RTV 500 Top Speed enhancement?

[timswi]

I'm not a speed demon either, but more would be nice...More power especially in high range...737's right, 30 mph downhill is no problem...Uphill, that's another matter..Should make more RPMS anyway. Low range works as it should..High range, that's the issue...Just runs out of 'nads too quickly...Any help would be appreciated!!!

My daughter loves to go fast, so fortunatly we have a long hill to run on. Like a roller coaster though, have to turn around and go 1/8 mile back up.

 

[kubota man]

hello to all, I was the first to purchase the kubota rtv500 in the east mississippi area. Just after my purchase, the japanese engineers from kubota corp. came to visit the local dealer where I purchased mine. I complained right off about lack of torque in high range. the engineers came to my house and drove my rtv on my land and saw first hand what the problems they faced. One of the Japanese engineers who helped designed the rtv 500 said a middle range would costs them about $ 300.00 per unit to install on upcoming models. But they did reprogram the hydro- pump to increase its pressureand the idle rpms of the unit. it gave it more low end jump, but no middle throttle or high end throttle increase. I think before long, someone will come up with a programmer for this unit. I pull trailers 16ft, 12ft enclosed, etc with my Rtv. I want a new turbo RTV900, simply due to lack of power, but they are too pricey, i will stay with my rtv500, its compact, its quiet,, and it is very reliable

 

[timswi]

Thanks for the info, not really what I has hoping to hear though...Maybe someone will come up with a chip for this...Who knows

 

[timswi]

The part that really gets to me about this is that I went out with my uncle in his Polaris Ranger 500 to traverse his patures with 6 people on board (in the front and sitting in the bed). This machine is significantly bigger than my RTV500, but it seemed to have double the power...I know it's a CVT vs an HST, but still? I like the Kubota better in terms of build and style, but they really blew it on the power transfer on this machine. I don't think it's reserved for the 500 either. A guy told me his 900 would not climb a hill that my 500 did in high range, I call that pathetic. I like the fact that there are no drive belts, but Kubota really needs to step up here. It's a common complaint, along with the rattle noise.

Any Orange guys out there that can explain the difference, and what we can do about it..I'm not talking top end speed, just high range power. His slowed down a bit on steep hills but never bogged down. The RTV almost sounds like it's going to stall, letting off the gas just gives another 100 rpm and no speed on hills or under load.

 

[flb]

Im going to take delivery on 09 rtv 500. Have you or anyone found a way to increase top speed?

 

[Stonehaller]

The RTV500 definitely is a little wimpy. The hydro trans, though more durable, is not as efficient as the CVT and that may part of the problem. There have been a lot of complaints about the engine bogging when going up hills. Mine does not do that. The vehicle slows as the transmission lowers the ratio and you can hear the engine working harder, but the engine does not bog down. In looking at the setup of the throttle peddle cable and linkage, it seems to me that proper adjustment is critical for correct performance. The peddle controls both the throttle cable to the engine governor and a linkage to the transmission main servo valve. There is bolt under the throttle peddle that is a stop for the peddle (see attached picture). The stop limits how far the transmission servo valve is moved and, thus, I suspect will limit the maximum speed. But you do not just want to change the stop to let the peddle go down farther to get more speed. What is important is that when the peddle hits the stop, the throttle cable should also be pulling the governor all the way to the stop at the same time. See the attached picture. Have someone step on the peddle while you watch the throttle cable under the bed. You can push on the cable under the rubber boot to tell whether there is any travel left in the engine governor. As the peddle gets to the stop, the throttle cable under the bed should go taunt. I have not tried this, but someone who drives on a lot of hills, may be able to sacrifice a little top speed to get more speed on the hills by adjusting the peddle stop so that the peddle cannot go down as far and then readjusting the throttle cable so that governor bottoms out when the peddle hits the stop.

 

[timswi]

Don't know about yours, but the only way that mine will downshift is to let up on the gas pedal...Seems strange given all of the engineering that went into this. Why cant Kubota simulate a CVT on the RTV..Still can't figure that out.

I like this in every way except the power issue, plenty of CC's, but I really don't think it's being used to is potential. There hasa to be a way to get the max power out of this.

I see that some are comparing them the the tractor HST, Which I have, there really is no comparison. I never have to let up on the pedal on my bx, no matter what the hill or situation for power. It weights twice as much as the RTV500..Given ,it is a diesel, but only 7 more horsepower?

 

[Stonehaller]

I can have my peddle to the floor and it will 'downshift' going up a hill. If I start out from a stop on a hill, I do have to slowly push the peddle to floor and give trans time to react. If you just quickly floor it, it will bog.

If yours is still under warranty, I would ask the dealer to have a look at it.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

I don't own a UTV, so my knowledge is nill. Athough I am contemplating one, I can certainly see the advantags of owning one even for my limited use and needs.
But my thinking is. A UTV is just that, designed for and typically purchased for work duties and I would think that 20 mph +/- would be adequate.
If you want speed, buy a machine thats built for speed and not for work. Or find a happy medium in a brand of UTV that fills both desires.
You don't buy a tractor for speed, you buy one for the work tasks it is able to perform.
Just my thinking.

 

[milkman]

Don't know about yours, but the only way that mine will downshift is to let up on the gas pedal...Seems strange given all of the engineering that went into this. Why cant Kubota simulate a CVT on the RTV..Still can't figure that out.

I like this in every way except the power issue, plenty of CC's, but I really don't think it's being used to is potential. There hasa to be a way to get the max power out of this.

I see that some are comparing them the the tractor HST, Which I have, there really is no comparison. I never have to let up on the pedal on my bx, no matter what the hill or situation for power. It weights twice as much as the RTV500..Given ,it is a diesel, but only 7 more horsepower?

The RTV 900 can be equipped with a hand throttle that keeps the RPM's up no matter the position of the foot pedal, is there something like that for the 500, if not, sounds like it could be useful.