RTV 900 curtis plow

[redharley]

last two storms was the first use of my plow,Two things to mention 1st I am having a hard time getting use to up/down switch location seems to low for me and I can't find it when its dark out.2nd issue is power angle lever should be with up/down lever it is a pain when you are use to a plow truck or my BX joy stick,3rd I lost a shoe and. all the spacers seems like they could have made the pin a little beefeer.plan on drilling out holes and adding a draw bar type pin that locks in place.Hope I can find the missing one when the snow melts.This thing really pushes snow for sure.Just some thought's

 

[timswi]

Mine plows very well too. I agree with the location of the actuator switch, it's not in a convenient location. Still can't get used to the power angle control. You're right, a joystick control should be standard for power angle plows. They certainly cost enough to justify it.

 

[Old Coot]

This is the second year for my Curtis. The RTV900 moves the snow for sure.
I agree with both your comments about the plow. I really agree about the plow shoes. They are cheap crap. Mine lasted most of last year. I haven't found something to replace them yet. But it won't be the original stuff.

 

[timswi]

This is the second year for my Curtis. The RTV900 moves the snow for sure.
I agree with both your comments about the plow. I really agree about the plow shoes. They are cheap crap. Mine lasted most of last year. I haven't found something to replace them yet. But it won't be the original stuff.

I don't use the shoes at all...Mine has machine belt on the cutting edge. Don't need the shoes, they do more damage than good in my case.

 

[Ken45101]

The dash on the RTV in general could use some better lighting. It's hard finding the headlight switch in the dark! And you had better know your shift pattern too.

I don't have the remote angle control so I can't comment there. My biggest issue is the vertical travel is insufficient. On uneven ground, the blade will hit the dirt even when it's all the way up. With it all the way down, it lifts off the driveway in some slightly uneven stretches.

Agree that the shoe pins are terrible. I've lost one (but found it when the snow melted). The other one was very bent and twisted.

Ken

 

[Concordriver]

Here is an image of my Curtis plow on my BX24.

 

[SpudHauler]

I bent one skid the first trip out and removed them, that was 3 years ago.

Removed the rubber flap as well, like Concordriver, because the snow rolls better without it and it's a way too heavy for what it is meant for.

Perhaps I should do like Tim and put on a rubber scraper, but use "it", the rubber snow flap, for the bottom scraper.

Angle control is okay, a little quick, but otherwise works well.

Found the electric lift was weak and slow and difficult to operate.

I went all hydraulic sometime ago and never looked back.

Next year, 3 spool will replace the 1 spool so I can operate the plow lift and dump box 'without' removing/swapping the darn lines every time.

The RTV1100(2009) definitely plows more snow than my 2008-900 did. I'm assuming because of the extra weight and a little extra hp.

But both are impressive and work great!:thumbsup:

 

[redharley]

Just venting a little bit guy's,I mean I own 2 kubotas and for the most part I love them. I mean with good maintanace and if you use your head while operating these things they will most likly last well into the next user's life, after I'm gone.I just think with a little extra thought on Kubota's these machines could be down right great. The small stuff is what needs refined.
do you think they operate these things as we do before they go to market? I would gladly test one for a month in different weather conditions for them and let them know of a few inprovments that would make there product stand out.

 

[timswi]

Just venting a little bit guy's,I mean I own 2 kubotas and for the most part I love them. I mean with good maintanace and if you use your head while operating these things they will most likly last well into the next user's life, after I'm gone.I just think with a little extra thought on Kubota's these machines could be down right great. The small stuff is what needs refined.
do you think they operate these things as we do before they go to market? I would gladly test one for a month in different weather conditions for them and let them know of a few inprovments that would make there product stand out.

What don't you like?

 

[randu]

Timswi,
I also have lost my shoes on my Curtis plow and am interested how you put the mat on your plow. Did you put it on top of your wear strip or under it?
I can't see putting on new shoes as they dig in the gravel too much.
Randy

 

[timswi]

Timswi,
I also have lost my shoes on my Curtis plow and am interested how you put the mat on your plow. Did you put it on top of your wear strip or under it?
I can't see putting on new shoes as they dig in the gravel too much.
Randy

Randy, here's what I did...Posted on an other TBN thread:

I bought 2 piees of 2" by 4' 1/8" steel and welded them together.

Cut it to the width of the plow.

Clamped the home made piece to the cutting edge with the bottoms lined up.

Drill 6 hiles through the bar and the cutting edge (this will wipe out some drill bits depending on your cutting edge).

Cut a piece of 1/4" thick machine belt 6" wide by the width of the plow+1" on each side. The oversize allows it to be flipped over if needed for a fresh edge.

Use the home-made piece as a template to drill the holes in the rubber. be sure to center the piece with 2" top and bottom.

I used an angle grinder to slightly round the outer edge of the cutting edge and the bottom edge so it won't dig into the rubber.

Place the rubber on the cutting edge with the new bar on the outside and assemble with stainless bolts and lock washers.

I pulled the skid shoes all the way up and use them only for a resting point when the machine isn't in use. Place a couple of 2X4's under the shoes so that the rubber doesnt get deformed from sitting.

Done this with and ATV and 2 RTV's. Works great on everything. Doesn't dig up gravel once the ground is somewhat frozen. Won't dig into sod and won't scratch paved driveways.

Can post pictures of the final product if interested.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

The dash on the RTV in general could use some better lighting. It's hard finding the headlight switch in the dark! And you had better know your shift pattern too.

This guy can hook you up
Blue Water LED

This is what I did on the shift gates for my RTV 500 so I could see them at night

LED lighting draws virtually nothing and Bluewaters last forever and if you ever have one fail Mike will go good on it. I'm not affiliated with him but I sure have bought alot of his lights for my buggy and bass boat. :thumbsup:

 

[randu]

Timswi,
Thanks ,thats what I need to know. I would be interested in a picture also.
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and clears up the fabrication.
Randy

 

[xterra]

I finally got to use my curtis plow. Wow it works great. The rtv 900 can move some snow! The only problem I have now is I can't get it out of gear when plowing...pisses me off always something. I have to shut it off everytime..sucks

 

[timswi]

I finally got to use my curtis plow. Wow it works great. The rtv 900 can move some snow! The only problem I have now is I can't get it out of gear when plowing...pisses me off always something. I have to shut it off everytime..sucks

I had the same problem...A combination of feathering the thottle and using the breaks generally allows the selector to release. Sometimes just letting the machine coast a few inches does it too.

 

[Old Coot]

The only problem I have now is I can't get it out of gear when plowing...pisses me off always something. I have to shut it off everytime..sucks

Thank goodness I have the knob to release the pressure on mine. I can't believe Kubota can't design a better tranny then that. This is my second 900 and that is still as bad a problem as it was on the 2004.
There was a tech on here at one time said if everything is adjusted right it doesn't do that. I guess my dealer can't adjust it right.:laughing:

 

[timswi]

Timswi,
Thanks ,thats what I need to know. I would be interested in a picture also.
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and clears up the fabrication.
Randy

Here you go Randy: In fact it's going to be used again tonight..Up to 6" coming right now.

 

[randu]

Thanks Timswi. I was kind of curious if you used the existing wear plate holes or drilled new ones. It looks like you drilled new ones and clamped the rubber between the wear strip(cutting edge) and the new 2" x 6' strip you made.
Where did you pick up the machine belt?
Randy

 

[redharley]

timswi,here is my short list,dash[no lights],should have turn signals[my BX does],when cold hard to get in and out of gear,hand throttle ,snow plow items as mentioned before.

 

[timswi]

Thanks Timswi. I was kind of curious if you used the existing wear plate holes or drilled new ones. It looks like you drilled new ones and clamped the rubber between the wear strip(cutting edge) and the new 2" x 6' strip you made.
Where did you pick up the machine belt?
Randy

Yes the cutting edge stayed and the rubber is sandwiched between the bar and the edge. Only mod to the original plow is the mounding holes.

The belt came from a friend that works in a mill. His boss let him have a piece of it.

Try to find a new belt as the dry rotted old ones will fall apart. The one I have on it now still looks like the day I installed it..No cracks.

Someone mentiond a stall mat too. I think that TSC has some of these kind of belts, I didn't look close though. Reinforced 1/4" is minimum for a plow of this weight.