RTV500 Fuel Usage

[Misfire]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. This seems like the best place to get some UTV advice, so I signed up. Instead of posting one long comparison question, I thought it best to post specific queries for the machines I am considering, starting with the RTV500.

My property is steep and heavily wooded. While I would rather have a diesel, size and price put a crimp on that idea. The RTV500 is one of the machines I am considering because the size fits and it has excellent engine braking characteristics, but I'm concerned about fuel consumption with the hydro. I absolutely detest hauling large amounts of gas in the back of my truck. Can any RTV500 owners tell me what kind of consumption they experience in either GPH or MPG. It would help if you could also mention what kind of terrain you have.

Thanks,
Misfire.

 

[jeff9366]

I have owned an RTV500 in Florida for 18 months. I use it 3-5 days per week as a volunteer maintaining trails. It pulls a Canadian MUTS T2S trailer 90% of the time, frequently loaded with firewood billets, tree debris and/or yard debris. Almost all use is on FLAT woodland trails. Gas use is 2-1/2 - 3 gallons per week. I have never actually measured fuel use but I seem to fill my 5-gallon Eagle gas can about twice per month. A little gas goes in the Husqvarna 460 chainsaw. Fuel used covers a lot of engine hours.

I highly recommend the optional turf tires for improved lateral stability. See attached photo.

The optional (STRONG) Kubota roof I consider a safety item. Stuff falls out of trees in the woods. Note hard hat.

Also, when you shop for a receiver hitch buy one with a ball and pintle hole. You will soon be towing all kinds of things. I found combination ball/pintle-hole hitch on e-Bay.

Once you take delivery and you will find there are an UNBELIEVABLE number of cool ag and forestry implements to tow behind your Kubota. I have an ABI Gravel Rascal (Pintel Hitch) which I used today. Should have taken a photo of that, too.

Photo taken today.

MUTS LINK: MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler

 

[DIXIEDOG]

It uses very little fuel, you will not need to be hauling it in the back. I use my RTV 500 for snow plowing and oftentimes plow snow for several hours in a day....I don't even use 1 gallon. I also use it for hunting which is a lot of atv trail riding hauling 2 people and a few beagles or my coyote hunting gear and I've never used a 1/4 of a tank in a full day of running. It will amaze you how little fuel it will use. I think I had around 15 hrs of engine running use on the hourmeter when I finally filled it up for the first time since the dealer dropped it off and I still had quite a bit of fuel left according to the little float gauge but I was nervous because it had been so long....it didn't take much fuel then either.


Fuel consumption isn't going to be an issue at all.

 

[Misfire]

Thank you both. That's all very useful information. I found it quite surprising that a Google search turned up practically nothing on RTV500 fuel consumption, unlike the Mule 610, which I am also considering. That one has numerous references to how little gas it uses, but the drum brakes and apparent lack of engine braking give me pause.

 

[jeff9366]

Utility Vehicles sell in a broad spectrum. On one end you have the Polaris Rangers / hot rod genes. On the other end you have Kubotas with Hydrostatic Transmissions / tractor genes.

While Kubota offers geared transmissions in their tractor lineup, most sell with Hydrostatic Transmissions, for which Kubota has a high reputation. If PULLING is higher in your priorities then going FAST a Kubota should be your first choice. Other brands, in the middle of the spectrum, require thought as to which brand will meet your needs best.

The RTV500 engine is 456cc. How much gasoline will squirt through those electronically controlled fuel injectors? Not much.