Max: True or False

[djack41]

I am new to ATVs and not trying to start a flame throw. I am about to purchase an ATV for hunting and had tentatively settled on a MAX 4 EFI. A local ATV mechanic and ex argo dealer says this about Max:
1. Max has poor axle seals which leak
2. Chains need constant adjustment. Cheaper drive components.
3. Hard to work on
4. Dangerous going down steep hills
5. Inferior hull design which leaks
6 generally not as well made as the Argo

He says Argos are maintenance intensive but that Max is even worse.

How much is true?

[wfo]

drive both and make your decision on what you think..i have a max and have seen an argo
i like both..

[rdr]

bulll hoickey BOTH are great mechines each has is on advange and diss advantage . u can
t go wrong with eather jest check out my sig . wfo said it right . robbie

[djack41]

Good suggestion but I don't know if driving them will reveal much about reliability and longevity. I hope others will share their ownership experience.

[racerone3]

both are great machines, and neither are that hard to work on. if properly maintained, either one will serve you well. I'm not a big fan of working on a Max because of having to open the body to get to the rear chains (my only max experience is with Max II) but an argo requires that you stand on your head and be triple jointed to get to anything forward of the firewall. as for tubs, they are made of the same material. you will pay more for an argo, and cost of upkeep will be higher... double chain vs single in a max.... more parts in the bearing assemblies. i've run a lot of max, attex, and hustler machines (all using the same type of bearings) and if they are properly maintained and sealed from the start you won't have leaks. talk to a Max dealer and they will probably tell you the same bad things about an argo. the argo is a bit more of an industrial machine

[Robinhood02]

eh there djack
i own 1-Argo 6x6 ,3-Argo 8x8 ,5-Max II ,3-Max IV, 2-Buffalo and have been driving these critters for 30 years
this is my view ,
The argo 6x6 is junk compared to Max 6x6s it is far too lumbering and front heavy to be as agile as a Max , it's lack of agility has much to do with the differential style trani (braking against full power) Maxs tranis disengage then brake. With your weight in the front and the engine in the rear of a Max it is simply put far more ballanced ,And thats not to mention the motor and trani and clutch screeming between your knees on an Argo, the Max is also much easier to work on , anyone who tells you different has not worked on an Argos front end , try to squeeze through the hood opening of an Argo and work on the jack shaft brgs & chains or front axle , oh, and by the way ,it's almost allways the front end that gives the grief due to all the weight up front (it helps to have a 12 year old kid around when doing repairs in that area) i can have the motor out in ANY Max in 15 minutes "on the trail" and that enables extreemly easy access to ANY component of the Max line (try that on an Argo ,ROTFLMAO)
NOW that all being said, the Argo 8x8 has some things that Max just does't get and that is the ability to carry MASSIVE loads that go far beyond what Argo rates them for and anything a Max can even touch ,Maxs single speed trani limits its' ability to load up and lug through the tough stuff , Argos are the super truck of these two aatvs and can take the biggest load you can throw at them and just keep going through the toughest crap you can put them through, but do it SLOWLY, Argos front ends are a pain in the butt to work on ,
So now that you have my view here is some advise , when you go out hunting, take 3 or 4 Maxs and have some fun skipping and booting around the bush but always make sure you got a buddy with an Argo cause he's gonna be the one that brings your moose out lol

[famvburg]

First thing, don't ever talk to a dealer in one thing about their competition. What they sell or sold is better than anything else, even if it's a POS. When I started looking for an AATV a couple of years ago, since Max & Argo are the only ones currently made, my aim was toward them. (I really thought I wanted something like an old Amphicat or Hustler, but was warned to stay away from most any of the old ones, since I'd rather drive it than work on it.) After doing some research, mostly online, plus having a Max II show up right in my own town. Most folks I talked to preferred a Max, but nothing really negative about an Argo, (except for heat from the front mounted engine in a Miss. summer!), but I got more positive vibes toward a Max. I've only had mine a couple of months & haven't driven it a whole lot, but when I've gone out in it, it's done everything I asked of it. When I started searching for a 3 wheeler a couple of years ago, everyone pointed me to the Honda ATC 250ES Big Red, & it hasn't let me down yet either. I think my Max will be just as good. My 2 cents.

[djack41]

Thank you all for the responses. It is helpful.

[liflod]

I've talked to an Argo dealer in the past who told me all about the problems Max has with their machines , but when I asked which machines they drove or worked on, they said they have never worked on or driven a max.

They both have good and bad to go with them, but it still comes down to which one you like better. You need to look at everything about the machine and drive them all before making a decision. I try to drive every different machine I can and I have driven just about all the differnent models and for me to buy another machine, it still comes down to how it feels to me and how I can use it. Maintenance is about the same for any machine and the amount of time and effort you spend on it determines how long it will last and how it will perform years down the road. They all need more maintenance than other machines, but you should know that if you've done some research.
As far as going down hills, they are all scary until you figure them out.

[bierbower37]

I went through the same thing when looking to purchase my first AATV. I ended up with a 1998 Max II and beyond love it. Once I did some minor work on it its been awesome and is a blast to work on since it's so simple for me. Plus dealing with recreative industries for parts is a pleasure they have great customer service and are more than helpful on everything I asked. (i'd buy another max for that simple reason)
Now the only bad thing on a max is the chain adjusters until you figure out the trick to adjusting them once you do though they are good for a long time.(4 monthes of being used around a farm and hunting and mine are still tight) Engines are simple too and the transmissions (t20) have parts available everywhere for a reasonable price. Now for leaking mine takes a little water about a gallon or so after swimming none stop for 45 minutes, but that can be fixed easily by information on here. i did put in a bilge pump just in case....
Now i've drove an argo 6x6 and heard good about them its just seems they cant take as much as a max can in the mud and snow. Both are great machines and can be a pain sometimes but nothing will out due a 6x6 AATV for sure. be warned they are addicting and you'll tinker with them constantly.

[phil_1066]

I can agree with most of what is being said apart from the fact that unless you are in north america recreative industries don't seem to acknowledge your existance. I have tried contacting them several times with absolutly no success. The argo 8x8's seem to be the most popular machine in UK & Ireland mainly because they are nearly all work vehicles and give much greater load options.
Phil

[jerseybigfoot]

Just a couple of additional comments: If you need a body to resist dragging over rocks all day go with an Argo with a full skid plate. If you want to neglect the vehicle you will probably get a slightly longer life from a new Argo. If you plan to neglect it till it breaks the Argo will be more costly to repair. If you plan to leave the vehicle out in the rain and fill the tub up with water a Max 4 is a good choice as the engine is considerable higher. I have seen T-20's survive with the high water mark past the fill vent. If you need a constant supply of liquid encouragement when you ride its easier in an Argo. If you need leg room a Max 2 is very comfy. If you want to stay warm in winter and warmer in summer Argos with a top and windshield are perfect. if you expect it to perform like a quad and be amphibious. Go buy the quad and a boat.

[wfo]

here we go again

[Robinhood02]

"I have tried contacting them several times with absolutly no success"
I'm baffled to hear that you had a hard time getting ahold of RI, they're allways right there when i've called , the hardest part for me is keeping track of what time it is there in Buffalo ,NY verses here where i am ...

[jerseybigfoot]

here we go again

Wow!!!!! it's a 3 wheel amphibian and its green. Seen at the better beach resorts. lets get one for Busco" Beach". Ha Ha.