Noise level of Kubota RTV-X900

[aloha]

I am to the point that I can justify buying a utility vehicle and am pretty well settled on the Kubota RTV-X900. My main question is how noisy are these in operation? The only dealer around does not stock these so I cannot hear for myself, and I found no discussions of this. I cannot run my tractor, a Kubota B-7800, for more than a few minutes without earplugs. If the diesel RTV is similarly noisy that could push me to something with a quieter gas engine. All comments will be most welcome. Thanks.

 

[rgr33]

My 2008 RTV is about half as noisy as my tractors or lawn mower. If I am operating it for anything more than a quick trip, I still use hearing protection. Once you lose your hearing, you can't get it back.

 

[FTG-05]

Mine is pretty noisy but it doesn't bother me. I think most of it is just loose stuff vibrating like crap. When I first bought it, half the bolts were either loose and just about falling out. The right rear hinge no the bed gate did fall out!

 

[jeff9366]

When considering, I drove both an RTV500 and a diesel RTV at the Kubota dealers. The diesel was quite a bit louder than the gas RTV500, which I bought. The gas RTV500 is quite a bit louder than my L3560 tractor. I wear ear muffs operating both.

 

[biffnh]

My X900 is a lot quieter than the Polaris Ranger I had previous to it. I think I measured it at 73 dB in the cab running at 12 mph. I can carry on a conversation in the cab. My RTV 400ci is a bit louder and it is gas. If I was to be driving my X900 constantly all day I would likely want to wear hearing protection, but although I use it all day, it is for short (1 mile or less) trips at a time. I have a top and rear window which helps cut the noise down. My B7800 is loud enough that i wear hearing protection when I use it, although it isn't too bad.

 

[s219]

The newer "X" models are quite a bit smoother/quieter, if you can believe it. I say that because they still won't win any awards.

I have an RTV-X1120D, and while it's noisy, I don't find noise to be an issue. I have a roof and windshield on mine, which seems to make it noisier inside the cab. I think it's noisiest at idle, and calms down once you get moving. At high speed it starts getting noisier again -- driveline and tire noise -- but not bad at all.

You won't really know without a test drive. It's hard to judge noise annoyance based on what other people think. What is OK to me might still drive you nuts. But anyhow, I don't have any real complaints with my RTV at all, and have never felt the noise to be a problem or out of line. It's a real handy little vehicle that is valuable for all sorts of work, and I always enjoy using it.