Buying Advice Looking at RTV 500

[firemech]

Looking to get some opinions on the Kubota RTV 500. Looking to purchase one for our marina to replace an electric golf cart that has met it's demise. Like the idea of the unlockable rear differential, and hydrostat. Don't need a ton of power; our land is flat and the unit would be used primarily for shuttling fuel cans and shrinkwrap products. Is a electrical or hydraulic option available for the dump box. We used to be a Kawasaki dealer and know they were available for the mule. loking for opinions from long term owners/ operators. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[jeff9366]

Looking to get some opinions on the Kubota RTV 500. Looking to purchase one for our marina to replace an electric golf cart that has met it's demise. Like the idea of the unlockable rear differential, and hydrostatic.

Don't need a ton of power; our land is flat and the unit would be used primarily for shuttling fuel cans and shrinkwrap products.

Very maneuverable. No power steering but not needed. Everyone eventually mounts a "Suicide Knob" on the steering wheel. Some mount two.

Even with loaded trailer, off-road, seldom need 4-WD, more seldom engage LSD. Very seldom engage HST/LOW. Great traction with "Turf" Tires.

RTV500 has 15.8 hp. I pull 1,000 pounds of dirt in a trailer now and again on level, unpaved ground. That is a tribute to the excellent HST transmission more than the engine.

Is a electrical or hydraulic option available for the dump box.

Not from Kubota. Aftermarket, yes. From what I read, electric bed lifts are prone to burn out. My bed is permanently loaded with tools.

EBay is a good place to seek an aftermarket bed lift kit.

As dependable as a Kawasaki Mule, meaning very dependable. I use marine gas in mine, rather than 10% ethanol.

RTV500 is a little noisy in operation. I wear ear muffs. My 600 hour service is due. I am going to use Super UDT2 hydraulic fluid, which may quiet it down a bit.

I think optional $250 wide Turf Tires, which are really R4-Industrial Tires, was money well spent. I would order "Turfs" if you will take RTV500 on wet, mossy ramps, in lieu of 'bar' standard tires, which are R1-Ag Tires.

A 150 pound person can work standing on the optional factory roof. (Get up there, Honey. Take your pruning saw. Careful, Dear.)

Ride is a little stiff from the factory. However, springs have five adjustment positions and are easy to set to soft using Channel Lock pliers.

Looking for opinions from long term owners/ operators. Any input would be appreciated.

I have 600 problem free hours on my RTV500.

ELECTRIC Polaris gets good reviews on T-B-N too.

RTV500 in T-B-N Archive: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=RTV500+site:tractorbynet.com

 

[tow653]

Bought an '12 this spring with 60hrs,now has 160,love the thing. I think Kubota does offer a lift kit,maybe look at or,wish I could find some good hard doors,or even good fitting soft doors for it,without getting a whole kit.

 

[jcbGM]

Ours is just over a year old and now has about 240 hours on it. Wife uses it every day to feed horses. We plow our 1/4 mile driveway with it as well. Unit is 100% problem free. It's not as fast as a traditional side by side, but that's fine by us.

 

[firemech]

Thanks for your input might cause an addition to our Kubota fleet:thumbsup:

 

[kubotacres]

Thanks for your input might cause an addition to our Kubota fleet:thumbsup:

I'm well pleased with mine. I bought it this year and I've put a little over 80 hours on it so far. I wanted a work horse and not a race horse, so the 500 fit the bill.A hydro lift was available through Kubota, but i would rarely use it so I didn't buy.

 

[tractorworks]

As others have stated very reliable. I bought as a replacement for golf cart (same size). Thought I wanted a lift for bed but after a year of use it is so well balanced I no longer see the need.

 

[aczlan]

Ours has about 150 hours on it. We have the factory glass, mesh back on the cab and canopy.
We like it, I just wish sometimes that they had made the bed an extra 3" wider on each side.
Need to add some LEDs for backup lights and perhaps driving lights.

Aaron Z

 

[jcbGM]

Ooh, this for sure if you plow or are in very dark areas. We have the factory top and poly windshield. When we bought it, I paid for kubota halogens mounted on the front and rear of the roof. Kubota setup has a switch on each light. They are sufficient for a rear work light but were useless up front. I bought a pair of LEDs from Amazon and wired them up for the front. They are 1000 times better. I'll be able to see when plowing this winter.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Mines coming up on 600 hours, we use it almost daily,

The way the hinge point is positioned under the bed, it dumps easily by hand...

I have the bar tires and soft ground, so they are perfect for my use...

SR