Oil & Fuel Kubota RTV500 transmission problem

[Buddy123]

Hello folks - I just changed the transmission fluid and filters on my 2013 RTV500 Serial number 33297 with 72 hours on the clock. I bought it used at 70 hours and don't think its ever had any maintenance done on it. I used Kubota filters (verified correct filters) and Kubota Super UDT2 fluid. I followed the procedure outlined in the Kubota work shop manual (WSM). Fluid level is near the top of the range on the dipstick. With rear wheels off, unit level sitting on jack stands, rear axle turns with transmission in R - okay. With transmission in forward (H or L), rear axle just jerks a little - won't rotate! I even gave it half throttle, just a few jerks but no rotation. Everything worked fine before the fluid and filter changed. WSM transaxle troubleshooting guide says "change filters" or "replace high pressure relief valve". Anyone else have this issue. Thanks for your help.

 

[radios1]

it's obviously something you did, did you fill the filters before installation?. it seems air has gotten into the system, and there must be a procedure for bleeding the air out!..

 

[Buddy123]

Thanks radios1. The WSM has a 9 step procedure for changing the trans fluid and filters. I followed it verbatim. I filled the suction filter prior to install as it mounts vertically with base facing up. The second filter mounts horizontally so I only filled it half full prior to install. The WSM says to run the engine at medium speed for several minutes prior to operating the transmission. I did that, several times, still not working right. I did not see any other bleeding procedure in the manual.

 

[AllDodge]

You didn't happen to mix up which filter went where?
Also how much oil did it take to refill?

 

[Buddy123]

Thanks AllDodge. No, I changed one filter at a time, they have different colors. The WSM says it takes 2.2 gallons for a fluid and filter change. I poured in 2 - 1 gallon jugs, then measured and added another 32 oz in increments until dipstick indicated near the full mark. Started unit and ran for a minute. Shutdown unit, waited a few minutes. Level was at the low mark on the dipstick. Added another 16 oz to get level to high mark on dipstick. So in total, it took 2.4 gallons. However, I did overflow the vertical filter prior to install and lost a few ounces due to spillage. Just checked level again after its been sitting for hours - just below the full mark on dipstick. Thanks

 

[AllDodge]

Sure is weird. I changed my 1100 buy just pulling the drain plug and both filters. Installed both then filled up, started motor, checked the oil and everything was good to go.

With motor OFF and in neutral, rotate one of the rear tires and see if the other side rotates in the opposite direction, and drive shaft turns. Then put in gear and see if you can rotate the wheel

 

[Buddy123]

Thanks AllDodge. With engine off and in neutral, I rotated one rear wheel, the other side did not rotate. With transmission in H, I rotated one rear wheel. The other side rotated in the opposite direction. The only driveshaft visible is the one going to the front axle. The rear axle is enclosed in the HST unit and is not visible.

 

[AllDodge]

Agree, not thinking correctly with the drive shaft

The drive wheels would appear to work opposite, but need to find out if mine does the same to verify. Wonder if the shift linkage got messed up when jacking up on stands

Have you tried to put the wheels back on and off jack stands?

 

[Buddy123]

Thanks AllDodge. I put the wheels on. Now it works! WTH! Why it didn't work with the wheels off - I don't know. Maybe has something to do with a hydrostatic feedback mumbo jumbo. Anyway, Thanks for everyone's help. Now we know.

 

[aczlan]

Thanks AllDodge. I put the wheels on. Now it works! WTH! Why it didn't work with the wheels off - I don't know. Maybe has something to do with a hydrostatic feedback mumbo jumbo. Anyway, Thanks for everyone's help. Now we know.

Perhaps a bubble somewhere that needed resistance to work through?

Aaron Z