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Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 30
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 12:37 pm: | 
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It's me, with MORE questions.
What MAX engine is the best?
What Argo engine is the best?
Aside from the obvious EFI versions, which I'm not likely to spring for at this point.
How is that 23hp Kohler in the MAX II?
How is that 23hp Briggs & Stratton in the Frontier?
Which engine is the easiest to maintain?
Which has the best reputation for reliabilty?
I need some opinions here, what are your preferences? Reasons? |
Jerry Nuss - Illinois MAX dealer
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 675
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 10:05 pm: |
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They are all very good. I like higher horsepower and high torque. I have a 16hp in a Max II, I just sold an 18hp in a Max II, and I have a 23hp Kohler in a Max II. I can not tell the difference in the 16hp and 18hp in a Max II. There is a noticeable difference with the 23hp Kohler.
The Kohler is electric start only, this could be a drawback for some people. The Briggs and Stratton are easily modified to get a lot more horsepower and torque.
I don't know if there is a difference in the engines based on who installs them in their machine. Every Argo I have seen uses the same engines as in the Max. The 18hp is about as low as I would want to go in an Argo. I have driven the 16hp and 18hp Argo and I can tell a difference in them where I can't tell a difference in the Max.
If I were to buy a Max for play and trail riding, I'd get the 16hp, then modify after the warranty is up. If I were pushing a plow or running tracks, I'd get the 23hp Kohler. If the price is not much difference I'd get the biggest engine I could afford. |
Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 31
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 12:05 am: |
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I figured the extra horsepower was needed. Seems to me it'd be like my jeep, you could get a 4 cylinder, and it may get you around town, but going up a hill, or through the mud, sooner or later you are going to wish that you had opted for the I6. Go short and sooner or later you end up regreting it, usually in the most inconvenient of places, like in the middle of a HUGE mudhole, or worse, realizing halfway up a nasty hill that you are not going to make it, and then trying to figure out how to get turned around without getting rolled up like a cheap rug.
I figure I'll have to max out the horsepower for the unit & go a little more money. I just can't go the EFI thing yet, unless I buy a MAX IV. We'll have to see. thanks for the knowledge. |
Missouri's Max Dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 271
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 12:51 am: |
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The Max II is a great machine with any of the engines. The smaller vehicle with the small tires (no bigger than 22") just can't really use the extra power. 16hp is enough to do just about everything although the 23hp is great if you are able to spend that extra money.
The Max IV and the Argos are a different story. The Max IV is "OK" with the 23hp Kohler, I would not go with the 18hp. It is simply not enough power for a big machine and 26" tires. It labors hard with cargo/passengers or just simply going up hills and that decreases the fun factor in my opinion. The 25hp Kohler was the best motor ever put in the IV. Very simple air cooled engine with big power. The Kawasaki engines are good and reliable but I do miss my old favorite. Get the 27hp if you can afford it and the EFI is only about a grand more. Those larger engines also have better resale value.
Argo is the same way with power. Their new transmission works great but it is still a bit wasteful on power. The old Bigfoot with the 18hp was a great machine that sold in big numbers. I think we all wished ODG went with the 23hp in the Bigfoot like they have now done with the Frontier. The 23hp is the minimum I want for Argo's type of steering. |
Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 32
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 04:24 pm: |
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This is where I am at; I am dying to get in this, but am not likey to be coughing up $20k anytime soon, just not going to happen. And if I was going to do that, I'd be more inclined to buy 2 Max IIs w/ accessories (1 23hp and 1 16hp) with that money. More fun w/ the kids to my way of thinking, being as I have around 10 years or less left having fun with the younger ones before they go off to college. After good discussions with the wife & the younger kids, we have come to the conclusion that we would have more fun driving 2 than just riding around 4 people on one unit. Being a passenger is only so much fun, sooner or later everyone wants to drive a bit.
This being like hunting, fishing, sports, or just hanging out, is mostly about having fun with them, building memories, and hopefully imparting decent values, responsibility, and good habits. I'd rather buy 2 Max IIs than even "allow" a video game into my home. I'd rather keep $1,000.00 of sporting equipment in the garage than have a single $10.00 video game. I want them out, actually doing things, getting exercise, developing NORMALLY.
When they are all off to college, or out on thier own, then I will be more inclined to buy an Argo and cough up $20k for myself.
The Argo looks like a more refined unit, but math is math. LOL!!!... It is really hard to argue with a bottom line while a man still has kids in the house, especially if those kids are ACTIVE. |
Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 33
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 05:43 pm: |
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Brandon,
So what I am gathering is go with the 23hp and then swap to the 24" Argo tires? Would that make the extra power of the 23hp more applicable? I saw your videos with those tires. Or really, would any good 24X11-8 tire would be ok, right? Would a good 24X12-8 work too? It would seem to me to lessen the psi/ground factor slightly.
As for the 16hp I'd be more inclined to leave it stock as that is what the kids would be driving around.
Bouncing ideas around here. Anyone else got any inputs? Reccomendations. Personal experiences with different tires, etc.?
I have gathered to stay with skid-steer tires as too much traction can get you hurt. |
Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 34
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 09:41 pm: |
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Hey Brandon,
There is a 2004 MAX IV with all sorts of accessories on Ebay w/ that 25 hp Kohler engine that you like! $6,000.00 with NO RESERVE.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Max-IV-6x6-Amphibious-ATV-w-5x10-Trailer-NO- RES_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66467QQihZ012QQitemZ220230279685QQrdZ1QQsspagenam eZWDVW |
Rogersmith
Advanced Member
Username: Rogersmith
Post Number: 381
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 11:23 pm: |
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You could just look for a clean max II, something new enough to have the good axles/chains/beadlock wheels. Well kept, that means take a good look at the sprockets and chains,etc. Don't worry about bigger tires, everyone runs the 22". There aren't any tires for 8" wheels taller than 22" except the argo ones. That max IV looked like a bargain, plow, trailer, etc! |
Edward Mobley
Member
Username: Edward_mobley
Post Number: 35
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 10:23 am: |
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Yeah, it looks like a pretty solid deal. My 10 year old caught it and was looking at it.
For the kids I'll pick up a 16 or 18hp, hopefully w/ a plow so that he can do my driveway and make himself some money during the winter. I'm going with a 23hp. I was leaning towards an Argo Frontier 650 8X8, but then started talking to kids and the wife, and started considering a few other things. I'm thinking 2 Max IIs now, just makes more sense for the foreseeable future. |
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