RTV 900 spark arrestor?

[smstonypoint]

I just performed the first 50-hour service on my RTV 900 and per the owner's manual, cleaned the spark arrestor for the first time. I was surprised by the amount of soot that had accumulated over just 50 hours. I left my manual at the farm, but believe the manual calls for cleaning the arrestor every 100 hours after the first 100 hours.


Is it a waste of time to clean the arrestor more frequently than the manual calls for?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Steve

 

[timswi]

No, actually you should probably keep an eye on it. Others have noticed performace problems once that plugs up. My RTV500 never plugged, The 1100 is too new to know. Besides, removing it once in a while will prevent the screws from becomming perminant.

 

[Dargo]

I've heard tales of some of them being lost when they were being cleaned.

 

[timswi]

I've heard tales of some of them being lost when they were being cleaned.

True...Didn't want to say that though

 

[smstonypoint]

I've heard tales of some of them being lost when they were being cleaned.

What are the consequences of losing the arrestor?

Steve

 

[rswyan]

You will make Smokey The Bear very very unhappy ......

 

[Phil_R]

First PM project on my RTV900 was R&R spark arrester screws and apply anti-seize. Fresh anti-seize is applied every time screws are removed to service spark arrester.

 

[smstonypoint]

First PM project on my RTV900 was R&R spark arrester screws and apply anti-seize. Fresh anti-seize is applied every time screws are removed to service spark arrester.

Phil,

I did notice some light rust on the screws. What's R&R?

Steve

 

[Phil_R]

PM - preventive maintenance
R&R - remove and replace

 

[smstonypoint]

PM - preventive maintenance
R&R - remove and replace

Phil,

Got it -- thanks. Did you buy replacement screws from Kubota or find another source?

Steve

 

[Phil_R]

Local building supply / hardware store... good supply of metric / stainless bolts and screws.

 

[smstonypoint]

Local building supply / hardware store... good supply of metric / stainless bolts and screws.

Phil,

Good idea. I will go ahead and buy some some stainless screws for the cover.

How frequently do you clean your spark arrestor?

For the first 40 hours or so, most of my use was for short trips around the farm and so the engine wasn't getting up to full operating temperature very often. I have since started spraying herbicides and my trips take an hour or so. I'm thinking that the shorter trips could have led to more soot buildup. Am I off-base in my thinking?

Steve

 

[Dargo]

When I first took mine out, first off, the screw was almost impossible to get out. Then the screen was about 1/3 plugged. This was at 22 hours on the machine. I've since turbocharged my RTV1100 and, man, what a world of difference! It's not any faster but, unless I'm going to go up a steep hill or pull something, I now just put it in "H" and away I go without ever having to stop and shift.

The spark arrestor is to prevent sparks from coming out of the exhaust and causing a forest fire. If I don't use synthetic 2 cycle oil for my chain saws or string trimmers, I also have to constantly clean the screen in them. I think the manual on one string trimmer suggested taking the muffler off and cleaning the spark arrestor every other tank of fuel! That was a major pain in the rear. I must have forgotten to put that one back because I've not had a single issue with it in 3 years of 30 to 35 week a year use now.

 

[Phil_R]

How frequently do you clean your spark arrestor?

I don't check on a regular schedule, but no more than 50 hours between checks. Usually, if I'm doing any maintenance on the RTV, I'll take a look at the spark arrester just because it's easy to check.

 

[SpudHauler]

Strange thing happened to mine. It came out around hour 2 and somehow the hacksaw cut the entire screen off. And then magically went back on.
If you want a 2hr old screen, I have one in my junk metal box.

 

[westbrooklawn]

+1 Spud!!!!!! Amazingly the same thing happened to mine...

 

[smstonypoint]

Strange thing happened to mine. It came out around hour 2 and somehow the hacksaw cut the entire screen off. And then magically went back on.
If you want a 2hr old screen, I have one in my junk metal box.

I think I'm going to keep mine. I have trails through my pine plantation and I want to avoid any possibility of setting off a fire.

Steve

 

[coobie]

I've heard tales of some of them being lost when they were being cleaned.

Same here!!LOL.coobie

 

[lloyd123]

Gee - it's been awhile since I posted anything on this forum so I decided to check in and see what's new.

I seem to remember that my 2004 RTV900 didn't come with a spark arrestor but then there was a recall to add one because the stock muffler wasn't certified by the US Forrest Service - or some other agency - even though the muffler had a built in spark arrestor. The add on arrestor was superferlous just to meet the requirments because it was certified. I took mine off years ago.

I've had my RTV900 six years now and only have 240 hours - I just use mostly for plowing in the winter. Never had a problem except I had to replace the fuel meter this year. I just did a major fluid/filter change for the transmission, power steering and hydraulics and have been changing the oil once a year with Mobil1 10W-30 and coolant changes every two years.

Edit - just remembered I did have the muffler replaced at about two years but Kubota covered even though out of warranty because they didn't adjust properly during a prior recall to adjust tension on the mounts that support the muffler.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Your post raised a question... is Mobil 1 10w-30 classed as an oil for diesel applications?