New to me Max IV. Lots of questions...

[wfo]

good job, go into the GOLIATH build thread AKA MPS. on 9th page and you can look at the levers i built with whippers help. i would direct you to his thread but all his builds have been DELETED i wonder why.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

I've noticed the deleted/edited posts as well. I'm curious about that as well. Thanks for the pics.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Well, I don't have any definite measurements for the laterals on the Max (length or diameter) or the steering mount, but I have begun repurposing materials from the farm. I estimated that the plate on either side of the mount is a 4"x 4" square since the screw holes are 3" center. My uncle used to work at an ATV dealership. The new units would be packaged in some industrial strength steel bar and plates. Well, I've found a couple donor pieces for the side mounts! For the rod spanning the distance and supporting the laterals, I removed one of the adjusting screw rods from a New Holland "68" square baler. For the base of the laterals, I'm using some old, black pipe. It's taken several hours and lots of rust dust, but I have the black pipe spinning smooth and true on the rod.

Now a question. The plates on either side of the laterals, is the rod welded to one side and slid into a hole on the other? Also, any suggestions on the length for the laterals? I'm looking at around 31" as an estimation.

Well, gotta hit the sack and get rested for tomorrow! Those K-5 students will need a rested teacher tomorrow!

Thanks!
Kevin

[Mike]

Kevin, your 31" is a great guess. I measured my laterals from the top of the lateral down to the top of the tube they are welded to. They were 30" long. Roughly 8" from the top, they flare out to the side to give your hands room to hold both laterals. For the plates, the tube is welded to one plate on the left side of the machine and on the right side, I think that plate does have a hole for the rod. Sorry, I didn't look at that when I was out in the shop tonight.

I put laterals in my Avenger and welded tubing to both plates. I then used a rod in the center of the tubing that went through the laterals as well. Here is a photo of that:

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Thanks Mike! I love figuring out how to make all this work. It's slow not having something to hold and measure at times, but the challenge is awesome! I can't wait to get it running. It's definitely different than my day job... teaching kids music!

Here are some pics of the materials I'm using.


This site rocks and all the help from everyone is amazing! Thanks again.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Well. Things are progressing. Slowly, but surely. Laterals and steering shafts are now mounted. Transmission fluid changed and top stabilizing bolts/studs drilled out (not without LOTS of trouble) and retapped. Also, transmission lever and shaft to rear mounted. Now to build some rear idler adjusters, buy new idlers, build shift levers for the T20, buy clutches, ... and more.

Thanks to ALL the amazing help I've received from everyone on here!

God bless you all!

Kevin

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Been a while since I was able to get to the Max. Being a band dad, on top of work and family, keeps ya hopping. Well, yesterday I ordered new clutches, rear idler sprockets, adjusters, and upper shift linkage. Can't wait until the parts come in and I get to get my hands dirty again.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

Max IV is getting so close to finish...

Well everyone, thanks to many helpful friends here with suggestions, parts help (sending, sourcing, and selling), and patience with a complete noob (when it comes to owning and driving these machines) the rebuild of my 1996 Max IV is almost complete! This week I hope to install my new clutches, mount the engine on its newly painted mount, install belt, attach wiring, fab up a floor, and install seats. OK, so now that I see what I have to do, and since I'll be on a work trip part of the week, this may not all get done.

That all being said, I just want to thank everyone for their help! This place is the best.

God bless.

Kevin

[Mike]

Congratulations on getting your Max to this point! I hope you get to go out and enjoy it soon.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

learned a valuable lesson tonite. you can't install the driven clutch with the T-20 installed. haha!! oh well, if the process hasn't taught me anything else, it's to take each mistake in stride and learn from it. it was a successful nite wrenching still, I drew blood. that's my measure any way.

kevin

[miller_time]

Got your email. Glad the mount made it to you. Keep up the good work sounds like you are getting close.

[Stoneyridgeboy]

The past few days have been interesting. Got the engine mounted, clutch installed, some of the wiring figured out, and the belt on. After a big mouth of gas, and subsequent flushing of mouth with water from the hose (hope I don't get cancer from the hose. haha), I was able to fire up the engine and see the clutches work. The engine is running a little lean, but I'll get to that this weekend.

Now, I have to make some sort of floors for the machine. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about using a plastic bed liner and making it work.

Thanks everyone! I'm so close now I can taste it!!!

[Mike]

I'm so close now I can taste it!!!

I think you did taste it!

For the floor, you can try using a bedliner but it may not be rigid enough depending on which one you use. You can also get a sheet of HDPE and cut/mold it to fit. Using metal is another option. Check out racerone3's hot-to here: How to Build a Floor Pan

[Stoneyridgeboy]

I think you did taste it!

For the floor, you can try using a bedliner but it may not be rigid enough depending on which one you use. You can also get a sheet of HDPE and cut/mold it to fit. Using metal is another option. Check out racerone3's hot-to here: How to Build a Floor Pan

I sure did taste it, Mike. YUCK! As for the floor, I'm gonna try a bedlinen first because it's free. I have a Max II tub I could cut up for the floor, but hoped to make that into a trailer. The aluminum floor is a cool idea. Thanks!

[Stoneyridgeboy]

It happened tonite. I was able to back the Max IV out of the garage under its own power. It backed out, not the best, and then... nothing. I couldn't get it to move forward. I looked at how far the sticks were moving, and decided that they may need adjusting. It helped, and I was able to drive it around a little, but something is still not right.