Hello everyone

[Andy823]

While doing some research on the Kubota RTV500 I came across this site and have found more information here than any other place. I have found a lot of useful help and want to thank everyone for all the information.

I am very interested in the RTV500. I went to the closest dealer, looked them over, took a test drive, and was pretty happy. I have done a lot of research, read the good and the bad, and think it would be good for what I need it for. It would be mostly used around the property for hauling brush, planting flower and vegetable gardens, and at my business to clean around the buildings, put a 15 gallon weed sprayer in back to spray weeds, move repair materials around like paint, tools, move small loads of gravel to replace places that need it, and possibly for some hunting. My knees are not what they used to be, and it would really help getting around at home, at work, and in the mountains.

The dealer is 60 miles away so I was also looking at the Cub Cadet Volunteer since there is a dealer for them only 25 miles away. The problem is I can't find much on the Cub Cadet, except for at their site and I was hoping to find out from those who owned one what they though of it.

The thin I like about the Kubota is it will fit in my truck, it has a water cooled engine, EFI, and from what I have read the VHT transmission seems to be better for what I would need than the belt drive. I also think it would be good for my wife to drive and easy for her to start with the EFI.

The Cub looks nice, but does anyone know much about them?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Andy

 

[timswi]

Andy, Welcome to TBN!!!

I too looked at the Cub Cadet. At least the one I saw available, It's much bigger than the 500. Nice machine, but there was something that pushed me away form it..I wish I remembered what it was.

The RTV500 is only slightly bigger and a few hundred pounds heavier than a typical ATV. The size is perfect. Once I got the tuning right on the one I had, I really liked it.

From what you are saying, I think you are going down the right path. If you're not looking for a fast UTV, the 500 is a really nice well built machine. I'd still have mine, but the cab and diesel on the RTV1100 was more than I could pass up.

From what others have said here, it seems that the dealers/Kubota have dealt with the sluggishness that these had when they were introduced.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[Andy823]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't need a fast rig, to old for that anymore! The RTV500 seems to be a good work rig, and one that is dependable, at least from what I have read here on the board.

 

[timswi]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't need a fast rig, to old for that anymore! The RTV500 seems to be a good work rig, and one that is dependable, at least from what I have read here on the board.

Yes it is certainly that. I would recommend it. Just drive one around, mainly up hills and see if you like it...There is this let off the gas thing in high range to get the RPM's to keep up. That may be corrected by now though. That is the only annoying thing about it. In low range, you'll run out of traction before you'll run out of power.

I plowed 3 ft of snow with mine last winter...It did a fantastic job. Hopefully that's an indication of it's potential.

 

[Andy823]

I noticed some remarks on the board about the issue with the gas pedal and letting off to get power. I won't be using it to plow with, I have a Chevy diesel with a blizzard speedwing on it for that job, but it's nice to know it can handle that much snow.

I have an older Honda four wheeler, two wheel drive, that I bought back in 1984. It still has the original tires on the front, and still runs great. Needs a new seat cover and it's a bit hard to use my weed sprayer and try to drive around at the same time, it just doesn't turn like the RTV500 I tried out. I also have some hillsides that are kind of sandy and have been stuck trying to go up them. It works well coming down, not so good going up. The four wheel drive will take care of that problem I believe!

My wife has a hard time driving the Honda but I think she will be able to handle the RTV500 with no problem. She usually uses the wheelbarrow to put her tools, compost and such in when working around the yard, and has to make several trips sometimes to haul stuff over to the brush pile, and then go back and get more compost of fertilizer, so this will make it a whole lot easier, and it has a lot more space to haul things then the wheelbarrow.

I am pretty sure I will be getting one before the end of the month. All they had at the dealer was one cameo one that had 45 hours on it, and it was spoken for. The salesman said they should be getting a shipment in within the next few weeks and I have to go back down there on the 19th, so I am hoping it will be by then.

 

[timswi]

From what you're saying Andy, the 500 sounds like a winner for you...Good luck and enjoy.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Sounds like the RTV 500 will be a great fit for you. I bought one in March and I've been extremely happy with it, so far it's done everything I wanted and more :thumbsup: I wish I had bought it earlier, alot can be said for that little buggy when moving trailers around. I put my 2500lb bass boat in places I never thought possible before using the front hitch and traveling to and from hunting spots was never this easy. Although they are a little pricey all things are these days and comparing the build of the RTV to some of the UTV's out there the Kubota is much heavier built. If top speed isn't a huge concern I'd say go for it.

 

[Andy823]

Speed is not important, I need a work rig to help out around home and at work. I also need a little more comfort these days, and the UTV seems to be much easier to get in and out of than it is getting on and off my 4 wheeler! The knees aren't what they used to be!

My wife doesn't drive the 4 wheeler, but I think she will like the RTV500. She does a lot of work in her gardens around the place, and since this is like driving a small pickup, I think it will work great for her.

 

[timswi]

Speed is not important, I need a work rig to help out around home and at work. I also need a little more comfort these days, and the UTV seems to be much easier to get in and out of than it is getting on and off my 4 wheeler! The knees aren't what they used to be!

My wife doesn't drive the 4 wheeler, but I think she will like the RTV500. She does a lot of work in her gardens around the place, and since this is like driving a small pickup, I think it will work great for her.

Andy,

The 500 is an easy driver..your wife would have no problem with it. Easy access is a real plus on this machine. If you're not looking for speed or excessive power, this machine is what you're looking for.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Speed is not important, I need a work rig to help out around home and at work. I also need a little more comfort these days, and the UTV seems to be much easier to get in and out of than it is getting on and off my 4 wheeler! The knees aren't what they used to be!

My wife doesn't drive the 4 wheeler, but I think she will like the RTV500. She does a lot of work in her gardens around the place, and since this is like driving a small pickup, I think it will work great for her.

Sounds like a perfect fit. I've used the heck out of my RTV 500 and it hasn't let me down yet:thumbsup: