Kubota Rtv x1120 will not move on slope after being flipped on side

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kentuckyakguy2021

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Hey everyone, I am a mechanic on a hay farm. Recently our Kubota x1120 my boss uses to check cows was flipped on its passenger side by a high schooler we hired for the summer. We flipped it back over and it ran and drove fine. Recently my boss reported to me that if he stops on a hillside with the passenger side pointing downhill for more than a few seconds it will not move and has to be towed to flat ground to move again. Any ideas on what could be wrong. Thanks all
 
kentuckyakguy2021 said:
Hey everyone, I am a mechanic on a hay farm. Recently our Kubota x1120 my boss uses to check cows was flipped on its passenger side by a high schooler we hired for the summer. We flipped it back over and it ran and drove fine. Recently my boss reported to me that if he stops on a hillside with the passenger side pointing downhill for more than a few seconds it will not move and has to be towed to flat ground to move again. Any ideas on what could be wrong. Thanks all
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By saying will not move are you saying it will not start, or it starts but when put in gear it revs up but does not go?
And once on flat ground it starts and goes as normal.
 
Doc said:
By saying will not move are you saying it will not start, or it starts but when put in gear it revs up but does not go?
And once on flat ground it starts and goes as normal.
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It will continue running on the hill, but when you go to rev to move it will not move.
 
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Let me give an example, you are checking cattle and go on a hillside with the passenger side pointing downhill. You stop to look at some calves leave the thing running. It’s whenever you go to take back off is when it refuses to move unless towed to flat ground
 
Very strange. So you can head straight downhill, driver side downhill or straight uphill without the issue?
Sure sounds like lack of hydraulic fluid but I read that you already thought of that and topped it off.
Since it runs we know it's still getting fuel. Turning off and restarting does not help the issue.
But tow it to flat ground and all is back to normal.
Some internal flapper much be blocking things but dang if I'd have a clue where to find it.
 
Doc said:
Very strange. So you can head straight downhill, driver side downhill or straight uphill without the issue? Sure sounds like lack of hydraulic fluid but I read that you already thought of that and topped it off. Since it runs we know it's still getting fuel. Turning off and restarting does not help the issue. But tow it to flat ground and all is back to normal. Some internal flapper much be blocking things but dang if I'd have a clue where to find it.
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Yes sir, it will run up and down the hill vertically as well as horizontal driver side down hill. As for an internal flapper, that was kind of our thoughts on it, some kind of valve or inlet has something blocked. I don’t even know where to begin. Our local Kubota dealer isn’t much help either (surprise lol).
 
kentuckyakguy2021 said:
Checked and refilled as well, are the systems tied together? I have not checked that hose.
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I believe there is a pickup head at the end of that suction line. Make sure the head isn't plugged up with gunk. Not sure how old your unit is, but I know several people have had plugged suction heads. When was the last time the tank was drained and refilled? You may some some loose sediment in the tank that is moving towards the pickup head when you lean forward/passenger side with the vehicle. That is the side the pickup head is on.
 
Smilingreen said:
I believe there is a pickup head at the end of that suction line. Make sure the head isn't plugged up with gunk. Not sure how old your unit is, but I know several people have had plugged suction heads. When was the last time the tank was drained and refilled? You may some some loose sediment in the tank that is moving towards the pickup head when you lean forward/passenger side with the vehicle. That is the side the pickup head is on.
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As far as the tank being drained and refilled I am not aware of it ever being drained. It’s a relatively new unit not many hours. We bought it used after our rtv900 went down due to transmission problems
 
kentuckyakguy2021 said:
As far as the tank being drained and refilled I am not aware of it ever being drained. It’s a relatively new unit not many hours. We bought it used after our rtv900 went down due to transmission problems
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If it were me, I would start there with a complete filter/fluid change. After draining the tank, take a small penlight and shine down inside of the tank and see if there is sludge/debris inside of the tank. Look closely at the drained fluid and see if you see any water contamination, metal chips or sludge in the drained fluids. Take a small hook tool, hook the suction line, inside of the reservoir, with the head on it and flip it around to see if you have a contamination buildup on it. I know the Kubota filter/fluid are expensive, but the hydraulic fluid and filters are about the only thing you shouldn't try to find a cheaper alternative on. Just bite the bullet and get the Kubota filters/fluid. I haven't heard of anyone finding a substitute fluid and filter for the hydrostat system that works well.

When you change the filters, cut them open and pull out the pleating. Carefully inspect them to ensure you don't have any large amounts of metal in them. A little bit of break-in material is normal. From the description you are giving on how it acts, it really sounds like something is in the reservoir and is moving and blocking the suction intake head when it is leaned in that direction. Kubota states that the fluid and filters need to be changed after the 50 hour break-in. Has anyone written with marker on the filter canisters, that might indicate what date they were changed or are they the original factory filters that came with the machine when it was new?
 
Smilingreen said:
If it were me, I would start there with a complete filter/fluid change. After draining the tank, take a small penlight and shine down inside of the tank and see if there is sludge/debris inside of the tank. Look closely at the drained fluid and see if you see any water contamination, metal chips or sludge in the drained fluids. Take a small hook tool, hook the suction line, inside of the reservoir, with the head on it and flip it around to see if you have a contamination buildup on it. I know the Kubota filter/fluid are expensive, but the hydraulic fluid and filters are about the only thing you shouldn't try to find a cheaper alternative on. Just bite the bullet and get the Kubota filters/fluid. I haven't heard of anyone finding a substitute fluid and filter for the hydrostat system that works well.

When you change the filters, cut them open and pull out the pleating. Carefully inspect them to ensure you don't have any large amounts of metal in them. A little bit of break-in material is normal. From the description you are giving on how it acts, it really sounds like something is in the reservoir and is moving and blocking the suction intake head when it is leaned in that direction. Kubota states that the fluid and filters need to be changed after the 50 hour break-in. Has anyone written with marker on the filter canisters, that might indicate what date they were changed or are they the original factory filters that came with the machine when it was new?
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I appreciate the answer. We only use oem filters on everything except our New Holland Bales wagons so filters are always in order. As I remember when we first got it it did have dates written on them however that was at the beginning of the year and they are long gone. I always write dates and hours on filters so as far as my maintenance on the machine goes I have everything up to date. I had also changed the fluid after the recent problems and didn’t notice any abnormal chunks or bad fluid conditions. I will definitely drain the reservoir and try that, I wasn’t aware of the systems being tied together, we were under the impression of the tank being separate from the transmission but it makes sense to try. Thanks again
 
aurthuritis said:
The oil in the cavity under the bed is just the gear case. The hydro oil is the tank under the seat. Low hour but years old oil in the hydro is a bad idea. Always change the hydro oil and filters at least once per year. Your symptoms fit perfectly with low oil in the tank or foaming oil or both
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Thank you for the answer I never knew the tank under the seat was for the hydro unit. I checked it after another user mentioned the tank and it was barely on the stick. Refilled it to the right level. Haven’t had a chance to test it, been out sick and we have been struggling in the hay this week. I change filters at the appropriate hours. We use a them a huge amount and usually reach the hour intervals in no time. I also changed the filters after it was flipped and drained the case oil.
 
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kentuckyakguy2021 said:
Thank you for the answer I never knew the tank under the seat was for the hydro unit. I checked it after another user mentioned the tank and it was barely on the stick. Refilled it to the right level. Haven’t had a chance to test it, been out sick and we have been struggling in the hay this week. I change filters at the appropriate hours. We use a them a huge amount and usually reach the hour intervals in no time. I also changed the filters after it was flipped and drained the case oil.
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We are anxious to know if this fixed your issue. Getting closure on this makes the lesson learned available for others. Hope it worked!
 
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