RTV500 Owners, How Well Would The RTV500 Climb This Hill?

[Misfire]

I agree the Kioti looks like a better unit. The only thing I would be concerned with is build quality and reliability. I have no experience with Kioti.

Kubota needs to up the competition with their UTVs. I just bought a Polaris Ranger 400 because of the Kubota's antiquated suspension and slow top speed. In the UTV market, the vehicle really needs to do it all.

The RTV 500 would be an awesome machine if the hydro trans was replaced with a CVT or 3 speed auto (like honda big red). And good full independent suspension installed. The current swing axle design is far from ideal. :thumbdown: These vehicles are automotive related... not tractor related... tractor technology doesn't work well in the automotive world.... and vice versa. :laughing:

I disagree. The RTV's market is the working utility vehicle arena, not the play toy world. The hydro transmission is well suited for that purpose. 25 MPH is just fine as far as I am concerned. High speed operation of a UTV is not something I want or need. Some of them are capable of downright scary speeds. The faster vehicles all seem to be much thirstier, too.

I do wish the RTV had more ground clearance and a smoother ride, but it is what it is.

BTW, Kioti, like most Korean ag manufacturers, makes quality products. They are usually quite a bit cheaper than the "domestic" and Japanese competition.

 

[houstonscott]

Maybe this will help.

RTV900 Utility Vehicle - YouTube

HS

 

[Misfire]

Maybe this will help.

RTV900 Utility Vehicle - YouTube

HS

I know about the RTV900 and 1100 series videos, but thanks anyway. I was looking for RTV500 vids showing that specific model's hill climbing ability.

Misfire

 

[PapaPerk]

I disagree. The RTV's market is the working utility vehicle arena, not the play toy world. The hydro transmission is well suited for that purpose. 25 MPH is just fine as far as I am concerned. High speed operation of a UTV is not something I want or need. Some of them are capable of downright scary speeds. The faster vehicles all seem to be much thirstier, too.

I do wish the RTV had more ground clearance and a smoother ride, but it is what it is.

BTW, Kioti, like most Korean ag manufacturers, makes quality products. They are usually quite a bit cheaper than the "domestic" and Japanese competition.

But you just said you like the Mechron suspension much better, etc, etc. The Mechron suspension is identical to many "play toy world" wheelers. :laughing:

The suspension on the RTV 500/400 is identical to a kiddie go cart. It's fine for low speeds however like you said. And if I was only working and driving slow speeds on smooth terrain that's what I would buy. In fact I'm recommending my good friend buy a Kubota 400/500. With that being said... Kubota could benefit from higher HP and better suspension.

Hydro transmissions are not necessary for these lighter weight UTVs. It is a strong point for the RTV 900 since it weighs nearly 2000 lbs and is more tractor than UTV. It by the way is an exceptional work vehicle.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I guess it depends on what you do with it whether you want pulling power or speed, diesel engine or gas. I love my RTV 900 diesel for fuel economy. I like the full hydraulic system that dumps with ease what ever I can stack in it. It will pull as much as traction allows, unlike the JD Gator with its belt drive which has little pulling power and still only tops out about 22 mph. I dont have any comparisons to the other brands but if they are CV belt drive then I suspect they are the same. The transmission braking on downhill is the safest feature on it for me in our hilly areas. I use the 900 to haul away rocks, stretch fence haul tools to work areas, even used it to uproot 20 foot tall sweet gum saplings. Mostly I just use it for transport. It goes up and down hills, in and out of creeks and I have never had it stuck. The only down side is the weight which does tend to bog in mud much more than the other UTVs but the added winch give me some piece of mind when going into muddy areas that I am confident that I can get out although I have never had to use it for getting unstuck.
For me, I wouldnt consider a 500 RTV over the 900. It is just so much more machine that it is worth the extra$$$

 

[PapaPerk]

I guess it depends on what you do with it whether you want pulling power or speed, diesel engine or gas. I love my RTV 900 diesel for fuel economy. I like the full hydraulic system that dumps with ease what ever I can stack in it. It will pull as much as traction allows, unlike the JD Gator with its belt drive which has little pulling power and still only tops out about 22 mph. I dont have any comparisons to the other brands but if they are CV belt drive then I suspect they are the same. The transmission braking on downhill is the safest feature on it for me in our hilly areas. I use the 900 to haul away rocks, stretch fence haul tools to work areas, even used it to uproot 20 foot tall sweet gum saplings. Mostly I just use it for transport. It goes up and down hills, in and out of creeks and I have never had it stuck. The only down side is the weight which does tend to bog in mud much more than the other UTVs but the added winch give me some piece of mind when going into muddy areas that I am confident that I can get out although I have never had to use it for getting unstuck.
For me, I wouldnt consider a 500 RTV over the 900. It is just so much more machine that it is worth the extra$$$

Good information! Thank you for sharing! The RTV900 is an awesome machine!

 

[General Lee]

I know about the RTV900 and 1100 series videos, but thanks anyway. I was looking for RTV500 vids showing that specific model's hill climbing ability.

Misfire

My property is very hilly and steep. When I work my RTV500, I'm on the hills hauling bed loads full of firewood. The 500 walks right up them. These hills are too steep to drive across on a tractor or you will tip. They even you give you the pucker factor driving up them on the tracto.r A couple of the hills are over 100 yards long. BUT, I need to be in LOW and 4WD. Sometimes I also need to lock the rear. I haven't met a hill yet (as long as I got traction) that the 500 couldn't climb. My dealer allowed me to demo the unit before purchase so I could make sure it would climb my hills. See if your dealer will allow you to do the same.

Now, I stick to cleared areas. I'm not climbing over logs and rocky terrain, the 500 won't do it.You will bottom out in a heartbeat. I tore a CV boot on a 4 inch diameter limb because the ground clearance is so low.

 

[Misfire]

I tore a CV boot on a 4 inch diameter limb because the ground clearance is so low.

Ouch. That won't do.

Thanks for the input,
Misfire

 

[crapymonkey2012]

We got a RTV900 and used it today to push a tour RV buss around the yard. Like others have said even in high they are not fast. But the one we have if it could catch traction its gonna push or pull...

 

[crapymonkey2012]

I agree the Kioti looks like a better unit. The only thing I would be concerned with is build quality and reliability. I have no experience with Kioti.

Kubota needs to up the competition with their UTVs. I just bought a Polaris Ranger 400 because of the Kubota's antiquated suspension and slow top speed. In the UTV market, the vehicle really needs to do it all.

The RTV 500 would be an awesome machine if the hydro trans was replaced with a CVT or 3 speed auto (like honda big red). And good full independent suspension installed. The current swing axle design is far from ideal. :thumbdown: These vehicles are automotive related... not tractor related... tractor technology doesn't work well in the automotive world.... and vice versa. :laughing:

I got the RTV900 and a BigRed, if u are useing it for rec purposed (fun) the big red is awsome machine, fast lots of ground clearence and never been able to stick it. But placed side by side the big red couldnt pull my Koti CK30 up a ramp onto a 16' trailer when the trans went out.... hooked the cable to the RTV and after it caught traction pulled it up with no strain... Purpose of what im saying lots of people compare things but you have to watch compareing apples or oranges... sometimes you get grape juice...