Horse power for tracks

[drb]

looking at a 2003 max iv with tracks. like the machine but it only has an 18hp engine. how hard is it to put in a new vanguard 29hp or can you even do that?? thanks drb

[PlumCrazy]

That depends on how handy you are with a coming up with mods, and using a wrench and welder!
.
We put a Kubota 27hp 3cylinder gas in my MaxIV last spring.
My biggest gripe about the MaxIV was that they put the T20 under the engine stand, getting to the jackshaft chains were brutal.
We moved the T20 forward and put the battery under the stand.

[msafi65]

I have several friends with tracked max 4s with the 18 hp Briggs. They get around except in powder snow. I would look into the kohler command pro or pro EFI for a swap. Factory is using them now and parts will be available. There is no substitute for horsepower with tracks , go to at least 25 if you swap it out.

[drb]

msafi65, do you need the extra power to get up on the powder snow?

[drb]

guys, I'm not a mechanic. are new engines a reasonably close to a drop in project?

[ARGOJIM]

Depending on how handy you are, you could do a direct swap to a newer Kohler or Kawasaki injected engine using factory parts.
If really handy the sky is the limit.

[drb]

plumCrazy, I'm certainly not up to the replacement you did. wish i had that kind of talent. thanks for your comments. I may have to live with the smaller engine. drb

[drb]

ARGOJIM, where do i go for factory type parts and the engine? drb

[msafi65]

The soft snow requires more power than snow that packs down and gives you some footing. An engine swap in one of these vehicles could be done with all factory parts but requires mechanical skills and basic understanding of wiring. I see a kohler swap with new engine, belt , clutch(for larger crankshaft),exhaust system costing $2000+.
If the briggs is good its worth selling to recover some bucks. Might look at vehicle with bigger motor or just try the 18 for a few months and see. Hope this helps make up your mind.

[drb]

msafi65, thanks for the info. probably will have to live with the 18 for awhile.drb

[ARGOJIM]

Depending on where you are and the engines readily available you may get away reasonable depending on the market for the 18 Vanny.
If you could find a 23-25 Kohler efi or carbed, a 23 Van. or a injected 27 Kawasaki with computer for near what you could get for your Van. with the same clutch you could win.
Having to buy new Kaw. or Kohler with efi and clutch with exhaust would cost. All should bolt in with little to no mods. in a IV.
23 Vanguard is cheapest hp. bolt in and big improvement.

[Buzz]

an excellent option for older or lower HP machines is an elevated belt track which provides many benefits, one being an additional gear reduction. For the easiest turning, grouser shape/traction style come into play, but an 18 hp machine more than sufficient. You can also lower your gearing and/or tune your clutch for more low end.
Certain tracks are hard to turn and require lots of HP to do so and also to climb. This isn't true for all tracks though. Remember the biggest benefit of more hp is to be able to go faster under load (which isn't really necessary), or operate with other styles of tracks that need more HP.
What is mandatory is being able to climb a hill, power through a mud hole, or tow a trailer where you want it. If your machine fails on the low end it fails period. On the flip side, if you just cannot go fast or climb a hill with the wrong style of tracks, then yes you might want more power, but I just don't think that's necessary at all. There are simple ways to fix the common track complaints that people have. Just set the machine up correctly. It is definitely not about HP. It's gearing that is by far more important.

[Noel Woods]

I have a Max2 with Adair tracks, 13tooth output sprocket gears (low geared) a red spring clutch, 20hp Kohler, and with that combination of gearing its plenty strong, I've in fact towed stuck vehicles out of many a mud hole that have been stuck badly, and weighed 1500-1700 pounds.

Low geared does mean not fast, I think this machine will hit 20mph, but that's it. But its a real champ in the bog. I think it prefers a 2-5mph swamp to cruise through.

18hp has worked before, I had a Hustler a few years back, it was geared low, tried it with tracks and it was super slow, but performed very well. As long as you aren't in a hurry, gears work great, but a few ponies never hurt anything either.

[drb]

update after reading comments on this thread and talking to Matt at mudd-ox I made an executive decision. Realizing I don't have enough mechanical skills to buy a used machine with the 18hp engine and replace with bigger engine I bit the bullet and order a new Max IV. drb

[Noel Woods]

Congrats on the purchase of a new Max4, the new ones are very innovative and some of the top machines out there. Which one did you order? The 29hp seems like the top gun machine out there.