Questions about new RtV 500

trum979 · Oct 3, 2010

I just bought a new RTV 500 and am hoping you guys can answer a couple of questions about it for me. Only have about 3 hours on it. So far, I am very pleased with its performance as far as pulling hills, ect. But a couple of things don't seem right to me. One- the small plastic fan just under the drivers side seat spins up for about a minute everytime I start the engin. Then it goes off and usually does not come back on. What does this fan do anyhow? The other thing I have noticed is the temp gauge just barely moves enough to tuoch the white band, mabe an 1/8 of an inch. Even after running a half hour or so. Does anyone else experience these issues and is it normal? Thanks.

timswi · Oct 3, 2010

If you run it in hot weather for a while, you'll hear it cycle on and off. Generally, it doesn't run very much. Normal I'd say.

They don't run hot, so your guage is probably normal.

Nice machine you bought there...Enjoy.

DIXIEDOG · Oct 3, 2010

It's normal, the only time my cooling fan has kicked in on me was when I was using it to pull my DR Grader up hill to grade the driveway....it kicked on for a few minutes and kicked back off. It had never kicked on when I was running before, I initially thought I was loosing hydraulic fluid and my pump was cavitating:laughing: I shut her down and checked the fluid, once I turned the key to start it back up I figured out what the sound was.

ryerman · Oct 4, 2010

Page 44 of the owners manual refers to fan operation. The fan comes on
5 sec. after starting engine, and runs for 10 sec. as a diagnostic check.
Looks like the fan is set to run when coolant reaches 188 degrees and
will stop running when coolant is 176 degrees. We had 100 degree plus temps here last week, and I only remember the cooling fan cut in once while running around at normal speeds. The system holds almost 1/2 gallon of antifreeze.
Kubota designed the cooling sytem with a pressure capped radiator to reach higher boiling points for better cooling. You're gonna like your 500. I've only got 15 hours on mine, and I don't know how I lived without one for so long before this.

trum979 · Oct 4, 2010

Thanks guys for the quick replies. I'm afraid I am getting to the age where it takes a while for things to sink in. While going over the manual for about the third time I read the part about the fan coming on each time the engine is started, just like ryerman explained. Where does the needle on your temp guage usually stay after being warmed up? Mine just barley moves, but I suppose that is a good thing, as it shows it is definetly not overheating.
I have tried it out on some pretty steep hills (30+ degrees) or better and I have not found it to be lacking in power. Only in high range did I have to ease up a bit on the pedal to get a little more torque. In low range, it never draws a deep breath. Just powers right on up. Have owned a lot of tractors but this is my first off road vehicle. So, I'll probably be bothering you guys with a lot of silly questions. Thanks all.

ryerman · Oct 4, 2010

Yeah, my temp needle barely moves off the left side, 1/8 to a 1/16 inch at most. But I haven't worked it hard yet. I don't have any hills to climb here. Do have some pretty good size levees that hold the Sac River back. Might try that here soon to see how it climbs.

DIXIEDOG · Oct 4, 2010

trum979 said:
I have tried it out on some pretty steep hills (30+ degrees) or better and I have not found it to be lacking in power. Only in high range did I have to ease up a bit on the pedal to get a little more torque. In low range, it never draws a deep breath. Just powers right on up.

I think dealers have been getting better at setting these RTV 500's up right. I've never needed more power either, I can cruise right up hills in high range rarely ever having to let off the go pedal. In low range it will haul up any hill I dare to climb.:thumbsup: It seems like most of the guys that have a problem with power on these units have had them for a couple years, I think there may have been some growing pains on Kubota's parts when they came out with the little gasser. You gotta love the fact that you can take these buggies out on just about any atv trail going because they are so compact....this unit is great for hunting, I wish I had one years ago.

They make a pretty good brush and stump puller too with a brush grubber attachment from Harbor Tool...pulling out 2-3" stumps count for several hours on mine so far.:laughing:

jimclaypool · Oct 5, 2010

trum979;2104543But a couple of things don't seem right to me. One- the small plastic fan just under the drivers side seat spins up for about a minute everytime I start the engin. Then it goes off and usually does not come back on. What does this fan do anyhow?[/QUOTE said:
I don't understand what this fan under the drivers seat does either. There is a separate radiator cooling fan under the passenger seat. I don't see any reference in the manual to the actual radiator cooling fan operation. Appears that the drivers side fan just blows air across the fuse block????

timswi · Oct 5, 2010

jimclaypool said:
I don't understand what this fan under the drivers seat does either. There is a separate radiator cooling fan under the passenger seat. I don't see any reference in the manual to the actual radiator cooling fan operation. Appears that the drivers side fan just blows air across the fuse block????

I believe it cools the electronics.