RTV modification...

[DaryleD]

I am buying an RTV900 in a week or less. I need ideas on how to either protect the bed, make a new bed, etc. This is going to get used pretty hard! I am going to be clearing land and hauling rocks, dirt, crushed stone, gravel, stumps etc, etc. I want to either take the bed off and make a quick and dirty one out of wood or whatever ( cheap and fairly durable is key ), or make some sort of bed insert that would protect it. I want to possibly add to the length and width as well as hight, to allow at least a couple buckets of dirt or whatever from my front end loader on my NH TC30. My bucket is 60" wide, so I would like it to be at least 60-72" to not spill any on the ground when loading it. The reason for this project, is to save the abuse on the bed while I'm doing the rough work, and then to either remove the insert or put the bed back on afterward, to be able to use it for the less abusive stuff like coard wood, carying tools,supplies, etc. It just bothers me to think of ruining the bed right off the bat. Thanks for your design ideas or other sugestions!
Daryle.

 

[Chandler1]

You could make a bed insert using diamond plate but that may be kinda expensive. Probably the least expensive would be to use 3/4" plywood, since you are wanting to extend the bed about a foot you would need to have it 3/4" I think. You would need to raise the bed and see just how long you could extend it and it still be able to dump. You'll have to be careful and not put too much load on the tail end so as not to put too much strain on the hydraulics for the bed and also raise the front end of the RTV.

Using the plywood cut a sheet to fit the bottom of the bed, extending it the length you need. Maybe with the tailgate down it will be about the right length for you. Then cut and lay in the sides. You then need to rip some
2x4's to lay in the corners of the floor and sides. You need them to be at least 1x1's. Then glue and screw them in. To protect the top edge of the bed you could rip some narrow strips of plywood or 1x4's. You might be able to find some 1x2's at the lumberyard. Maybe this will work for you.

I hope you enjoy your RTV. It is a tough and hardworking machine.

 

[art]

We've had customers doing well with plywood inserts and 3/4" would be best for your case. Just be sure to keep that loader bucket away and you should be fine.

 

[DaryleD]

Thanks gents! I think that the plywood is my best option too. Do you guys think that it would be able to dump the weight of a couple loader buckets full of dirt or stone? I can't wait to get it and start using it.
Daryle.

 

[Chandler1]

I think I would try one bucket load and go from there. It probably depends on how much stone is in it and how wet it is. Of course the size of the loader bucket is a factor too.

 

[avorancher]

I've hauled dirt and granite rocks piled as high as it would go in the original bed. Handled it OK with extra air in the rear tires, but have to have the tail lower than the front to dump it. (way over the manufac. specs)

I usually get 2-1/2 buckets in from my B7800 loader and moved 600 cu yards of rocky fill with the combination last summer.

The original bed is rather weak however, and I've bent mine every which way. One big rock shifted forward and pushed the bed up against the cab so badly that I couldn't dump it until I hammered it back in shape. Most often, it is just that the tailgate won't close without jerking it back into shape.

I would be concerned about adding weight behind the axle... it gets light in the front with fully loaded and going uphill already.

Hint: The first dent is the most painful.

 

[art]

YOu'll do fine and like a B-7800 about two maybe a little more as far as buckets go will be a good amount for the RTV to carry and dump. Depending on where the load is centered will depend on how it will dump.

 

[FarmGeek]

Hi DaryleD

If I fill my bed full of stones, it takes extra effort to make it raise and dump. Usually moving the top of the pile rearward and pulling up on the front by hand will do the trick. Like avorancher, I don't think making the bed larger will work well for your needs. The dump cylinder is just too small.

A wider bed would be nice. If I use my Bobcat to load the RTV, I end up with two little piles on the ground on each side. Kinda cute at first but a waste of time to clean up afterwards.

I put in a factory plastic bed liner. It helps things slide around (if I want them to or not) but doesn't do much to protect against anyting but scratches. I too like the plywood liner approach.

Just my .02 worth!

 

[DaryleD]

It sounds hopefull as long as I don't try to make the bed bigger. I appreciate the feedback! I guess I will abandon the idea of a bigger bed, but will still try to protect it though. Thanks again!
Daryle.

 

[Deerlope]

Just use the bed that comes withthe RTV and when it is all beat to **** just buy a new one.

 

[DaryleD]

I've got sad news.... I have to put the RTV on hold, at least for a while. I have just talked to the surveyor and my town, about my sub-division, and it is going to cost quite a bit more than I had planned on. I will have to wait until I can replenish the bank account. I hate to miss out on the $500 Kubota cash back deal, but such is life ( at least that's what I've been trying to tell myself ). Thanks to everyone who was helping with advice! Sorry I wasted your time for now.
Daryle.

 

[avorancher]

Just use the bed that comes withthe RTV and when it is all beat to **** just buy a new one.

Sounds expensive... how much is a new one?

 

[vintovka]

Sorry to hear that news. I built a bed for mine from 3/4 ply and lined the top and front rails with synthetic deck remnants (choicedek). The bed liner is only half the battle as most damage I've seen is from bumping into stuff. I added bumpers front and rear and replaced my snapped tailgate cables with real chain. A full diamond plate tailgate cover really helps too. My lift won't dump a full bed of oak so I carry my stuff in sealed buckets along the bed front. Held in place while dumping with a crossbar on tracks mounted on the bed liner sides. FYI building materials and labor took a price huge drop here in CA recently maybe it will help you there.

 

[pappy19]

I had my dealer spray a Rino lining in mine. I haven't used it yet for hauling, but looks pretty tough.

 

[TonyS]

I have an RTV with 60 hours on it and its used almost entirely for moving mountains of rip rap and dirt. Filled to the brim and then some. I had a spray in liner which has been great (except when I scaped it with the bucket!). The common problems (but minor) I have found are

the bed bows out a bit at sides if it has too much wieghty stuff in it. Fix it by pulling together and slamming tailgate.

the back (near the cab) of the bed bends if I get too enthusiastic about slinging big rocks in it. Straighten it with a 2X10 and a big hammer.

Other than that I can't believe how durable this machne is, of course it rattles like a ***!

 

[Ricochet]

I had my dealer spray a Rino lining in mine. I haven't used it yet for hauling, but looks pretty tough.

Rhino spray hardliner plus the Kubota (Penda) bedliner you can get for the RTV900 would be the way to go. It would take a serious beating with this combo on top of an already tough cargo bed.