Kubota RTV500 joins the other 4

TomIre · Oct 14, 2018

We've got an older RTV500 just bought this summer. Never owned anything like it before but as I'm getting older . . . Anyway been both useful and fun on our 20 hilly acres and I use it daily.
But, with cooler weather now I'd sure like a windshield. Can you post any pics and tips? TIA

Kyle_in_Tex · Oct 14, 2018

JOHNTHOMAS said:
I bought the new RTV500 and actually made my first payment online Sat and set up auto pay for the entire 48 months. We all love this small RTV500 but we all still drive the RTV1140. One is in the garage and one is still outside as it has been for 8 years.
Have made and installed a Lexan 2 piece windshield (Had to move the lower half a couple inches because hood hit it when raised), side mirrors, front bumper and golf cart top and have bolts ordered to install the light bar across the front between headlights. Have a couple of box kits of bed liner from my stock but grandson says maybe don't install bed liner.
Will send pics when light bar installed. This one, RTV500 will not be out in any dust or mud. Will use the RTV1140 for wet work . I checked the air filter on RTV1140 a couple of weeks ago after 8 years use and it looks new as do all the air directing lines to the new looking filters. I had checked it a few years ago.

I would love to see pics of your windshield. How did you cut it? Did you use the abrasion resistant polycarbonate? That stuff is pricey.

All I'm saying about the 500s is to check the radiator screen often if you drive thru deep grasses.

JOHNTHOMAS · Oct 14, 2018

TomIre said:
We've got an older RTV500 just bought this summer. Never owned anything like it before but as I'm getting older . . . Anyway been both useful and fun on our 20 hilly acres and I use it daily.
But, with cooler weather now I'd sure like a windshield. Can you post any pics and tips? TIA

Kyle_in_Tex said:
I would love to see pics of your windshield. How did you cut it? Did you use the abrasion resistant polycarbonate? That stuff is pricey.

All I'm saying about the 500s is to check the radiator screen often if you drive thru deep grasses.

I bought a piece of plexiglas for my RTV1140 8 years ago to make the windshield for it. I think I paid about $22 for it and many, many nay sayers were saying not to use plexiglas because it scratches easy. It hasn't scratched but it isn't as clear as the higher 2X as much Lexan which is like glass.
I went to the glass shop to pick up my two pieces of Lexan and followed the cutter back to his shop. He laid the Lexan on a table and cut it with a Porter Cable circular saw just like mine. I asked if he had the blade reversed or a special blade and he so naw. He said he has been cutting with a regular blade circular saw for over 40 years.I told him I had some diamond tipped round hole cutting bits and would they work and he said that'd be good or a regular bit. I have some variable bits I bought three for $9 on Amazon and used them to put holes in my steel tractor bucket and thru the Lexan and they worked great on both.
I have a one piece windshield on my RTV1140 and during summers always wished I had a two piece so I could drop half of it for wind cooling of me. I had two pieces cut at 12" x 30 something inches for width. I'll get exact measurements when I take pics and post pics and measurements all together. I did also have two pieces cut by mistake at a different glass shop that were 14" x 3? inches. One shop charged $48 and one charged $52. Home Depot sells it in a 4'x8' sheet for around a dollar a foot if you have a Home Depot available and want to cut your own to size and still have enough left to do a rear window and other stuff.
I used these with 1/4" x1 1/2" bolts to hold the Lexan on and some zip ties when I moved the one piece so I could open the hood. I should have gotten my Lexan width about 1/4" to 1/2" wider than I did but I make stuff work. 1Pack 1.5 inch Rubber Cushioned Stainless Steel Cable Clamp, Hose Clamp Pipe/Wire Cord Installation Clamp - - Amazon.com
I think they have the windshield with vent on ebay or Amazon for $135 or $165 which is much more than my around $60.
I'll get pics tomorrow.