Need help with my Kubota RTV

Rat Rod Mac · Feb 11, 2018

I have an older Kubota RTV 900 and I'm sure anyone else that has one of these will be able to relate with what I'm about to discuss. When you try to shift gears with one of these it's nearly impossible to get the gear box out of gear if the machine is on any kind of a slope. If it's on level ground sometimes it comes out of gear real nice. When on a slope and you try to take it out of gear you have to shut the engine off and the hydraulic pressure drops and then the gear shift lever works easy and you can slip it into what ever gear you want, then start the engine up and continue on. My question is,,, does anyone know if there is some kind of relief valve that a guy can install in the hydraulic system that can be used to drop the hydraulic pressure until you shift gears and then release the lever and continue on. Shutting the engine off every time you want to shift gears is a pain in the butt and hard on the starter too. What do the rest of you guys do that have one of these machines. Thanks and I welcome all comments and suggestions. Thanks. RRM

Sawyer Rob · Feb 11, 2018

On my Kubota, I just push hard on the brake and it shifts just fine.

SR

David_Kb7uns · Feb 11, 2018

There should be a relief valve that is activated by the brake. On my 2007 RTV1100 there is an added knob that is on the dash that activates the same relief valve. The valve should be on the right side of the transmission, have somebody push on the brake (may need to push it hard) and see if it is pulling the valve out, if not it may need adjusting. With the RTV when I need to change gears sometimes I will hit the go pedal hard for a second and as the machine surges and slows down I will slip the gearshift into neutral and just need the relief valve when changing on a hill after being stopped.

David

rgr33 · Feb 11, 2018

I have a 2008 RTV, and it has the small black knob on the dash. When backing up, especially uphill, you need to pull the knob out, to shift into a forward gear, it is really the only way to shift easily. If you try to muscle the gearshift knob out of reverse, you run the risk of bending the linkage, as I have already learned the hard way.

ovrszd · Feb 11, 2018

I also have an 08. I bought it a couple years ago. Man I hated the shifting problem at first!!!! I educated myself on the "do's and don'ts" which helped some. Then I educated myself on adjusting the valve David mentioned. Then I added a "coast valve". With these three adjustments I no longer use the dash knob at all. I rarely find myself in a position that it's difficult to shift. It's a steep learning curve. It's also a big disappointment to me that Kubota put this on the market. But I eventually got over it.

If you are mechanically savvy and want to try adjusting the relief valve I'll help you thru it.

Kanook · Feb 11, 2018

The 2004 and possibly 05 did not have any relief valve unfortunately. I have an 04. Later models have the pressure relief enabled by a knob on the dash or is engaged when the brake pedal is depressed. If your unit is an 06 or later and does not have the knob, then the relief mechanism for the brake cable is misadjusted.

kuboman · Feb 11, 2018

Depending on how old your rtv is it will have either a know to pull on the dash or a brake activated valve. Not sure what year they switched over but the brake version works great.

Rat Rod Mac · Feb 12, 2018

I want to reply to all of you guys that have responded in an attempt to help me. I bought this 06 RTV a few months ago and never had anyone tell me about pressing the brake pedal to relieve the pressure when shifting gears. I came home from work today and got it out and stopped on the side of a hill and pressed on the brake pedal firm, but not really that hard and the shift lever slipped out of gear like a well lubricated Muncie four speed. Worked so nice I did it a couple of times. You should have seen the smile on my face. So to everyone that responded to lend a hand towards me, thank you very much. All of your advise and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. RRM

ovrszd · Feb 12, 2018

In a bind you might have to hesitate a second or two between the application of the brake pedal and the shifting action. Sometimes takes that pressure relief valve a second to let go.

Glad it worked out for you!!!!