2003 Max IV price?

[snookey318]

Hi Everyone

I am looking for some opinions on what would be a fair price on a mint 2003 Max IV with 25HP engine with only 20 hours ? At the same time where there any problems with this model year i should be aware of?

I will probably be looking at the unit later this week and was wondering if there is any key areas i can check to make sure its not a money pit.

Thanks for your help, Much appreciated.

[egoperf]

I have the same year max IV and it is a great machine. the only thing the I have done is change the rear axles to the new style snap ring, and put the new style front floor supports. these upgrades did not cost that much.

[snookey318]

Ok great thanks for the information.

I checked out the 2003 Max IV for sale and it was in very good shape like the seller indicated.

The one concern i have is that the tranny is VERY hard to shift between gears. I myself couldnt move from forward to reverse and the owner had to shift while moving to accomplish this.
Is this normal behaviour for a Max IV? I have read alot of posts suggesting it might be but the metal on metal grinding while shifting doesnt inspire confidence.

How long can the tranny last under this stress?

Thanks guys

[jerrynuss]

It may be normal based on the number of hours on the machine. It is not even close to being broken in.

Some things that will cause it to shift extremely hard or not at all are:

Chains from the transmission too tight.
Not shifting with the sticks pulled 1/2 way back to neutral.
Linkage needs lubed.

Sometimes rocking the machine is needed to get the gears lined up. You can also give it a little gas and get things moving in the transmission then let it stop moving pull the stick partially back and try shifting again.

Some people have modified the linkage to make it easier. There are aftermarket shift kits to help.

[jerrynuss]

I forgot there should not be any grinding sound. If there is it is being shifted incorrectly.