New Kubota 72" blade and hydraulic kit questions

Big Forest · Nov 8, 2014

I recently purchased a new 2014 Kubota 1100 C RTV with the Kubota 72" blade and hydraulic kit for lift and angle control. When it was delivered with the inside control buttons in the cab I tried barely touching the buttons and the blade jumped and moved so fast and far that it bucked the RTV like a bronco. The blade moves so fast and so far that fine control is impossible let alone trying to get any type of control over the angle or height control.

My question is if the torque controls that come on the hydraulics kits can be adjusted to give me some more control. Even the guy who delivered it for the dealer was surprised by the way the blade jumped and moved.

If not is there some type of control valve I need to install to have some better control over the movement of the blade.

This is the Kubota blade and kit for the current models

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

varmint · Nov 8, 2014

I don't know squat about your machine or blade, but it sounds like a flow restrictor is needed to slow things down. Your dealer should be the one to straighten this out to your satisfaction... and safety!

MtnViewRanch · Nov 8, 2014

varmint said:
I don't know squat about your machine or blade, but it sounds like a flow restrictor is needed to slow things down. Your dealer should be the one to straighten this out to your satisfaction... and safety!

I agree, the dealer should make the machine so that it is at least usable. If not there are economical ways to slow the movement down using fixed flow restrictors.

FatTire · Nov 9, 2014

Let us know what the dealer says after you talk to them.

Big Forest · Nov 9, 2014

Thanks Varmint and Mountain View!

Pretty much what I figured due to the fact that there was torque adjustment spec sheet with installation instructions and a graph showing how to adjust the torque with the hex head bolts. I not an mechanical genius either, but I do know if something is usable and safe.
This dealer has been a major disappointment. The could not even be bothered putting fuel in the RTV let alone anythings else they promised like prepping the unit, putting the right tires on it, tow hitch, ect. ect.

I don't think will be be going back for them for service and it it is sad because they are a big outfit that sells a tons of Kubotas including the RTV's mostly for large commercial and agricultural operations.
If it was a side line for them I might be more willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it is their core business. You would think that they would be the right type of dealership rather than a lawn tractor company dabbling in RTV's and ATV's.

Go figure?

Big Forest · Nov 9, 2014

Will Do Fat Tire.

They unit went right back to the dealer and according to the delivery guy this has been happening a lot recently.

We will see how they try to recover.

I guess you-all have a thread for reviews. but I will detail their efforts or lack of effort for you.

Big Forest · Nov 11, 2014

I sent the new 1100C and with the plow back to the Dealership three days ago and not a word.

Hmmm...

Big Forest · Nov 11, 2014

Finally heard something today. They say that is just the way the blade hydraulics are and that some units are faster and stronger than others. I am still somewhat dubious and am looking into getting a limiter valve so I have some level of control over the blade.

They found the major problem with the new RTV and it was due to some of the brakes being hung up and stuck. That explains the lack of speed, power, and the vibration. It would have been nice if they had at least checked the unit out before they dropped it off at my house without a word or the test drive they promised.

Some stuff they said they would add or change before delivery has not happened yet which is surprising since it was supposed to be complete more than a week ago.

I am beginning to think that they just tell you what you want to hear and then forget about it.

I really hope I don't need these folks for any warranty work and I thinking that I will better off doing the maintenance stuff myself.

My first RTV purchase has not gotten off to a good start.

The owner of the dealership did try to help me and he got them to identify and fix the brake problem. It is a good thing he did because there were no answers or responses coming from the sales or service department. I think he is a good guy, but I also feel that the inmates are running the asylum at the Westminster Dealership.

For a employee performance specialist who spend 30 years helping organizations and people improve their sales, service, and customer relations performance it is painful to watch folks like this. It makes me glad I am retired and don't have to try to help folks who fundamentally don't get it.

Big Forest · Nov 12, 2014

Update:

The dealership owner David called me and told me that he added flow limiter values to the hydraulics for the plow blade and had his service department check over the RTV backwards and forwards to make sure it was right. He went further and stated that he checked out the RTV and the hydraulic controls himself.

In short I could not have asked for more than that and he has fully recovered in my opinion.

As the the sales and service department I still have not heard a peep out of them, but I have a feeling that David will be making some changes.

I am sincerely grateful for David's help and follow up. He is a stand up guy in my humble opinion.