Max IV 900T

[argohunter]

Why did RI drop the Max IV 900T that had the Kohler Command 25 hp engine? Can anyone comment with their experiences with this model and tell me about this model. Was it due to problems with this engine or what? Any information about this model is welcome both pro and con.

[jerrynuss]

No problems that is a great machine. There was just no need to keep so many models in the line up and with the 27hp coming out, and the 29hp planned ,they were cutting costs.

To get good prices on engines companies will need to buy large lots of them. I have spoken with a manufacturer and he told me he has to buy 100 engines at a time.

So with the Max IV being offered with the 16hp, 18hp, 23hp, 25hp, 27hp and now the 29hp the decision was made to eliminate a model. The 25hp is redundant to the 23hp and there was no benefit for the factory to keep the 25hp.

The 16hp, 18hp, and 23hp can be used in the Max II, Max IV, and the Buffalo. The 25hp was only used in the 900T so the decision was made to drop that engine and model from the line up.

The Max II 450T model was also discontinued for 2008 because it used the 14hp and no other model used that engine. Also it had the older style axles so it was a business decision to stop production of the 450T.

Just like the IV900T the II450T is a great little machine and there is nothing wrong with them, it was just not good business to produce so many different models when other models had most of the same features.

[philipatmaxfour]

Max IV 900T

Why did RI drop the Max IV 900T that had the Kohler Command 25 hp engine? Can anyone comment with their experiences with this model and tell me about this model. Was it due to problems with this engine or what? Any information about this model is welcome both pro and con.

One little thing that Jerry didn't mention is the high speed clutch. Since the 25 air cooled Kohler has loads of bottom end torque, RI used a different clutch compared to the 18 briggs or 23 Kohler.It's a smokin' machine if I could just learn to keep it upright.

[argohunter]

No problems that is a great machine. There was just no need to keep so many models in the line up and with the 27hp coming out, and the 29hp planned ,they were cutting costs.

Just like the IV900T the II450T is a great little machine and there is nothing wrong with them, it was just not good business to produce so many different models when other models had most of the same features.

One little thing that Jerry didn't mention is the high speed clutch. Since the 25 air cooled Kohler has loads of bottom end torque, RI used a different clutch compared to the 18 briggs or 23 Kohler.It's a smokin' machine if I could just learn to keep it upright.

Hey Jerry and Phillip I do appreciate your remarks and opinions. I kind of thought that may be the case with the engine line up. It seems to me I drove a 900T when they first came out and I liked it then. I see Brandon mentioned something about the 900T in response to another post and he liked it.

There is a 2000 900T for sale that I saw listed in the paper. I'm not shopping for another but I could not resist the desire to check it out because the asking price was inviting. It's right about at the NADA guide average retail price, if a person is so inclined to be guided by the NADA prices. Options that I know about are 26" tires and a windshield.

The local economy here is like every where else, slow. This may be a good deal and it may not be. I am seeing more Max and Argo machines for sale up here in the last 6 months than I have in the last 7 years. Most of them are private sales and are 1-3 year old machines.

[mudbug3]

Why did RI drop the Max IV 900T that had the Kohler Command 25 hp engine? Can anyone comment with their experiences with this model and tell me about this model. Was it due to problems with this engine or what? Any information about this model is welcome both pro and con.

argohunter ,


I bought a 900T , 25 hp , Max IV, from the factory in 2003 , and have not had a moments problem with it , or its performance . I,ve been very pleased with its performance for what I use it for . Mainly trail rding and water crossings .I don,t pull any thing with it , other than pulling 4-wheelers out of mud holes ,and it is quite sufficent for this . Plus , I like the simplicity of the Kolier , 25 hp , motor over the more advanced Kawasaki , 27 hp ,water cooled ,and the 29 hp , fuel injected . But, this is just my personal preference , because when I,m deep into no mans land , I like simple

[argohunter]

argohunter ,


I bought a 900T , 25 hp , Max IV, from the factory in 2003 , and have not had a moments problem with it , or its performance . I,ve been very pleased with its performance for what I use it for . Mainly trail rding and water crossings .I don,t pull any thing with it , other than pulling 4-wheelers out of mud holes ,and it is quite sufficent for this . Plus , I like the simplicity of the Kolier , 25 hp , motor over the more advanced Kawasaki , 27 hp ,water cooled ,and the 29 hp , fuel injected . But, this is just my personal preference , because when I,m deep into no mans land , I like simple

I did a search for this model in the forums so I knew you had a 900T, therefore I read all of your posts and it sounded like you were happy with yours. The seller is a marine dealer and he sent some pictures today. It's not a 2000 because the pictures show the round headlights and the open top engine cover so I know it's older. I am trying to help another site member find a decent machine to buy that is in our general area. This one is a 4 hour round trip away so it pays to do the research before you make the trip. If he buys a machine, then maybe I can get someone to ride with. I am trying to get the serial number so I can call RI and find out what year it really is.

[argohunter]

Do you happen to know what year RI introduced the 900T in the Max IV lineup? I can't find any data on a 900T before the 2000 model year.

[mad_max_500cc]

I think it was in 2000 when they introduced the 25 kohler, i also believe that was the year they went to rectangular headlights and changed the upper body slightly to move the seat back an inch or so.... but id have to ask one of the guys from ri to be shure..... my memory is shot i dont even rember what i had for lunch!??? love the 25hp kohler i have one stuffed into a max 2. the speed is great with the high speed clutch and the throttle response is better than a briggs23 due to the acellerator pump built into the carb!! only thing that buggs me is when you shut it off it tends to backfire unless you hold the throttle open (scares the dog sometimes, and the deer and the turkeys!)

[mad_max_500cc]

thats when the turkeys arent driveing or rideing with me!!!

[argohunter]

I think it was in 2000 when they introduced the 25 kohler, i also believe that was the year they went to rectangular headlights and changed the upper body slightly to move the seat back an inch or so.... but id have to ask one of the guys from ri to be shure..... my memory is shot i dont even rember what i had for lunch!??? love the 25hp kohler i have one stuffed into a max 2. the speed is great with the high speed clutch and the throttle response is better than a briggs23 due to the acellerator pump built into the carb!! only thing that buggs me is when you shut it off it tends to backfire unless you hold the throttle open (scares the dog sometimes, and the deer and the turkeys!)

I think you are correct about the 2000 year having the changes made to the lights and seat position. What's bugging me is that this one for sale is listed as a 2000 900T. It should have the changes you mentioned. I went on the premise that it was a 2000 until I saw the pictures as I mentioned in one of the earlier posts. If I can get the serial number, maybe RI can solve the mystery. The machine does have the Kohler 25 according to the seller.

Some of those Argo Response B&S motors used to backfire all the time too. Something to do with idling down too quick befoe turning off the key I think I was told. Keeps those turkeys/deer/dogs and people on the edge eh? Thanks for the info.

[argohunter]

It is a 2000 900T

Well, I was wrong, I called RI and they checked the serial number I gave them and told me it was a 2000 900T that was built in April 2000. Paula at RI was very helpful and also had good words to say about jpswift1. You know, they love it when you stop in to talk, Jeff.

I guess that the changes came later into the 2000 model year or in the 2001 Max IV model line. I have a 2001 Max II and it has the rectangular headlights.

The next question is about the engine cover shroud. Is the back of this 900T missing some additional covering over the engine and shouldn't there be a wire or metal cage or something like that over that muffler? I know that the new ones have a redesigned cover that address this.

Does anyone know if the newer Max IV engine cover would be a direct replacement for this one. I don't like the idea of a hot muffler being exposed the way this one is.

[jpswift1]

Hey Argohunter, the folks up at RI are all such great people and they are all so very helpful. Tell Paula that I said hello if you talk to her again. I really love talking to everyone up at RI. Everytime I go up there for parts I spend hours exchanging AATV news and stories with everyone.

As far as the Max IV engine cover goes, I am pretty sure that they are all universal fit. I bought an engine cover from a 2006 Max IV and it fit perfectly on a 1981 model that I sold a couple years back. I saw that wire cage that you were talking about on some of the Briggs Vanguards in the Max IV, but I'm not sure if I saw one on the Kohler before......I can't remember. If I were you I would probably just fabricate a wire cage or heat shield/guard and order one of the newer Max IV engine covers that are a little bit taller which would cover the engine and exhaust a little better.

[argohunter]

Yes they are

Hey Argohunter, the folks up at RI are all such great people and they are all so very helpful. Tell Paula that I said hello if you talk to her again. I really love talking to everyone up at RI. Everytime I go up there for parts I spend hours exchanging AATV news and stories with everyone.

I just knew if I mentioned this, you could not resist to respond and then you would read my question and answer this post. Pretty sneaky without having to come right out and ask you, wouldn't you say?

Hey Jeff, yes they are nice people and they really are so helpful. Paula mentioned that I should say hi to you for her. The gals love it when you come in and talk , that's really what she told me.

I was actually thinking along the same lines regarding the use of a newer engine cover with a fabricatd heat shield underneath. Thanks for your ideas.

I am thinking about picking up this machine if the price it right. I have yet to see it and check it out.

[jpswift1]

Here is a Max IV on ebay and it looks like this is the stock set up on the muffler with the 25 Kohler. Take a look.

eBay Motors: Max IV 6 wheel amphibious ATV,Argo (item 260225677282 end time Apr-06-08 20:12:52 PDT)

[argohunter]

Yep, it sure looks the same doesn't it? Thanks for the photo tip on this. Saves a lot of research, although I enjoy 6x6 research.