some info on the rtv 500

[riptides]

A rather interesting trend in this discussion can be related to how one manufacturer settled on a market, while another built another class to address the market.

We have now seen a refinement in that new market class, and a manufacturer now looking downward instead of upward.

This is opposed to a manufacturer sitting in the market and moving upwards as they have reacted to competitive forces.

Good for the consumer, but ultimately lost sales for certain manufacturers.

-Mike Z.

 

[Skipholiday]

After about 50 hours the RTV transmission on my first year model smoothed out comparable to my Tractor.



Sorry, but if you have never seen one work, then I cannot take you seriously.

Before our purchase, I extensively test drove the available UTV's on the market. At that time, the RTV was classed and sized for a particular property we had. Since that time, we have moved and up scaled our required work habits, the RTV has kept pace accordingly.

-Mike Z.

Understood.
I would like to drive one and see how it performs somewhere besides the dealer lot. By no meens am I bashing the rtv.
The 900 I drove seemd to be an outstanding machine. If it wasn't for the 3 wheel drive I would have purhcased it before my last hpx.
Is the 1100 also 3 wheel drive? I would consider trading my xuv for the 1100 if it was true 4 wheel drive~!

 

[TWO GUNS]

I agree with Ridtides 100%, if you haven't seen one work. We'll, you just will not have a clue what these RTV's will do ....
I posted a remark on : Compact Tractor Review - SEEING IS BELIEVING *** RTV WILL GO
Seeing is Believing

I have worked mine like crazy, I don't mistreat the unit. I work it like it was designed to do. and it surprises us every time we load up and go.

Like many other folks, test fired just about all utility vehicles before I made a choice of the RTV. This was my hard earned money, and wasn't going to waste it on something that would not perform. They are many good UTV's out on the market, but for hard work & dependability, Kubota is the machine that I will keep on my plantations & farms. After the first of the year, several more RTV's is fixin' to show up in our world. One more 900, & one 1100 series.
Yes, the Hydro-Tranny seems different at first, but after a few hours of learning it. It's like driving your pick-up truck *********

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

if you know what your doing 3 wheels turning is just as good as 4. besides i go through most of my mud holes in 2 wheel drive with the rearend locked. and if she startes to stop and spin i just pull up the lever and she goes.tires and driver make a diference. if you hit a mud hole and spin them tires right off the bat you'r probably gonna get stuck even if you got 4 wheels turning. and for anyone who has a 04 hpx look down and notice when your in the deep stuff that unless you have that drivers side tire in a real bind it's slinging mud. that means it's pulling the only time that tire stops is if it gets into a bind.and i'm sure the bota rtv is the same way.3 wheels turning at full torque and one at half torque is good enough to get you through most if not all of what you are gonna go through.the only times i got stuck was when i was sitting on the frame (bottomed out) and that was the front end that was bottomed out too.and if your tires are out in the air you ain't going no plce i don't care what utv you got or what kinda tires you got or if you got 8 feet of clearance under you stuck! is stuck!. i got some pictures of the rtv 1100 hauling some heavy loads comin and i'll post them.these are not from a dealer.

 

[Dozernut]

Skipholiday
I have had an RTV 900 since it first came out. It is used to blade snow, haul wood, brush, dirt, feed, straw & hay, tote sprayers and a myriad of other chores. It is the go-to vehicle that the wife will use for her rock and flower garden, she has never driven the tractor, go figure. The three wheel drive fixation that you have has kept you from a good working class UTV. 90% of the time it is in two wheel drive and when it is in four wheel drive you can notice the difference, even if it is a limited slip front differential. If it had a front locking differential, when you get the beast stuck, six wheel drive wouldn't help, thats what the winch hanging on the front is for. I am not saying the RTV is helpless in mud or snow, far from it, but it is heavy and it takes some effort to extricate it when it gets hopeless. Would I buy another, in a heart beat. My son-in-law has a Rhino, so I have been able to compare the two. The Rhino is lighter, faster, more agile and I would say more fun to play with, but where the RTV is metal the Rhino has plastic and when he gets the belt wet it is done ( a plug came loose and let water into the belt enclosure). Does this make it bad, no, because it is perfect for him to haul a few light things and his deer during hunting season. He can take his family along on outings and it is good for his needs, recreation and hunting.
I am not saying the RTV is better than the Rhino, Deere or what ever brand floats your boat. I am just saying the RTV is a good built machine thats works perfectly for me and the three wheel drive is not even an issue.

 

[mikeyd]

For my purposes, getting firewood, hauling dirt, stone, and all around general WORK, I can not think of a better machine. If I wanted yet another play toy than the rtv1100 would not have been my choice. Other than the smooth quiet ride of the rtv1100 there is zero comparison to a golf cart. It is a heavy machine, which makes sense when your consider the heavy duty construction of the unit. It is built like a tank. If someone was in the market for a serious work machine than I honestly don't know how they could consider anything but a rtv.
The 3wd vs. 4wd "issue" is nonsense, I really don't know how else to put it. Similary, there is no issue with the hydrostat. It performs flawlessly and is a godsend going downhill heavily loaded. If there is a problem operating the hydro then it is with the operator, not the machine.
The interior is like a truck. Heat and A/C!!!! How can anyone argue that.
"Never seen one work"? Now I understand the comparison to a golf cart, because seeing one work would more likely bring a comparison to a bulldozer.
Drive it, use it, work it...you will buy it.

 

[Skipholiday]

I traded an 05 3 wheel drive hpx for a 4 wheel drive 06 hpx and I could tell a huge difference in the handling going up steep slick hills.
One hill in particular I couldn't pull my trailer loaded with generator and other gear while it was wet. My xuv climbs it without missing a beat with the same load.
The 05 when it started to slide the rearend would stay straight while the front would pull to one side. The 06 would go straight up.
True 4 wheel drive is much safer and stronger for my needs.
Everyones needs are not the same.


I now have an 06 xuv and an 06 660 rhino.
The rhino is loads of fun but can't work at all compared to the xuv. (rhino sits down in the rear when loaded and runs a little warm)
If I lived on flat ground I would love to have a kubota 1100~!

 

[Skipholiday]

On another note:
I also own an 88 Suzuki Samurai. We ride offroad almost every weekend. The friends I ride with that have lockers on their sammy's can crawl up the steepest inclines with little effort.
Mine being limited slip I have to get a running start and risk damage and injury to climb the same inclines. The 4 wheel drive versus 3 wheel drive debate is a no brainer for MY personal uses.
We use our utv's for work and play.

If I had the money I would own one of every utv made.
IMHO they are all wonderful, it's all about getting off your tail and on the trail.
FUN FUN FUN~!

 

[RollTideRam]

Skip, not everyone uses their machines the way you do. If they have never needed true 4-wheel drive, then they stay on the easy trails. Even Tommy don't understand it. In mud, an open diff will spin both wheels because they have the equal traction. If one wheel gets better traction, the other wheel spins and the one on firm ground does not. I and my father have Samurai's. His is open in the front and mine is not. It would surprise most people how much a locked front helps. What I do easily, his Samurai struggles on.
I don't like how you (Skip) talk about how much you like the Kubota, even the looks, and people say they can't take you serious. You were being honest about it and giving it complements and they discredit you, and act like your trash talking the RTV. JC

 

[Skipholiday]

Skip, not everyone uses their machines the way you do. If they have never needed true 4-wheel drive, then they stay on the easy trails. Even Tommy don't understand it. In mud, an open diff will spin both wheels because they have the equal traction. If one wheel gets better traction, the other wheel spins and the one on firm ground does not. I and my father have Samurai's. His is open in the front and mine is not. It would surprise most people how much a locked front helps. What I do easily, his Samurai struggles on.
I don't like how you (Skip) talk about how much you like the Kubota, even the looks, and people say they can't take you serious. You were being honest about it and giving it complements and they discredit you, and act like your trash talking the RTV. JC

Thank you JC. I thought I was the only one that understood that the more rubber you have on the ground, the better you will pull.
We purchased our vehicles to use to the limits. I rode dirtbikes all my life.Now I'm too old and slow but I still like to go off road..
Most places we ride we wear helmets.(I've knotted my head on the rops enough) I have been on my side more than once and have had the rhino str8 up and down on the rear bumper and front.
Haven't flipped yet.
If it wasn't for my boy's I would stay on the easy trails. More times than not I lose my wind when attempting some of these hills we climb. (I'm proud of my 5 point harness, money well spent)

I'm waiting on rocker panel guards for the sammy. Then I will get lockers for her too...

Thanks again.

Terry~!