Notes for RTV1100 owners

ttowne66 · Jan 30, 2008

Hello Gents

Some of you may remember the post I made with all the issues outlining the Mattracks set-up with our RTV. One of them was that the machine seemed to have some transmission issues. The machine just simply didn't seem right and as it turns out it most certainly was not working properly. The symptoms were that the machine would slow considerably when encountering anything even resembling an incline, the rpm would not drop a bit but travel speed would go to a 3-5mph on flat, any fairly steep hills and we would go to a crawl (this was in low range!!!!). The machine would not even move in hi-range on hard level surface. Again, rpm not dropping a lick through all this. We called the dealership, explained the situation and they said "that is how this transmission works!!!!!! Obviously we were going nowhere with them so we ordered a work shop manual and had our local mechanic (club member) have a look. Issue #1 was that the shift assist circuit (lever you pull to assist in shifting) was mis adjusted to the point that the tranny fluid was by-passing to the sump at what he figured as 75% to sump 25% to tranny. Issue #2, major water contamination in tranny fluid. The vent line for the hydro reservoir was positioned in a way where it was inviting water into the system. We had a collapsed transmission filter and the fluid needed replacing. We properly adjusted the previously mentioned shift assist system, vacuumed the hydro system of all contaminated fluid, replaced the tranny fluid and filter, relocated the vent line then test drove. What a difference!!!!! We can now take off easily in hi-range on a flat surface. The machine will stall out in hi-range going up a reasonable incline so we now know that the full 25hp is being used. Medium range is now a very usable range. Low range now holds 6-7 mph even going up decent inclines in 1ft of heavy wet snow with no RPM drop. Another interesting point is that the tranny shifts very smooth now and I don't see where we would need to use the assist lever at all. I hope this post helps serve a logical process to go through if you are experiencing any similar symptoms. Cheers.

TWO GUNS · Jan 30, 2008

this is the most interesting post i have ever read >>>

all RTV owners need to listen to this one !!!!!!!!

ttowne66 · Jan 30, 2008

Thanks TG

Yea, I would suggest that everyone have a look at the shift assist adjustment because that could be out a bit so that it is bypassing any amount. I guess it was actually a good thing that ours was so far out because it was so extreme, so noticeable that we had to do something. While talking with our mechanic member I asked if the return spring might be the culpret and he said "not a chance", had me look at the spring and showed me how strong it is. It was all an adjustment issue. It is possible that there are several of these units running around with differing amounts of bypass from mis adjustment. I am not sure if this is factory set or if dealers are supposed to set this. From what I have seen so far I'd say that it is VERY likely our dealer doesn't even know the circuit is there! I'll see if I can post the adjustment procedure out of WSM in next few days.

Deerlope · Jan 31, 2008

Alll very interesting. My 05 model does not have that hydro release feature.

Dargo · Feb 1, 2008

Apart from the water, I posted the same results about the RTV900 here back in early 2004. I had considerable transmission issues until I changed the fluid and filter. That made it nearly perfect. I ended up again changing the fluid and filter at 50 hours and never again had any issues. The thread is here somewhere, but it's from way back in early 2004. I was hoping the 1100 didn't have the same need to change the filter and fluid early. Oh well...

ttowne66 · Feb 1, 2008

Dargo

We changed the fluid once before at around 50 hrs and this last change at 110 hours, both times with very heavy filters (water) and again this last time with an exploded (internally) filter. The first change helped a bit but frankly it didn't make a whole lot of difference in the performance. The adjustment of the shift assist circuit has made a tremendous difference (if 75% of fluid is being by-passed you'll certainly notice it on hills). On another note I spoke with a friend about his RTV900 and he said to be careful leaving it outside as under the right circumstances water will drain off the cab and make its way between cab and dump box onto the alternator. If it is below freezing then the alternator freezes then goes up in smoke (this happened to him). I believe this only applies to the 900 though.

ddivinia · Feb 2, 2008

ttowne66 said:
Dargo
with very heavy filters (water) and again this last time with an exploded (internally) filter. The first change helped a bit but frankly it didn't make a whole loh.

What brand filter are you using?

D.

ttowne66 · Feb 2, 2008

Kubota Filters!

Dargo · Feb 2, 2008

Me too. I've never put a non-Kubota filter on any RTV I've had.

ddivinia · Feb 2, 2008

ttowne66 said:
Kubota Filters!

What does Kubota have to say about it?

Defective filter?

D.

mikeyd · Feb 2, 2008

Kubota filters only.

ttowne66 · Feb 3, 2008

Dealer is submitting issues to Kubota and we have heard nothing from either. For our Grooming operations we do not have the time to haul the machine back and forth to the dealer. I should mention again our nearly total lack of confidence in the dealership, so we will do our own work, at least during the winter months.

ddivinia · Feb 3, 2008

ttowne66 said:
Dealer is submitting issues to Kubota and we have heard nothing from either. For our Grooming operations we do not have the time to haul the machine back and forth to the dealer. I should mention again our nearly total lack of confidence in the dealership, so we will do our own work, at least during the winter months.

That totally sucks. It sounds like you should be sending a letter to Kubota. I sure am thankful I have a good deal that takes care of things after the sale.

Kubota owes you something.

What is interesting is that I was leaning towards Kubota and I ended up with my Gator due to the dealer. The dealer seemed like a bunch of clowns.

D.

ttowne66 · Feb 3, 2008

"Kubota owes you something"....I'd gladly take another 10hp LOL.

ddivinia · Feb 3, 2008

ttowne66 said:
"Kubota owes you something"....I'd gladly take another 10hp LOL.

Or maybe filters that don't collapse...

D.

Skipholiday · Feb 3, 2008

This isn't the norm for Kubota. Kubota makes high quality machines.
Too many users own them with zero problems.
Good dealer support is important.
I hope you get this resolved soon.
keep us updated~!

TWO GUNS · Feb 3, 2008

A dealer with a good backbone is everything. To me, folks that stand behind the sale ( and their word ) is everything... Service , Warranty, etc ~~~

THANK GOD, I have a super dealer, calls on me on the time, checkin' in on things... He even offered me to come pick up my machine and service this thing if I don't have time to bring it in to him, which is 119 miles round trip. Also, he said he'd bring me a RTV to use unitl mine returns, AT NO COST !!!
Now, that's service !!!!
We have a Kubota dealer, that is only 7 miles east of me in Mississippi, he's nothing but a ******* joke. He's a embarressment to Kubota, yes, he has a fancy new shop, big showroom floor with machines all decked out. But heck, that don't do nothing for folks. Just makes him feel like he's King Tut or something. Tried to give him some business a year ago when I purchased my machine~~~ He wouldn't even talk straight to me, wouldn't budge on that crazy prices he carries, and I was paying cold cash for this machine. So, I found out that going back to the basics, look till you find someone who gives a flip about you and your machinery, takes time to listen at your applications, and offers you a heck of a lot more than you ever would expect !!!! And it's not just Kubota dealers, it's dealers from all manufacures that act this way. It just a matter of the caliber of dealer they are. I cannot tell you how many folks have purchased a different machines, just for the reason of being a a*** ole of a dealers.....
Now the funny flip side of this, the next day, after making my purchase of the RTV, one of the salesman from the " gookie dealer " lives down the road a piece , has to drive by my place everyday. He saw me installing my winch in front of my shop, SLAMED ON BRAKES and returned >>> asked me " what have you done, you went somewhere else and bought one, my repley, " Heck yea" , THEN , he made the mistake and asked me the price that I paid, told him and he said " oh, I would of matched that " >>>> My reply, well fixin' to purchase two more for the farms next week, I take that price from you !!!! Then he backed down and made the statement, " we'll, that was before you purchased it elsewhere. I will have to stand on my original price " Told him to get back in his truck, and get, for I don't have time for his B.S. around here, and I will for sure go somewhere else to make my other purchases !!!!
You couldn't give me a Kubota off his lot, for I know, even at a free price, there would be no service behind the Kubota there. That's why I go the distance I do, to get QUALITY SERVICE FROM A QUALITY KUBOTA DEALER !!!

Deerlope · Feb 3, 2008

Service is everythng today. More than once I have called about my tractor and said hey send a mechanic out here but we usually resolved the problem over the phone.