why do my chains keep breaking

[flippy]

I have an older max 2 with #40 chain-Dont have many problems in snow or mud but when I took the max out today to rescue my old garden tractor that broke a drive belt-First thing that happened was the left rear chain broke-Fine I thought I still have 2 front wheel and 3 wheel drive on my right-next thing that happened the front left chain broke-Ok I see what happened-the t20 transmission top left chain adjusting stud got yanked right through the frame of the transmission-the nut and washer pulled right downward and forced themselves through the tranny bracket-ok I fixed that with a come along while in the field -got the one center lefthand wheel moving so I figure I am good to go with 3 good axles on the right and 1 center axle on the left-I start to tow my tractor and then the center chain on the rh side that drives all the rh axles breaks!!-What a long miserable day-I buy my #40 chain at tractor supple-I have 6 new at101 tires-a honda 13hp engine that runs great-Is the hard dry earth with all the tall brush just 2 much for the #40 chain??

[jerseybigfoot]

The tires are pretty aggressive for 40 chain. I run a Scrambler with a 12 hp Tec and 40 chain but use Runamucks. No problem with any of the drive components. You can upgrade to 420nz depending on the thickness of the sprockets. its about the strongest 40 series non o-ring chain available. 430 o-ring will also fit. check that your sprockets are in good condition. if the Sprockets are worn out and the chain slips it will break

[ARGOJIM]

Towing with the 40 chain may be the problem, the Garden tractor (pre compact tractor and not a lawn mower) may also be the problem. If you are trying to tow a 600lb Bolens with out the Diff. unlocked, that would be like towing a 600-700 lb downed tree with a 40 chain machine, which probably would result in said results.
If the tractor is rolling freely in neutral(pushable) Id say you have a machine driveline issue, if not it is a limitation issue.

Keep us up on this as too much traction is a limitation issue.

[flippy]

Garden tractor was a sears ss12 with weights and tire chains-heavy duty 48 inch deck that I was brush hogging with-the tractor did great for a couple hours I just over did it trying to mow down some saplings-got stuck and the belt broke-The chain problems started before I even made it to the tractor-I have 3 acres that I am trying to clear and my wife and I took the max 2 out last monday and drove around with no problems-I was using the max as a tank to push the 3 foot tall weeds and brush down so that I could use my walk behind brush cutter-I had no problems before in tall unkempt bush and I even slammed into a large tree that was laying in the bush-the max went over it and it was a bumpy ride and nothing broke but today everything was cut cut short and brown-almost like desert so I am thinking without the wheel slippage something had to give- The chain was well lubed with no kinks -I have new bearings but I have a couple axles with inner frame bushings with some play in them-I am kicking my self for replacing all the outer bearings and never even thought about the inner bushings-Maybe I need to upgrade to bigger sprockets or just not use it on dry conditions-kind of bummed about the deal because I wanted to get a lot of use out of the max and I was happy to finally have my own land to make trails etc-If you think stronger chain will work I will give it a try but wondering if I should look for a machine with a stronger drive line-I really like the t20 but the middle axle sprocket drivine the other 2 axles with #40 chain just doesnt seem to durable-of course I have no idea what year I have its probably from the 70's

[ARGOJIM]

Def. 70's and probably pre 80, if you can find or make 50 chain sprockets and convert the machine you would be basically the same as pre 97/98. Don't give up unless you find a newer one cheap.

They are fun and nimble.

[amphibious drew]

That tractor supply chain is junk. If you can make it down to the races, you could probably score newer sprockets for your machine. I know I am bringing at least 2 sets of #50 sprockets with me.

[LarryW]

I have ran my attex 1st gen machines with nice Goodyear rawhide terra and 16hp honda clone and pulled yanked 6 wheel burnouts, neutral slamming wheelies and any other abuse. Never broke a good new tsc 40# chain. Only chain I ever broke was older rusty ones that you could barely bend. I have broke hubs and shear bolts. Maybe my machine is light enough to get away with it. But I wonder if you have another issue. Make sure your sprockets are lined up. Idk. Good luck!

[LarryW]

Here is an example of my abuse, lol. I have pulled or tryed to pull heavy logs, etc. Tires spin when its to much for it.

[flippy]

I think I figured it out,I have 2 jeep bucket seats mounted together and fastened above the t20-that with the brackets weigh 80 lbs-add my weight of 220 and my sons weight of 165 and thats over 400 bouncing around-I think my seat go slammed down on top of the t20 top adjustment bolt and thats why the trans got yanked down and then the chain broke-I am going to go back to the light weight bench seat-my machine is max 2 but I have it transplanted to a scrambler body -I had a scrambler with a 16hp briggs flat twin that did not break #40 chains but the lack of reverse was a real pain so I sold it and built what I have now.I will repost how my next ride goes-after a good nights sleep my ambition has returned.thanks for all the replys

[Noel Woods]

I figured it was something like that. Yes, the TSC chains are cheap and inferior to chains by Diamond and Tsubaki, but I've seem them last a long time, the main problem you see with cheapy chain is premature stretch.

[flippy]

Ok I have examined my machine and have found the problem -it was my sprockets being bad-The chain broke-got wrapped around the rear axle sprocket and frame and jammed into the metal frame-this I believe caused the front chain to brake get wrapped around the center sprocket then yanked the t20 down -anyway the chains all did brake at the master link.My plan is to buy new weld a hub sprockets and weld them to the old sprockets -using the old sprocket as a hub after cutting it down-Has anyone done this?-I dont want to sound like a hack but I just dont have the cash for new original max sprocket with hub assemblys-I will need to get 8 sprockets -I am going to add inner axle flange bearings also- Kicking myself for not doing this 2 years ago when I did the frame transplant and new outer bearings but I was in a big hurry to get it done and drive it-just to see if the project would work-I really would like to upgrade to #50 sprockets and chain but then I wonder if that might lead to the shear bolts in the axles breaking.-

[Noel Woods]

Flippy:

We have all made the mistake of rushing a machine into service without restoring what we know we should have, I've learned my lesson several times over.

The upgrade to #50 shouldn't have an impact on the shear bolts, if anything it might improve the situation.

[flippy]

ok thanks for the help

[ART]

HI can 50 chain be used all the way around on a max II this is all new to me .......ART

[Surfer Dude]

HI can 50 chain be used all the way around on a max II this is all new to me .......ART

Depends on how old of a machine. Early machines used #40 chain to the axles. And machines from around 1980 and newer used #50 from the tranny to the jackshaft (shaft above the center axles) then #60 from the jackshaft to the center axle and #50 again from center axles to front and rear of machine. Which is a very recommended upgrade to anyone with a very old machine. And from about 2000 and newer they switched to o-ring chains which were essentially #50 chain with o-rings and call530 chain