KUBOTA RTV PROBLEMS

avorancher · Nov 3, 2004

I think the "shifting down" is referring to this statement: "Hydraulic flow can also be manually directed to the second motor by selecting the low gear range."

On mine, there is a huge difference in its ability to transverse hills in low range. In high or medium, I often run out of power and pressing the pedal (full open or slightly) doesn't do much... but in low range I have never stalled it out and usually end up spinning the tires due to poor traction. My dealer stated they chained one up to a tree and was able to spin all 4 tires on concrete. I've never tried that but it seems likely to me.

One of my first tests was loading over 1100 pounds in the back and going up and down hills that are quite steep. The extra weight helped the traction and I could hardly tell it had a load in the back. I also have a Kawawaki 650 Prairie that "might" go more places faster, but won't carry the tools and supplies I need.

If you don't notice this difference in low range on your RTV, I would have the dealer check it out.

bczoom · Nov 3, 2004

( I dont know if this is the newer version or not, the throttle lever seems to have some kind of a plunger control on it. )

This very well may be your issue!
Check out this thread: Abrupt stop on RTV
Let's say you're going on flat ground, high range at about 20mph. If you let all the way off the pedal and the stopping is relative gradual (as I recall, there was still a place where it decreased speed abruptly), you have the "Speed Lever Assembly" which is standard equipment on the newer ones (which yours sounds like it may be). If you do the same (20mph...) and let off the pedal and the thing acts like it wants to stop on a dime, you have the old version.
A couple of us have tried the "speed lever assembly" on our machines and both have removed. I know others not on this site that drove the old version but when they got theirs, it had the new part. They're working on getting the part to get replaced to go to the older version.

To summarize the findings on the "speed lever assembly", all have found it significantly harder to shift, and almost impossible within 5-10 seconds of coming to a complete stop. There has been talk about adjusting linkages and stuff to "tweek" how this new part works, but I know of nobody that has gotten this info from Kubota. I would recommend you check with your dealer about getting the older part. They should know what you're referring to. I'll see if I can get a part # for the older one. It'll probably be about $25 and take 1/2 hour to swap.
It sounds like yours is a company vehicle but for now, I wouldn't give up on it. It's a good machine but suffering some first year "bugs". The shifting issue is probably the biggest.

Brian

Ricochet · Nov 5, 2004

Have your dealer check the hydraulic servo lever (K7561-42370) that it is moving to its full stroke position.

Send me a PM and I will email you photos and more. If all else fails have your dealer call the Kubota Tech Line to diagnose the problem...etc.

flyingn · Nov 7, 2004

my rtv has pulled a 7500 lb skid steer machine on asphalt and spun all 4 tires doing it in low.. It has also pulled a 3500 lb trailer with 2 people UP a steep hill in low with no problem.. Yours Definetly has an issue. Take another RTV out at the dealer and show them the difference ..

Frank

RAMROD · Nov 12, 2004

The rtv is back at the dealer to get the axle fixed and try to address some of the other issues. I dont understand Kubota's thinking on the design of this vehicle. There is no way you can run the engine at it's highest possible rpm and the transmission at its lowest possible gear ratio at the same time. I wonder how the rtv would do if the HST transmission control was taken off of the throttle pedal and controlled by some sort of a hand control on the dash? You could gear down to the true low gear when you needed and still be able to run at full throttle. What do you guys think?

equipman · Nov 13, 2004

RAMROD
I think that by incorporating the throttle and speed control into one "automotive" type pedal Kubota has done some great engineering. This is an example of them making the RTV more user friendlier.
Lewis

flyingn · Nov 13, 2004

Im not following your line of thinking here.. What are you talking about? I can go full rpm in low in my machine.. ????

Frank

( The rtv is back at the dealer to get the axle fixed and try to address some of the other issues. I dont understand Kubota's thinking on the design of this vehicle. There is no way you can run the engine at it's highest possible rpm and the transmission at its lowest possible gear ratio at the same time. I wonder how the rtv would do if the HST transmission control was taken off of the throttle pedal and controlled by some sort of a hand control on the dash? You could gear down to the true low gear when you needed and still be able to run at full throttle. What do you guys think? )

RAMROD · Nov 13, 2004

I guess what I'm trying to say here is when you are in any gear low, medium, or high and start to push the throttle pedal it begins to open a valve in the transmission as this valve opens, the gear ratio becomes higher making the rtv go faster. So when the valve is wide open the throttle pedal is wide open and the engine rpms are wide open. If you could partialy close the transmission valve, thus reducing the gear ratio, while still having the throttle pedal to the floor holding the engine rpms wide open you would lose wheel speed but gain alot of power. The way the rtv is designed you have to run the engine at it's lowest rpm to get the transmissions lowest possible gear ratio. If you could get the transmissions lowest possible gear ratio and the engines highest rpm at the same time you would have all the power in the world.

cnoel · Nov 17, 2004

Both you and Equipman are correct here. The line of thinking was to be more user friendly, ie. automotive style. That being said, if you run your throttle on a separate control, it will definitely improve the power. We have done some experimenting with this, and though not as easy to operate, in certain applications would sure improve performance.

bczoom · Nov 17, 2004

( Both you and Equipman are correct here. The line of thinking was to be more user friendly, ie. automotive style. That being said, if you run your throttle on a separate control, it will definitely improve the power. We have done some experimenting with this, and though not as easy to operate, in certain applications would sure improve performance. )

cnoel - welcome back. Haven't seen any RTV posts from you lately. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Can you tell us more about your "experimenting"?

I'm wondering if an aux. throttle pedal (similar to what's on the floor of the tractors) for the left foot could work nicely.

Did I recall in the sales spiel I got when buying the RTV that there was going to be something to keep the RPM's up for hyd. implements attached to the rear?