New RTV won't pull a log??

 Hi:  We just traded in our Kawasaki mule for a RTV-900 yesterday. It drives great, and the power stearing is awesome.

Today I had to move a log that was in one of my paths, so I put a chain on mayne a 16 foot poplar log that was 14 inches in diameter. My mule would have pulled it, or at least had three tires spinning trying.

The RTV made lots of engine noise, and in one wheel drive the one back tire spun for just a second, but in 4WD even at full peddle I could not get the log to pull, and but the tires never broke traction. It's like the hydrostatic trans was not engaged enough. On my HSt tractor, I can stall the engine it with it. I did pull it when I cut in into 6 foot pieces, but this should have at least tried to pull it, its like it did not try.

Is this normal?

Thanks

Wayne

Hi Wayne, and welcome!! Did you try this in low gear? I believe this could be your problem. To pull things that are heave I always have to use low.  One thing for sure with the RTV, you won't have any belts squealing in the  trans . I got rid of my Mule and have never looked back. That was 3 1/2 yrs  and 2179 hrs ago.  Learn the trans and you will be happy with the RTV. We all have went thru this. By the way, what tires did you get? Bordercollie 

 Bordercollie:  Thanks for the reply!  Yes, I was in first gear. I suspect the hydrostatic transmission is not engaging all the way?  In third gear, level ground, it barely goes 18 MPH.   It's almost like the hydro is not engaging enough, cause the engine does not even bog down. It's only got 4 hours on it, so I'm sure the dealer will take care of it. But I do wonder if it is a simple adjustment on the lever that goes to the trans?

One thing for sure, it rides so much nice than my mule, and the power stearing is awesome.

Wayne

 Definitely something wrong - mine will go 26.3 on a flat road using GPS to measure.  I would look at the spark arrestor to see if it is plugged and have the dealer look at pressure in tranny.  I have killed engine in 4 wheel drive when trying to pull something that is to heavy for the 900 (pickup truck in gear) - just wanted to see if I could kill engine.  The 900 has a lot of soup.

I like everybodys additions to the 900, but I have yet to see a beer cooler that I like!!!!   Jerry

 Jerry:

Yes, thanks so much, That is what I thought, my guess is tranny pressure is not building high enough. I can stall out my HST tractor (bad bad bad...) but this does not even come close. Today I tried to climb a 30 degree slope in high and it would not do it. Back to the dealer this week.

I would expect this to spin 3 tires on dirt trying to pull something, it ought to be just like a tractor.

regards

Wayne

 Wayne   When you climb a hill you need to back off on the accelarator - like go to half throttle - you may need to be in second to climb a thrity degree hill and at half throttle.  I know this is a hard conception but the tranny pressure comes up as you let off on the throttle.  Most of us have had to practice - I have a manual throttle and often go to just over half power to climb out of a creek bottom.  There have been a number of discussions on this in previous threads.

I still think you need a pressure check if your only getting up to 18 mph.  Jerry

 Wayneh,I would definitely lose the spark arrestor.  There are threads on here that explain how to do it. My 05's was on the tailpipe and actually fell off when a screw came loose. Ha Ha. The plastic roof on the RTV is way ahead of  what you used to have. I appreciate it almost as much as I do that power steering. No more water dumping into my lap . I have actually stood [carefully] on my roof to trim limbs.I really believe that my RTV drives and handles better and better the more I use it. I have went thru really wet areas and have ample power. If I know there is standing water and that I may have to slow down like for deep ruts , I may go to M or if it is really bad and I am pulling something heavy, I will usually go to L. I can go up a pond levee  always in L but usually in M and yes, sometimes I be driving a little too fast and have the speed up and can do it in H.  The only problem I  have ever had [that sounded like this] was when I left the parking brake on for a short drive My switch wears out often so I quit replacing it.I look forward to hearing that your problem is solved by your dealer.Good luck with this and keep us informed.Bordercollie

   Check all the adjustments, expecially the adjustment on the  pressure relief valve button., I've done heard of three not being adjusted proper, and will not let the pressure go up on the tranny for full power operation.

    Also, do what has been mentioned before, get rid of that spark arrestor NOW !!!!

    No more than it cost, always keep a spare fuel filter in hand, a stopped up fuel filter will for sure make you feel like your machine don't have any power ~~~~~~ 

                   ~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~

 Thanks to everyone who answered!

The machine drives great for sure, especially compared to my 3010 Mule. The power stearing is awesome.

I tried again today to do some pulling, and in the woods I hooked up to a tree to see if I could spin the wheels. I could break traction in 2WD and 4WD in low gear, which is good.  Not even close in medium or high. And in high it won't go up a very steep hill, and maybe that is normal?  There is no way I could come close to bogging the engine down until it stalls, that won't happen.

I did check the pressure relief valve and that looks good. I also checked the linkage going to the trans, and took a turn or two out of that. That brought my speed up to 25 MPH in high gear at least.

Thanks again guys for your help!

Wayne

 Happy everything is lookin' up for ya !!!

   The high gear, is made ONLY for traveling, Myself, I use it on turn-rows in the fields and just bumping around the farm.

  During the bad, muddy months in the winter, when the swamps are really bad. I use only low and med.

    That low gear is them RTV's are really LOW, they will pull, in two and four wheel drive. 

      You need to learn that two-stage transmission on these machines, using the tranny proper will make you have all the power you need.  Running these machines are like nothing else you will ever run. But once you fancy up your methods of use on where your "sweet spot " is on your fuel pedal. It will be blinking your eyes. It will become second nature on how to run it ..... There are several threads in this forum on how to use these transmissions, read up and enjoy your machine !!!
                     

      ~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~