Max II help 4 wife of ice fisherman looking 4 gift

[MrsIceFisherman]

Hi, this is my first post and I need some help from any ICE FISHERMAN in the forum. I have my golf cart on Craig's List and have been contacted about a swap for a 1998 Max II 6x6 14HP (post # 844084380 if you want 2 see it).

I have a great outdoorsman husband, who is 48, but has a bad back and had a knee worked on last summer. Here is the thing - I like the idea of this as a gift 4 him 4 ice fishing and of course since we live in Michigan I would like our large driveway plowed out too!

Thing is he probably won't ever need trail riding or mud bogging but he may use it on the lake mostly in snow/ice for ice fishing but maybe in sping and fall when boat is out of water but we get great weather and he wants 2 run out to fish.

I'm trying to do a good gift thing here but I am worried that mosts posts I read don't do what my guy needs it to do -- he isn't a hunter. He can be out 4 hours on the wind swept ice in subzero weather and God Forbid it ever goes through an amphib make me feel better!

Last thing, my guy is great but not a mechanic/wrencher. He is handy and keeps all our 90's stuff running - golf cart, 3 wheeler, jet ski's and boat so he isn't all thumbs or anything and he does have wrencher friends when the going gets tuff but he'd be frustrated if he had 2 work on this before every outing. He ice fishes almost every night after work and on weekends once we have ice.

Please advise - I really need help, I don't want 2 make a mistake buy and he is hard to surprise!

[6X6]

Hi:
I am not an ice fisherman. But I don't see why it won't do what you want it to. The cab I see it has is a definite bonus, really nice in those sub-zero, windy condtitions . I don't know how much gear he hauls out to fish, but I would think the back would have enough room. A friend of mine just bought a used max, much older that this one though. But my only advice would be to look it over carefully. Enlist the help of one of his mechanically inclined buddies if you aren't sure what to look for. You don't need to be an expert to spot if the machine is good or beat, they really are pretty simple. Oh, anyone looking, heres the link to see the machine she's talking about. 1998 MAX II 6 Wheel ATV w/snow blade and cab

[jpswift1]

If I were you I would trade a golf cart in a second for that Max, especially with that cab and snowplow. 6x6's are very versitile machines, and with the Briggs Vanguard engine and the T-20 transmission in that Max, it will be an extremely reliable machine. If your husband has some problems with his back you could just let some air out of the tires for a better ride, but if that doesn't work, just sell the tires that are on it and replace them with some 22" Goodyear Rawhide III tires......they ride extremely smooth and offer excellent traction. Let us know how this turns out for you.

[artist1018]

Where in Michigan do you live? I see the Max is in Livonia. I live in Clio, near Flint. Let me know if I can be of help. I don't own a Max, I own an Argo. However, the basics are the same. I would agree that, from the photos, it sounds like a fair trade for you. By the way, my wife bought mine for me!!

[micmac]

I saw that you said your husband has a bad back and a knee that was worked on. Something to consider that most of these machines that are a few years old will need some sort of maintenance. Unfortunately these vehicles require a lot of bending over to work on them.
The 14 hp Max II comes with hollow axles and can be upgraded easily to solid ones if you find you are bending them. Most likely the outer bearings (this is what the axle rides on where it comes out of the machine) would need to be replaced at some point. The good news is these machines are fairly easy to work on and the people on this board are more than willing to help out. I would hazard to say that there isn't anything on the machine that can't be fixed through the help on this board. Hope this helps.

Oh one bit of caution these things can be very addicting!
Mike

[Jeff t-boss]

.............................Thing is he probably won't ever need trail riding or mud bogging but he may use it on the lake mostly in snow/ice for ice fishing but maybe in sping and fall when boat is out of water but we get great weather and he wants 2 run out to fish..................

...................... He can be out 4 hours on the wind swept ice in subzero weather and God Forbid it ever goes through an amphib make me feel better!

Dear; I love you and thank you for the 6x6!!! Your husband. (Just Kidding)

But; If your husband can endure the 4 hours of sitting in sub-zero weather, I believe that the short rides to and from the fishin' hole won't bother him at all. I too have a bad back (Vehicle rollover in the Army) and knee (Laid a bike down doing 75 mph) and I run an old Sierra trail boss (1969-70?) Which is ALOT more primitave than todays machines. I do off-road and use it for deer hunting/ice fishing with my buddy. It will haul both of us and all our gear. For ice fishing we have a "Tray" with our shanty that we just tow behind us on the ice. For what you are looking at and what you intend to do with it, I really don't think you can go wrong. And as these guys said; if you ever run into a problem, these knowledgeable guys are here for you and more than willing to help. Good luck and have fun!

[trebmaster]

I bought an ARGO for the reason of thin Ice. Ice fishing is a pashion of mine as well. The argo has been perfect for this. if your hubby gets to the Grand rapids area to ice fish I would love to go with him

[MrsIceFisherman]

Many Thanks for all the help and support!

I REALLY appreciate every1 who took time out of their weekend to write me back about this, ALL the posts were deeply appreciated

4 all the Ice Fishing future buddies in Michigan who responded if U R in Oakland County sometime and wanna fish Union Lake we always love guests & I make 2 hot house meals and bring 2 out 2 the boys on the ice during the weekend!

I think I am gonna go 4 it because the MAX looks like new in person, and like I said he is really hard to buy 4 also Xmas and his B'day both fall during Ice Fishing Season.

4 my new Clio buddy - Ken loves 2 ice fish up on the Saginaw river (headed your way) I've always been concerned about the open water up there and the fast current. Not to mention the walk 2 and from. We R about :55 from Birch Run.

4 my new Grand Rapids area buddy we make it up to Coopersville a lot because hubby has family there and went 2 High School 4 a few back in the late 70's up there! He normally visits for Salmon fishing season more than Ice though but u never know!

Glad 2 know U all, I'll let ya know if deal goes thru but sounds like even if I miss this 1 I'm definitely gonna find him 1.

There is a guy who visited R lake last year 2x with a dark colored 8x8 with traxx and a full enclosure but he always flew by so fast could never flag him down 4 info or a test drive -heeheehee. If U R member here and see my post - please make contact! (I think U got out via Locklin Lane). I am interest in that mounted tube your auger went in on the front, way Kool!

U all R really warm and fuzzy, I'm kind of a girly girl and thought you all might be mean 2 me 4 dumb questions (I luv this site) thanks 4 the help.

[Jeff t-boss]

I'm assuming we'll have to wait till Christmas, but don't forget to update us on the results of your venture. I trust all will go well for your purchase and your husband's "NEW TOY". Good luck, have fun!

[argohunter]

It's can be little tight in the Max II for a big guy if riding two people especially if dressed for being out on the ice. That does not stop me though. The plow works well even in the heavy wet stuff. It is not the easiest thing to climb back onto the ice after a break through into open water but the way I look at it, I would rather be floating on top of the water than going down in it. Being able to float is what makes the Max and Argo so popular up here for ice fishing. Go for it! Be sure to take lots of pictures. We love pictures here.