M7040SU Power Loss & Fuel Issue while under load

2015 M7040SU with 285 hours. This week while bush hogging with a 12' Landpride batwing, Big Orange began to lose RPM while going uphill. Living in NW Missouri, we have decent size hills. The RPM's would drop down to around 400. The tractor never died. Simply sputtered and lost power. When going down hill it runs fine. When I take the load off (turn off PTO) tractor runs fine.

Here is what I have found. I replaced both filters. Water separator/fuel filter, drained fuel tank, strained fuel and checked for debris in tank/filters. Disconnected main fuel line going into separator and checked fuel flow. I then blew air into the hose, hoping to clean the line. Fuel flow was good so I hooked fuel line and took tractor to field test. FAIL. Same issue as before. Disconnected fuel line at separator turn off and blew air back into line and checked. Got a good flow of fuel for about 10 seconds then slowed to nothing. More air, good flow for 10 seconds and nothing. After 4 times I have decided there is something in the fuel tank that is blocking fuel flow.

My question is....... Has anyone removed the tank and if so what is the process? I have been told it is a good idea to remove the left side tire. This is a single tank, ROPS unit. No cab. Just wondering how hard it will be to remove the tank, cap it, and turn upside down and power clean the tank? This is what dealer suggested. Also, Orange Tractor Talks is a invaluable tool to many of us. Guys, if you have a problem and get it fixed, PLEASE post back and tell us how you solved your issue. Many threads are left unanswered. I will post back how I got the problem resolved and the steps involved. Thanks Orange crew for all the great posts. They are very helpful.

Tx Jim, I did check the vent tube and it was clean. Before I open the separator shutoff, I did remove the gas line and found it only trickled fuel. After blowing air into the end of fuel line, I got very good flow for about 10 seconds then nothing. That leads me to believe some type of trash in bottom of tank. I have a borescope on the way from Amazon. It will be here on Monday or Tuesday and I am going to remove the fuel drain and run the borescope up inside the tank and take a look before removing the tank. Will post back after the borescope with pics. I may check the cutoff/separator for blockage tomorrow. Thanks for the advice. Greatly appreciated.

Dirt Hog update: Borescope was major failure. $20.00 eBay scope worked great peeking at wife taking shower but in fuel tank....nothing. I did drain tank again.....this time disconnected the fuel-out line at tank. Blew air into bottom of tank and also down from filler and removed the fuel/water separator and cleaned. Then added gallon of fuel and drained again. Got a bunch of crud out when I got to bottom of collection pan. Obviously not good. I didn't remove fuel tank as Kubota says protocol is to remove left rear tire and with torn rotator cuff.....impossible for me at this time. I am going to re-attach bush hog and try again. If this fails...it's a Kubota fix. Will update in a few days when I attempt to bush hog. BTW...this is a poly/plastic/whatever type fuel tank......d-hog out.

Reporting success. Removed fuel lines from tank......drained tank. Then used air attachment up inside the fuel line fitting and blew 10 mins worth of air then strained 5 gallons of diesel and filled tank and allowed it to drain back out. Added some tank cleaner and re-filled/drained second time, then hooked up lines and fueled tractor. Runs like a top. Saved pulling tank by draining several times. Much easier. Bottom line, this worked for me, hopefully if you have issues, it will work for you. Dirt Hog out......