Thinking about a Kubota 500

morthog1957 · Jun 20, 2011

Looking at purchasing a Kubota 500. I am looking at a new machine. Would like some feedback from some of you guys that own or have owned one.

jcombs · Jun 20, 2011

I've put less than 15 hours on mine so far, but i love it. It was a decision that took me a long time to make, but after looking at several UTVs, doing tons of research, and asking lots of questions I decided on the RTV 500. I'm glad that I did.

I do some light trail riding with mine, but its primary use is hauling stuff around my property and dragging small logs/downed trees, etc. My wife uses the RTV as much as I do.

How do you plan to work the RTV? I'm sure that will have some impact on the feedback you get.

General Lee · Jun 20, 2011

Search the boards here on the RTV500, lots of good info, dislikes and likes are posted. Take it all in and let it help your decision.

If its main purpose is blazin the trails with quads and such.........I highly suggest picking something else. Its built for work related chores and just puttin around. I kinda have a love/hate relationship with mine. Wish it had a bit more power. I Knew the 500 wasn't made to blaze trails and thats not what I bought for, but it could use more grunt and torque in my opinion. As long as you have traction it will pull and climb steep hills very well in low gear and 4WD.

Eagle09 · Jun 20, 2011

I only have a few hours on mine too, but so far I love it. I suppose it all depends on what you intend to use it for as the previous posts says.

I sold my ATV as well as my wifes' ATV, then bought the RTV 500. So far neither one of us have missed the ATV at all, and I think she enjoys working with the RTV about as much as I do.

bullbreaker · Jun 20, 2011

Eagle09 said:
. So far neither one of us have missed the ATV at all, and I think she enjoys working with the RTV about as much as I do.

:thumbsup:
Admit it,its easier to hold hands(with wifes) side to side.

Boone

morthog1957 · Jun 20, 2011

I sold my ATV and will use the Kubota around the farm for light hauling and for hunting. My wife has a golf cart and I keep it good and muddy. So I want to give that back to her. My father-in-law has the Kubota 900 and it is a work horse but it is loud. So I thought the gas model would be a good compromise.

General Lee · Jun 20, 2011

morthog1957 said:
I sold my ATV and will use the Kubota around the farm for light hauling and for hunting. My wife has a golf cart and I keep it good and muddy. So I want to give that back to her. My father-in-law has the Kubota 900 and it is a work horse but it is loud. So I thought the gas model would be a good compromise.

What I liked best about the 500 was the quietness and nimbleness (small frame and width) for hunting use. Fits on the trails nicely and navigates through the woods in tight spots.

Tkblacktail · Jun 20, 2011

I like mine too, it crawls like a dozer, strong frame, well built.

I suggest that anyone considering a Kubota purchase understands how to decypher the date of manufacture (DOM) that is encrypted in the VIN.

Some of those machines sit on the lots for years.

Stonehaller · Jun 21, 2011

I've had mine for 3 years and I like it quite well. Quiet, starts easy, easy on fuel, unstoppable in low range. It is rough riding and could use a little more power in high range. I know it is only made for two passengers, but there would be room for a small child between two adults if it were not for the position of the seat belts and parking brake lever. We take our granddaughter with us a lot and she ends up riding on the passengers lap. I am thinking about re-working those seat belts to move the buckles so I can add a third belt.

If you do get one, be sure to read up on the throttle and servo adjustments posted in this forum.

Traskblacktail said:
I suggest that anyone considering a Kubota purchase understands how to decypher the date of manufacture (DOM) that is encrypted in the VIN.

Mine has a separate tag with the manufacture date on it.

ohio farmer04 · Jun 22, 2011

i got my 500 last dec brand new paid 7600 tax free with top and bush gard 256 hours first got 8500 9500 shop around it was hard to shirt when new but know shirts ok

Eagle09 · Jun 22, 2011

bullbreaker said:
:thumbsup:
Admit it,its easier to hold hands(with wifes) side to side.

Boone

Well yeah....that too ! LOL Sometimes I just reach over there and give her a big old kiss.

9973720wb19 · Jun 22, 2011

i've had an RTV900 for three years and it's been a great work horse with no problems - got about 200hrs on it now.

DIXIEDOG · Jun 23, 2011

I'm really happy with mine. I've got no regrets with the purchase, I bought it over a year ago and have used it for hunting, snow plowing, moving the bass boat, pulling my car out of an oversized snow bank, hauled trees and my saw around....it's done everything so far pretty dang well. I've gotten stuck several times, if you plan to play in much mud I would recommend a winch just in case...these things are heavy and sink accordingly. For trail riding they aren't the greatest, they are built for work and although they will also work fine for trails if you drive fast you will get bounced around with the heavy suspension. It would be cool if somebody made a lift kit with a long travel suspension for the RTV 500...it would be the ultimate buggy.

timswi · Jun 28, 2011

I had an RTV50o and loved it. It's not fast, but a great worker. It did a great job plowing snow too. Once the HST/RPM thing was figured out I loved it. Only traded it for the diesel and climate control of the RTV1100.

If you don't want a speedster, you'll love it. It also will go pretty much anywhere the ATV's will go, just not as fast.

Frostybear · Jul 1, 2011

I just traded mine on a new L2800 tractor I put 170 hrs on it since last fall. About 80 of those hours were plowing snow and the rest was hauling wood. It is a rugged beast and I worked it. I had the Kubota plow set up and I never took it off as I used it to push brush and stuff. I wish I could have kept it but I needed a tractor with a loader and couldn't afford both. :thumbsup:

kunota man · Jul 1, 2011

Frostybear said:
I just traded mine on a new L2800 tractor I put 170 hrs on it since last fall. About 80 of those hours were plowing snow and the rest was hauling wood. It is a rugged beast and I worked it. I had the Kubota plow set up and I never took it off as I used it to push brush and stuff. I wish I could have kept it but I needed a tractor with a loader and couldn't afford both. :thumbsup:

you love your l2800 have one its a worhhorse.as for the rtv 500 two of my brothers have them there a little under powered tp me .i have had 2 rtv 900 and npw a rtv 1140 would get the 900 over the 500. just my personnel experience

groundcover · Jul 1, 2011

Just passed a hundred hours on the RTV900, no problems and just love it, handy as a shirt pocket.:thumbsup:

Frostybear · Jul 1, 2011

Yeah- I had a L2800 before I got the RTV500. Thought I was going to take it easy but that ain't happening. So I'm back where I was which wasn't a bad place to be.

cointoss · Jul 3, 2011

I bought my 500 around this time last year and it has served me well. Seems to do everything I want it to do. Not a lot of creature comfort but then most of the other side-by-sides are about the same.

Stoweski · Aug 6, 2011

Anyone with a 500 regret getting it because of the smaller box? I looked at them yesterday and the box seems to be considerably smaller than the 900... around 1' in length and width.

Just wondering if you've found that you could use more room for hauling stuff.

Also, with the problems that have been posted in regards to climbing hills, does anyone with a more recent 500 (past year or so) have any problems climbing?