Bearing plate size

[Hillbilly63]

I've just got off the phone with Buffalo Bearing. I have a late 70's MAX IV. They are telling me that there are two different sizes on the outer bearing. One for the older models and one for the newer, he said the size of the plate that holds them was different by app. 3/8 of an inch bigger. My question is, if I get new plates can I use the newer bearing, or will the newer / bigger plates not fit the bolt pattern I have. I haven't gotten home yet to measure mine. Is the bolt pattern the same on ALL max IV's.
Thanks

[thebuggyman1]

Older machines like yours used a 62mm O.D. bearing. Newer machines take a 72mm O.D. bearing. The retaining flanges are different, and have the bolt holes in different spots.
You can upgrade to the newer style larger bearing, but you will have to drill new holes through the body and frame.
MaxIV's also do not use a standard retaining flange. A normal 4 bolt flange has the holes equally distant from each other. MaxIV's flangettes have holes spaced like the 3 bolt flangettes......Same as Argo uses. If you buy new retaining flanges, buy the 3 bolt ones and drill 2 new holes in them.

[ARGOJIM]

Jim, sure that was a typo, all newer Argo's use 4 bolt flanges, the older ones had 4 bolt outers and 2 bolt inners. Sorry for the chime in.

[thebuggyman1]

Jim, sure that was a typo, all newer Argo's use 4 bolt flanges, the older ones had 4 bolt outers and 2 bolt inners. Sorry for the chime in.

Just poorly worded. The older 62mm 4 bolt flanges used by Recreatives share the same bolt pattern as the ones used by Argo. These have the bolt holes spaced similarly to the 3 bolt 62mm standard flangettes. On the larger spaces anyway.
argo bearing ext 3.jpgIMG_0020.jpgIMG_0012.jpg

Hopefully the pictures explain it better.

[Hillbilly63]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll have to measure the ones I took out. The outside rails on the frame that I've got, has been replaced at some point with heavy channel. When they did they might have drilled the holes bigger for the newer bearings, but I doubt it. Is there a big enough improvement to justify the newer flanges and re-drilling the tub and frame? Buffalo still sells both.

[thebuggyman1]

I chose to keep the 62mm bearings on the one in the pictures....but I did make extensions for them.

[ARGOJIM]

If you go with the 62 mm bearing and 4 bolt flangette you could always put the Argo aluminum flange with 2 grease seals ( the lower pictured in first pic ( only the outer piece not the large aluminum casting)).

[Hillbilly63]

I do not have experience with these, so everything I do is a first for me. I like the Argo flanges the look a lot beefier (do you have a ballpark cost or contact?). I would like to extend the bearings if possible also, but just not sure how to accomplish that. There seems to be several ways to do it and I'm not sure (yet) which one is for me. I have a little time, the frame is out getting sandblasted and powder coated, it should be back by next week. In the mean time I have cleaned the tub inside and out and found a 4" gouge once I got all the grease and gunk out. I guess I'll be learning how to use a plastic welder now. I'm glad we have a harbor freight close by.

[countrycummins99]

call adair argo if they have used ones they will sell them to you cheap thats how i got mine for my synthetic bearing upgrade also if i were you and your going through the trouble i would use the argo flanges and put synthetic bearings in your machine since it would be very easy to do and generally cheaper