Max IV vs Max II tracks

[tonyk72]

Does anybody know the lengths between the tracks on a Max IV vs one on a Max II?
I picked up a used set of tracks with 22" tires. I know the 21" tires are what I need, but I figured I could probably make it work. After a bit of struggling, there is no way I can get the tracks on over the last tire...Either the tires are just too big (I didn't think a 1 inch difference could matter so much) or the tracks are too short or both. So before I invest in a set of 21" tires. I just want to make sure I got the right lenght of tracks.

[mightymaxIV]

What type of tracks are these? How much length are you short? Could you post a picture so we know what we are dealing with? A 21" tires makes a great deal of difference since they sit about 20" on a Max 8" inch rim.

Did you let the air out of the front and rear tires?

[SCMay]

My used adair tracks for my maxII are about 163'' long, I am using 21x11x8'' tires and 4 psi in the tires has about 1'' of sag under the middle tire.

[Obsessed]

I might be off a bit, but I think a max2 has a wheel base of 50" and a max4 is about 57"....just take that number times 2 and then add the actual circumference of one of your tires....you can guess the circumference pretty close by just taking 3.14 times your tire diameter (then add the wheel base two times)...this will get you really close, really quick

Have fun!

[msafi65]

Factory Max II track belts are 161.625" for 21x11x8 tires. My II with 22x11x8 rawhides is 165.5". Max IV factory belts measure 177.5 ". One trick I use is to push the track on the first tire all the way aginst the body before trying to roll onto the other tire. Hope this helps.

[tonyk72]

OK, a quick measure of on of my tracks was 172"...I'll double check the length again tomorrow.

Here are some pics of my setup.
I put on just a rim on the last tire to give you and idea of how tight the fit would be if I had a tire on it.

[msafi65]

The measurements I gave are inside the track belt. Looks like stock max tracks. I think you will have to go with 21" tires to get them on. The rubber tracks don't streach much. Do you have the bearing cages and side bars? When installing remove center tire and suck front and rear tires down with vacume then replace the cap. Leave them a bit soft. I've tried drawing them way down and they get hard and square. With the correct tires they install pretty easy. Good luck

[tonyk72]

Think what I might try is a rachet strap to collapse the front and rear tires...I don't have the bearing cages.

[mightymaxIV]

Now I understand, your trying to put them on a MaxIV!!!! MaxIV wheel base is 57.5", I thought you were trying to put them on a MaxII, follow the advice of MSAFI65, good luck, let us know if it works for you.

[Hogneck]

I have the same tracks and have them on 21" rawhide tires. A very snug fit indeed !! I remove valve stems from all tires and grab a buddy. They go on hard and are a very close fit.Rotate as the air pushes out of the tires and keep pushing until you are on. 21" tires are a must for factory Max IV tracks.

[tonyk72]

I managed to squeeze the 22" tires on...The outer tires looked pretty squished. The 22" are pretty beat and unsure if they would hold air without tubes.
I'd like to take it for a test run with the 22's...will pretty much have to run at 0 psi.

You think this will work? Would I risk any damage running it this way?

[jpswift1]

I managed to squeeze the 22" tires on...The outer tires looked pretty squished. The 22" are pretty beat and unsure if they would hold air without tubes.
I'd like to take it for a test run with the 22's...will pretty much have to run at 0 psi.

You think this will work? Would I risk any damage running it this way?

I probably wouldn't do this for a couple reasons. It's going to be more stress on the bearings, the track guides are more likely to cut into the soft sidewalls of the Rawhide III tires, which are wider than the 21" Rawhides when you run them at this low of PSI, and they will be more likely to "walk" out of the tracks on sharp turns.

[sgtlane04901]

how did you ever make out with your tracks and tires

[tonyk72]

I never ran them this way and ended up getting 21" tires all around.

[BadBradII]

no bueno

Nice to read you did it right...good luck