Kubota RTV 900 can swim

Gary Fowler · Jan 19, 2020

My daughter was using the RTV to go visit her Aunt and play some games of Scrabble. She lives just across the pond from me. About 12:30 I was awoken by my wife saying the Kubota is in the pond. After getting dressed, grabbed my B26 and went over and found the RTV setting about 10 feet from shore in water just a few inches below the top of the bed. I used the backhoe to pull it back a bit closer to the bank then came home to get a chain. While there I decided that rather than wade fully clothed into the nearly chest high freezing water, I would look for my waders. After frantic search I found a box with waders, finally struggled into them and waded out to the RTV, hooked on a chain and dragged it out of the pond with my B26 and pulled it home.

This morning I drained all the oil reservoirs which mostly contained water in the engine and a bit in the hydraulic tank. I haven't tried to look in the fuel tank as yet other than to discover than I couldn't find a drain plug for it, so it looks like I will have to siphon out the fuel.
Got all the filters ordered so that may take a week to get them in which by that time I should have the fuel drained and refilled. I had new engine oil filter and new air filter in stock but needed the HST and hydraulic filters so I just ordered a complete kit with fuel, air, HST and Hydraulic filters. I may have to change them out at least one time to remove any water from hidden spots.

I am wondering if any water got into the engine cylinders and whether I need to remove all the injectors before turning over the engine.

SIDE NOTE: I had trouble getting into the waders last night, they seemed extra small. This morning when putting them back in the box, I looked at the label and it said Ladies. Wife is 5'2" so I had to stretch them a bunch to get into them last night. Did a bit more looking this morning and never found my waders.

Gary Fowler · Jan 19, 2020

Did a little more checking, fuel is clean so no water got in the tank and just bumped the starter and it turns over easily so I dont think I will mess with removing the injectors now. Waiting for HST filters to come in. Likely just go to local Kubota dealer tomorrow and get a whole kit, save the online order for spares. Might have bit the bullet on this instance. Daughter could not explain how the RTV turn around, straightened out the front wheel, drove exactly between two trees and went nose first into the pond when it was parked parallel to the hill. Kind of strange for sure after looking at the situation today.

ovrszd · Jan 19, 2020

I'm assuming it was running when it went in the pond? So it theoretically sucked itself full of water and died?

Beyond that, at least one cylinder will have a valve open, possibly more than one. More than likely water entered. Especially since it sat there that long.

I'd drain the engine oil and remove the filter. The coloration of the oil will tell you whether it got contaminated.

I'd drain the HVT and remove the filter. Again, looking closely at the contents.

The hydraulic tank is vented but you might get lucky and it not be contaminated. You could maybe figure that out by checking the fluid level. Overfull?

I revived a drowned Jeep once. It was actually much easier than I feared. Drove it many, many hours after that with no ill effects.

Sorry to hear of the ordeal.

ovrszd · Jan 19, 2020

Gary Fowler said:
Did a little more checking, fuel is clean so no water got in the tank and just bumped the starter and it turns over easily so I dont think I will mess with removing the injectors now. Waiting for HST filters to come in. Likely just go to local Kubota dealer tomorrow and get a whole kit, save the online order for spares. Might have bit the bullet on this instance. Daughter could not explain how the RTV turn around, straightened out the front wheel, drove exactly between two trees and went nose first into the pond when it was parked parallel to the hill. Kind of strange for sure after looking at the situation today.

I was typing while you were.

So the engine wasn't running when it went in? Awesome!!! If you have turned the crankshaft two complete turns without hydra locking then it's good. Understand the battery/starter has the power to do serious damage if it runs up against water.

You might check the HVT system by cracking the drain plug and checking what comes out. water will sink to the bottom and come out first? If all you see is clean oil I'd say it's good.

Same with the hydraulic dump system.

You may have lucked out!!!! Course that's assuming that there's any luck to find in your RTV being in the pond...…

skipperbrown · Jan 20, 2020

I had water run up the exhaust system of my ford 350 marine engine. I took the spark plugs out and ran the starter until all the water blew out. It came out pretty violently! Then I drained the oil and replaced the oil filter twice. If the oil looks like chocolate milk after the first drain, you still have work to do. It sounds like you are doing the right things. Hopefully you will bring it back to life without any problems.

dodge man · Jan 20, 2020

I assume the brakes was left off?

Gary Fowler · Jan 20, 2020

It did all this without the engine running. It seems to have backed up at least 20 feet then turned the wheels sharply to make a 90 degree turn and head into the pond and ended up with the wheels straight again. Even with a driver, this action would have been spectacular given the turning radius of the RTV and the distance it had to travel.

I did find some other damage that I will likely have to get fixed. The bench set now weighs 3 times what it did due to water absorption. If I cant dry it out, I will have to spend $200 to buy a new one. It may dry out in the summer heat but right now it is super heavy. I dont know how I can press it to squeeze out the water without damaging the seat itself. Not much difference in the way it feels when sitting on it.

ovrszd · Jan 20, 2020

Yeah, the seat will be tough to dry. Especially since the base is plywood.

Anxious to hear a report that you got it running.

Gary Fowler · Jan 20, 2020

ovrszd said:
Yeah, the seat will be tough to dry. Especially since the base is plywood.

Anxious to hear a report that you got it running.

Looking at replacements and they appear to have a composite or plastic base. I suspect that the plywood is going to deteriorate in the future due to the foam saturated with water. I guess I will wait and see on that one.
Waiting on new hydraulic filters to get here before trying to crank it, dont want to run the engine without oil in the HST system. It only had a very small amount of water, maybe 3 oz. came out before clear oil. I then flushed a couple gallons of diesel thru it to wash out any residue remaining.

ruffdog · Jan 20, 2020

I have had to revive several ATVs that went swimming and drowned. One thing is stated....no service guarantee as there will always be problems down the road. Drain and clean head/tail lights as muddy water shortens their life. The RTV has many cables to operate throttle and shifting so use cable lube tool to blow out the water, then lube with quality cable lube. If you are where it freezes, cables might need replacing as you will never get all the water out. The alternator, shut-off solenoid, starter motor, relays, will all have issues if water seeped in them.