tracks on Maxll

[Ed1]

Hi everybody. I'm new to this so be patient. I just put Tru Trax composite tracks on my Max ll. I was wondering if anyone knew how much tire pressure I should run. Also I read somewhere that you should remove the front drive chains for more power. Any help will be appreciated.

[Canadian_Zuk]

Yes! Remove the front chains, that was a $300 lesson I learned a few weeks ago. 5 psi is what is usually recomended, but you should really map your tires for circumfrence. Inflate all 6 to 5psi, then measure the circumfrence of each tire. You can then adjust the air pressure until they all measure the same. Add a little are to the smallest tire and take a little out of the largest tires. I wouldn't want to have any tires under 3psi (assuming you have bead locks) and I also wouldn't want any over 8 psi. When all tires measure the same, check the air pressure again on each with an accurate LP tire gauge and write the required PSI directly on each rim for immediate reference going forward.

[Ed1]

Thanks for responding. What was the problem with running the front chains? I tried running 5-6 psi and the tracks were about 1/4" from the body and very tight. I just bought this thing in the spring and don't really know what I'm doing. I don't believe I have bead locks. As far as measuring the tires I assume you mean I need to take the tracks back off.

[Mike]

Since your Max is a 2008 model, it would have come with k-lock (beadlocks) from the factory. Check out this thread: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/tire-...ax-k-rims.html

Edit: Ignore the following comment as it does not apply to plastic tracks

As for removing your front chains, it is recommended to do so when running tracks to help take some of the strain off of your drivetrain. Search the site for chain windup, there are some good threads/posts with detailed explanations. To measure the circumference of the tire, you can leave the tracks on and use a string. With the tires/tracks in the air and your transmission in neutral, place the string on the tire and manually turn it and let it wrap around the tire. Mark where it is and measure it once the string is out.

[Ed1]

Thank you Mike. I appreciate it.

[ARGOJIM]

It would seem most replies addressed common rubber track issues, though I have no max plastic track experience, rubber and plastic guidelines will be different. It may be worth contacting RR for suggestions for tension and tire pressures.

[msafi65]

Trutrax wants about 2" sag under center tire. Common air pressure is 5-6 psi. I don't remove front chains on plastic or segmented(Adair) tracks. Solid rubber tracks on a max always pull front chains.

[Noel Woods]

Yeah plastic tracks are a different animal. I don't think there is a chain wind up issue with either the waffle style tracks or the Adair tracks. I have a Max 2 with the Adair tracks and it works without any kind of chain binding. Before I put the Adair tracks on, it had the factory rubber tracks, wheel extensions, and side bar system. When I acquired the machine, the previous owner ran it with the rubber track system and sure enough the chains locked up and destroyed the sprockets and bearings, luckily it didn't beat a hole through the body. I replaced the front chains and sprockets and one axle and put it back into service and switched to the Adair tracks, and its perfect.

So my belief is, the rubber tracks require removal of the front chains on a Max2 to prevent the chain wind up issue and self-destruction. The rubber tracks put too much torque on the front drivetrain. It shouldn't make much difference in traction as the tracks will grab like nobody's business and with four driven tires, the tracks will work very well with this set up.

[Ed1]

I have a little less than 2" of slack with 2psi in the tires

[Mike]

Thank you Mike. I appreciate it.

Make sure you listen to these other responses and not mine since I mislead you. I updated my post so that I don't mislead anyone else that reads this thread.