My Max IV won't turn

[Tridaro]

Hello,

Hopefully someone here can help me. I recently purchased a 95 Max IV that has a steering issue. Seems to shift into gear no problem, but the right site won't engage in forward or reverse no matter what I do. It's like it's permanently stuck in neutral. Based on the advice I've seen elsewhere here, I put it up on blocks and when I spin the wheels on the left side in either gear there is a good deal of resistance but nothing happens on the right side. When I spin the wheels on the right side, they just free wheel and don't affect the other side, regardless of gear position.

I've read through every thread here I could find here on this subject, and while I've seen several discussions relating to turning problems, I wasn't able to find anything that specifically addressed this condition. I'm guessing, from what others have suggested on other threads, though, that it is probably an issue with the diamond shifters. However, before I pull the motor out to check these, I thought I would get your advice first, to see if there is anything else it could be.

The guy I got it from said it was working fine until the day before I went out to look at it. He cut almost 40% off the price, though because of this, which made me willing to take a chance on the ol' girl.

I bought this thing to plow and we've already started getting a bit of snow here so I'm hoping it will be an easy fix. If not, any advice you have on how to expedite the process will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Thomas

[jeffery9076]

Pull the diamond shifter right side. Before something breaks and mashes the wrong way. You do not know whats wrong. I would check that first i can get at mine easy in my attex. Actually just filled mine up with transmission fluid last night. And put my diamond shifters back in it. mine out of the attex. good luck

[dirtdobber]

Thomas,

Start with the easiest stuff first. Make sure all chains are in place on the right side. Next, make sure the sprocket bolts/pins are in place (unless you have splined axles). Next, make sure the linkage connecting the right lateral to the transmission is connected. Next, adjust the bands. If none of that is the problem then pull the diamond shifter.

[hipowerone]

Mike gave this help to someone with similar MAX IV issues back in March 2012...and it still applies today.....http://www.6x6world.com/forums/max-a...tml#post115428

[Tridaro]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I should have mentioned that I had already checked everything I could get to. All of the chains, sprockets and axles move fine on the right side; it's just not engaging in the transmission for some reason. I also did check to make sure the laterals were connected and everything is moving correctly. However, I did not try to adjust the bands yet, though. Should I try that first? This seemed less likely to be the problem to me since it just stopped working all of a sudden. I would think the bands going out of adjustment would be more of a gradual problem.

Jeffery9076, I believe on the Max II and probably the Attex, the engine is somewhat forward of the transmission is the transmission is therefore exposed, but on the Max IV, the engine is right on top of it, making it seemingly impossible to get to.

Anything I need to know about pulling the engine if it comes to that?

Thanks again!

Thomas

[liflod]

Do not adjust the bands.
You'll have to dig for the diamond shifter on a Max IV.

[Tridaro]

I honestly don't see how you can access the diamond shifters on the Max IV without removing the motor. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks,

Thomas

[liflod]

The engine comes out pretty easy. Nothing really to note about technique.
At least this picture shows the 2 bolts that you need to remove to get the bracket off to be able to pull the diamond shifter out.

I think you can do the right side with the engine in.

[ARGOJIM]

I honestly don't see how you can access the diamond shifters on the Max IV without removing the motor. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks,

Thomas

You will have to see if you can “see” it with your fingers.

[Tridaro]

Thanks a lot, gentlemen. That picture is really helpful. I should be able to get the thing apart now that I know what I'm looking-feeling for.

Now only if my machine looked that nice underneath... :-)

Thomas

[liflod]

Pulling the engine may be a good idea so you can check the condition of the rear axle sprockets. Mine were really worn when I finally had the engine out , I noticed they needed replaced.

[Tridaro]

Will definitely do that in the spring if I don't this winter. I'm just trying to avoid that right now because I don't have a good place to work on it inside and it is already snowing here.

Thanks for the advice.

Thomas

[Tridaro]

Sorry for being remise in getting back with you guys. I was able to get the max fixed and the plow mounted just in time to attend to the majority of the snow we've had here so far. It was the right side diamond shifter that had its pin sheared off, and I was able to replace it with a new one without having to take the engine out. So, thanks for the suggestions. I would never have figured that out had it not been for these forums. It had a couple of other small issues that needed attending to, and I also did a full service on the thing before putting it into service. It still needs a little more work, but it is gett'n by for now.

It has performed nicely at removing the snow here, which is all I've used it for so far, but it did meet its match today. We unexpectedly got about a foot of the fluffy white stuff last night and there was already between 4-10" on the ground (due to drifting). I had tried to plow the day before, but the battery was dead (the machine doesn't charge on its own and I didn't realize it had gotten so low so quick since throwing it on the charger last).

Anyway, the snow was nearly up to the top of the stock tires when I finally got stuck. Pretty impressive, considering how little ground clearance these things actually have.

This was the first time I've ever had this problem, so now I know what it can't do (you don't know your limitations until you exceed them! lol).

For the future, based on your experience, what is the typical depth of snow these things can work in with the stock, small tires (and the small 18hp motor)? If I stepped up the the bigger 26 inchers, how much would that help? If I end up getting tracks for it as some point, would there be any functional limit?

Anyway, I've been happy with this machine, despite the work it needed (and still needs). I think I just need to get more familiar with its capabilities.

Cheers,

Thomas