RTV on a hill

[Dargo]

Okay, I gave it a big time squeeze and crunch. Maybe this time the picture of the little hill will not be too big! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ricochet]

I think it is a traction issue like Dozer mentioned. Under dry conditions and/or some momentum/speed you should have no problem climbing that hill.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Ok, Dargo, why do you think the 6x4 took this hill so much easier?

 

[Dargo]

I would have to venture to guess that it is the tires along with other things. The tires on the Gator were larger and had a slightly more agressive tread. It could also perhaps be that when you lock the differential on the 6X4 Gator all 4 rear wheels pull. When the differential lock is engauged on the RTV both rear wheels lock, but only one front wheel pulls. Just a guess. I've no doubt that with a big run at this particular hill I could make it with the RTV, but I always just crept up it on the Gator 6X4. Again, for my needs I prefer the RTV and my concern is only with it not coming out of drive when I do not make it up a hill. I do not think a UT can be all things to all people. If I bought the RTV only for climbing hills I'd be upset, but that was not my particular need. Therefore, my only issue is the being stuck in gear thing.

 

[rmorgan]

Dargo--

I wonder if all is right with adjustments on your RTV--although it's always hard to gauge hills in a picture, I've been going up and down hills which seem to me to be significantly steeper than that, including one which is a challenge to walk up, but which the RTV takes without complaint. Your situation is certainly one for us early-adopters to watch . . . Thanks for reporting on it!!

 

[lloyd123]

Not that I have vast expanses of land but I do have some wooded areas on my property with fairly steep slopes. Judging from Dargo's photo I would say at least as steep if not more. I've had no problem going up these with the Worksite. Even stopping midway and restarting has been no problem. I've also had no problem taking the shift out of gear when stopped on the slope although getting it back into another gear sometimes requires the accelerator to be revered while in neutral to turn the gearing to a different position. This is covered in the manual.

I think the suggestion about turning the wheels left and right is only mentioned in the manual to free up the 4WD to 2WD selector if it won't release or to disengage the locking differential if it won't release normally. I don't believe Dargo's problem of getting the range selector out of a gear is even listed.

I would suspect that there some sort of alignment problem with Dargo's shift mechanism. Probably not a difficult fix.

I'm assuming that Dargo's RTV is not making it to the top of his hill because the wheels start spinning in that material that looks like clay to me (?). If so, the Camo tires would probably work much better than the Worksite tires.

EDIT

Just had another thought - If Dargo's linkage is out of alignment then perhaps he not's really in 4WD or has the locking differential engaged even though the levers are in position. That would account for having problems making it up the hill and having the gear lever lock in gear.

 

[Dozernut]

Quote
"I think the suggestion about turning the wheels left and right is only mentioned in the manual to free up the 4WD to 2WD selector if it won't release or to disengage the locking differential if it won't release normally. I don't believe Dargo's problem of getting the range selector out of a gear is even listed". End quote.

Yes you are correct about the manual! I have used the steering wheel method when my RTV balked at shifting. A little movement is all it takes and sometimes this is enough. If you reread my original response you might take note that I did not mention the range selector and was quite aware that it was not listed!