2014 RTV-1140CPX New Project for Restoration Part 1

[Nicksacco]

Since the L35 TLB is complete and working, I decided I needed another restoration project.
I needed something that could haul tools, lumber, dirt and whatever around the place.
I started looking at golf carts - no. Then JD Gators - no. They won't do.
Then I looked at what Kubota was offering and was totally taken in by the RTV series.

The RTV checked all the boxes for: diesel fuel, hydraulic dump bed, hydrostatic transmission and overall size.
So the one I bought is in decent shape and suffered a similar fate as my L35: Neglect, lack of skilled maintenance, and looked like it was buried in mud for awhile.

Two pressure-washings later, I began the disassembly and thought you all would like to see this journey as it unfolds. I'll break this report up into various components of the machine that have required attention.
I've had it for a bit less than a month and began at the front since it was the worst part.

Here are some pictures of the machine.

Here is the first part of the work:

After removing all of the front end plastics and such, the first thing was to create a support that would allow me to roll the machine in and out of the shop once the front end was removed.

Let the FUN begin...

 

[BAP]

Nothing like a restoration project to keep busy with. Keep updating your post with progress and pictures. Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[RCW]

Nothing like a restoration project to keep busy with. Keep updating your post with progress and pictures. Look forward to seeing your progress.

I'm with BAP - - look forward to seeing the journey.

 

[fried1765]

Since the L35 TLB is complete and working, I decided I needed another restoration project.
I needed something that could haul tools, lumber, dirt and whatever around the place.
I started looking at golf carts - no. Then JD Gators - no. They won't do.
Then I looked at what Kubota was offering and was totally taken in by the RTV series.

The RTV checked all the boxes for: diesel fuel, hydraulic dump bed, hydrostatic transmission and overall size.
So the one I bought is in decent shape and suffered a similar fate as my L35: Neglect, lack of skilled maintenance, and looked like it was buried in mud for awhile.

Two pressure-washings later, I began the disassembly and thought you all would like to see this journey as it unfolds. I'll break this report up into various components of the machine that have required attention.
I've had it for a bit less than a month and began at the front since it was the worst part.

Here are some pictures of the machine.

View attachment 133658

View attachment 133657

View attachment 133659

View attachment 133660

View attachment 133661



Here is the first part of the work:

After removing all of the front end plastics and such, the first thing was to create a support that would allow me to roll the machine in and out of the shop once the front end was removed.

View attachment 133666

View attachment 133662

View attachment 133664

Let the FUN begin...

I like the way you think!

 

[Vince1230]

Can not wait either

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION



Thanks all for your support!

As I report this work, please note that not everything is done in a specific order.

For example, I didn't blast the entire frame at once, nor did I do just the front end before doing anything else. Part of the work is discovery and part is repairs but I think it will all make sense as we go along.

After getting to the portion in the last photo above, the task was to repair rust damage from the passenger compartment (underneath) forward.

That required sanding, grinding, blasting and then finally priming and painting.

Equipment used was:
1) wire wheel on angle grinder
2) oscillating sander
3) compressor, blasting grit (black diamond fine) coal dust
4) induction heater for bolts and nuts
5) PPE including, powered respirator face mask, head covering, gloves, ear protection
6) Blood, sweat, and tears

Paint used is KUBOTA DARK GREY ENAMEL Quart:

Kubota #70000-73358 PAINT

PAINT

www.messicks.com

I did not have to thin this paint but I did use Majic catalyst hardener 30679

For front struts, I used Rustoleum Gloss black slightly thinned with turpentine and also Majic Catalyst

Primers used are:

1) Rustoleum Self Etching
2) Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer

All of the blasting was done outside because it's pretty horrible to do!

Before any of the real work, I probably pulled out 2 5-gallon buckets of mud and clay from everywhere.


This is the front gearbox:

Top of the gearbox - note the "Custom made" blue axle protectors - they were discarded immediately.
The previous photo shows the remnants of the OEM protectors on the A-Arm.

Removing the struts and axle hubs (wow! heavy)

Removal of the ball joints (toasted) and many other bolts using induction heater.

Here is a sequence of frame repair:

Sanding and cleaning (the floor will NOT be painted. I will utilize Herculiner to coat it. I used it on my L35 and it has worked beautifully)

Underside

Primered

FRONT painted

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION

Here are a few more photos from different sections of the machine as various work proceeds:

The differential lock is on the driver side floor:

BEFORE

I like to powdercoat items like this: Eastwood Powder.
I also welded a "step" to keep the foot from slipping off

Steering cylinder painted

Steering cylinder mounts - Powdercoated

 

[fried1765]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION

Here are a few more photos from different sections of the machine as various work proceeds:

The differential lock is on the driver side floor:

BEFORE

View attachment 133748


I like to powdercoat items like this: Eastwood Powder.
I also welded a "step" to keep the foot from slipping off

View attachment 133749

Steering cylinder painted

View attachment 133750


Steering cylinder mounts - Powdercoated

View attachment 133751

Lookin GREAT!

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION - Front Axle Hubs - July 30


While waiting for parts, I've gone ahead and torn down both Front Axle Hubs.
I was hoping that there wasn't any carnage, but I could smell the smell of ancient oil in the air.

The front axle hubs on the RTV are pretty complicated devices.
The RTV has both front and rear hydraulic brakes using DOT3 fluid.
The hubs have 2 chambers; one for the braking and one for the lubrication of the brake discs.

The front assemblies are the wheel mounts, power transfer via splined shafts and internal wet (hydraulic fluid) brake discs.

The braking system consists of 4 flat steel disks and 3 discs with brake material on both sides. These are compressed together by a round piston which is moved when the operator steps on the brake pedal.

Here we go... (The brake lines connect to those two shiny holes with banjo bolts)

Pry off the outer seal

Then, there's an inside seal

Remove the circlip cover and circlip to free the axle

Gently whack the axle with a dead blow hammer

Now split the cases. The two guide pins (one is pointed to) were rusted in pretty good - so I took my time and eventually it worked loose using PB Blaster and some heat.

Note: There was no lubrication in the hubs save what was on the discs themselves.

Now we see the brake parts which sit in the outer case half. Carnage is obvious. Ouch.

Oh, oh - Do you spot the silicone (or whatever)? A sign of someone in there who didn't trust the O-ring. Oh boy!

Let's see the inner case half and note the large RING - that is the brake piston

Here is the inner half cleaned a bit to show some damage - more of that later.

I used air to remove the piston. About 30 pounds or so and aimed it down on the bench!
See the next post

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION - Front Axle Hubs - July 30

This is the piston assembly

There are a lot of seals in this thing!

Carnage: Axle shaft bearing surface is ruined - later I will offer an explanation.

Carnage: Here is an example of the brake disc damage.

Here are the hubs awaiting parts - blasted and cleaned.

The damage around the inner circle was repaired using a flat file and patience.

My conclusion as to what happened here is that a bearing had let loose due to lack of lubrication and possible abuse. That caused the axle shaft to move around elliptically.

Whomever replaced the bearing, didn't bother to repair the damage, and didn't rebuild the unit correctly replacing the damaged parts. Oil (if any was added) simply ran out due to leaking seals.

Since the brake discs turn with the axle shaft (on the splines) they were damaged by the non-concentric rotation. The inner-most disc was rubbing on the damaged metal and ground it pretty good.

Since the axle shaft was rotating elliptically, that allowed water to enter past the bearing seal and ruin the axle bearing surface.

Both axles bearing surfaces were damaged and both axles are being replaced. But only the one axle hub had the extensive carnage. Lucky me!

Ah yes, an abused machine returning to the land of the living!

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUING THE RESTORATION - Various


While waiting for parts, I dove into the painting and powdercoating side of the restoration.
Here are some various picture of components, abused and now given new clothes.

Here are front floor (top item) and transmission underguards.
(The top of the floor will have Herculiner)

FRONT differential and rear guards

Front differential BEFORE and AFTER

Front Struts B4 and After

Front A-Frame evolution

Under transmission BEFORE and After - I had to cut out the bent up support, straighten, then weld back in place.

All in all things are going well. Parts are coming from various sources and sometimes slow.

An adventure for sure.

I hope you're enjoying the journey!

 

[Nicksacco]

CONTINUE TO PART 2

2014 RTV 1140CPX New Project for Restoration - PART 2

This is a continuation of this thread: https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/2014-rtv-1140cpx-new-project-for-restoration-part-1.70102/ I knew this thread would get long, so here is more work done on the RTV now in Part 2. The work has been coming along and I've gotten the...

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