ready to buy a Max II. I found a dealer that has both the 18 and 23 in stock that are already set up for tracks. Now the big question is which one? Have any of you guys driven both? Could you tell a big difference? I live at about 3000 feet and plan to use it with tracks in the snow in the mountains probably pulling a sled some of the time. I also will use it for light farm duties such as hauling water, spraying with an ATV sprayer, seeding with a pull behind seeder, etc. I have the old 14 horse that I have given up on. No matter how many times I have it in the shop it always snaps and pops when turning. Is a new one going to do that?
Thanks alot,
Bill |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Intermediate Member
Username: Fred4dot
Post Number: 75
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 216.166.168.53
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 02:40 pm: |
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Bill, I'd suggest going with the biggest engine if you are going to be tracked. At 3000 feet you won't lose much power to elevation, but 5 extra horses are almost 1/3 more. You can't have too much HP when tracks are mounted.
I'm not sure I understand what your popping and snapping is. If it's coming from the chains, it is probably sprockets or chain completely stretched out. Have you checked your adjusters to make sure they are free of gunk and staying where they are put? You won't have that with a new machine right away, but as things wear you get more noises, especially if the sprockets go bad or chain gets worn out. If it is tranny noise, it can be alleviated by using friction modifier or it can just be ignored. |
Bill cripe
Junior Member
Username: Bcripe
Post Number: 12
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 148.64.161.186
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 07:02 pm: |
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Hi Fred, Thanks. I had all of the chains replaced this past winter. It appears that the jackshaft to tranny chains may actually be defective? Many of the links will not move. Im not sure how the mechanic didnt see that or if it has happened because the jackshaft still is not shimmed properly? The chain tensioners are clean and holding and the main chains look good and are adjusted properly. I wish you lived closer. I would bring it to you. I dont really have time to take it back to the tractor shop for two weeks since Im right in the middle of work season. Id also like to check out your Max IV.
Thanks,
Bill |
Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon Price)
Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 34
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 69.27.205.41
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 07:58 pm: |
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Bill, I know what you are talking about with all those popping noises and constant trouble with those older vehicles. They just weren't made well enough back in those days to run smooth and maintenance free for long. I've had older 6x6s (not just Maxs) with all new chains that still pop, mostly when turning. I think this is sprocket/bearing wear that is allowing chains to be slightly out of alignment while under high torque. I had a Max IV at Deepwater that would pop on turns. It never bothered anything and would actually quiet down after hours of riding, but the noise would come right back the next day!
All my new vehicles and those only a few years old run very quiet. The splined axles and o-ring chains are the best improvement the Maxs have ever seen. You'll be real happy with the 23hp running tracks. |
Bill cripe
Junior Member
Username: Bcripe
Post Number: 13
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 148.64.161.186
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:42 am: |
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Thanks Brandon, My poor old Max II is only a 99. I do know that it was repaired incorrectly and I just dont have the capability to repair it correctly. But really its not what I need so that I can drive it in the winter with tracks. Working it around the "ranch" is pretty hard on it too. I did take it on a 20 mile trip last weekend. Its not too fast. My GPS said 21 mph on the flats and 27 mph going down a pretty steep hill. But then again, my throttle cable is jacked up again. I bought a "no freeze" bike cable that sort of melted to the cable I think? Its pretty stiff.
Have you actually driven a 23 hp? Has anybody? How hard is it to get in and out of the all weather cover and windshield? Is it pretty tight?
Thanks,
BC |
Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon Price)
Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 36
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 69.27.205.31
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 01:12 pm: |
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The first new Max I bought was also a '99 just like yours (a 450T). It was a great machine when brand new. By 2002 I had that thing tore up from the floor up. That wouldn't have happened if I had taken better care of it. I should have spent a little more money and got the 500T with splined axles and o-ring chain. I didn't know the importance of those parts back then.
I have driven all the Maxs except the Buffalo. The 23hp Max II has more power than that machine can use. That engine is "enough" in the Max IV, even with the bigger tires and additional weight of that machine. The 23hp engine seems like it would never bog down on a II with 22" tires and the light weight of that machine. Tracks might change that since they do take some real power to run. The 16hp is my best selling Max II followed closely by the 18hp II(I think the 16hp is Recreative's #2 seller, 27hp Max IV is #1). I have only very recently sold my first 23hp Max II and that's the one I'm taking to Colorado in a few weeks. I think the price difference between the 18hp and 23hp makes most people take the 18hp. Nobody in this area runs tracks and the Briggs offers plenty of power for this terrain.
The canvas top does make it a little more difficult to get in. Some of your 'step in' room is taken up by the windshield support. I think it just takes some getting used to, no big deal. |
Rogersmith
Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 45
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 4.244.87.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 07:12 pm: |
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I drove a maxII 23hp at a ride. I'm an argo 8 owner. The 23 was fun, plenty of power, although didn't feel overpowered. If you can afford it, get it. |
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