RTV900 Plow Electric Lift Linear Actuator

lloyd123 · Feb 24, 2005

I've seen the lift motor for the RTV900 (Curtis) plow listed as "electric over hydraulic" in several posts but when I did some searching on this it turns out that it isn't. It's actually a electric/mechanical set up with a acme screw doing the lifting. There's a stainless steel tube covering the screw that makes it look like a hydraulic piston.

Here's the manufacturer's web site:

http://www.thomsonindustries.com/Sections/Products/Products_main.asp?PC=8900105&L=True&IT=Descrip&GI=1

I found another site that sells the unit for $250:

http://www.powerdrives.com/electrak/D12-10A5-04D.htm

I sent an e-mail to the company to see if they had repair kits. They wrote back that the only replacement part they sell is the motor for $125. I think it will be the clutch that wears out first. According to a chart the clutch should be good for about 10,000 cycles before it fails. If you don't run the motor until the clutch starts to ratchet then it should be good for about 50,000 cycles.

I don't know what Kubota or Curtis charges for a replacement but I bet it's more than $250.

bczoom · Feb 24, 2005

Hey George,

Hate to say it but I think you and Frank (flyingn) are the only 2 that can actually say the subject line of this thread "3 times fast". /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Kidding aside, I just saw a plow related item that I'm not sure you could use. Check out e-bay Item number: 4520743402
Not sure if it would/could work for you but just wanted to pass on what I saw. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Brian

lloyd123 · Feb 25, 2005

Brian,

It was either "RTV900 Plow Electric Lift Linear Actuator" or "Plow Thingy". They don't charge by the letter so I went with the first.

Thanks for the link - I already installed the Kubota angle kit but it looks like someone with some mechanical skills could get this to work on the RTV - BTW, that wouldn't be me.

I see that ebay seller with the hydraulic unit also has another interesting item - a "mother-in-law" buggy for a ATV/UTV:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=4530800277&category=43971

flyingn · Feb 25, 2005

wow,, its NOT hydraulic?? Interesting.... I have to be careful of the ratcheting when I raise it too.

Frank

rtv900 · Feb 28, 2005

Thats great info. I get lazy and I dont watch the plow I have been just waiting to hear the noise and then I let go of the button. I guess I wont be doing that anymore. Thanks again for the info.

lloyd123 · Mar 5, 2005

This is kind of a follow up to my original post - I checked with the Curtis Company in Worcester, MA - only about a 15 min ride for me to their factory - and was given the following prices for the 72" Plow replacement parts:

Cutting edge - $60

Lift actuator - $310 - No repair parts available

Skid shoe - $9.50. This price seems low to me. Maybe it's because it's just one shoe. I've seen other prices on the internet for the 72" Kawasaki Plow (same as the Kubota - made by Curtis) for almost $50. That may include two shoes, the adjustment washers and the cotter pins. I also may have misunderstood the salesman. Dozernut offered me his bifocals the other day because I misread one of his post. Do you have a hearing aid I can borrow as well? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dozernut · Mar 5, 2005

Loyd
Don't get impatient, I am slowly going deaf too /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif! I do have a Hunters Ear I could loan you, but would need it back before hunting season /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!
Please don't take my very dry sense of humor too seriously, it was all in jest!

lloyd123 · Mar 5, 2005

Dozernut,

I don't take anything too seroiusly - just ask my wife. I can appreciate a dry sense of humor as well - no problem. I beleive we have a lot in commom - empty nesters - bifocals (verilux) and a RTV with a plow.

BTW, I can remember some photos you posted last year and I recall that you have a gravel driveway(?). Have you noticed much wear on your blade/shoes?

Dozernut · Mar 6, 2005

First snow that I bladed, I lost both skid shoes. I eventually found them when the snow melted. I didn't bother to put them back on, one the shaft is bent, and I am in the process of building a heavier set that will not come off unless I want them off. I think some vines (Honey Suckle) reached out and "grabbed" the rings on the pins and vibration made the pins drop out. I have a little wear on the cutting edge but it is not too significant. I will probably have to replace the cutting edge in 2-3 years. Other than that I am satisfied with the blade/RTV performance.