As a new Kubota owner (L4740 HSTC-1 w/loader, HD bucket, cutting edge, worklights, loaded R-4's + RTV900 worksite w/soft cab) of less than 1 week, I feel I've made the right decision. Got what I feel is a pretty good deal ($31,500 for the tractor, $12,500 for the utility vehicle), but my RTV broke with only 2 hrs on the clock. I was allowing my wife to get acquainted with the machine, since she will be using it for transport to the horse barn/arena, when it suddenly gave up the ghost and wouldn't budge. We were in the back 20 acres when she coasted to a stop. Upon stepping on the gas again, engine revs up - but no forward motion. She immediately turned to me with a "But I didn't do anything!" look, and since I was sitting right beside her, I had absolve her of any guilt.
After reacquiring my favored position behind the wheel, and trying multiple shift ranges, 2 vs 4 wheel drive, etc., I came to the conclusion I was looking at a machine stuck in the field with 2.1 hr on the Hobbs. The power steering and hydraulic dump worked, so figured the hydrostat drive was generating fluid pressure or the PS wouldn't work. The engine revs appropriately when the pedal is pressed, and the little beast SEEMS to want to go with an initial creep forward when revved, but then stops. Also, I was able to push the machine back and forth 4-5 feet in neutral, so assumed the brakes hadn't locked up. After speaking with my dealer (100 mi away) and hearing that the 900 in their experience is bulletproof, and offering no ready solution, I received the OK to tow it up to the house with the pickup.
The dealer, fortunately, sent a mechanic to look at the unit 2 days ago with another new RTV in tow to scavenge for parts if needed. He and I played with this and that for 1-2 hrs adjusting brakes and gear linkage assemblies, including removing the linkage arm cover on the top of the transmission to make sure it was engaging, but everything was in order and no success. Calls to Kubota engineering were relatively fruitless. We ultimately decided it needed a proper operating room and winched it up onto the trailer - and away it went.
I haven't heard back from the dealer, so assuming it's more than a simple fix. The questions I have for you good folk are:
1) Anybody experienced anything similar to this with an RTV? Everybody I've spoken to at the dealer seems befuddled.
2) Do you think this portends a lifetime of misery with this machine? The RTV series carries a 1 yr warranty as I understand it, and visions of major repair issues at 14 months keep dancing in my head.
3) At what point should I suggest (to the dealer? Kubota?) maybe we should swap out this machine for a different one? If they have to replace major mechanical parts (ie transmission), should this be construed a good thing that the present (and future?) problem(s) are fixed, or a bad thing?
4) I noticed in going over the machine that my particular unit was produced in Oct, 2007 (if the sticker is correct). Could a long time sitting on the lot lead to significant mechanical issues in the future? Also, were any major improvements in the RTV series implemented from then to now? I can understand moving out your old stock, but I must admit I assumed the machine would probably have been produced in 2008.
So far I'm satisfied with the response/actions from the dealer. They've been in business for 70+ yrs and did the honorable thing by sending a mechanic and trailer 100+ mi one way to fix &/or transport the machine. That said, I spent over $50,000 on the Kubota's and a Gravely ZTR mower at their dealership, so I guess I expect a little favored nation treatment. Also, I'm a firm believer in the buyer beware theory of business and work on the assumption that nobody looks out for me like me.
Thanks for any input from you experienced Kubota devotees and think I'll fire up the 4740 this morning for a little tree mashing. If it breaks, I'll be back.
After reacquiring my favored position behind the wheel, and trying multiple shift ranges, 2 vs 4 wheel drive, etc., I came to the conclusion I was looking at a machine stuck in the field with 2.1 hr on the Hobbs. The power steering and hydraulic dump worked, so figured the hydrostat drive was generating fluid pressure or the PS wouldn't work. The engine revs appropriately when the pedal is pressed, and the little beast SEEMS to want to go with an initial creep forward when revved, but then stops. Also, I was able to push the machine back and forth 4-5 feet in neutral, so assumed the brakes hadn't locked up. After speaking with my dealer (100 mi away) and hearing that the 900 in their experience is bulletproof, and offering no ready solution, I received the OK to tow it up to the house with the pickup.
The dealer, fortunately, sent a mechanic to look at the unit 2 days ago with another new RTV in tow to scavenge for parts if needed. He and I played with this and that for 1-2 hrs adjusting brakes and gear linkage assemblies, including removing the linkage arm cover on the top of the transmission to make sure it was engaging, but everything was in order and no success. Calls to Kubota engineering were relatively fruitless. We ultimately decided it needed a proper operating room and winched it up onto the trailer - and away it went.
I haven't heard back from the dealer, so assuming it's more than a simple fix. The questions I have for you good folk are:
1) Anybody experienced anything similar to this with an RTV? Everybody I've spoken to at the dealer seems befuddled.
2) Do you think this portends a lifetime of misery with this machine? The RTV series carries a 1 yr warranty as I understand it, and visions of major repair issues at 14 months keep dancing in my head.
3) At what point should I suggest (to the dealer? Kubota?) maybe we should swap out this machine for a different one? If they have to replace major mechanical parts (ie transmission), should this be construed a good thing that the present (and future?) problem(s) are fixed, or a bad thing?
4) I noticed in going over the machine that my particular unit was produced in Oct, 2007 (if the sticker is correct). Could a long time sitting on the lot lead to significant mechanical issues in the future? Also, were any major improvements in the RTV series implemented from then to now? I can understand moving out your old stock, but I must admit I assumed the machine would probably have been produced in 2008.
So far I'm satisfied with the response/actions from the dealer. They've been in business for 70+ yrs and did the honorable thing by sending a mechanic and trailer 100+ mi one way to fix &/or transport the machine. That said, I spent over $50,000 on the Kubota's and a Gravely ZTR mower at their dealership, so I guess I expect a little favored nation treatment. Also, I'm a firm believer in the buyer beware theory of business and work on the assumption that nobody looks out for me like me.
Thanks for any input from you experienced Kubota devotees and think I'll fire up the 4740 this morning for a little tree mashing. If it breaks, I'll be back.
The magic of shifting an RTV900 is 'Wait 10 Seconds while you hold your foot firmly on the brake'. The RTV is a hydro transmission, tied to a slidding gear transmission. You have to give the hydro 10 seconds to unload then it shifts like any other transmission. The gear transmission is trying to hold the machine in place. You have to transfer the load to the brakes before you can shift it. 100% fix for RTV shifting.
