transmission adjustment tool

[mudbug3]

I currently own a 2003 Max IV 900T with 56 hours on it. Since it was new from the factory, I could always turn left or right in foward, with out moving. But,,,if I tried to turn left or right in reverse,,I,d have to be rollng backwards, slowly , to change directions in reverse. I ordered some transmission adjusting tools from Richard Clark at Route 6x6.

After adjusting the plungers on the transmission, top and bottom,,left and right, with these tools, my Max can now turn left or right without moving.in reverse I know this is how a Max is supposed to operate, but since new, my Max IV never did.


I also loosened up the springs, so they have very little spring tension at the sticks. Doing this made a BIG difference in how my Max turns now. I can now "feel" the transmission bands as they begin to engage. It does not take much pull back on the sticks either , to feel the bands engage.

With hardly any spring tension on the sticks ,I can now feel the bands begin engage on the opposite side I,m turning on ,,and this enables me to roll the opposite wheels slowly, with out skid steering them.

[MaxRules]

Although I don't believe a person needs any tools to adjust a T-20, I'll comment on the spring tension of new Maxs. I have a 'like new' 27hp Max IV and the sticks are extremely tight. Driving it for just a short time is a real workout. I also have an '02 Max II. The springs have been loosened and it is much more enjoyable to drive. Of course with loose springs, I have to be sure to push forward on the sticks when the vehicle is doing a slow turn or climbing a hill. It's always a good idea to push the sticks forward to firmly enguage the bands during high torque monuvers anyway.

[mudbug3]

Brandon,

What I like about the loose springs,,is the " feel " I have at the sticks as the bands slowly engage. I guess this all depends on personal preference, but for me,, I like the springs loose. I am also aware that you need to push the sticks all the way foward when climbing hills , so the bands will engage properly.

[hydromike]

Just to chime in about springs.... it's EXTREMELY weird to drive a RIM or a Max with the springs on the laterals after you've been driving something like an Attex (no springs) for so long. When a lot of the higher-performance oriented folks (you know who you are) start talking about going fast on tracks and such, one of the more common responses is how unsafe it is going fast, and how you don't have control at those speeds. Quite the contrary....

Without springs, I can feather a band in and out of engagement very, very carefully at 45+mph, and can make some pretty darn quick/safe maneuvers at those speeds as well. I drove my RIM a total of 5 minutes with the springs on. If it's the first thing you ever drove, it's logical. It's really feels like I'm wrestling with a wet blanket with springs, though.

Just my two cents, and a little off topic.
~m