Kubota RTV400ci

[amigauser]

Has anyone seen one in person yet?

Products: RTV400Ci Kubota Canada Ltd.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I haven't but would like to

 

[PapaPerk]

Yes I have. Looks like the 500.

I want to know how it performs!!!

 

[Bigkrank]

Had a couple at Louisville show, too tight a fit for me.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The dealer out here has one, looks about the size of the RTV 500 but is quicker as it is a belt drive CVT. Will be sticking with the RTV-1100 with cab and hydraulic dump. It earns its keep around here doing the grunt work.

David Kb7uns

 

[ohio farmer04]

?price ?

 

[amirm]

?price ?

I found it listed at $8,500 and with discount, at $8K. Sales Specials For Kubota, New Holland, Nothern Michigan, Ginop Sales Inc.

 

[amirm]

I test drove the 400 followed by the 500 today.

I must say, the 400 is very nice. Responsiveness is great. Steering light and accurate. And the machine a joy to toss around.

All is not perfect though. They went to a one cylinder engine and this thing resonates and vibrates rather poorly at low RPMs. The entire front dash rattles as a result with when combined with the light spring loaded transmission handles means fair bit of racket up front. Putting some rubber gaskets around the handles should quiet down half of the rattles. But something deep insider of the dash still made noise as I held all the handles to keep them from vibrating.

The transmission shift points were very easy to get into normally (much better than other side by sides i have tested). But once or twice I could not shift it without revving the engine a bit, letting it idle, and then shifting -- much like my Kubota BX.

I then drove the 500. The vibration was essentially gone. Unfortunately it was replaced with worse steering that required more effort and harder to navigate, more lethargic acceleration and what seemed to be a stiffer suspension. I found the seats hard on both the 400 and 500 but on the 500 it was especially noticeable as I was tossed around on even small potholes in the parking lot. Engine breaking was better than the 400 and I was pleased to see it not have any of the difficult to control characteristics of my tractor. It simply let the machine coast to idle. As with the 400, I could not shift once without having to do the trick of rev'ing the engine and then idling.

Seems like Kubota has learned some lessons from the 500 that it has applied to the 400. Alas, in order to go down in price they took some shortcuts with the engine. If they had not done that, the 400 would have been almost perfect.

I had just driven the 4010 mule and found it to be so much more comfortable to drive, with power steering and more complaint suspension. Its two cylinder engine is more responsive and quieter than the 400ci. That is my current choice as I keep testing these things .

If you are in the market for an orange UTV to go with your Kubota, and can get past the vibration and noise at low speed, I think the 400 makes an excellent choice.

 

[timswi]

I test drove the 400 followed by the 500 today.

I must say, the 400 is very nice. Responsiveness is great. Steering light and accurate. And the machine a joy to toss around.

All is not perfect though. They went to a one cylinder engine and this thing resonates and vibrates rather poorly at low RPMs. The entire front dash rattles as a result with when combined with the light spring loaded transmission handles means fair bit of racket up front. Putting some rubber gaskets around the handles should quiet down half of the rattles. But something deep insider of the dash still made noise as I held all the handles to keep them from vibrating.

The transmission shift points were very easy to get into normally (much better than other side by sides i have tested). But once or twice I could not shift it without revving the engine a bit, letting it idle, and then shifting -- much like my Kubota BX.

I then drove the 500. The vibration was essentially gone. Unfortunately it was replaced with worse steering that required more effort and harder to navigate, more lethargic acceleration and what seemed to be a stiffer suspension. I found the seats hard on both the 400 and 500 but on the 500 it was especially noticeable as I was tossed around on even small potholes in the parking lot. Engine breaking was better than the 400 and I was pleased to see it not have any of the difficult to control characteristics of my tractor. It simply let the machine coast to idle. As with the 400, I could not shift once without having to do the trick of rev'ing the engine and then idling.

Seems like Kubota has learned some lessons from the 500 that it has applied to the 400. Alas, in order to go down in price they took some shortcuts with the engine. If they had not done that, the 400 would have been almost perfect.

I had just driven the 4010 mule and found it to be so much more comfortable to drive, with power steering and more complaint suspension. Its two cylinder engine is more responsive and quieter than the 400ci. That is my current choice as I keep testing these things .

If you are in the market for an orange UTV to go with your Kubota, and can get past the vibration and noise at low speed, I think the 400 makes an excellent choice.

Thanks for the review...I was curious about the 400...There'll be some growing pains I'm sure..The 500 had a few as well.

 

[nohatnocattle]

like many things in life, retirement and a UTV purchase are slowly catching up to me. I had posted late last year about what I was looking for and have used that base as a good start for my research. this forum has been great as well- thank you.

what has changed for me is that we have purchased a new place and I can better define my needs/wants: just over 4 acres and flat (but wet), sea level with harsh winters. heated shop. I'll use the vehicle for yard work, general hauling, plowing snow, etc. my proclivities are definitely on the "keep it simple" side of the spectrum; reliable and easy to maintain but quality and willing to invest in it.

whether right or wrong, here is where i am:

carburation is fine, EFI is better
2 wheel drive is preferred, but wouldn't turn down 4wd on the right unit
ROPS would be nice for many reasons
air cooled is preferred
gas motor is a must
I can dump my own box
i'll have 2 sets of mounted wheels and tires; summer/winter
must fit in my 63" trailer


John Deere: a gator in the TS series. I have seen these, certainly simple and crude for sure. stamped and tack welded chassis. expensive paint scheme
Yamaha: adventurer II (don't laugh, i have hundred of hours on similar Yamaha products, just simply bullet proof. pricey however, relative to the product). if they were less expensive, you wouldn't be reading this, they're about $7,000 new.
Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Utility Vehicles- Adventurer Two
Kawasaki Mule: model 4000 or 600. maybe a nice balance
Kubota: 400ci. maybe a nice balance.

I have investigated others but haven't been compelled. Please comment on anything but my politics or my dog.

 

[timswi]

If you're going to plow and haul, I'd would certainly go 4x4...Don't know much about the 400 but I had an RTV500 and it was a nice machine..Not fast, but nice and a great worker..Quiet and EFI..Started in any weather...It plowed snow better than I would have ever thought it would (a 3ft surprise storm) and hauls and pulls nearly anything in low range..All shaft driven, no belts...Easy DIY maintenance too.

Mine fit perfectly in my 5x10 utility trailer with length to spare..Width was dead on.

 

[nohatnocattle]

timswi:

there are so many considerations to be made, obviously the hydrostatic drive is the main difference from the 400 and the other Kubota units. as far as the 4wd goes, that's part of the reason I'll have two sets of wheels. my experience with cars/trucks on the road in CO is that tires make WAY more difference than does the drivetrain. you are correct however, there may be a few days a year that I struggle a bit more with 2wd than I otherwise would.

the dealer has a bunch of the 400's in stock but they are on a factory recall hold for a throttle pedal limit switch modification. once they have this minor issue fixed, they will be available for tire kicking. sounds like they will be retailed for about $8,000. I am not sure if the full line of attachments will be availble either, as the duty rating is a bit lower. I asked the dealer who made the motor, and he wasnt sure but is finding that out. anyone here know off hand?

Dave.

 

[herringchoker]

Motor is a Subaru.

Products: RTV400Ci Kubota Canada Ltd.

 

[nohatnocattle]

thanks, I have never owned a commercial grade Subaru motor, or even boxer styled automotive for that matter. I'll need to do some research on that.

Dave.

 

[amigauser]

For everything but plowing snow, since you seem to like the golf cart type vehicle (Yamaha you mentioned), why not pick up a used gas or electric golf cart? They would be fine for yard use and would do everything you mentioned other than plow snow. Most golf courses seem to flip them every 3 years or so.

You also would be better off starting a new thread instead of adding it onto the RTV400 thread. You wil get more folks responding and viewing your questions.

 

[nohatnocattle]

amigauser,

I agree with your recommendation; i am on the light end of the UTV market and the heavy end of the golf cart market. there are not many, high quality, used, late models of either(mules, adventurer's)- obviously none of the 400ci's.

I am a particular buyer and I'll find it, there is more than just one unit that will fit my bill, I am just trying to narrow the list such that when I see one it's well researched, etc. and I can act swiftly.

I am anxious to see the local stock of the 400ci's in the next few weeks.

Oh, by the way....I need a ZTR mower too....this rural stuff is fun!

Dave-almost retired.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

the RTV400 has its place... but for someone used to the RTV series and their HST's... it just has no 'soul'. Its lacks the same "I am am an HST and drag around virtually anything" sense that the others have. For me... a bit too much golf cart and not enough tractor. The price point is nice, and an important one to hit.

 

[timswi]

the RTV400 has its place... but for someone used to the RTV series and their HST's... it just has no 'soul'. Its lacks the same "I am am an HST and drag around virtually anything" sense that the others have. For me... a bit too much golf cart and not enough tractor. The price point is nice, and an important one to hit.

I was kind of afraid that's what they'd do...Good grief, God know they have the engineering capacity..Why can't they make a sport version of the 500?...I just don't get it..Maybe a market they don't want to play in.

 

[nohatnocattle]

hey folks,

thanks for all the input. beyond the technical nature of forums like this is that they can be a great sounding board to talk to yourself and others. I have made a decision and promise to post pics of the actual unit, but here is what it will look like:

just a hair over $6,000 out the door, bullet proof Kawasaki air cooled single, 13.5 hp, 401cc motor. if I could change one thing it would be fuel injection like the Kubota 400ci. However, it will be parked in a heated shop so it should prove minimally troublesome. Yamaha has fuel injection this year at a bit of a premium and my guess would be in a few years they all will be. Synchronizing a single cylinder carb isnt that hard

one feature of these that I really, really like is the pedal start. so many trips around your property are just that: run out somewhere in the 4 acres or back to the shop and grab something or perform a quick task, boom- back in the seat and press the pedal and go. I think I mentioned, there will be almost zero recreational use for this unit, just puttering around some flat acreage. it comes with front/rear 2" receiver and will have a winch and plow blade (extra).

I don't have any budget constraints either, this is what I really think will suit me the best. my daily driver is a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pick-up. Base model, standard cab, 2wd, 4 cylinder, 5-speed. I own 6 of these and many of you would not believe the daily abuse these things take and what they can haul, several of my units are over 200,000 miles. we maintain them very well and they just get the job done, period. for 355 days a year, they do it just fine. for the other 10 days- we figure out another way if it absolutely has to be done then and there. having a quality tire is so very important, give me great tires on a 2wd than crap tires on a 4wd. same way with this E-Z-GO cart I am looking at. For reference, I paid $12,800 out the door new from a Toyota dealer in 2008 and I should have it for another 15 years.

 

[timswi]

hey folks,

thanks for all the input. beyond the technical nature of forums like this is that they can be a great sounding board to talk to yourself and others. I have made a decision and promise to post pics of the actual unit, but here is what it will look like:

just a hair over $6,000 out the door, bullet proof Kawasaki air cooled single, 13.5 hp, 401cc motor. if I could change one thing it would be fuel injection like the Kubota 400ci. However, it will be parked in a heated shop so it should prove minimally troublesome. Yamaha has fuel injection this year at a bit of a premium and my guess would be in a few years they all will be. Synchronizing a single cylinder carb isnt that hard

one feature of these that I really, really like is the pedal start. so many trips around your property are just that: run out somewhere in the 4 acres or back to the shop and grab something or perform a quick task, boom- back in the seat and press the pedal and go. I think I mentioned, there will be almost zero recreational use for this unit, just puttering around some flat acreage. it comes with front/rear 2" receiver and will have a winch and plow blade (extra).

I don't have any budget constraints either, this is what I really think will suit me the best. my daily driver is a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pick-up. Base model, standard cab, 2wd, 4 cylinder, 5-speed. I own 6 of these and many of you would not believe the daily abuse these things take and what they can haul, several of my units are over 200,000 miles. we maintain them very well and they just get the job done, period. for 355 days a year, they do it just fine. for the other 10 days- we figure out another way if it absolutely has to be done then and there. having a quality tire is so very important, give me great tires on a 2wd than crap tires on a 4wd. same way with this E-Z-GO cart I am looking at. For reference, I paid $12,800 out the door new from a Toyota dealer in 2008 and I should have it for another 15 years.

Congrats on the new machine...You didn't mention what it is exactly.