Newly Acquired Kubota RTV 900

Robertreed711 · Jul 7, 2021

Hey everyone, I just recently purchased what I believe is a 2004 RTV 900. The machine has about 540 hours on it and everything seems to be in good working order (except the fuel gauge).

I'm new to these machines so I'm not 100% sure what I should expect out of it but it seems to lack some power on hills. Our property here is basically nothing but hills and I've noticed I can be moving along in mid range and hit a steeper section and it will bog down and sometimes even stall out. If I stop and shift to low it doesn't struggle at all.

Is this typical of these machines or should I be looking for a problem?

I've seen a few posts about adjusting the fuel pressure to help with similar issues but not sure if that's necessary.

Thanks in advance!

ruffdog · Jul 7, 2021

I had a 2006 RTV900 and had to replace the gage once and was a easy fix. About the bogging issue....most people want to push the gas peddle more in that case.....don't. Let up slightly instead and it will handle the hill better. If that isn't enough, then downshift. One thing though....check the tightness of the rear axle center hub nut. Some people had them get loose and then the splines get worn.

Panik · Jul 7, 2021

Robertreed711 said:
Is this typical of these machines or should I be looking for a problem?

I don't own an RTV, but have used them pretty extensively for prescribed fire in the southern Appalachains and yes they are somewhat under-powered/under-"geared" on hills compared to other products out there...especially when you talk about adding in a slip in tank/pump unit in the bed and a couple of people plus their gear. It's been a pretty frequent discussion topic in the state's prescribed fire community.

From personal experience with Kubota RTV's as well as my own BX2360 Ruffdog is right about letting up on the gas peddle and/or downshifting if the unit is struggling up an incline.

For what it's worth I'm not downing on them... personally I like running RTV's and the other brands also have their own personality "quirks".

ruffdog · Jul 7, 2021

The engine RPMs and the shifting up is all handled by the complex linkage attached to the peddle. You can get a hand throttle kit that allows you to have more RPMs for unique situations. I used my hand throttle during snow plowing so I could set a working RPM like on a tractor.

Kubota: Engine hand Throttle Kit (RTV900), Part # K7561-99450

Jchonline · Jul 7, 2021

As ruffdog mentioned, get the hand throttle kit. I am at 8700ft with my X1100C and if I raise the RPMs going into a steep hill it does much better.

Robertreed711 · Jul 7, 2021

ruffdog said:
I had a 2006 RTV900 and had to replace the gage once and was a easy fix. About the bogging issue....most people want to push the gas peddle more in that case.....don't. Let up slightly instead and it will handle the hill better. If that isn't enough, then downshift. One thing though....check the tightness of the rear axle center hub nut. Some people had them get loose and then the splines get worn.

So after reading this I went out and to a hill that's probably about 45° but not very long and took the machine up it in mid range and as you mentioned, if I actually let off the pedal it handled it better. If I did the opposite and tried to give it more "gas" it would stall out.

mike0000 · Jul 7, 2021

You may want to do a search for how to repair the fuel gauge.
I followed a video that showed how to disassemble the fuel gauge and resolder (sp?) a couple of spots on the back of the gauge, it worked to repair mine. Its been working for at least a year since the repair.

Mike

nbking · Jul 7, 2021

Any hills you will need to do low gear. I installed the hand throttle kit, and it keeps the rpms in the sweet spot, but if you floor it same thing happens, you have to like feather it, let off a bit, and back on a bit. Watched some you tube videos for turning up the gas, it felt like it had a bit more power, but blew lots of black smoke, so turned it back down.

stevewarner1957 · Jul 7, 2021

I have a RTV1120, I installed the hand throttle kit which I highly recommend. You can set the engine speed from idle to WOT. When you use the hand throttle the peddle in the floor just controls the hydro transmission, just like a HST tractor. Think of the peddle controlling the gear ratio, all the way down is high gear. If you climb a hill in a 10 speed bicycle, which is easier on you, the engine, 10th or 1 st? Back off the pedal, use the lower ratio, make it easier on the engine