Considering '06 RTV900 w/600 hrs

M

Muddzy

New member
Hi.

I'm new to Kubota RTV900s and I'm looking at a used one. The specs:

2006 Diesel
camo
roof
4x4
hydraulic lift
600 hrs
Looks to be in good shape, the bed is banged up a little from use but IMO that is to be expected. Needs to have 3 tires replaced (they are bald - 2 front and 1 rear (the other rear tire was replaced already)

$7900

I have a 3 owner 1997 Kubota L35 tractor with 1350 hrs that I love so I am familiar with Kubota's diesels, but only cause I use one, not because I work on them.

Any thoughts on what I should ask when I see this RTV900 or things I should do when I test drive? Also, since it isn't cold weather yet is there anything I can do to see if the glows work?

Thanks!
 
sorry - should've mentioned I'm looking at this tomorrow morning (21st) so any thoughts on these 2006s or the RTV900 in general let me know. Wish I could afford a new one then I wouldn't have to worry about checking her out.

Thanks in advance!
 
Since you haven't gotten a response yet from the senior folks, I'll try to help a little from my recent experience in buying a used 2007. First, that's low hours so good chance it wasn't abused. I would ask maintenance history even though you might not be able to trust it. Also, look good underneath to see if the skid plates or protector plates are bent up giving evidence of abuse. Also look under there for rust and dried mud. Difficult to check 4 wheel drive but at least make sure front drive shaft is connected and put the shifter into and drive a few yards and listen for unusual sounds. Try all three forward gears but know that pressure might have to be relieved using pull out knob on dash to shift. That is normal. Also if you haven't driven one before, know that it is high torque and will make you lurch forward when you let off accelerator. That's the basics that occur to me. Price sounds pretty good if it's in tip top shape. Considering tires you might offer $7,000 and feel it out from there.

Oh yeah -- we all LOVE the RTV 900's and 1100's. Best investments most of us have made.
 
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Wheezer - thanks a bunch- very helpful! My biggest concern was reading some of the reviews from people that bought 2011 or newer models and several people saying, "the new Kubota RTVs fixed a lof of the problems found in the older models." But they never said what the issues were?

The guy sent a lot of pics, and although the machine looks recently detailed, it still looks practically brand new compared to how my Kubota tractor looked when I bought it. These RTVs fit my needs to a tee...I need a workhorse not a fancy ATV. If I don't buy this one I will buy another one in the near future.
 
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Muddzy,

I bought a used '06 for $8,500 2 years ago (only had 14 hours and was basically in brand new condition) So, $7,900 sounds a little on the high side but depends on the model, etc. Mine is a worksite w/hydr dump. I have the original bill of sale so I know the original owner paid $11,100. I'd ask for the original bill of sale if imwee you. Younshould also ask to see the maintenance log in the owners manual. It would be a good sign to see the original owner documented maintenance and that it looks like it was done on schedule.

Good luck, great machine
 
Sorry I'm slow on the reply,
I just come in from hunting ...

Looks like wheezer covered it pretty good.
But like aready mentioned. Sounds a little on the high side.

Another thing I've noticed. And maybe it's nothing to some, but it's everything
when it comes to equipment. Was the owner to cheap to buy a whole set of tires, or he could of got two. Just buying one tire bothers me.
He could be to cheap to change fliuids properly, for it's can get expensive.

If he is a "Cheaper", be careful. Another thing, ask about what kind of oil & filter he uses in both the engine and trannsmission.
If he come up with a answer like , " I don't know" , or " some good oil," or I like this one, " that stuff they sell at tractor supply" .... BE DAMN CAREFUL....
Check the oil and see the condition of that.
Open up the air filter and look at it. See if he took care of that ....

2006 RTV, he's asking to much in my book.....

......... two guns
 
Hi Muddzy, I have been out of town and just got back, but have a few comments.. Is this the original owner? Having bald tires at only 600 hrs is strange to me.... Are they the oem atv tires?I have about a 1000 on my ATV set and they are thin but not bald. ( I really have 1250 hrs on my RTV but used my winter tires on about 250 of those so about a 1000 hrs would be right.) These hr meters can sometimes become unplugged..... not saying it has , but be cautious.
Look at the drive shaft under the seat that runs from front to back, Does it rattle, how much play at the joints.? Jack up the rear wheels and wiggle those tires- checking the bearings, then look good at the ujoints there and see how much play there is between the ujoints and the axle when you rotate the tire a tad. Take off the oil cap and see if carbon deposits are up in the top of the cap.. Check to make sure the 4x4 works.. I would check the level of oil in the transmission and the color of it. It should be so hard to see on the stick that you will need to put it on your finger to see it shimmer. bordercollie
 
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wow - great stuff guys - thanks! I had a typo in the original post. I said $7900 but i had that amount stuck in my head since I added $400 onto his cash asking price of $7500 for 3 new tires. Here is the listing:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/sno/4135163393.html

I don't know if he is first owner but I will ask and ask for the original bill of sale & his maintenance schedule.

Regarding play/looseness at the driveshaft and u-joints - should there be play at all?

And regarding the bald tires, it seems strange to me, too, that they wore so quickly and that he only replaced one. I figured they wore quickly cause he was driving on asphalt a lot and he only replaced the one rear since he got a flat. But, regarding the flat, why not replace the back two at the same time....I did that with my tractor so I had even tread. Regardless, that is my speculation and I will ask him all of this stuff tomorrow.


Thanks again everyone!!
 
The old model drive shafts have an achilles heel. sorta.... It was said that the cast yokes don't fit snug on the hardened steel splines coming out of the transmission and front differential. and they wear as they get older because of this. The new models have a single shaft with no carrier bearing (where the front and rear shafts meet or come together there under the seat. Just give it a good look for wear and a "sloppy " fit. same for the rear ujoints, look at the joints as you turn the jacked up wheel.
I replaced the shaft on my '05 I think 3 times and sold it with 4200 hrs.. it looked very good for its age as I took care of it and could have fooled anyone on the hrs if I had that character ( no) - I also did the rear ujoint replacement 2x. and the carrier bearing at I think 1800 hrs. You can see the thread I have on here about when I bought my new 2011 and was lamenting over the '05.. I think it was something like "new RTV for me?" in August of 2011 or thereabouts..
My machine with 4200+ hrs used no oil and did not smoke a bit.
Be careful though, a lot of used machines are coming on the market from commercial jobs- that have been mistreated. bordercollie
edit: pictures on the link do look nice, good luck
 
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Welcome to the forum.

That RTV does look clean. Bald tires are making me scratch my head.

Also check all the boots on the axles to make sure they're not torn. If they are, you can get into some problems.
 
The glaring thing that stands out to me is why he put one worksite tire on with extremely worn atv tires. I would be real suspicious of the actual hours. As was mentioned check it over on the drive line and take a floor jack along. The price seems high by about a grand and those tires scream problem to me.
 
thanks everyone! I REALLY appreciate it.

I called the guy and emailed him this morning. The guy came down to $7k sold as is but he was 2nd owner for only 3 mos and he didn't have the original sales receipt or any of the maintenance records. He said the previous owner drove it mostly on asphalt and didn't plow with it. Oh and he said the previous owner had a tire blow and had the turf tire on hand so they threw it on. I was really on the fence on this, but since he was 2nd owner without ownership or service documentation I told him I'm passing on it. I don't have the knowledge or time to know what I'm looking for. I think if someone knew what to look for then it could be a good deal but I will keep learning so I'm more educated the next time looking at used. Thanks weezer - your blue blook comment makes me feel a little better. I will keep looking.

Here is his listing on ebay with more pics.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-KUBOTA...4454?pt=Ultility_Vehicles&hash=item461473a716
 
It looks like he has several atvs for sale too... I think you made a wise decision! Sleep well tonight. :). bordercollie
 
Sometimes the smartest thing is to walk...I think this is one of those times. As everyone started to look with you, something didn't add up. There's definitely a machine out there for you one place I've looked to get a feel for what's out their is www.tractorhouse.com they have a ton of RTV listings so you can at least get a sense of the market, what inventory is in your area, etc. I found the site helpful when I started looking--even though I ultimately wound up buying in a private transaction.
 
Here's one in Florida that might be a fair deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261309255681?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I didn't see any indication of the number of hours on it from the listing though. I emailed the guy and he responded that there is a picture of the hour meter among the group of pictures. Best I can read it reads 2491 hours. Pretty high but it appears this machine could be cleaned up and still get that 10,000 hours we all hope we can squeeze out of one.
 
When I was shopping for a used RTV someone on here told me about List Alert. You can set up alerts that will email you whenever craigslist for a city of your choice lists a RTV. Here is a sample one I use for baja boats. You can modify it but remember to change the city and state etc and make as many as you want for all the cities you would consider driving to for the right RTV.
http://www.list-alert.com/craigslist-posts/957344/baja

I bought an 06 RTV and am very happy with it. Son in law has said many times it was the best thing I've ever bought for our 50 acres. So useful and fun. :thumb:
Mine ha 600 hours on it also. and was on the rough side but has worked like a charm for us. I could not be happier with it.
 
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