Kubota RTV 900 vs Kubota RTV 500

[busypenguin]

First time user here.
I'm hoping someone can help me out. I'm contemplating buying a Kubota RTV 900 or 500 but can't make up my mind. I live in Pa. I intend to use the machine mainly for plowing snow. Pa. hasn't gotten hit with a major snow storm (knock on wood) for quite a while and I guess my main hickup with buying a 500 is would it have enough power compared to the 900 if we did have a major snow storm? I'm also considering the difference in price for a machine that is basically going to be used for plowing snow!
Busypenguin

 

[jeff9366]

The RTV900 uses diesel fuel.
Do you have other equipment that uses diesel fuel?
It is a pain to buy and store a special fuel for just one vehicle.

The RTV500 has a much tighter turning radius than the RTV900.

I have pulled an ABI Gravel Rascal behind my RTV500.

Gravel Rascal is a ground engaging tool designed for utility vehicles for repairing gravel roads. I used mine for food plot preparation. Kubota handled it fine, in LOW range with 4-WD engaged. It was amazing how much dirt I could move.

The key factor, I believe, is not engine horsepower but how efficiently the HST transmission transfers power to the ground.

Note: I have wide turf tires on my RTV500.

http://www.abiattachments.com/products/innovation/gravel_rascal.html

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Go to your dealer and sit in both machines. Get bottom line delivered price. Then decide after talking to your local dealer concerning satisfaction with each machine by local customers.
I bought a RTV1140 to mostly have something my Grandkids would do with their Grandpa before they get to old. My 8 year old Grand is always willing to drive me around in it now so the plan is working so far. I believe I should have bought one years before I did. I use it for more than the Grands but had no idea of how valuable it would be until I got it. Point is you may do more than major snow storms with it.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

The RTV 500 will plow an amazing amount of snow, if that is the main use for the machine it's a good choice. The EFI engine starts well and is very smooth, shifting can be firm on any of the RTVs due to the hydro tranny but as long as you come to a complete stop and brake firmly they shift pretty well. The RTV 500 is very maneuverable which is great for snow plowing.


With the American Eagle snow plow I had on mine it was a force to be reckoned with in the snow up here in Maine

 

[busypenguin]

What was the deepest snow you had to plow with your 500 in Maine?

 

[busypenguin]

Thanks John!

 

[busypenguin]

Good point! I was also concerned about price and buying something that was "over kill".

 

[DIXIEDOG]

What was the deepest snow you had to plow with your 500 in Maine?

With the RTV 500 I've plowed 16" at a time on several storms. The only time I ever had a tough time moving the snow was we had around 8" of crazy wet snow followed by a pounding rain.....as I was plowing the snow water was pouring off the sides of my plow blade, the engine was lugging a bit that storm but it still did it....pushing snow was what the 500 excelled at the suspension travel and top speed aren't great but neither is needed for plowing. :thumbsup:





This year my 825i got a solid 24" of snow during the Nemo storm....the snow was pouring over the top of my plow at the end of my rows but it still took it like a champ:laughing: Side by sides are awesome plow rigs.

 

[timswi]

First time user here.
I'm hoping someone can help me out. I'm contemplating buying a Kubota RTV 900 or 500 but can't make up my mind. I live in Pa. I intend to use the machine mainly for plowing snow. Pa. hasn't gotten hit with a major snow storm (knock on wood) for quite a while and I guess my main hickup with buying a 500 is would it have enough power compared to the 900 if we did have a major snow storm? I'm also considering the difference in price for a machine that is basically going to be used for plowing snow!
Busypenguin

The RTV500 does a fantastic job plowing...I had the OEM Kubota plow and had an easier time than I thought I would during that snow dump of almost 3 feet in '09 (I think that was the year)..It surprised me and everyone else as to what it could do.

The 500 is a nice size for general use--Not too big and not too small...If you're going to be towing really heavy stuff and don't really care about overall size, the 900 is also a nice machine.

I miss my 500 for general use stuff.

 

[busypenguin]

That's what I wanted to hear! I think the 900 would have been over-kill for me if the 500 can handle that kind of snow plowing...What tire do you run on your 500?