New Kubota RTV500 Owner Questions

[SaintBully]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and also a new owner of a Kubota RTV500. I have a couple questions I was hoping to get advice on.

First, should I let my local Kubota dealer install their winch (Warn 2500), which would run me $500.00 but it would be done like it come from the factory that way? Or, purchase one and labor through trying to do it myself for the first time? If the latter what brand?

And secondly, is there a way to get more low end power and high end speed out of it, and if so is it something I could convince the service tech to do or would I have to do it myself?

Oh, one more thing! My RTV500 has the windshield and metal cover and I can't find anywhere to install a rifle mount. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

 

[GolfAddict]

Personally, I wish I'd have had a winch installed. I still haven't gotten around to locating an exact fitting one, getting it ordered and installed...

As for the gun rack, I have this one and love it: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Grea...Tub+gun+rack&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

There is also a two gun version.

 

[GolfAddict]

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

 

[timswi]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and also a new owner of a Kubota RTV500. I have a couple questions I was hoping to get advice on.

First, should I let my local Kubota dealer install their winch (Warn 2500), which would run me $500.00 but it would be done like it come from the factory that way? Or, purchase one and labor through trying to do it myself for the first time? If the latter what brand?

And secondly, is there a way to get more low end power and high end speed out of it, and if so is it something I could convince the service tech to do or would I have to do it myself?

Oh, one more thing! My RTV500 has the windshield and metal cover and I can't find anywhere to install a rifle mount. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

I had one of the first RTV500's so my info is somewhat stale..For a point of reference, I bought a Polaris quad last summer and added a OEM winch to it. Paid around $200 or so. It had the mounting brackets and all of the wiring to finish it OEM...Not a WARN though. You could buy something and save a few bucks but my guess is the hassle might be more than you want unless you are a hard core DIY.. $500 is expensive but not ridiculous in my opinion anyway. You'll get some kind of warranty as well.

You most likely won't find any way to get more than 25mph out of it. The HST and regs are all part of that. I used L a lot when I worked mine, H did fine for everything else. There were servo and max RPM adjustments that we did circa 2008-2009 but my guess is that Kubota maximized that tweak by now.

Did they explain how the HST pedal works when you bought it--ie flooring it doesn't give more power? Backing off until the HST ups the RPM when under load?

The RTV500 is a great machine and I miss mine but it ain't a RZR, it's a worker first and foremost.

Here's the one I had:

 

[SaintBully]

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

Thanks, and the rack looks doable!

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the forum from Northwest Alabama.

 

[SaintBully]

You most likely won't find any way to get more than 25mph out of it. The HST and regs are all part of that. I used L a lot when I worked mine, H did fine for everything else. There were servo and max RPM adjustments that we did circa 2008-2009 but my guess is that Kubota maximized that tweak by now.

Did they explain how the HST pedal works when you bought it--ie flooring it doesn't give more power? Backing off until the HST ups the RPM when under load?

The RTV500 is a great machine and I miss mine but it ain't a RZR, it's a worker first and foremost.

Here's the one I had:
View attachment 408122View attachment 408123

Thanks for chiming in. No they didn't mention the HST vs. RPMs but I saw something on it by googling a question on the power issue. Seems kinda counter intuitive to me but hey, whatever works. Do you think those tweaks have been maxed already before it left the factory? Thanks again.

 

[timswi]

Thanks for chiming in. No they didn't mention the HST vs. RPMs but I saw something on it by googling a question on the power issue. Seems kinda counter intuitive to me but hey, whatever works. Do you think those tweaks have been maxed already before it left the factory? Thanks again.

I don't know if they maxed them or not by now. I'll see if I can find anything on that from back then...Yes the HST is counter intuitive and my RTV1100 follows the same path...They really should change that in my opinion. Love the machines anyway though.

Just kinda refreshed my memory....With an inductive timing light the max RPM should be 4000-4010...The you can back out the servo adjuster 1 turn at a time and test drive to see if it helps with torque. There is a point of diminishing returns though so pay attention to the number of turns so it can be returned to OEM if needed. All of this at operating temp...Trial and error and I'm guessing this isn't Kubota approved so this is caveat emptor.

 

[jeff9366]

And secondly, is there a way to get more low end power and high end speed out of it, and if so is it something I could convince the service tech to do or would I have to do it myself?

It is the engineering of an HST transmission, whether on a tractor or an RTV. You have max torque starting out, but not much top end speed. For more top end speed Kubota would have to install a three-range HST transmission.

My Kubota dealer told me he had a customer install a turbo on his RTV900/diesel. It got to 25mph really fast, but did not go any faster than 25mph.

You may want a winch for pulling logs.

I have had my RTV500 three years and have never once been stuck and I pull a MUTS all terrain trailer most of the time. (I have optional, wide turf tires.) Pulling from zero is when the HST transmission shines.

 

[dusty3030]

Mount -
Amazon.com: KFI Products 100800 Winch Mount for Kubota RTV 500: Automotive

Winch
Amazon.com: Viper Max 4500lb ATV Winch with BLACK AmSteel®-Blue Synthetic Rope: Automotive

The Viper's are great winches. You can get steel cable 4500 for less than the synthetic cable.

I like doing this kind of thing, I use wire loom, zip ties etc and try to do better than factory. But if you don't $500 at the dealer ain't outrageous.

I would caution that 2500 lb winch is marginal for a side by side.