Kubota RTV 500

[dodge man]

The first thing I would look at is it actually going to full throttle. Look at the carb with the air cleaner off and see if the throttle blade is open all the way. I assume these have a carb, if not the blade on the throttle body should open all the way.

 

[timswi]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

Messick,

Blaming the customer isn't a good idea.If so many people can't operate this machine properly, perhaps there are some serious design flaws, no?

 

[radioman]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

can anyone correct me ? the kubota's rtv's are the only ones with running, power issues compared to other brands like polaris, etc.

 

[timswi]

can anyone correct me ? the kubota's rtv's are the only ones with running, power issues compared to other brands like polaris, etc.

That's the way it appears...Kubota blames it on the owners.

 

[timswi]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

Just for giggles, I went through my operation section of the owners manual. It says for more speed/power press down on the gas. For less let up. Now where does it say to let up on the pedal to allow the HST to "downshift". How can Kubota blame this on the owners when it appears they don't know about it themselves?

Not jumping on you, but you made the statement.

The whole set up is counterintuitive. The HST should be abe to sense a drop in rpm's and "downshift" normally. This is what is very annoying. Not only do you lose speed but RPM's at the same time. Let's face it, a 15hp motor needs all the help it can get.

While I'm at, how can the POLARIS 400 which is similar in overall size and CC have 28 hp..Double what the 500 has? Just curious, and I'm not being sarcastic here.

 

[Matt_Jr]

How much torque does both have? I ask 'cause if I were to purchase a side by side, I'd get the one with more torque, not horsepower. Something tells me your kubota will last longer too.

 

[timswi]

How much torque does both have? I ask 'cause if I were to purchase a side by side, I'd get the one with more torque, not horsepower. Something tells me your kubota will last longer too.

It's got low speed torque, under 10 mph..Plows snow well and I can move my 1500lb trailer around the driveway in low range if that's any indication.

If you never have to go up a hill, you'll love it. Once you encounter a hill, all bets are off. You can walk faster than than this can traverse a steep hill. You have to keep letting up on the gas to maintain RPM.

Take one for a test drive and you'll see what we are talking about.

After making some tuning adjustments, I got about 30% more performace out of it. It's tolerable now. Prior to that I just wanted to get rid of it.

Speed was never an issue for any of us that have issues with this. Most UTV's are 25mph max..Much faster than that would be a little irresponsible on something like this.

If it lasts forever, and I really don't like it (many others feel the same as I do), I don't see that as a win given the amount of money that I have tied up in it.

I like the design, size and features. Kubota just blew it on the mechanicals. Blaming this on the owners doesn't help much either.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I think if you get used to the transmission, you'll like it more. That RTV really is a good one. I think the transmissions in the Polaris is belt driven just like my 4 wheeler, and those belts are know to slip when water gets past the cover for the belt. That HST trans is near bomb proof, just takes getting used to.

 

[timswi]

I think if you get used to the transmission, you'll like it more. That RTV really is a good one. I think the transmissions in the Polaris is belt driven just like my 4 wheeler, and those belts are know to slip when water gets past the cover for the belt. That HST trans is near bomb proof, just takes getting used to.

I fully agree with the durability and belt comments...The HST pedal back off makes no sense..I've had this for a year and a half and still hate this 'feature'.

When climbing a hill, it's down right embarassing. (see previous post, i added some points)

 

[Matt_Jr]

I fully agree with the durability and belt comments...The HST pedal back off makes no sense..I've had this for a year and a half and still hate this 'feature'.

When climbing a hill, it's down right embarassing. (see previous post, i added some points)

My tractor is the same way, but in low gear, it's so slow it won't bog down, heck, I could but it up against a tree and all 4 wheels will keep on spinnin', but in high, goin' up steep grades it does the same thing as your rtv. Guess I don't mind too much 'cause it's a tractor. I guess if it was an rtv, it would bother me some. Was 900 or 1100 a lot more expensive, and are the any less prone to this issue because of the extra power?