Shakedown run on new to me maxiv

[smokin cigarettes]

This has the 20hp kohler and has been sitting for some time. I just picked it up from the transport guy yesterday. It fired right up and I put it on my trailer to head home. Get home and lube all of the chains and anything else that looks like it needs it and replace the old throttle cable. The throttle housing itself is also broken so I duct tape/zip tie it together until the new one arrives. Its about 9:00 pm by now and I really want to drive it. I head out of the drive way down the road to a flood levey bordering a creek and the max easily climbs the levey. Right at the top of the levey the max DIES. It cranks over but will not fire. I called the guy that I bought it from to ask if its ever happened to him and he says no, but that the gas is at least 5 YEARS OLD. The MaxIV is a HEAVY SUMBTCH to try and move by yourself. Its now 10pm and I get back to the house to get the truck/trailer. I grabbed the only neighbor that I have that is not 65+yrs old and we manage to get it loaded on the trailer. When I got it home I drained all of the old gas and filled it with fresh gas. Hopefully it will start today. I wonder if it was the gas or if the fuel pump went out?

[micmac]

Smokin,

If I where you I would drain and clean the fuel tank, replace the fuel filter, and disassemble and totally clean the carb. Also I would drain and refill the t-20 with some fresh type f and limited slip friction modifier. I know its tough to resist the call of the new machine but if you do a little peace of mind prevention you'll be a lot happier. Congrats on the new machine

[demonflea]

This has the 20hp kohler and has been sitting for some time. I just picked it up from the transport guy yesterday. It fired right up and I put it on my trailer to head home. Get home and lube all of the chains and anything else that looks like it needs it and replace the old throttle cable. The throttle housing itself is also broken so I duct tape/zip tie it together until the new one arrives. Its about 9:00 pm by now and I really want to drive it. I head out of the drive way down the road to a flood levey bordering a creek and the max easily climbs the levey. Right at the top of the levey the max DIES. It cranks over but will not fire. I called the guy that I bought it from to ask if its ever happened to him and he says no, but that the gas is at least 5 YEARS OLD. The MaxIV is a HEAVY SUMBTCH to try and move by yourself. Its now 10pm and I get back to the house to get the truck/trailer. I grabbed the only neighbor that I have that is not 65+yrs old and we manage to get it loaded on the trailer. When I got it home I drained all of the old gas and filled it with fresh gas. Hopefully it will start today. I wonder if it was the gas or if the fuel pump went out?

We both had shakey starts with our new machines. Mine didn't die but it doesn't run right yet either. Need to hook up the choke and resolve some throttle issues. But the t20 was just rebuilt so that's a plus I guess. I hope we both get the bugs ironed out soon so we can join in on the fun with these guys and gals in the forum.

[6X6]

Yea, 5-yr old gas will leave all kinds of nasties in the tank/line/filter and carb. I'm supprised is ran at all, but that's before they put the ethanol in there so at least you don't have a water/ethanol mix run into your engine. You probably cut out when the deposites pluged something, so fresh gas probably isn't enough. I agree with Micmac, just would add Replace fuel line. Usually it is overlooked untill it leaks. It's cheap, much cheaper than a fire, so do it all. Copper line will be fine, but do all the rubber hoses, including the pressure line for the fuel pump. (IF the kohler uses that same setup as the briggs, not sure.) Good luck guys, and have fun

[smokin cigarettes]

It fired up this morining with the fresh gas. I am going to change the spark plugs and the fuel filter this afternoon.

[demonflea]

It fired up this morining with the fresh gas. I am going to change the spark plugs and the fuel filter this afternoon.

I put in fresh gas and adjusted the throttle cable and made it's maiden run. Three foot deep puddle and went through it like nothing. It's tricky learning the skid steer on the rough terrain I have to ride on. Also it's a real filling ratteler on the rougher sections. But I think it's almost trustworthy now. Good luck with yours and enjoy.

[smokin cigarettes]

I got the fuel filter on and also adjusted the cable and Im about to go run it. I will give a report shortly! These are very rough riding though!

[rdr]

I put in fresh gas and adjusted the throttle cable and made it's maiden run. Three foot deep puddle and went through it like nothing. It's tricky learning the skid steer on the rough terrain I have to ride on. Also it's a real filling ratteler on the rougher sections. But I think it's almost trustworthy now. Good luck with yours and enjoy.

how munch air you have in your tires about 2 lbs is pleanty with 26's . robbie

[smokin cigarettes]

Would you Max owners be afraid to drop off into this creek with no one around to pull you out? Very loose sand/mud. I went in, turned around, and the engine backfired and died. Got it started and drove out. Went to the house and changed my shorts...

[eddieb1965]

I would ,Just let off the throttle to a crawl when you are just about to touch bottom,or you will just dig holes trying to climb out.Keep wheel speed to a minimum and you will have better luck climbing out of soft conditions.

[rdr]

Would you Max owners be afraid to drop off into this creek with no one around to pull you out? Very loose sand/mud. I went in, turned around, and the engine backfired and died. Got it started and drove out. Went to the house and changed my shorts...

coolllllllllllllllllllllllll i like that . robbie got to have a winch

[smokin cigarettes]

Eddie is right about the throttle. I floored it on the first try and it just dug in.

[artist1018]

coolllllllllllllllllllllllll i like that . robbie got to have a winch

Harbor Freight has a 3000 lb. winch with a radio/wireless remote on sale for $64.99 with an online coupon. Email me your email address if you need a copy!

[demonflea]

how munch air you have in your tires about 2 lbs is pleanty with 26's . robbie

You are right about the pressures, I never checked because they looked good but the previous owner had anywhere from 7 to 15 lbs in various tires.

[rdr]

Eddie is right about the throttle. I burried it the first time and it just dug in.

sand and water ===== make quick sand . he is right about the gas in that lighter is better . that looks like my first time down the creek with the new max IV no winch eather . robbie