RTV500 HST Shifting

[timswi]

RTV owners...Stonehaller and I have had some discussions about this, and his help has been outstanding.

My question is this: When you are going uphill with the gas pedal mashed, does your RTV downshift (like a regular auto tranny), or do you have to let up on the gas to cause the downshift? In my case I have to let up on the gas, in Stonehallers case he doesn't.

Just would like to see what the overall HST behavior is out there. I'm thinking it might be a build date thing.

My warranty is about up and would like to address this. Had it back to the dealer a couple of time regarding this, and they said it's normal. I'm having a tough time with that.

Any responses are greatly appreciated.

 

[westbrooklawn]

timswi - I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I am looking to buy a utv in the $8000 range, and I have read all the previous threads on the rtv500, particularly comments from you and 737 pilot. When your machines were new you seemed to love them, but as time went by I sensed some dissatisfaction. I like the efi and transmission compared to other manufacturers in this price range, but you have "real world" experience, so I am looking for your overall thoughts. If you were to buy today, and were looking at the $8000-$9000 price range, what would you recommend?... would it be the rtv500 or something else? Any other owners, please feel free to provide your commnets also.

 

[art]

RTV owners...Stonehaller and I have had some discussions about this, and his help has been outstanding.

My question is this: When you are going uphill with the gas pedal mashed, does your RTV downshift (like a regular auto tranny), or do you have to let up on the gas to cause the downshift? In my case I have to let up on the gas, in Stonehallers case he doesn't.

Just would like to see what the overall HST behavior is out there. I'm thinking it might be a build date thing.

My warranty is about up and would like to address this. Had it back to the dealer a couple of time regarding this, and they said it's normal. I'm having a tough time with that.

Any responses are greatly appreciated.

Yours is right!!!!

 

[Stonehaller]

Yours is right!!!!

I disagree. Yes the backing off on the peddle does 'down shift' by changing the pump swash plate angle, but one of the two motors will change its swash plate angle depending upon the load of the transmission. This motor provides the automatic CVT function of the transmission.

 

[timswi]

timswi - I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I am looking to buy a utv in the $8000 range, and I have read all the previous threads on the rtv500, particularly comments from you and 737 pilot. When your machines were new you seemed to love them, but as time went by I sensed some dissatisfaction. I like the efi and transmission compared to other manufacturers in this price range, but you have "real world" experience, so I am looking for your overall thoughts. If you were to buy today, and were looking at the $8000-$9000 price range, what would you recommend?... would it be the rtv500 or something else? Any other owners, please feel free to provide your commnets also.

Overall I do like the machine after a year. Has some quirks, like the HST shifting and somewhat lacking in power. If you are going to use it to run around your property and work with it, it's fine. Going up steep hills requires low range and low speed. So, recreational use is limited. You're not going to run with the quads. I didn't buy this for top speed anyway.

If this fits your use, I'd buy it. It's very well built..Like a tank compared to others that I looked at. Those with CVT transmissions are more throttle responsive though.

 

[westbrooklawn]

timswi - Thanks for the reply... I did some serious shopping today, looking at mules, rangers, and finally Kubota rtv's. My kubota dealer happened to mention that he had sold a new 2008 rtv900 to a customer in April of this year, and now due to circumstances the fellow was trying to get rid of it and payoff his loan. Long story short... I ended up buying the used one... 65 hours, like brand new, and another 5 months of warranty left, for $7000. The diesel, power steering, and power dump are nice features... I picked it up tonight and haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I do know that I will have to get use to the quick stop of the hydro trans when you let off the accelerator... hopefully I can find out how to adjust this, or else check into a coast valve. I'm sure I will have more questions as I get into it.

If anyone else out there has been able to correct the hydro "quick stop" problem, I would be interested in details.

 

[timswi]

westbrooklawn,

Congrats on the 900..That's a great deal you got there!!! I'd like to buy one of those, but it's just a tad bigger than I wanted..I believe that may change in the near future as I'd like to have the diesel. My BX23 is ideal power wise.

You may grow to like the engine braking, I sure have. Give it a little bit. Let off the pedal slowly, you won't need the brakes. Try going down a steep hill and see what it does. You may begin to like it too.

There are coat valves available and they sound pretty easy to install.

Give me your impressions of the 900 once you get to run around a little bit..

And --- pictures, pictures, pictures!!!

 

[TWO GUNS]

You done great on that deal.
65 hours, that is a steel .... Have they done the 50 hrs service yet. If not, may I suggest several things my friend. First, go back with OEM Kubota filters and fluids. On the tranny, use the Super UDT ....
Go ahead and purchase you a high rise intake system for this machine. For it will save you big $$$ down the line on air filters, and will keep so much dirt, dust, grim out of your engine. After about 13 hours, mine was such bad shape, Installed the High Rise Intake, Got over 250 hrs on my unit now, checked the air filter two days ago. Still like brand new. Kubota put the air intake in the wrong place, that is a fact !!!!
Like mentioned on another post, you will get used to the engine brake ..... To me, it's well worth keeping it ....
You can't imagine how strong them RTV 900's are. They are not fast, but dern things is like a Sherman Tank, they just go & go & go !!!!!

 

[westbrooklawn]

timswi and TWO GUNS -

Thanks for the comments... I need to see if the 50 hour service has been done... forgot to ask the seller... I guess the first place to check would be the filters... factory filters on Kubotas are the solid gray color, and that should tell the story. Good info on the air filter also... who sells a high rise air intake?... do you have a link to an online seller or is it a Kubota part?

I was all set to order the coast valve, but both of you have convinced me to try to learn how to use the hydro braking system. I will get pics up within the next few days.

 

[TWO GUNS]

The Kubota High Mount Air Cleaner Kit V4271 is sold by your dealer .
That is for the ROPS model units.
The filters, the OEM Replacement Oil Filter (HH150-32430 ) for the Kubota RTV, is WHITE , the Transmission Filters are Orange and Cream / Beige in color . The Orange Suction Oil Filter ( Kubota HHK71-14080 ) goes in the very back, the Cream & Beige
( Kubota HHK70-14070) , goes on the side of the transmission >>>
Fuel Filter, Kubota 12581-43012 is clear ....


Does your machine have a roof ? Sounds like you got your hands on a Worksite model. Which is great !!!!! Send me a email with your email address, got some good pointers for you that will save you much $$$$$ on your machine !!!!!

........ jamie

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

RTV owners...Stonehaller and I have had some discussions about this, and his help has been outstanding.

My question is this: When you are going uphill with the gas pedal mashed, does your RTV downshift (like a regular auto tranny), or do you have to let up on the gas to cause the downshift? In my case I have to let up on the gas, in Stonehallers case he doesn't.

You do need to leave off the pedal.

 

[Stonehaller]

You do need to leave off the pedal.

I was hoping a Kubota dealer would join this discussion. I ask you to take a look at the functional hydraulic diagrams in the shop manual and explain the function of the variable motor.

Here is my interpretation. The peddle changes the swash plate angle of the pump which, of course, changes the ratio of the transmission. The pump drives two motors. One motor has a fixed angle swash plate and the other motor has a variable angle swash plate. The variable angle swash plate motor will also change the ratio of the transmission. The variable motor is not controlled by the peddle, but rather by the hydraulic pressure in the transmission. As the hydraulic pressure in the transmission goes up, due to increased load on the transmission from acceleration or a hill, then the higher pressure will increase the swash plate angle of the variable motor changing the ratio of the transmission to a 'lower gear'.

 

[bigdeer2000]

I would check the spark arrestor to see if it is clogging up. mine was at less than 50 hrs. sure robs your power when clogged.

 

[mstordahl]

You DO NOT have to lift up on the pedal if the HST is set up correctly from pdi. On the Kubota hst your foot is not directly connected to the swashplate in the trans, it goes through a reaction valve first which senses hst pressure to tell the pump when to de stroke. Under full load, the engine should pull down a little, but not bog, and you definately do not have to back out of the throttle. The system was designed to take care of these types of issues, but it only will work as designed if set up right. It is an easy adjustment to make too.

 

[mstordahl]

stonehaller, your interpretation is correct. That is how this HST works on the 500, 900, 1100 and 1140.

 

[timswi]

You DO NOT have to lift up on the pedal if the HST is set up correctly from pdi. On the Kubota hst your foot is not directly connected to the swashplate in the trans, it goes through a reaction valve first which senses hst pressure to tell the pump when to de stroke. Under full load, the engine should pull down a little, but not bog, and you definately do not have to back out of the throttle. The system was designed to take care of these types of issues, but it only will work as designed if set up right. It is an easy adjustment to make too.

This is getting confusing. Dealers and some other owners say that letting up is necessary, others say no. What adjustment would you do? I would prefer full throttle downshifts as letting off the throttle also lowers the RPMS which causes lower power...VERY annoying.

Need Kubota engineering to weigh in here.

 

[737pilot]

Timswi I quit trying to make the machine perform outside of the design characteristics. Its a underpowered golfcart and its not a tractor or a honda big red, polaris ranger, actic cat or Rhino. Its a utility vehicle that runs like its powered at times with a rubber band or Radio Controlled airplane gas engine. With all that said I love the darn thing and it does what it does best. Gets me around the hutin camp and also hold alot of ice cold beer in the back. Your machine is operatiing exactly like the machine was designed to operate. There isn't anything wrong with it. I myself would like to feel some more power so eventually im probably going to switch brands. Just ride it and use the heck out of it. It is a tough machine and you can't break it. I run my hard as I can with no complaints.....like i said before it is what it is and if you think about it its not all bad. I actually love mine. Yes we all know it's underpowered.

 

[timswi]

Timswi I quit trying to make the machine perform outside of the design characteristics.

737, I don't expect too much, just trying to get some straight answers...This whole idea of letting up on the gas just makes no sense. Was going up a hill in the woods the other night and ran out of RPMS due to letting up for downshifts. That part of the machine is really stupid...I'm with you in that I really love everything else about this little machine. Just this part makes no sense at all and there seems to be a wide disparity of opinions on proper performace.

 

[737pilot]

Timswi you say you run out of rpms going up a hill. I run out just going up the ramp on my 5x10 trailer. It won't make it uop the ramp in high gear unless you get a running start. It's lacking alot of tourqe in high gear. I think the HST is good in theory but is very inefficient in power transfer. This engine is a 450cc motor ok. I have a 250cc Yamaha timberwolf thats basically half the motor and it will kick the RTV 500's behind. Anyhow as far as the peddle thing I let off soemtimes to see if it helps on a hill and i can hear it pick up RPM's but its really not noticble on the speedo so I just keep it floored everywhere I go. I get great gas milage and my rattle sound is still there if you teally listen for it but like i said earlier much better with the new alternator. I know your frustrations brother. You just want the thing to act like a teenager not a 100 year old man. Take care and run the heck out of it...You won't hurt it.