Max IV Speed Mods

[mightymaxIV]

I understand the idea of a larger diameter on the engine's clutch, if indeed this is what it is. My question is what's happening on the t20's clutch. Does it have unused travel right now, 'cause it's gonna need it.

The belt moves inward on the T-20 clutch the belt outward on the engine clutch increasing the gear ratio or raising the gear ratio.(more speed)

[fulleraviation]

Test of New High Speed Clutch

Received my new clutch today. Install took about 1/2 a hour. Inserted photos depict the stock clutch on the left and the new high speed on the right. The high speed clutch allows the belt to ride almost all the way to the top unlike the stock. Low end seems about the same, but will need to try some extreme hill climbs.

Speed? Oh yeah baby!! Big Time!! I hit 34mph at 4,500rpm. Didn't have long to ride though. I think that 4,000 rpm was just at 30mph. I will be doing some more testing.

I could really feel the imbalance of the tires. The machine also did not slow down as fast as I would have liked and had to use the laterals to brake.

I am very excited and cant wait for another ride!!

So far it was the best mod yet and the 18hp Vanguard pulls it fine, but I will test the extremes soon and will give a full report.

Rutledge

[Roger S]

Good to hear! Now for the funny part. That clutch is identical to the factory one on my '97 argo

[martwell]

speed clutch

hi Fuller... nice job on the clutch...You got some really nice improvement on your machine... I didn't know there was any other model of clutch built for speed!!!! Is there any numbers or brand that we can work with to find an other one like that... Also, i got a Argo Vanguard 1985 and i keep hearing about Max Red Spring mod... This Red Spring, is it on the drive clutch or on the driven clutch that we need to install it....Can it be done on my Argo... Little Advice...Try to avoid tree... At those speed it won't be good if you hit one!!!!!!

Martin

[fulleraviation]

The red spring is installed on the driven or transmission clutch. Not sure about your setup on the Argo.

Hey Roger, what kind of adjustments can you make on this thing? Didn't you cut weights? Does that big nut just hold on the cover or allow somekind of adjustment?

I noticed that the thing was made in Canada. Wonder if Argo and their gear company actually manufacture it.

Richard also sent me a new key, bolt, and washer kit in an Attex plastic bag. See the best 6x6 is some of everything!

Rut

[liflod]

I think that's the same clutch Marc is running in his Attex. He calls it a "power block" ???

[Roger S]

It's not argo/ODG made, but it is Canadian mfg, I think it might say powerblock on it.. Yes the big nut will remove cover and nothing will fly haywire when you do. It has 3 one lb. lead weights in there, I lightened them each by about 1/3 ounce and moved the engine rpm up a little. If you do the major engine mods you'll need it, but otherwise I'd leave it stock.

Am curious about the stock max unit you replaced.. they're the same diameter, wonder if there's any way to mod them to make them close fully.

[fulleraviation]

The high speed unit is a 1/4 inch larger in diameter 7 1/2 " as opposed to
7 1/4 ". The big difference is how far the belt will ride up the pulley.

I thought about the same thing. I will see if it can be modified. What happens with the stock is that the two halves come together at the bottom of the travel and touch.

But even if the pulley could be modified what about the cam part of the unit? Before I ordered a new clutch I took mine apart to see how it worked. When I pushed the halves together the cam locks in the closed position and has to be forced back to the open position.
I am sure that Whipper could make it work somehow. I feel it was worth the $300 and now I have both and can swap em' in a matter of minutes!

[Roger S]

OK I see. Your new clutch is quite different internally.

My initial concern earlier in the thread was, would the t20's clutch have any extra travel with a bigger Dia engine clutch, but it looks like it wasn't using all of it's travel to start with. I guess that's one way to limit top end you think Recreatives caught the Product Liability Flu from Argo?

[fulleraviation]

Test Results

Well, the clutch is awesome! I now have more top speed than I really need and still have low end power for pulling. This is by far the best modification that I have done so far. I would recommend the clutch to anyone with an 18hp. I do feel that the red spring should also be installed.

Today's numbers were the same I think. 4,000rpm = 30mph and 4,500 = close to 33mph

Now the engine runs about 3,000 to 3,500 rpm to belt runout at like 25 mph. Hard to get this number down exact right now. To me this is much better than running the rpm's way up. Now I can work toward building a torque motor. Think I will put in a cam and std. length billet rods next.

Happy Trails,
Rutledge

PS: I wish I could leave the Max alone! I have way to many other projects at the house that I need to work on, but I can't help myself!

[mightymaxIV]

Well, the clutch is awesome! I now have more top speed than I really need and still have low end power for pulling. This is by far the best modification that I have done so far. I would recommend the clutch to anyone with an 18hp. I do feel that the red spring should also be installed.

Today's numbers were the same I think. 4,000rpm = 30mph and 4,500 = close to 33mph

Now the engine runs about 3,000 to 3,500 rpm to belt runout at like 25 mph. Hard to get this number down exact right now. To me this is much better than running the rpm's way up. Now I can work toward building a torque motor. Think I will put in a cam and std. length billet rods next.

Happy Trails,
Rutledge

PS: I wish I could leave the Max alone! I have way to many other projects at the house that I need to work on, but I can't help myself!

Fuller I understand completely. Nothing is ever good enough stock. Hey, for your information if you like high speed trail riding you need a suspension seat. You sit lower in the tub so the max handles better and rides better. You have support so you find yourself going around corners quicker and enjoying the ride better. The seat really works hard to smooth out bumps and makes a tremedous difference. I prefere the slower speeds through hard stuff but i am starting to like the fast trail riding better. My Max climbs like a mountain goat with the lower gearing and I found myself climbing right up hills that were so steep they were close to being dangerous-Up and no problems. Enjoy the new clutch. I am happy to hear that it increased your speed without taking away your bottom end. That is exciting!!!

[micmac]

Dan,

How bout a write up on the suspention seat.

Mike

[whipper-ag]

i am starting to like the fast trail riding better.

I'm sure you've noticed, that the faster you go, the more responsive the steering is. I think it's time for 6" of seat travel & a Big Block. I think the suspension seat is probably the next best thing to a springer that you could do to save your spine.

Whipper