This can not be it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Iwantonetoo]

Well baught a max ii a week ago, thanks to someof you guys for helping me getting it running smooth. 16 hp brigs vanguard running great now. took it out today for the first time. When i got to the trail i had tocross a ditch about three feet deep. I admit that the ditch is steeply inclined but upon trying to climb out i was very dissapointed when i realized that my new machine didnt have the power to cross into the riding area. as if that was not bad enough the tires wouldnt even spin and a two wheel drive four wheeler had to pull me up! PLEASE!!! tell me there is some type of adjustment that can be madeto remedy this problem, or i may have to divorsemy wife because i am tired of hearing thetras talk about having to pull me up a dry hill.

[thebuggyman1]

Were you pushing forward on the sticks? The springs on the laterals are not enough pressure on the bands in the t-20 except on level hard ground.

[Iwantonetoo]

No did not know pushing forward did anything the sticos don't seem to go any further forward.

[foxspoiler]

my buffalo truck will crawl up almost a vertical wall if the tires can get traction. but like Jim said you have to put pressure on sticks forward for full engagement of trans.

[Iwantonetoo]

tried hat and no better. is there some way to adjust the tranny?

[coosaridgerider]

Have you checked your belt,it could be worn or loose.

[brushcutter]

Have you checked your belt,it could be worn or loose.

Or both... worn and loose.

Did you notice any odd or new sound i.e. squealing, grinding, scrubbing or popping? Any info such as this will help us diagnose your trouble. Does your machine seem to accelerate quickly on flat ground or is it's response to throttling up while pushing forward on the sticks similar to an automatic transmission that is low on fluid? In other words when you do this, does it immediately take off or does the engine rev up as the machine g.....r....a...d..u.ally picks up speed? If yes, the belt is most likely the cause, the factory setting for a hustler was so that you could just roll the new belt onto the pulleys a total of like 3" deflection up and down.Not sure about a Max II but am fairly sure it should be less than 3". Also these belts are directional, the side toward the engine (the inside edge) has a flatter angle than the outside. So if you look at the belt edges you would see angles something vaguely similar to this: I I or at least all of them I've ever dealt with did. Therefore if the belt is backwards you have less contact with the pulley, which gives roughly the same effect of a loose belt. Doubt this is your problem, but stranger things happen.

[thebuggyman1]

Here is instructions on belt tension. ATV and Snowmobile Belts - by Dayco

And belt dimensions ATV and Snowmobile Belts - by Dayco
I went to a 1 1/4" wide belt on my maxII for better low end without giving up top speed. # HP3035 is probably what you need.
HP3035 - Polaris Dayco HP (High Performance) Belt. Fits 94-95 Starlite. | Snowmobile Parts | MFG Supply

[Iwantonetoo]

Well guys checked the belt and it was loose. I'm going to get a new one this week sometime. I will post again and let you guys know how it turns out. Going to clean the clutch before I put on the new one..

[Iwantonetoo]

Ordered the new belt but it won't get here till maybe Wednesday or Thursday next week. Boo hoo so guess I just have to wait. But I do have another question is there a reason that the left side would be much faster and stronger than the right? And I notice the left stick moves further and more freely also

[brushcutter]

More travel sounds like laterals out of adjustment, less freely... might need oiling. Try those out, and let us know. Sent you a pm a few minutes ago, goptta go sand some fiberglass, check ya outna bit...

[Iwantonetoo]

Wats wrong now?

Well got the max 2 running like a top now everything is great but it seems to be lacking power. When I'm in a tough spot only one side will spin at a time. Like pulling left brake makes right side spin and same the other way. I made a split shifter and now when I try to reverse one side and go forward on the other the engine just Boggs down I can still turn the old way but I know it should be able to spin both sides at once. Any ideas guys because I'm stumped. O yeah 16 hp vanguard.

[thebuggyman1]

There are a few tricks to learn with operating our machines. I still haven't got the hang of the Argo transmission(being used to a t-20). I suspect your first issue is belt/clutching read this:ATV and Snowmobile Belts - by Dayco
Second, are you pushing forward on the sticks when in forward? The bands will slip(in tough spots) if you dont.
Third, the learning curve with a skid steer.......remember the tires have to slide sideways to steer. In normal operation the machine is moving (usually fwd) when a stick is pulled back. This movement allows the tire to lose traction and slide sideways. When you are trying to counter-rotate typically you are at a dead stop. Try allowing the machine to roll a little first. If you were outside, and not driving, you could see the tires sidewalls flex when it is trying to turn.
And of course....more horsepower does help to overcome this friction. A 16 vanguard is at the low end of the scale.
I have a 16hp maxII and it counter-rotates fine. I changed the secondary spring from a yellow to a green (didn't like the red) and went to a 1 1/4"wide belt....it really helps the low end.

[Iwantonetoo]

Thanks again you always seem to have the answer and as far as the belt I ordered one two weeks ago and it still has not come in yet. Back order ugh. But I am sure it will arrive some day soon. Do you recommend any engine in particular and what would be a good price range for it if so

[brushcutter]

It sounds like the thing is doing what it should, but let's think this through. IF you are in forward, push forward on the right stick and pull back on the left stick, which would mean you want to turn left, then the left side should lock and the right side should spin. This will cause the left side to skid, thus the phrase "skid steer". To turn right, push on the left stick and pull back on the right. To make a reverse rt turn pull back on the left and push on the rt. A reverse left would be pull on the rt and push on the left. Now about the power, if you still have a loose or worn belt it will seem to be weak but don't assume that the engine is the problem. You did say it was running perfect, didn't you?

I had an 18hp Briggs in my 950 with 25" mudbugs on it and it didn't like counter rotating on hard ground. I have known of at least one member who smoked a new belt in that way. I can never stress this enough: on a hard surface use the counter rotation only as a must! Think of the split shifter rather as a "2 stick shifter" and use it as such. If you must split shift on hard ground, allow the machine to start moving in one direction or the other and then follow through with the required stick movement to counter rotate. Counter rotating capabilities are best used in soft ground or water.