I Love My MAX

[SiliconTi]

Hmm... How many horse power is your engine? I find mine works better at 1/2 throttle (I have 18Hp) - it keeps the tracks from spinning.

I'm baffled as to why mine is so good and yours is not. Are you running the factory track kit?

[patb069]

MAX iV

Hi Silicon Ti. Is the machine that I am buying from you as pretty as the one in your pics?

[SiliconTi]

Hi Silicon Ti. Is the machine that I am buying from you as pretty as the one in your pics?

Hi Pat,

Not quite, but it has the potential!

[patrick518]

My max is a 1996 and has factory tracks the ones sold for that year with aluminum saddle track guides and metal cleats. I have a 16 hp briggs in it which I plan to change if I keep it. Would like more power

[Eldon]

Hey Dan who works for R.I. told me that they recommended removing the front drive chains when running tracks to give machine more power.The reason is:if there is even a slight difference in tire diameter there is no idler to chase the slack around.All other tracked vehicles only drive from one or two axles.I did as he said and found I had lots of power.I found driving in the snow took a bit of practice and found curiously when sinking and bogging down that easing up on the throttle helped it climb up more on the snow and helped it move easier.Here in eastern Canada we had as much snow as ever and my Max II handled it all.Mind you it liked some snow types better than others.

[Eldon]

I think the problem is the older metal cleat tracks.The newer all rubber tracks pack the snow instead of turning it up.

[LarryW]

Hey Dan who works for R.I. told me that they recommended removing the front drive chains when running tracks to give machine more power.

Interesting to know that. It does make sence. I wonder... removing middle chains would probably just let rear tires spin in tracks then? Did you try that? If it dont seems like it would help even more because with the tracks squashing the front and back tires would make the middle seem bigger. Unless you let more air outta the middle? I really have no track experiece. Just thoughts....

[rdr]

Well, I have had my MAX since last Spring, and I love it. It has helped with trail maintenance for the snowmobile club and been great to explore those places a sled will not go this Winter. Some picts:

An abandoned road that can only be accessed in Winter:


The end of the road for me because...



... the bridge was too narrow:


Snow was deep, but the MAX had no problems:


Pulling culverts for the trails:


Over the bridge:


Coming out of the lake:

sweetttttttt great pic love it finily got to play in some snow this year about 8 in . had no problems . we love our maxes robbie

[SiliconTi]

Remove the front chains - I had forgotten about that. I'd try that first, it may just be the ticket - that may be causing the binding I was referring to earlier.I have the "older" style tracks just like yours, so it is not the tracks.

[patrick518]

Do you run with your front chains off?

Do you run with your front chains off? It almost feels like you would be defeating the purpose of six wheel drive

[Raleigh Trainer]

Do you run with your front chains off? It almost feels like you would be defeating the purpose of six wheel drive

When you run tracks, it doesn't matter how many drive wheels are turning the tracks as long as the tracks are firmly gripping one drive wheel.

The problem with all six tires acting as drive wheels is that, as any one tire compresses from load, like when you are turning or hitting a rock or a stump, that tire's circumference changes relative to the others. You then have three drive wheels wanting to turn a single track at different speeds, causing the track to bind.

Removing the front chains takes care of most of this problem because it is the front tires that take the most impact when going forward, and hence, make the biggest changes in circumference and cause the most binding. The front tires without chains still work as idler wheels, with the rear two tires still transferring 100% of the engine power to the tracks.

[SiliconTi]

Exactly - they will bind with all 4 driven. RC actually made a Max IV for tracks only (Max Track it was called?), only the rear wheels were driven, the other four were to tension the tracks and for suspension.

[patrick518]

how many chains did you remove?

Hey SiliconTi, How many chains have you removed if any? still puzzled why your Max IV is so good in snow and mine really sucks. Hope the chains might be the answer.

[SiliconTi]

I removed just the front chains, but would be curious to see if removing the centers also would affect anything.

[sparrotte]

2004 max iv with tracks

I live in upstate NY. and own a max iv with a 27 horsepower motor. I haven't removed any chains, and drive through snow 18in. to 30in. deep without a problem. I did entertain the thought of taking the front chains off and probably will next year. This is my forth winter using my machine in snow. It seems to go best at about half throttle in new snow depending on how wet or powdery the conditions are.I also changed the clutch spring from green to red witch helps on steep hills and low end power, using less throttle in light powder is a must. Where I live the snow tends to be denser and isn't a problem.