Kubota RTV Facts/Fiction...

[NCRoadRunner]

DD,

An interesting thing the Kubota dealer said..... We have the speedometer ordered, and he said that the Kubota documentation indicates that the speedometer and winch kit are not compatable. Now how the heck can that be???? What the heck can a speedometer have in conflict with a winch ..... Makes no sense to me (or to him either!!)!!!

Then again, you said

actually uses one of the open pin locations on a plug under the hood

I'll bet that is one of the two I found under the hood....... I'm guessing the other one is for the speedo.....

I'm planning on getting the rear 'screen' (the mesh thing in back of the seat) primarily since we will be using the Kubota in the winter. The 'screen' will make a good 'platform' for enclosing the back. The front Windshield will also help. We have designed some side curtains to close off the sides, using sunbrella fabric, and the clear vinyl used on boats (we used to live on one....)

I just came from Tracor Supply, they have a Warn 3000 for $330, and a Champion (on sale till sunday) for $99..... Somehow that sounds too cheap...

RR

 

[DIXIEDOG]

The winch uses a male pin that was slid into the large triangle looking connector behind the light switch. I'm not sure if I still have the install directions or not but if I do I can try to scan them for you.:thumbsup:


There are a couple of positive things I will say about the Kubota kit for your winch, the Kubota kit includes the mount plate for your winch so keep that in mind when comparing prices, the other thing is the winch has a remote which is very handy when winching because you can get in a direction that allows you to see what's happening...most less expensive winches do not have it. You just need to decide what features you need and what they are worth to you. Did the cheapest winch include a roller fairlead and wiring/switch for that price?

 

[NCRoadRunner]

The winch uses a male pin that was slid into the large triangle looking connector behind the light switch. I'm not sure if I still have the install directions or not but if I do I can try to scan them for you.

If you can, please scan it. kit. Yes, in that connector there were 3 wires, and also ty-wrapped to that I have 1 more wire with a female spade.
I can scan the intrurctions for the Upper (glass)/Lower Windshield(plastic), along with the Brush Guard.

You just need to decide what features you need and what they are worth to you. Did the cheapest winch include a roller fairlead and wiring/switch for that price?

Yes the creapest did have both of those items, but I'm very reluctant to sink $100 into it... I've never heard of them, and the price is so skewed away from all the competition......

I'm going to see if I can get more info.....

RR

 

[forester2]

Just FYI, I just put a VIPER4000# winch on my 900. $175 w/ fairlead, snatch block, universal mount plate etc (frieght included). Everything I've read was positive and I'm impressed so far.

 

[NCRoadRunner]

I'm very reluctant to sink $100 into it... I've never heard of them, and the price is so skewed away from all the competition......

OK, I checked the 'thing' out. It did not have the front rollers, that was extra, and no remote (wired or otherwise) was available. The control box with the switch is VERY large and clunky. They claimed to be carrying them for the past 'few' months, and none have been returned. I passed, and will be looking elsewhere.....
RR

 

[DIXIEDOG]

NCRoadrunner, I've looked all over and can't find my instructions for installing the winch. :mur: If you need specific pictures to help you get a winch hooked up I can try to get some for you:thumbsup: I finally broke in my winch today, I was using a brush grubber to pull a few small stumps up and it worked like a champ

Another thing you need to make sure your winch includes is a contacter (sp???) It's basically a junction/relay type box that all your connections are hooked to, I think every name brand winch will include one, some of the cheaper ones will wire leads direct to the motor...I would avoid that myself.

 

[NCRoadRunner]

NCRoadrunner, I've looked all over and can't find my instructions for installing the winch

DixieDog - not to worry!!!! I pulled down the install directions for the Warn RT25, which is the one the Kubota folks said they use. Looks pretty straight forward, and it probably does not differ too much from the ones you had. It has the controller you mentioned in your post. You can view the Warn manual at: www.temp.themonniers.com/RTV500/RT25Install.pdf. I stripped all the 'other' languages out, so only the english one is there.

Out of curiosity, where did you (or they) mount the controller??? The specs indicate it should be close to the battery, in a protected spot (I guess that means in a spot that does not get loaded up with mud/water).

I'm going to order the RT25 from Amazon, they have a good price with free shipping. I could not come close to that price around here.

BTW I saw that you are looking for some storage ideas (on another forum I think). I'm working on a container that I think you'll like. Once I get it close to fitting right I'll send plans and pictures.....

Henri (aka: RR)

 

[DIXIEDOG]

DixieDog - not to worry!!!! I pulled down the install directions for the Warn RT25, which is the one the Kubota folks said they use. Looks pretty straight forward, and it probably does not differ too much from the ones you had. It has the controller you mentioned in your post. You can view the Warn manual at: www.temp.themonniers.com/RTV500/RT25Install.pdf. I stripped all the 'other' languages out, so only the english one is there.

Out of curiosity, where did you (or they) mount the controller??? The specs indicate it should be close to the battery, in a protected spot (I guess that means in a spot that does not get loaded up with mud/water).

I'm going to order the RT25 from Amazon, they have a good price with free shipping. I could not come close to that price around here.

BTW I saw that you are looking for some storage ideas (on another forum I think). I'm working on a container that I think you'll like. Once I get it close to fitting right I'll send plans and pictures.....

Henri (aka: RR)

I mounted it under the hood on the support beam that runs on the passenger side. The one other thing you will likely need is a mount, you need the steel mount that holds your roller fairlead. If my description makes no sense to you let me know and I'll snap a couple pics of where I've got it mounted for you.

I'll be looking forward to seeing your storage setup, I still haven't found anything that is just right yet.

 

[NCRoadRunner]

OK, Finally finished up the winch install . I had ordered the Warn RT25 (Amazon had the best deal), rather than going with the one from the dealer (at a MUCH higher price....).

The Kubota baseplate had to be re-drilled since the factory mounting holes on the plate would cause the fairlead to be way off-center . I did notice that the factory plate did not have any rear carriage bolts installed, only the two front ones. I picked up 2 grade 8's at the local hardware store to 'correct' that.

The controller was mounted on the under-hood rail just in back of the brake reservoir.

This site was chosen over the passenger side rail since I am in the middle of fabbing a storage 'locker' that will be on that side (yes, I will post pictures soon, and I think you'll like it). The wiring to the battery was run down and thru the 'passenger' side under-floor channel which put the wiring right under the battery.

Since I was concerned about having an 'unprotected' battery line running through the chassis, I installed a 200A fuse about 8" from the battery 12v connection.

I debated for a while on the location for the 'handlebar' control switch. I ended up using the leftmost dashboard switch position and carefully filed out the hole so that the switch would be a very tight push-in fit :thumbsup:.

This worked out fine, and I think it looks almost 'factory'. All that is needed is a bit of black silicone along the top & bottom edges and corners. I did not use the 'switched' 12v wiring hookup since that left the winch 'active' any time the ignition was on, I just did not like that idea. So instead I ran the red 'switched' wire directly to the battery source (on the controller), and have a SPST 'safety' switch under the hood near the controller that must be turned on to use the winch.

As for the Kubota statement about the speedometer and winch being 'not compatable', it's bunk ! With the Kubota winch install they 'steal' the 'switched' 12v from the speedometer tri-connect block (the wire is yellow with red tracer). All they would have to do is provide a short 'pigtail' to allow the two things to be 'compatable'. Wonder who engineered that......

Tomorrow the Kabota goes to the Line-X dealer to have the bed sprayed, and also the inside floorboards and footrests.

I'm still looking for a wiring diagram for this beast, I found a couple more 'hidden' empty connectors during this install..... Can anybody help me out????

Cheers,
Henri

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I'd like to help you out, the dealer called me Tuesday to tell me my manuals arrived but when I got there to pick them up they were manuals for a 900 not a 500 Another 1-2 weeks before the right manual will be here


Good job on your install, looks nice. The factory kit puts the switch just below the dash, they include a little mount to put it on in the kit.