Tree broke the stearing knuckle on the RTV 500

[dirtracer31]

Son said he wasn't going fast, we all know they don't go fast! Looked like he was turning between two trees and the front end jumped over the bump and hit the tree, with the right front tire, and bounced back about a foot. This is my guess since there is no tire tracks near the tree. I know he didn't back it up because the right front wheel was laying flat on the ground. It broke the knuckle off just above the bearing. Bent the A-arm, shock, wheel, axle shaft ripped both boots. Thank goodness for insurance. Parts alone was $2500. Kubota had no dealer part number for the knuckle. They pulled all the parts off a showroom model because Kubota had no idea when they would have a knuckle to ship. Dealer said, Kubota wanted all parts sent back to factor for analysis. After making sure the Boy was ok, the wife cried when she seen the wheel laying on the ground. She cried again when we had to use the tracker to load it on the trailer, and again when she got it back. She really loves her RTV! Now the boys only use low range!

 

[art]

Sounds like the old saying like father like son! I'd say he hit it pretty good for the damage.

If you had the kubota finance with their coverage it would pay less the 250 deductable.

 

[rswyan]

Now the boys only use low range!

If either of my "boys" did that they wouldn't be using low range - they would be hoofing it ..... and using shoe leather for the foreseeable future .....

 

[SpudHauler]

It would not be Low range if it were mine.

It would be no RTV for a month! Boys walking :laughing:

 

[Grut]

dirtracer,
Could you post a pic of the damage? The kids had to be moving at a decent clip. I know that it is a heavy machine so momentum goes a little farther in it's case. My brother stuffed my utility quad into a tree and bent front rack and bumper and I slammed a tree with my sport quad and bent a tierod and aluminum spindle on the right side plus I got to do a flying clothesline to a pine tree.
I got a buddy that is looking at getting one of those tanks. What was the knuckle made out of?

Grut

 

[timswi]

That wheel must have taken one heck of a hit, in fact I've never heard of this much carnage from the description you gave...Maybe that's why Kubota wants to see the parts.

The 500 is over built in my opinion.

We would be curious to see pictures of this...

Glad no one was hurt, that's the most important part.

My neighbor locked tires on his ATV with his son's at around 35mph in in a run to camp in the rain...Both machines went ***** over tincups. Some broken plastic, switches and one bent control arm. No serious damage, both were still somewhat driveable. Drivers were hurtin pretty good..Nothing serious there either.

 

[dirtracer31]

Sorry, did get any pictures. I never got to see it in the daylight, working long hours. The wife took it to the dealer. I was concerned about the knuckle failure also. The dealer had said that Kubota had never seen this part fail. I think it was the type of shock it took. There isn't even any bark off the tree he hit.

I have 3 boys, the oldest is the one who hit the tree. He's back to the garden tractor when he can't use the wheel barrel.

 

[SpudHauler]

I think the title is wrong. Parents in denial.
"Boy broke the steering...." would be more the truth.
Trees don't jump out in front of UTVs.

Grut, I think you are wrong too. Tree is immovable object, utv would only have to be going 10mph. Trees are like hitting a brick wall, they don't give. Look at any car that hits one at 40mph and it's a right-off.

Dirtracer31,
You'll need to check rim(possibly bent), control arms(possibly bent), steering arms(possibly bent) and frame(hopefully not bent). And any body damage.

I've worked on lots of snowmobiles that hit trees. Lots of damage, sometimes engines broken, and frames too bent to fix.
And sadly owners no longer with us.

Really great to hear kids are fine!!!

 

[dirtracer31]

You'll need to check rim(possibly bent), control arms(possibly bent), steering arms(possibly bent) and frame(hopefully not bent). And any body damage.

All the above was bent and replaced with the exception of the frame.
There is only a 2 inch scuff on the black fender portion, did even notice this until we picked it up from the dealer after repair. Sure was glad we had kept the insurance, $250 deductible!

 

[SpudHauler]

That is great!!! And so fast!!! Amazing!!!:thumbsup:

Did they take parts of a new one or what?

The turn around time is great, your back on the road in 2 days.

Was there any damage to the tire itself? Like pinched between rim and tree leaving broken belts. It is the only other thing I could think of to check. Most likely not.