Kubota RTV 500

[robinbr]

What to do for loss-of-power after 50 hours?????? Dealers ignore that there is a problem???

 

[art]

We just had one come in and it only had a rear brake that was to tight. When released it would out run a new one.

 

[robinbr]

Thanks, that was the only advise the Dealer (Mt. Airy, NC) could give me. They checked brakes, parking brake, etc., reported no malfunction with brakes but still has a loss-of-power!!! Sent it home as Operator not knowing how to operate this unit. Give me a break!!!!

Sounds a lot like Toyota's accelerator problem however, in reverse!!!!!! Not a problem until it kills 19 people!!!!!!

 

[dodge man]

Is it the engine running weak? Can you actually hear the engine running funny? Is it a loss of HST power where the engine is running fine but it just doesn't pull up a hill well? Can you be a little more specific of the problem.

 

[robinbr]

Engine starts without issue; will not rev up to normal rpm; vehicle will run on flat ground, but not at full throtle. Most noticeable is the fact the Vehicle will not pull hills without considerable effort. One can walk faster than the vehicle will operate on inclines in Low Gear. In 6 inches of snow will not pull on level ground.

This is completely adverse to the performance of the Vehicle when new and up to about 8-10 hours ago. Vehicle is well maintained, parked in enclosed garage, fresh fuel, etc.

No power, loss-of-power!!!! Hope this is more detailed, thanks for your help.

 

[tawilson]

Sounds fuel filterish.

 

[Stonehaller]

Check out the various post in the ATV forum on the RTV 500 throttle cable and servo adjustments.

 

[timswi]

Check out the various post in the ATV forum on the RTV 500 throttle cable and servo adjustments.

Agreed..Might be something mechanical though..Did you do the 50hr or the dealer?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

 

[IdahoTractor]

Pull the spark plug and see if it's gummed up or out of gap. If it is, then it can cause some of the symptoms you're describing (heaving, sputtering, loss of power). I had very similar problems with my Yamaha Rhino within six months after purchasing it. The gap from the factory was way off and the plug was trashed.

 

[dodge man]

The first thing I would look at is it actually going to full throttle. Look at the carb with the air cleaner off and see if the throttle blade is open all the way. I assume these have a carb, if not the blade on the throttle body should open all the way.

 

[timswi]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

Messick,

Blaming the customer isn't a good idea.If so many people can't operate this machine properly, perhaps there are some serious design flaws, no?

 

[radioman]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

can anyone correct me ? the kubota's rtv's are the only ones with running, power issues compared to other brands like polaris, etc.

 

[timswi]

can anyone correct me ? the kubota's rtv's are the only ones with running, power issues compared to other brands like polaris, etc.

That's the way it appears...Kubota blames it on the owners.

 

[timswi]

yea... most RTV problems are operator issues, however what your describing seems pretty outlandish.

Just for giggles, I went through my operation section of the owners manual. It says for more speed/power press down on the gas. For less let up. Now where does it say to let up on the pedal to allow the HST to "downshift". How can Kubota blame this on the owners when it appears they don't know about it themselves?

Not jumping on you, but you made the statement.

The whole set up is counterintuitive. The HST should be abe to sense a drop in rpm's and "downshift" normally. This is what is very annoying. Not only do you lose speed but RPM's at the same time. Let's face it, a 15hp motor needs all the help it can get.

While I'm at, how can the POLARIS 400 which is similar in overall size and CC have 28 hp..Double what the 500 has? Just curious, and I'm not being sarcastic here.

 

[Matt_Jr]

How much torque does both have? I ask 'cause if I were to purchase a side by side, I'd get the one with more torque, not horsepower. Something tells me your kubota will last longer too.

 

[timswi]

How much torque does both have? I ask 'cause if I were to purchase a side by side, I'd get the one with more torque, not horsepower. Something tells me your kubota will last longer too.

It's got low speed torque, under 10 mph..Plows snow well and I can move my 1500lb trailer around the driveway in low range if that's any indication.

If you never have to go up a hill, you'll love it. Once you encounter a hill, all bets are off. You can walk faster than than this can traverse a steep hill. You have to keep letting up on the gas to maintain RPM.

Take one for a test drive and you'll see what we are talking about.

After making some tuning adjustments, I got about 30% more performace out of it. It's tolerable now. Prior to that I just wanted to get rid of it.

Speed was never an issue for any of us that have issues with this. Most UTV's are 25mph max..Much faster than that would be a little irresponsible on something like this.

If it lasts forever, and I really don't like it (many others feel the same as I do), I don't see that as a win given the amount of money that I have tied up in it.

I like the design, size and features. Kubota just blew it on the mechanicals. Blaming this on the owners doesn't help much either.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I think if you get used to the transmission, you'll like it more. That RTV really is a good one. I think the transmissions in the Polaris is belt driven just like my 4 wheeler, and those belts are know to slip when water gets past the cover for the belt. That HST trans is near bomb proof, just takes getting used to.

 

[timswi]

I think if you get used to the transmission, you'll like it more. That RTV really is a good one. I think the transmissions in the Polaris is belt driven just like my 4 wheeler, and those belts are know to slip when water gets past the cover for the belt. That HST trans is near bomb proof, just takes getting used to.

I fully agree with the durability and belt comments...The HST pedal back off makes no sense..I've had this for a year and a half and still hate this 'feature'.

When climbing a hill, it's down right embarassing. (see previous post, i added some points)

 

[Matt_Jr]

I fully agree with the durability and belt comments...The HST pedal back off makes no sense..I've had this for a year and a half and still hate this 'feature'.

When climbing a hill, it's down right embarassing. (see previous post, i added some points)

My tractor is the same way, but in low gear, it's so slow it won't bog down, heck, I could but it up against a tree and all 4 wheels will keep on spinnin', but in high, goin' up steep grades it does the same thing as your rtv. Guess I don't mind too much 'cause it's a tractor. I guess if it was an rtv, it would bother me some. Was 900 or 1100 a lot more expensive, and are the any less prone to this issue because of the extra power?