Lack of power or not down shifting ?

[Toyman]

I put the Magnum 20hp & the Max IV with Rawhide 25s to the test yesterday. Did everything from tight sweeping trails to sand bar hopping and swimming to mud bogging and steep inclines and declines. This rig for the most part really impressed me for it's capabilities. The solo suspension seat worked great too. It's been years since I owned a MaxII and what I remember different was the MaxII with old style balloon tires and a JLO 295 would swim, ride and climb steep inclines much better than this IV. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges and have to except the fact we cannot get the old style tires anymore that performed so well. I am also very aware of the weight difference of these two machines. I'm not sure (as of yet) if my clutch is not downshifting correctly or if the Mag 20 just does not have the snort to propel this beast as well as the JLO 295 did the Max II. My old Max II would climb till it loss traction or rolled over. This IV had trouble with crossing downed trees and steep hills. I would like to think it could in stock form. Maybe I need a performance clutch?

[jerseybigfoot]

If the the Max 4 was an original 2 stroke machine you may need to change the driven CVT for a 4 stroke one. I changed clutches on my 18 opposed briggs Max 4 which was an original 2 stroke machine and it pulls and climbs very well Although I am only running 23" CBG Dirt devils inflated to about 24"
I ran OK with the original driven CVT but you can tell the difference with the 4 stroke CVT.

[Toyman]

Clutch

If the the Max 4 was an original 2 stroke machine you may need to change the driven CVT for a 4 stroke one. I changed clutches on my 18 opposed briggs Max 4 which was an original 2 stroke machine and it pulls and climbs very well Although I am only running 23" CBG Dirt devils inflated to about 24"
I ran OK with the original driven CVT but you can tell the difference with the 4 stroke CVT.

I really don't think this is the case as it is a 1994 model with low hours. I don't know if I'm expecting to much from it but I think it should climb till it spun out and not just stop.

[liflod]

Make sure your belt is tight. I use body shims under the engine to get mine tight. I set my belt tension alot tighter than the manufacture calls for. If the belt does not sit above the transmission sheave, the belt is worn and needs replaced.

[jpswift1]

Lance is right, the problem is most likely with the belt. That 20HP flat twin Kohler has TONS of low end torque and shouldn't any trouble whatsoever with crossing any kind of debris or inclines that you may run into.

[Toyman]

Belt

Make sure your belt is tight. I use body shims under the engine to get mine tight. I set my belt tension alot tighter than the manufacture calls for. If the belt does not sit above the transmission sheave, the belt is worn and needs replaced.

The belt is above the driven clutch.

I would think if the belt was loose it would only allow for gains in low end power verses a loss by a delay in upshifting the driven. But the more I think about it the drive advance would be affected by a loss of tension of the belt, allowing for a quicker upshift. Basically like starting out in second gear instead of first.

What amount of deflection should the belt have?

[new2memax4]

my max 4 gave me power trouble as well. I changed the belt, checked and reset the bands on trans,shimmed up the motor for belt tension all to no avail.Don't get me wrong apparrently all those things, except belt replacement made a difference,but i still had wimpy power at best,very dissappointing and drove me nuts for couple of days. i was actually depressed about the wimp my max had turned into. I think mine has relatively low hours as well. Turns out the "glazing" you hear about on belts actually transferred to top and bottom and both halves of both the clutch surfaces.I used scotch brite pad and emery cloth to polish off all the surfaces the belt drives on and woohoo!!! my max4 was back and better than ever this thing will climb a tree or a steep bank no problem Now it only stops when all 6 are spinning or yeah if I actually hit the tree.20" logs are no problem to climb over except whatch you dont break your neck launching off of them and slamming back to earth.I don't think you can hurt anything by polishing those surfaces. Mine looked fine, nice and clean i thought before i polished them,but it worked.Good luck.Ilove the max 4 and would not fear following anything about anywhere with it.matter of fact my only fear with it now is tackling things so steep it flips over.not long ago had it standing literally on it's face headlights in the mud at bottom of creek bank.after it fell back to its wheels and i got out into the creek had a smoke calmed down a little ,had to stop shaking and change shorts kinda thing drove it right back up that same bank,yeah baby!!go go go

[LarryW]

Ilove the max 4 and would not fear following anything about anywhere with it.matter of fact my only fear with it now is tackling things so steep it flips over.not long ago had it standing literally on it's face headlights in the mud at bottom of creek bank.after it fell back to its wheels and i got out into the creek had a smoke calmed down a little ,had to stop shaking and change shorts kinda thing drove it right back up that same bank,yeah baby!!go go go

Heck yea, I love your style.

As far as the power goes, I agree that motor should be a real stump puller. Heck, my attex 8hp tecumseh will spin the balloons before it dogs out. It dont have the aggressive tread as or even new tread but still....... Something else has to be the problem, new2memax4 sounds like he has it figured out. Let us know how it turns out.

[JOHNMcDANIEL0322]

liflod when u r talking about the transmission sheave what r u talking about

[Uncle Vin]

I can't speak for him, but I believe he is talking about the driven clutch (the part which is attached to the transmission).

[racerone3]

the driven clutch in my racer sticks sometimes and won't want to shift. as long as i keep all the moving parts lubed up with dry graphite it works just fine

[Max King]

Rubber on the clutch sleaves, Will cause premature belt falure. Break cleaner can be used to remove it too. If the Max was a high speed machine like the snowmobile it would shred the belt if left on there. If your belt is squealing you are probably depositing rubber on the clutch sleaves, keep it clean. It will help your new belt last longer.
If your belt is under an one inch wide on top it is time to replace it.
Keep the old belt for a spare in case you ever blow a belt.
If you find something else causing your lack of power let us know.

[JOHNMcDANIEL0322]

ok that is what i was thinkging too