Anyone here own, use, or repair a Kubota RTV?

[wh500special 2,168]

My mom and dad would like to get a Kubota RTV so they have me on the hunt for one.  Dad has had two Kubota tractors that he’s loved so only Big Orange is on the table.  Used, but newish and needs to be in nice shape so it starts with a turn of a key.   A cab with heat would be nice, but I don’t think they want to spend that much. 
 

Anyway, looking at both the smaller RTV 500 and the bigger RTV 900/1100.  The tractor is diesel, so dad has diesel on hand already which could accommodate the 900/1100.  I’m thinking a snowplow for it might be nice.

 

Anyway, these are all hydrostatic transmissions so I’d expect them to be stronger and more durable than the belt drives used on smaller models and by some competitors.  Their property is quite hilly, so the hydro is better suited to that. 
 

I think the gas models might be better since I think it will see frequent starts, stops, and short trips.  But it’s hard to deny the appeal of diesel in general.  The hydraulic dump would be nice too.  But I don’t know.  
 

mom and dad are getting older but are both still in pretty good shape.  I think this machine might even buy them a little more time to dink around in the yard and woods than they are doing now.  I especially like the idea of using it for snow. 

 

Anyway, looking for first person feedback if anyone has one of these things. Likes, dislikes, problems, common issues, things to look out for, etc.  I’ve been looking at a lot of forums and videos so have some ideas, but I especially value this forum’s input on myriad issues so wanted to post here. 
 

Thanks,

Steve

[WHX?? 48,814]

I have a 'Bota RTV500 . A real snail as far as speed being a all hydro. A work horse when chores to get done tho. Dad liked it in his upper years as easy to slide in & out of.

Down side 135 bucks to do a hydro and engine oil change on it. Kubota is evidently quite proud of their oil & filters. No issues at all with it but neighbors had the same product & motor took a crap and was told no replacement or parts. Machine was basically scrap then.

28 minutes ago, wh500special said:

cab with heat would be nice, but I don’t think they want to spend that much. 
 

Psst livin in a dream world there Steve... did I mention Kubota  is proud? Air filter to the tune of 35?!?!

A RTV 500 is at the low end of the totem pole as as far as ther lineup goes. Few oem options and what there is just outrageously priced. 

Personally I would tell Kubota to stuff it and look elsewhere for more bang for the buck.

Just not a huge Kubota fan...

Tractors or anything else. Tired of having the dealers having trou dropped down as soon as I walk in the door.  I know other brands do the same thing but I do prefer a kiss when their done screwing me. 

 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

I have a smaller one. Love it but it only has a single cylinder Subaru 16hp gas motor. It is slow and underpowered but has good torque for pushing snow. The other drawback is rear suspension is not independent. I had an electric Polaris and the suspension on that was night and day. Might want to consider a Polaris🤷

[squonk 41,067]

We had Kubota's diesels at work for snow removal on side walks. Lots of torque at a snails pace. Heater sucked and the big honkin windows would ice up making it difficult to miss the Caddys and Mercedes in the doctor's parking lot! 

[Pullstart 62,834]

I had to look up the acronym!

 

https://hankmassey.com/rtv-vehicle/

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,129]

27 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I had to look up the acronym         Pick one Kev

    RTV    room temperature vulcanizing

 

what does the RTV in rubber mean - Search (bing.com)

[JoeM 7,873]

We had Kubota's at work also. really on the industrial side. 

Honda Pioneers are pretty nice, my son has one and it is real sweet.

Might want to look at Yamaha too, but they are the most expense. 

I owned a Rhino for years and they are tough as nails. 

I think to buy new is a mistake. Plenty of people out there get the UTV not RTV and then the newness wears off and they unload them at a significant price. Right now with the economy as bad it is a buyers market. 

[wh500special 2,168]

Excellent feedback.  Thank you all. 
 

I hadn’t looked up prices for consumables,  so thanks for planting that seed.  It should only be once or twice a year so that’s not too bad

 

they would prefer used.  There will be occasions where the thing might sit outside overnight so it would feel better having something with some wear and tear on it already.  Then there’s the cats that live in the barn and walk all over everything…there is no getting rid of them as new ones show up all the time. 
 

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about how slow the Kubotas are.  But they apparently can do 15-20 mph.  I can’t imagine this thing ever even hitting 10 mph in the yard so I can’t imagine that being any kind of concern.  They have no reason to take it on the road as there is nowhere to go with it around them.  Hill pulling power and cargo capacity are definitely priorities over speed. 
 

I saw a lot of discussion about trail riding and having fun with faster competitors, but that’s a non issue for their use case.  This will be a wheelbarrow for them. There is some bozo that rides through the creek that cuts across their property in the back on some kind of ATV and causes all kinds of erosion damage, so there isn’t a lot of desire to participate in that sort of activity. 
 

Mom’s sister has a Kawasaki Mule that she bought when my uncle passed during the pandemic.  She’s really used the heck out of that thing doing odd chores and running to the mailbox and  it convinced mom and dad something like that would be ideal for them.  The Mule seems to freewheel on downslopes so that one isn’t well suited to their property. 

 

 Dad uses the front loader on his tractor multiple times a week (maybe daily) as a wheelbarrow already, and it think this little truck would take many of those duties. 
 

I think the 500 is probably the right size unit, but the diesel engine in the 900 would be preferred. 
 

I appreciate all the input and opinions!

 

Steve

[wh500special 2,168]

Getting a bit closer on this.  Right when I started looking I missed an incredible deal on a used super deluxe model at a dealer who was clearing the lot for winter.  It seemed underpriced, but we had just started looking so didn’t recognize it.  
 

I don’t think I mentioned it, but only looking at used machines.  Big price delta between used and new. 
 

Anyway, mom observed how hard her sister’s Mule is to steer with its non-power steering. So that’s a consideration as well on the RTV500.  I know Jim and Steve ( @WHX?? @stevebo) are big muscular guys 😏, what’s your opinion of the manual steering on the 400/500 in daily use for a 77 year old woman?  On smooth terrain. 
 

steve

[WHX?? 48,814]

Very easy steering Steve. Even when motionless. I think they have a rack & pinion of sorts.