up date on RTV "build"

H

hammerhead

Member
<P mce_keep="true">Hello Everyone... it has been some time since I have posted. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I finally have my RTV fairly well set up now. [not that there might not be additions.. or changes but it is now useable] Thanks to all of you for your help, in suggestions and Idea's. The most obvious borrows are from Jamie, Brian, and Deerlope [I think I have the correctperson on this last one].</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I have installed the Kubota metal roof, and their glass windshield, raised air intake, mudflaps, turn limit stops, and bed liner. I spray undercoating on the bed under the bed liner.. and sprayed some foam insulation in some of the spaces between the liner and the bed. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I made my own rear window and frame [actually that is not finished]. Had I known there was one available to buy, I would have gone that route. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I made stake sides for the bed. I used 1" square tubing for the corner post. with welded on flat stock on the edges [like deerlope] This puts my side boards in line with the top edge of the bed. It gives me 2" extra width [so that I, hopefull can load with my bucket... with the sides still on]. At the bottom of the stake pockets I stuffed a small piece of used bicycle inner tube, and sprayed a little undercoating on the lower end of the uprights, in an attempt to cut down rattle noise.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I intended to use 3/4" tubing to slide down into the rear most uprights. for a roof rack. The 1" tubing I used is thicker walled than what I first test fit. So the 3/4" tubing fits.. but it is real tight. I had to drive it in.... and it is not coming out. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I had a piece of angle iron welded to the top..of each of these,and I bolted a Thule "fake" rain gutter to it. I also have a pair of these bolted to the rear bolts that holds the roof on. These fake rain gutters are a piece that you would bolt on to a truck cap... so you could install a roof rack thatuses rain gutters. I have several left over roof racks on hand. It makes a good roof rack for the RTV, but if I had to buy new. There would be cheaper ways. [My primary use for this rack is hauling lumber for trail bridges]</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I have intalled two work lights pointing forward [on the roof] as well as two to the rear. I have a rear cargo box light, just under the edge of the roof, and a light under the rear bed, oh also a dome light. I am currently using a small bookmark reading light to light up the dash. I don't have good light to the sides. I like the way Brian did his, but with my stake sides I went with roof mount and they don't easily adjust that direction. {on this I will wait on need]</P>
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<P mce_keep="true">I have used a metal panel and a marine switch panel similar to how Jamie did his. I ran all my wires from the battery up a piece of conduit to the inner roof like Brian.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I have mounted a front rack. I will haul my chain saws and fuel and other tools up there. [i may make some containers for this yet].</P>
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<P mce_keep="true">I have a warn winch. I forget the model #. it is a 3000 pound with a rope and wireless remote. [ATV online was out of the Ramsey when I ordered] I mounted the bracket that holds the remote... on my ceiling panel, and the wired switch to the lower windshield frame. I did use the external winch mount.. vs mounting it in the pocket. With the in pocket mount.. I was not sure what to use for a fairlead mount..and had some concern for reaching inside to the release lever. .... especially with the front rack on. This rack because of the windshield is cantilevered mounted from the front of the brushguard. so it sticks out a little further. I don't find the winch out so far I am going to be whacking my legs into it. So the only real downside was the cost. </P>
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<P mce_keep="true">I have maxis big horn tires and alum. wheels. I do have some rubbing up front. Unloaded and on flat ground.... and it seems to be just...[or worse] on the left side??? it is on hard left hand turns that it hits. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">We are just loosing our snow now..and the lawns are drying up. I have used the machine a little but not much yet. I am pleased with the comfort. It rides more comfortable than I thought it might [from my reading] I do realize the tires may help that a lot. I have some pot holes in the drive way.. and it takes them much better than our cars do.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I also better understand the warnings of loading too much wood in it. I can see wherea heavy tall stack of wood would feel tippy. My previous toro had no rear suspension.. so it rode quite stable overloaded. I don't forsee any problems staying within it's limits..and maybe beyond. but compared to my toro with no suspension.. it does of course sway some. Some of this may be just getting used to the different feel. </P>
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<P mce_keep="true">Yeah I know you want pictures.... I just bought a camera.. my first digital.. so I need to learn how to use it. .. then how to get these photos in my computor.. then how to send them and post them..?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">thanks again all</P>
<P mce_keep="true">glenn</P>
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<P mce_keep="true"> Been thinking where ya been, but see you been a spiking up the RTV >>>>> everything you said sounds good .... We would love to see it !!!!</P>
<P mce_keep="true"><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT size=4> <FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
 
<P mce_keep="true">Thanks guys.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I have not been on here as much. I am not used to the forums new look, I don't find it as good to use, and there were threads with fairly large photo's in them.. that takes my dial up system a long time to download. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I will be hooking up to high speed soon [ i hope] , the process seems to be taking time. </P>
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<P mce_keep="true">I have used the rtv a little more... and am really liking it. Finding the sweet spot with the throttle on hills.. has proven to be fairly easy.. while it is not like the hydro on my tractor.. I think being used to that helps, with this.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I love the engine breaking, but something I should have realized and wasn't doing is putting it in4 wheel drive on the steep downhills. I found it skidding a lot. I am finding this machine a bit bigger than my toro in the woods. The toro was not even 2 inches narrower, but it had no roof, windsheild or roll over protection. I have to measure but I think perhaps the RTV roof is wider than the rest machine? As this machine leans side to side on the uneven terrain.. it is either hitting trees or coming awfully close. I have a slight dent and rub on part of the roof..already [:(]and wonder if I should have used the plastic one? </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I do have places where I need to make my trails wider, I knew of a few trees that I would need to cut, but there will be more. but that's ok...I need the fire wood anyways.</P>
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<P mce_keep="true">glenn</P>
 
<P mce_keep="true"> Found out quick, if your going to run threw the woods where you usally go busting threw, you will have to spend a few days trimming limbs and overhanging small trees. The will end up leaving a mark on your machine >>>>>> Even now after trimming much, I still find myself cutting off small limbs and such with the limbcutters ( large pruning sheers I think they are called)I keep in the back of the RTV, just for that purpose !!!</P>
 
<P mce_keep="true">I am definately not bushwhacking with it. This has been on trails that have been in use for some time. It also wan't just a branch. I rubbed the roof on a tree.Perhaps 6 or7 feet up the tree leans a little or theRTVhits a bump on one side to it leans.. and it is not easy yet to tell my clearanceseverywhere. Some of the places I used to fit .. I can't now. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">Working on new trails.. I make the trail ahead of the RTV...any scouting I do.. is on foot. I generally always have clippers with me.. as well as an axe and a chain saw. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I am not complaining of any of this.. just sharing my first uses of it. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">hmm I was thinking of some projects around the house today.. but maybe I will take the RTV [and tractor] and go "work" in the woods some more. [:D]</P>
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<P mce_keep="true">glenn</P>
 
<P mce_keep="true">seems like your getting into the trails riding thing. the trails we made are about 2 feet wider than the utv itself. and i take lopers with me on a regular basis to trim palmetos and other branchse out of the way. just remeber that if a tree is 1" or smaller just cut it down to the ground . and the reason i trim everything way back is that some branchs will stick back out after trimming . a good way to trim a trail is to walk it both ways. if you think i'm crazy try it i bet you will get to the end after waliing the trail one way andsay ok i'm finished and then turn around and look you will see a whole nuther world of branchs to trim. after i have the witdth cleared out i get my son to ride in the back of the hpx with the lopers and he snipes everything he can reach over head that will cover up to about 9' high. i'm gonn go take pictures today if i can to show you the trails we have . good luck on yours and make sure everyone rides in one direction.lol that rtv would be a tank to run into.ouch!!!!</P>
 
<P mce_keep="true">Tommy these trails are not to ride the RTV on. I use them snowshoeing, running and mountain biking. The RTV is just to do the work. making and mantaining these trails[among other things] . To make it more fun for these other "things" I don't want the trails any bigger than they need to be. As it is I have some trails that I can not fit the RTV or the Tractor. I park at either end and walk in, to do the work. </P>
<P mce_keep="true">I aggree it is much easier to trim a trail on what side and then walk back for the other. I do this whether I am lopping branches or using the brushcuttter. I do also go for the high ones from either the bed of a utility vehicle or the cockpit of my tractor. </P>
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<P mce_keep="true">My wife drove the RTV for the first time today.. out in the woods.. as I was on the tractor. She is nervous in the tight stuff not being used to it's size and not being able to see as well. She seemed to did ok with the gently slowing down.. and the throttle position on the hills.. she loved the way it rode.. and it was raining on our way back.. I was wet on the tractor and she was nice and drive with the roof and windshield [Y]</P>
 
<P mce_keep="true"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> Yep, that's the way it starts, let the Mrs. drive a little bit, and within a week or so, It all of the sudden becomes their machine ......</FONT></P>
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<P mce_keep="true"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> Just a jokin' with ya buddy, my wife learned ours, and loves it !!!!</FONT></P>
<P mce_keep="true"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><FONT size=4><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT face=Arial> </FONT><FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
 
<P mce_keep="true">So Jamie... I thought you were going to buy your wife an RTV also.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">There are times when I am doing trail work.. that I need the tractor and the RTV and it's load of tools. So yeah she drives it then. Otherwise I don't think it will be a problem. [:D] if it is.. there are days I have off that she has to work.. where I can get my time in [:D]. </P>
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<P mce_keep="true">glenn</P>
 
And still will if she wants me to. About three weeks ago I approached her about the discussion we had last fall. She said that would be a nice gift, but she thinks she really wouldn't get enough use out of it as much as I do mine. But I did tell her, if she changes her mind, and makes the decision to have one, I'll go pick her one up in a heartbeat !!! The 1100's seem to be getting nicer & nicer,the more I ride with Mr. JBiglane !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</P>


Damn, I thought we was fixin' to have a 1100 sitting beside the 900 for sure >>>>>>
<FONT size=2></FONT><FONT color=#ff0000><FONT size=4> <FONT face=JohnHancock>~~~~~~ Two Guns ~~~~~~</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>


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