max 2 question

[kadookid]

I'm looking at buying a good used max 2 but it only has the 16 horse v twin that seems pretty small to me. i'm concerned about running out of power on a hill climb or mud bogg it has 22 inch rawhides on it .what do you you think . thanks

[fmints]

When you said it was a good used Max 2, i hope you checked the tub, chassis, axles, and transmission and then determined that it was a good used Max. I beleive 1995 or 97 and higher had a stronger updated chassis versus the older 94 and lower. To me, this will be a deciding factor. The older versions also came with hollow axles with brass inner bushings, unlike the newer solid splined axles on the newer versions. RI also installed bigger bearings, inner and outer to strenghten the chassis and lessen the headache of replacing bearings. The newer Max's had disk brakes over the old drum brakes that were useless. Just trying to help you with info, if you didnt already know!

I Had a 93 Max II for my first AATV with a 16hp Vanguard in it. It was a strong lil muscle of an engine. I didn't have any real issues with it for it being a 16 and all. I did notice that turning right in donuts everything was great, but going left, the fuel wouldnt get to the engine because of the momentum and speed. Going up a very steep hill, was the same thing. A low pressure (2-3 psi or so) fuel pump inline will help and normally cost bout 50 buck at NAPA or O'REILLY'S. If the price is right, get it!! I did tinker with the fuel, and governor a lil bit. You can always opt to get a better bigger engine. My brother and I rebuilt a 18 Vanguard,, rocked totally,, more torque, low, mid and high.. I still have my 16 and will never part with it. Overall the 16 is good, but 18 is better!!!

[kadookid]

thanks for the info

[crawlinjk]

I have the 23hp kohler I couldnt see goin any smaller for hillclimbs, some big climbs im down to 5mph or so by the time I reach the top, then agaim I do go up hills that most wouldnt.

[jpswift1]

You don't need to have a 23HP Kohler to go up big hills. I have an 18HP Briggs in one of my Max IIs and it'll climb just about any hill fine. I pulled Hydromike's Attex 8x8 tank trainer, which is a VERY heavy machine, up a big long hill with my Max II when his center drive sprocket broke. It's amazing what these machines will do since they have 6 wheel drive traction and low gearing. If you need more low end power, you can always get a red driven clutch spring to keep the machine in a "lower gear" for a longer time compared to the green driven clutch spring. I've seen some very capable 16HP powered Max IIs out there, so don't let the engine size discourage you.

[hydromike]

Isn't mark m.'s Max II a completely stock 14hp? Even if it's 16hp, I've seen that machine do some amazing things considerably more difficult than hill climbs. It's never had to pull my 8x8 up a 1/2 mile long hill (twice!), but I'm sure it would.

[MikeyM]

I have an older max II (94) and as said, I can feel a little bit of frame flex...not horrible but it needs stiffened up a little. Mine has the 14 HP, which I put a 16 horse carb on it (which is the only difference between the two from what I was told) I havent had mine long, but have had it out enough and up and down hills, creeks etc. Its a trooper, Ive never had it bog down at all, always has plenty of power to get me through anything. The only time I have ever felt the engine really have to work was out at my buddies farm. Good size long uphill grade, with loose sticky clay, that gummed all around the tires and pretty much gummed up the bottom of the tub where the tires were constantly having to make room to spin. Didnt slow me down much, but could feel the engine havin to earn its keep. Im content with the power I have, and wont put in any larger unless I go through and upgrade everything.

[fmints]

MikeyM, I felt some frame flex in my older Max II also. Do you think that the difference between the 14-16 and a 18 is a combination of carb and coil(ignition). I was reading about my opposed 18 briggs, and the 14-16 shared the same piston bore and stroke, but the 18 have a different stroke but also share the same piston bore. So i guest the question is what makes a 18 different from the 14-16 hp on the v-twins and the opposed?

[MikeyM]

hmmmm I never looked into the specs for an 18. From thinking about it though, if the stroke is different, then a few other things need to change to time everything right. I would say the cam would have to have different duration to open and shut the valves at different times as opposed to the stroke of the 14 or 16, and with it having a different stroke the ignition would have to pick up the magneto at a different time so it would spark at the right time. Id be willing to bet, its all really close to the same, but just different and expensive enough to where it would cost and arm and a leg to do your own upgrades...but now you have me thinking hahaha, im going to look it up tonight when I get home and see what the differences are....if its just a few things here and there, i may just have to shine the wrenches!