| Author |
Message |
    
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 09:21 pm: | |
I bought a '96 Max IV recently and it's great in deep mud, trail riding, through shallow creeks, etc. I tried taking it for it's first "swim" the other day and wow...
This thing bobs like a cork and is uncontrollable in the water. I can't turn, and basically had to use a trolling motor to get back close land enough for the wheels to touch bottom so I could get out of the water. I also had a trolling motor mounted on the rear and the prop was barely under water. Anyone mount a trolling motor on the front ? Does it work better ?
Also discovered a problem with the Briggs 16 HP..it was running rough and stalling. I discovered the welch plug on the carb was leaking vacuum. Replacing and resealed the plug and it runs great. Any tips on getting this thing "swimming" safely ? One thing that may have effected stability is that the previous owner MAY have overinflated the tires...they are very tight. What is the proper inflation for the Goodyear rawhides ? |
Missouri's Max Dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 281
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 10:29 pm: | |
Ed, what tires do you have on the Max? You mention the Rawhides and with the 16hp engine, I'd guess you have the 21" or 22" tires. These tires are simply too small for a larger vehicle like the Max IV. No where near enough floatation and that is why it bobs like a cork. The Max IV really needs the 26" tires to achieve its real performance level. The larger tires will give you the floatation you need in the water, amazing water speed, almost 10" of ground clearance, and some of the best mudding ability you can get from an amphib. Those 26" tires require solid axles and I would recommend at least the 20hp engine. All types of tires can be run as low as 1psi with the newer rims, or about 3psi with pre-'99 rims. |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 10:55 pm: | |
21 inch tires...Well I don't want to go buying a new motor for it since the one it has has very low hours and runs excellent. Will changing the tire size necessitate buying new rims as well ? For the money I'd have to spend for new axles as well, it would have to make a night and day difference in stability and manueverability to be worth the cost. |
Bud
Advanced Member
Username: Budtx
Post Number: 134
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 04:02 pm: | |
Running the 26" tires will make a night and day difference in your Max IV. You will need new rims, though.  |
L.A. Philip Osborn
Advanced Member
Username: Roadwolf
Post Number: 160
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 04:06 pm: | |
Ed 25 or 25" tires are nice, but you do not have the bottom end, with a 16 to pull them, i think you should stick with 21 or 22" tires, perhaps try new ones
Phillip Osborn LA |
L.A. Philip Osborn
Advanced Member
Username: Roadwolf
Post Number: 161
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 04:25 pm: | |
Ed Are you sure your tires are installed to correct direction? Which is "backwards"? When looking down from overhead, the V should point to the rear.
Hope this helps
Phillip Osborn LA |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 12:07 am: | |
Yeah they are installed correctly, just severely overinflated. I will try putting 3 psi in each and take it for another swim. |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 4
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 12:13 am: | |
They tires also are in excellent shape, barely worn at all.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/ehnco/ehnco3/DSC02553.jpg[/img] |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 5
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 12:17 am: | |
Here's the pic...image tags didn't work... |
Jerry Nuss - Illinois MAX dealer
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 695
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 01:55 am: | |
Have you owned an amphib in the past? If not maybe it is just getting used to the feeling, the roll bar also adds some weight and increases the center of gravity. There are larger tires available that are taller and will fit your wheels.
I have a Hustler with 26" terra tires and Hustlers are sort of known for being slow in the water.
It is the fastest AATV I have ever had in the water, condsiderably faster than a Max IV with the same tires.
The tires you have are considered good swimmers. Were you in a lake or pond or in a creek or river? |
liflod
Advanced Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 167
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 07:06 am: | |
I still have to disagree with a few of you on the engine size. I have an 18HP Briggs in my Max IV with 26" tires and it definitely has enough power to turn them. When I ride by myself, there is never a power issue unless I'm trying to pull something. Even with my wife and 3 kids in the machine, I do not run out of power. I can't go as fast as by myself, but I do not run out of power. Granted, I would not turn down a larger engine if offered to me, but I would not even consider 18HP being under powered for the machine or the tires. |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 01:31 pm: | |
First amphibious vehicle. I was in a small 900 acre lake, on a calm day. Maybe the tippy feeling has to be gotten used to, but I could only go straight. Turning was impossible. Do you have to lean into turns ? Maybe it's operator error combined with too much air in the tires ?
I assume you can't go in reverse in the water or am I wrong ?
Yeah the 18 HP has plenty of power. Speed on land is adequate. |
L.A. Philip Osborn
Advanced Member
Username: Roadwolf
Post Number: 162
Registered: 02-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 02:14 pm: | |
Ed Your first message said 16hp
Phillip Osborn LA |
Jerry Nuss - Illinois MAX dealer
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 696
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 02:32 pm: | |
Lean into the turns, don't apply the brakes, just pull back slightly to reduce power to the sides. Braking and having a total stoppage of the wheels will cause a jerky rocking.
Yes you will need to get used to the feeling. After you get used to it you will feel better. Don't apply a lot of throttle just enough that you are not splashing and throwing water. You may only get 2 or 3 mph out of those tires. |
Ed
New member
Username: Badmoonrising
Post Number: 7
Registered: 06-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 08:02 pm: | |
That was supposed to be 16 HP....I didn't see an edit post button anywhere.
I lowered the tire pressure to 3.5 PSI and will attempt another swim in a day or so...
Thanks Jerry for the tips. |
Driving Tips and Techniques