Help! RTV won't go into gear.

Rory_Rhodes · Apr 25, 2008

85 Hours, 3 year old RTV 900.

Tonight as my son was driving around the farm, my RTV would not go into gear. He could rev it up, but no gears engaged. On a slope when it stopped, eventually it "caught" but not with the usual gusto. The same was true for R, L, M, or H. Once in the garage, it would not reverse without really revving it up and then it crawled backwards. The RTV has always been tough to slip into gear, and usually is in 2 WD. There is a rattling coming from the engine area, not sure since it was dark and I couldn't dig in..

Fluids good, changed at 50 hours. No leaks.

The shift unit on the top of the transmission seems to be working through all four positions.

Thoughts?

Leon Wittner · Apr 26, 2008

Go to this site there are some really great guys that I am sure can halp you out. You might do a search since I have seen others who have had the same problem. This site is dedicated to RTV Owners.
http://********************.com/cs/forums/22.aspx

This site will not let me post the web site for Compact Tractor Review so send me a private message and I will hot link the site.

Rory_Rhodes · Jun 5, 2008

An update. Thanks for the excellent advice on my RTV. Unfortunately, it was a major issue, and required a hydro rebuild. Out of warranty, the parts alone were $2500, labor extra.

Now, here's the good part.

After speaking to the owner of my local tractor dealer, (Friday night after 5) he suggested I bring it up and drop off with the service manager. No promises, but with the low time, he would attempt to work with Kubota on the issue. The service manager immediatley seemed to know of the problem from Kubota white sheets, pressure plates within. He agreed to run the diagnostics and resolve.

I did have to pick up from another local dealer that I had dropped it off with a week earlier. They did not have a chance to look at it, making moving it to a new dealer easier. The orginal dealer never offered to confront Kubota on my behalf. These guys are a good dealer, just looked at my issue a little differently. Also, short on mechanics, I knew going into it that it might have taken some time.

Hats off to the dealer that fixed it. Labor was $700 or so, fluid and filters making up a good part of this. It works like new!!!

The North Georgia dealer that fixed my RTV - now owns my business. A little further out, but with a service attitude like this, you can't lose. Even though I did not buy it there, they treated me as I had. With a new tractor, and the need for hay equipment right around the corner, (see other post, getting into the hay business - advice needed) I know where I will be going.

Equally as important is the security you get from having TBN members like Leon Wittner share ideas and thoughts about running equipment. Sometimes not knowing is maddening, at least knowing others have expereince similar issues and resolved them is a good thing.

Finally, thanks tractorsmart for providing parts manuals for all og my Kubotas. I always feel better when I know what makes these things click and go.

SEdivision · Jun 5, 2008

Rory_Rhodes said:
An update. Thanks for the excellent advice on my RTV. Unfortunately, it was a major issue, and required a hydro rebuild. Out of warranty, the parts alone were $2500, labor extra.

Now, here's the good part.

After speaking to the owner of my local tractor dealer, (Friday night after 5) he suggested I bring it up and drop off with the service manager. No promises, but with the low time, he would attempt to work with Kubota on the issue. The service manager immediatley seemed to know of the problem from Kubota white sheets, pressure plates within. He agreed to run the diagnostics and resolve.

I did have to pick up from another local dealer that I had dropped it off with a week earlier. They did not have a chance to look at it, making moving it to a new dealer easier. The orginal dealer never offered to confront Kubota on my behalf. These guys are a good dealer, just looked at my issue a little differently. Also, short on mechanics, I knew going into it that it might have taken some time.

Hats off to the dealer that fixed it. Labor was $700 or so, fluid and filters making up a good part of this. It works like new!!!

The North Georgia dealer that fixed my RTV - now owns my business. A little further out, but with a service attitude like this, you can't lose. Even though I did not buy it there, they treated me as I had. With a new tractor, and the need for hay equipment right around the corner, (see other post, getting into the hay business - advice needed) I know where I will be going.

Equally as important is the security you get from having TBN members like Leon Wittner share ideas and thoughts about running equipment. Sometimes not knowing is maddening, at least knowing others have expereince similar issues and resolved them is a good thing.

Finally, thanks tractorsmart for providing parts manuals for all og my Kubotas. I always feel better when I know what makes these things click and go.