RTV 500 Rattle Sound

737pilot · Jan 22, 2009

TISWI I read the post about letting off the accelerator on a hill to gear down and yes I have experimented with it. I am a little disappointed with the power of the machine when going up an incline. It does seem way under powered at times and when I let off the gas and then reapplied it my speed did seem to increase but not by much or enough to bother with the technique. I just keep it floored and get as much as I can from it. Sometimes 10-15mph is all I can get. We just have to remember we bought a very nice gas powered golf cart not a high performance Rhino or Polaris. We have a great utility machine for basic transportation that is capable of doing a little work. I really like mine and accept the power shortcomings but like the fuel mileage and most everything else. I only have about 30 hrs on mine so I haven't done the first 50hr service. I plan on documenting and making a formal complaint to Kubota about our rattle at that time. I'm sure they will eventually isolate the cause and recommend a fix.

timswi · Jan 22, 2009

737, I agree, it is what it is...just seems that a gas engine would make more RPMs with more pedal...I'm happy with it in general...just some odd issues here and there.

MDM · Jan 24, 2009

If these are HST tranny's, I would imagine it would be the same as a HST tractor in that more pedal equals less power/torque. With a HST, less pedal = more power.

timswi · Jan 26, 2009

MDM said:
If these are HST tranny's, I would imagine it would be the same as a HST tractor in that more pedal equals less power/torque. With a HST, less pedal = more power.

Yup...If I let of 1/3 to 1/2 pedal it downshifts...Never tried that with the BX, maybe because it's a diesel...Never had to. Just seems counter-intuitive and I don't like it. If replacing a belt is the cost of this, let me have it.

I can't believe they built it this way, had I known I probably would have looked elsewhere.

Thanks for info.

737pilot · Jan 26, 2009

Hey timswi settle down now. It's not that bad. It still is a very useful utility vehicle. I would like more power for $8300 buckaroo's but I like the little "GIANT". Since were complaining another gripe for me, since I go over alot of stumps and rocks, is why the heck didn't thet counter sink and flush up the exposed drive shaft with the frame. It's a major expense waiting to happen. But my biggest complaint that I will not live with is the rattle at idle. It gets fixed or I'm trading it and never buying Kubota again. Besides that I'm huttin in the morning and plan on giving a big Ol buck a ride home in the back. Take care and enjoy ur Kubota.

timswi · Jan 26, 2009

737,

I'm cool...just a little whining...I hope I never hit anything that takes out the driveshaft, have to watch for that. I like the thing, just some annoyances, that's all.

I actually bought it so I could take my disabled daughter for rides, she loves it. So, in that respect it was worth every penney. It was getting too dangerous to take her out on the atv, as I had to hold on to her and steer at the same time..Not good.

Good luck chasing your dinner around tomorrow!!!

737pilot · Jan 30, 2009

Well for all you Kubota dealers I found something interesting about the RTV 500 rattle. I installed some Wal Mart accessory lights and noticed when I turn on my stock headlights and also the accessory lights the rattle stops. Its when you have a load on the alternator the rattle stops. You turn off my accessory lights and the rattle starts. I can basically turn the rattle on and off with the accessory light switch. So a draw on the alternator kills the rattle so what could cause that? Pretty neat huh! By the way to follow up with my previous post I did bag the big Ol Buck 205lb 11pt, the biggest deer I've ever killed and it looked great in the back of the Kubota. Was coming out of my tree stand just at dark and decided to look with the binoculars one more time and saw him walk in. Only had probably 1 minute of shooting light left and bam dropped him at 150yds with .270 Now fix the rattle and Kubota has a great machine

BrianW · Jan 31, 2009

We really need pictures!

Eagleview · Feb 1, 2009

737pilot said:
Sometimes 10-15mph is all I can get.

Do these things have a 15cc weed whacker motor in them ?

rataca · Feb 1, 2009

Am in process of buying an rtv-500. This rattle that is being discussed worries me. The other issue is that I was considering a snowplow, the description of it being an 'engineering blunder' causes me concern. Any further comments on the snowplow issue?

timswi · Feb 1, 2009

rataca said:
Am in process of buying an rtv-500. This rattle that is being discussed worries me. The other issue is that I was considering a snowplow, the description of it being an 'engineering blunder' causes me concern. Any further comments on the snowplow issue?

There are some design issues with the plow theat Kubota is lookinng into.

Main problem is weight and the skid shoes don't hit the ground, so you cutting bar is not lifted from the surface. Also check the actuator chain bolts and locktite and crank them down..The rotation of the lift can work them loose. Mine came off twice...Seems ok now.

That being said, if you are plowing asphalt or concrete, it will be perfect. It does move alot of snow quickly due to it's size. This is good on solid surfaces, not so much on gravel.

I put acrylic across the bottom of the cutting bar to prevent digging. This does help quite abit...See pictures of the orange RTV previously posted on this thread.

Since you will probably be pushing snow at 1/2 throttle or so, it has plenty of power, this appears to be the machine's sweet spot. If you floor it, it strarts to bog down. Silly, I know, but that's the way it is.

SUPERNUG · Feb 1, 2009

I too am considering buying an RTV500. Just moved and new house is on a steep hill. Most driving will be on a hill. My electric golf cart won't have the power to go up the hill.
Considering the small cx gator but like the RTV500. Dosn't need to do a lot of work but how would it do going up the hill?

737pilot · Feb 2, 2009

Iron Hourse your killing me. Now that was funny. Hey let me get one thing straight. I really like my RTV 500 and its a great machine. Very quiet and does a **** of a job in the woods. I've tried to get it stuck in the mud several times at the hunting camp and it walks right out. Once you understand the hydraulic tranny and learn how it works it has plenty of power to do anything you might expect to do within its specifications. In low gear it'll climb a tree. I do HATE the annoying rattle on my unit but feel confident that on my fisrt 50 hr service they will have a fix for the alternator system which is definatley where the sound originates. If your considering buying one and utility is ok over speed than you'll love it.

rataca · Feb 2, 2009

timswi said:
There are some design issues with the plow theat Kubota is lookinng into.

Main problem is weight and the skid shoes don't hit the ground, so you cutting bar is not lifted from the surface. Also check the actuator chain bolts and locktite and crank them down..The rotation of the lift can work them loose. Mine came off twice...Seems ok now.

That being said, if you are plowing asphalt or concrete, it will be perfect. It does move alot of snow quickly due to it's size. This is good on solid surfaces, not so much on gravel.

I put acrylic across the bottom of the cutting bar to prevent digging. This does help quite abit...See pictures of the orange RTV previously posted on this thread.

Since you will probably be pushing snow at 1/2 throttle or so, it has plenty of power, this appears to be the machine's sweet spot. If you floor it, it strarts to bog down. Silly, I know, but that's the way it is.

Thanks for the reply. My plowing will be on asphalt and gravel. I am going to wait until next fall and then will explore plow. Maybe Kubota will have worked something out by then ???

timswi · Feb 2, 2009

rataca said:
Thanks for the reply. My plowing will be on asphalt and gravel. I am going to wait until next fall and then will explore plow. Maybe Kubota will have worked something out by then ???

I'll keep you posted on that. Once the gravel is frozen solid, it's ok, still heavy, but ok. The urethane on the bottom is a must either way. I think the urethane is used in cities to prevent manhole covers from being ripped off.

timswi · Feb 2, 2009

SUPERNUG said:
I too am considering buying an RTV500. Just moved and new house is on a steep hill. Most driving will be on a hill. My electric golf cart won't have the power to go up the hill.
Considering the small cx gator but like the RTV500. Dosn't need to do a lot of work but how would it do going up the hill?

It climbs hills well in low. I've plowed snow uphill...boggs a little, but keeps going. If it can do that, I'm sure you'll be fine.

PSDStu · Feb 3, 2009

I really like the new RTV 500 and I am considering buying one.

I was looking at the Build my Kubota site and wondered if anyone knows what the difference is between the RTV500-A, and the RTV500-H?

I know RTV500 is Orange, and the RTV500R is the Camo model and can't out what the difference is between the A and H models?

Stu

mtrain · Feb 3, 2009

A is for ATV or bar type tires and H is for the HDWS ( heavy duty work site ) tires

PSDStu · Feb 3, 2009

mtrain said:
A is for ATV or bar type tires and H is for the HDWS ( heavy duty work site ) tires

Thanks!

737pilot · Feb 5, 2009

Dealer said Kubota's recommending changing spark plugs to correct the rattle. What a joke. It has nothing to do with spark plugs, it's something in the alternator system? Any other 500 owners that have the rattle keep bugging Kubota to get a satisfactory fix. Changing spark plugs ain't gonna get it.