900 RTV won't go good in mud/up grades in woods.

[odom88]

I just got a used 2007 Kubota 900 today. It is very clean, just over 500 hours and with hydraulic dump bed so pretty pleased with it except when I got it home noticed it spins out pretty easy in mud just as I begin up a wet grade.

Then I took it to an old logging road which connects farm to my house in the valley. There is about an 8 foot section of grade there which is somewhat steep but I thought it should handle it. I went down it but could not get up it. I then went a little ways up logging road to find a place to get back up to the level area and back end slipped off trail and I couldn't get it out. Seemed to be almost as bad as my skid steer when there is a little mud down ( although the logging road wasn't muddy, just usual leaf litter and a bit damp ). I ended up having to got get my tractor and cable to pull the RTV out and was thinking perhaps I made a big mistake with this unit. I did lock in the rear differential and had it in low but just spun my wheels.

Now I will say it looks to have original tires on it...kind of a tight turf ( or maybe this is kubotas all terrain tire?). And they are only about half tread in the rear but still I thought the thing would have done a bit better than my 1988 Kaw 220 Bayou.

Not giving up though since A. I now own it and B. I am pretty hopeful this is just all due to crummy tires but figured it would be good idea to ask for advice.

Any experience with Kubota 900 in wet/muddy conditions and with going up grades? Any tires I should look into to solve my problem?

Thanks for any thoughts to get this thing moving better appreciated.

 

[Thall303]

Looking forward to comments on your question.

My Mule has similar problems in mud.

I’m thinking it may just need a different type of tires.

 

[Code54]

We run PitBull Growlers on our Mule and it will impress me where it will go. The factory tires were average to poor at best and changing them made a massive difference!

 

[LD48750]

I would suggest new aggressive tires or chains.

Lawn tractor chains are cheap & it should only take chains on one axle to get you down your road & threw the mud.

 

[LD1]

If you are spinning its obvious traction is the problem.

Two things effect traction.....weight and tires.

Since you are on a steep grade....and have gravity working against you as well....weight might not be the best solution.

Yup.....get some real tires.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Something doesn't sound right, are you sure you were in 4 wheel drive? My 1140, and the 900 before it have no problem in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The only problem I have is in deep snow.

 

[odom88]

Yep it is in 4x4...I had differential lever pushed down and looked in front and back and wheels were spinning...I think only one front one though as it does not have front differential I believe. Based on some early comments I am inclined to think some new beefy tires can't hurt.

Also I was hoping to post a pic so viewers could see tires etc but can't seem to figure that out. Any easy way to post pic? tks

 

[nybirdman]

Better tires will help but the Kubotas RTV's are heavy,low ground clearance and wide;they will never compare to an ATV or true off-road sidexside.They are built to work.
I know two people with the Kubota RTV's and it's good thing they own tractors to pull them out with.

 

[odom88]

If you can zoom in a bit you can see the tread. It is a bit better on the front tires so I may initially rotate them but they still
kinda look like golf course turf tires.

 

[Code54]

Yep, needs good tires.
Tread is around 1 ¼" deep