Misc. RTV900 Questions

lloyd123 · Jul 18, 2004

After about 13 hours of tooling around in my RTV900, I've got a couple of minor questions that maybe someone on the discussion board might be able to shed some light on:

1. The illustration in both the owner's manual and the workshop manual show the oil dipstick to be sort of round with a flat section on the end. The oil level should be somewhere between the top and bottom of this flat section. The oil dipstick that I actually have in the engine is not round but flat for the entire length. There are two holes near the end and I assume that the oil level should be between these two holes. Sound logical? I could always ask the dealer but I'd rather ask here.

2. The fuel gage and to a lesser degree, the coolant temperature gage, both seem to fog up once they've been powered on for awhile. Either water or oil is vaporizing when heated up in the gage and condensing on the inside of the glass bezel. After they cool down they both clear up. Anyone else have this happening to them?

3. Does anybody know who makes the tires for the Worksite model? They're got "350 MAX OFF ROAD TIRE" written on the side. I've plugged that into google but nothing that relates to tires shows up.

Thanks

flyingn · Jul 18, 2004

I did not take a look at mine yet but Id say that you are correct. Between the 2 holes..

Frank

bczoom · Jul 19, 2004

lloyd123
My gauges are doing the same thing. The dealer said he'd check with Kubota to see if that's a warrantee item but haven't heard back.

New question:
I gave my RTV a bath yesterday. Once the mud was gone, I found a couple things I didn't like. Found a bolt on the floor in the cab area. Seems to be one that holds some of the plastic on. Haven't found where it goes but not a concern yet.
What I did find in the engine compartment, I didn't like.
The nut on the linkage that controls the vertical movement of the shifter (e.g. going from M to H range) was missing. Not sure what would have happened when the linkage actually disconnected.
Laying on top of the transmission, I found a small cylindrical steel barrel (picture attached). There's no holes or anything on it. I can't figure out what it goes to. Can anyone help identify what this is and or where it goes? The dealer installed the speedometer, otherwise, the engine hasn't been touched (other than checking fluid levels).
Thanks
Brian

flyingn · Jul 19, 2004

actually now that you say that my gas gauge is doing the same thing..

my worksite tires say "350 mag off road" and designed in the USA on em . With a phone number for service. 800 833 6309

Frank

lloyd123 · Jul 19, 2004

I'm no Kubota mechanic but looking in the trusty parts manual the pin you attached a photo of looks like an alignment pin used between the front case and the engine. I've attached a copy of the illustration in the parts manual. If it is I don't think it could have fallen out once the engine was installed - maybe it slipped out when the engine was being connected to the case at the factory or, more likely, it's just an extra one that landed there during assembly on the line. I had a few new cars with extra nuts and bolts floating around that were dropped during assembly and weren't picked up.

bczoom · Jul 19, 2004

lloyd123

Thanks for the info. I was hoping that it (as well as the bolt and washer I found in the cab) were extra parts.

Brian

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 19, 2004

I second his guess, its not uncommon to have extra parts after setting up a tractor.

Zeus · Jul 19, 2004

I noticed the same thing with my gauges also. If you all find out anything, please post it. By the way, I'm dropping mine off tomorrow to have the hydro lift cylinder installed. Came in sooner than I expected from Kubota. GS

riptides · Jul 19, 2004

What do you plan on doing with the new cylinder?

And to the rest of you, I have not fogged up my gauges yet. But it is something I will look for.... thanks!

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Jul 20, 2004

Thanks again for the answer to the "spare parts" included with my engine.

New question: (again...)
From the day I first saw the RTV, I've questioned the integrity of the cargo box walls for taking abuse. I haul a lot of logs for firewood and thought the OEM box would get heavily damaged from receiving 60-100# logs. On receipt of my RTV, I removed the box and made my own out of pressure treated wood. I normally load the bed to about 2.5' high with no tailgate (so I can get a third rank of wood in, but it overhangs the back). Can the OEM box sides handle impacts without denting? Will the sides hold up without bending outwards when receiving about 800# of wood inside without the tailgate closed/latched?

Has anyone given the box a good workout? How's it holding up?

Thanks
Brian

riptides · Jul 20, 2004

My wife throws horse crap in it. Is that classified as abuse?

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Jul 20, 2004

Hey Mike,

Don't really know if that constitutes abuse to the box. Depending on the size of the load, how fresh it is and wind direction, it may be more abuse to the driver.

Brian

flyingn · Jul 20, 2004

Looking at the RTV box it seems to be pretty beefy. I would not worry bout it..

Frank

Dargo · Jul 21, 2004

Apparently there must be an issue with the gauges. I never mentioned it and thought it was just an issue with the humidity in my area. However, they have fogged up every time I have used it for over two months now. Sounds like Kubota needs to have a little talk with their gauge supplier!

flyingn · Jul 21, 2004

just got back and my gas gauge got fogged. I reached behind thre dash and found the gauge warm to the touch. It has no light in it why was it warm? MY guess is that the air is condensating in the gauge due to the heat..

Frank

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Apparently there must be an issue with the gauges. I never mentioned it and thought it was just an issue with the humidity in my area. However, they have fogged up every time I have used it for over two months now. Sounds like Kubota needs to have a little talk with their gauge supplier! )</font>

Zeus · Jul 21, 2004

What do I plan on doing when the kit is installed???

I do a lot of landscaping work and it will come in very handy in tight spots with top soil and mulch.

As for the gauges, I got to looking and the gauges on the zero turn mowers that my buddy uses fog up also. I imagine the humidity has a lot to do with this. Picked up my RTV from the dealer today after having the lift installed. Looks like it will be pretty nice. Time will tell I guess. Now to find some lights for the back. I looked at the rear work light but I'm going to look around some more before purchasing that one. GS

bczoom · Jul 22, 2004

Re. the gauges:
I talked to the dealer I got my RTV from. He said Kubota will replace the gauges that are fogging under warrantee, but... It may be awhile. He said Kubota is looking for a different supplier and once that's done, the demand will by high.

I saw in another forum somewhere (haven't been able to find it again) about gauges fogging that they believed the gauges may be fogging up due to a flaw in the manufacturing process where they were sealed up before the glue or something inside had a chance to dry. When heated, it caused the fogging effect. At least for mine, I still think it's humidity.

bczoom · Jul 22, 2004

Zeus,

Are you looking for a light for the cargo area?
If so you may want to look at the Warn trail lights. They're sold as either a pair (for the front of an ATV or single (sold as a backup light). I've used these on my ATVs. They hold up nicely and are definitely bright enough.
I put a pair on my RTV (one pointing into the box, the other into the cab area) They fit nicely under the roof panel, mounted to the top center bolt where the cage mounts to the ROPS. (see attached pic).
There's some on e-bay (search for "Warn Trail lights"). I've purchased a lot of stuff from the guy in Northern Cambria, PA with great success.

Brian

Zeus · Jul 22, 2004

That's exactly what I'm looking for. I need some light for backing up in the woods after dark and such. Where is the swith for the one that you have shining to the rear? Are they pretty bright? Thanks for the info. Glenn

bczoom · Jul 22, 2004

Zeus,

Yea, I'd say they're pretty bright for a 35w bulb. The way I have it mounted (way up on top), you can't tilt up so it shines way out the back (it hits the roof). It really lights up the cargo area but I honestly don't recall if (or how far) it shines behind the RTV. If you don't use the existing hole in the cage (where it mounts to the ROPS), you could drill a new hole and mount it a little lower and then be able to tilt more horizontal.

If you got a pair, you could put one up high (where I have) and the other under the back of the box so you could see the hitch area and behind you better.

My switch is mounted to a panel that's under the roof. Here's a link.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/463654-Kubota%204.jpg

The switch that comes with these lights doesn't have a very long shaft to mount through thicker material.

Brian