Kubota RTV 500 Uphill Pulling / Towing

[Travieso5]

Thanks. I'm really excited about it. Any idea what maintenance will cost me?

 

[timswi]

Thanks. I'm really excited about it. Any idea what maintenance will cost me?

It's not bad if you do it yourself...Never really looked at the CVT set up on the 400 so I don't really know what type of tranny fluid it uses...By far the SUDT is the most expensive part of the maintenance on the VHT tranny's.

Mostly it's just filters and fluids...I'd stick with the Kubota stuff while you're in warranty...I continue to use all of their fluids and filters even now.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I would think the belt would be the big money portion of the maintenance. If they designed a good cover system which I'm sure they did as Kubota doesn't skimp when they build things the belt should last a good long time.

 

[Travieso5]

I continue to be very pleased with this 400. I just hauled enough lumber down the hill and to the river to build a 24x28 shed. I figured it would take me five hours or more but it only took two and a half. Could have finished more quickly if I had pushed it at all on the loads. It was snowing hard, and the downhill engine braking was very good with the big loads. Even on a snow-covered, steep hill, it easily climbed the hill. I could not be happier. Just a really well designed machine for its intended use -- work.

 

[timswi]

I continue to be very pleased with this 400. I just hauled enough lumber down the hill and to the river to build a 24x28 shed. I figured it would take me five hours or more but it only took two and a half. Could have finished more quickly if I had pushed it at all on the loads. It was snowing hard, and the downhill engine braking was very good with the big loads. Even on a snow-covered, steep hill, it easily climbed the hill. I could not be happier. Just a really well designed machine for its intended use -- work.

Very happy to hear that...We need pictures..#1 TBN rule, without pictures, it never happened

 

[General Lee]

I'm not convinced. I've read negativity about the 400, but the way the OP makes it seem, its leaps and bounds over the 500. The only area I see the CVT excelling over the hydro model (500) is a little more torque. Either the hills he is traveling aren't what he described, or the 400 is simply a beast OR my 500 is pure junk. I know this response is going to seem rude but it is not intended to be. Maybe my 500 is just a slug

 

[timswi]

I'm not convinced. I've read negativity about the 400, but the way the OP makes it seem, its leaps and bounds over the 500. The only area I see the CVT excelling over the hydro model (500) is a little more torque. Either the hills he is traveling aren't what he described, or the 400 is simply a beast OR my 500 is pure junk. I know this response is going to seem rude but it is not intended to be. Maybe my 500 is just a slug

Based on what I've read, I'm not sure the OP even tested the 500...Think he took a liking to the 400 which is all good as long as it fits his needs as it appears it does...I get some static about my 1100 not being able to run with the Polaris stuff...I bought what I wanted, so it doesn't matter to me.

 

[Travieso5]

Correct. My dealer never did have a 500, so I tested the 400 and liked it and bought it before the 500 ever came in. The trail up and down the hill has some rough spots, and I was afraid the bumps would move my foot too much on the accelerator for the HST and make it jump. When the 400 did the job, I was sold. Trying to find a typo map for you guys. The hill is steep enough and rocky enough that it is difficult to walk it and not lose your footing.

 

[Travieso5]

Roughly speaking, the trail goes from the top of the 800 ft contour just to the left of the E in SEQUATCHIE straight toward the river:
Shelton Creek, TN - N35.16088° W85.52035°

 

[timswi]

Roughly speaking, the trail goes from the top of the 800 ft contour just to the left of the E in SEQUATCHIE straight toward the river:
Shelton Creek, TN - N35.16088ｰ W85.52035ｰ

Snap some pics of that 400 in action....