Kubota RTV

[Missouribound]

Anyone have any experience with the Kubota side by sides?
I am looking at the New RTV 520.
I don't need a fast machine, just a reliable one and if it's anything like my B2320 then I will be happy.
Any thoughts, suggestions?

 

[CookieMonster]

I own a 2019 RTV-1100C. It's a very robust machine. It has a dump body on the back, It also has the K-connect 4-point hitch system for the V5296 snow blower attachment, and it is for sale.

 

[TxMN]

We have a 900 diesel and are on our second RTV500, both great machines. 900 has more work capacity but 500 can do more than you would think for it’s size. Both sip fuel, 900 has hydraulic dump, wife can easily use 500 manual dump with all but heaviest loads, we have a dual axle polar dump trailer that work well with both. Wife likes quiet of 500 gasoline engine over 900 diesel.

 

[nbking]

My rtv-x900 is a 2014, been a workhorse. No problems with it.

 

[MINICUP28]

We bought the RTV500 several years ago and my wife loves it. It's small, quiet and she uses it all over the property. The only problem I have with it is that it will not go uphill in high gear. We have a steep 1/2 Mi. private road and I take it to the mail box everyday and it takes too long to return uphill. The biggest factor in buying it was the ROPS would fit through the basement double doors for winter storage. Why they raised the bar 2" for the 520 takes away a big advantage. Watch the height of your doors.

 

[mikester]

I picked up the XG850 this spring and really like it. I wanted the 520 but was told it had a 2-3 month wait list. The XG850 was still in the crate and I got a great deal on it.

PROS:
1. fast
2. smooth - no problems in tilled fields or handling bumps
3. lots of pulling power
4. I like the metal dump box, front and rear hitch receivers, Takes a big load and manually dumps easily by hand
5. electric steering is the cats meow
6. low center of gravity makes the machine feel very stable.

CONS:
1. twitchy throttle takes a while to get used to
2. drinks gas like there's no tomorrow
3. expensive accessories i.e. wiring harness, roof, lights, windshield
4. wants to go fast - hard to go slow even in low gear i.e. pulling lawn roller
5. turning radius - could be better, I'd like to see under 10'
6. The dump box bed height seems a little on the high side if you are loading heavy items, but great work bench for servicing chain saw etc.

 

[papajoe]

I have a RTV500. It's as tough as a nickel steak. We use it to pull a home made 3 1/2 x 5 foot dump trailer. If you pile it high, you can haul 1200 ears of sweet corn in the bed and trailer combined. Some days the wife and I pull several loads. Never a complaint nor any problems with the 500. (Now over 500 hours on the clock)

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

Kawasaki Mule, hands down. We will never buy another RTV

 

[1badDart]

I have a Honda Pioneer 1000 that I bought new in 2016, it's been great. I can haul a good load in the bed or on a trailer. It has good suspension so I can trail ride if I want and it'll run 67 mph. Not a hot rod but not bad for a UTV.

A couple friends have bought the Kubota diesels SxS's and both are anemic. If you are putting around in the yard they would be fine but any load and the hills here kill them. Plus they ride like a farm wagon.

 

[mikester]

Kawasaki Mule, hands down. We will never buy another RTV

I tried getting one at the time as they were cheaper, was told sold out and 1 year wait list. Used and abused were going for new prices.

 

[JimmyJazz]

I spent some time "researching" this matter over the last year and the conclusion I came to was that for someone looking for utility over speed the Kubota is the Rolls Royce and priced accordingly. The best value in the utility category seemed to be the Kawasaki Mule. Another concern of mine is that I have a 12 year old boy and the top speed on some of these machines can be limited. I liked that idea as some of these are very fast and potentially dangerous. Good luck, be safe, have fun.

 

[ItBmine]

I LOVE my RTV-X1100C. I don't even want to use my atv's any more.

More friends won't trail ride with me though, because it is too slow for them. So I'll just get new friends. LOL

 

[fj40dave]

We just brought home our new '25 RTV-X....bought it to run around doing chores and enjoy the property.

Wife loves it.....she's grinning every time I see her using it.

Added it to the Kubota line-up.....the dependability and longevity of the Kubota Diesel made this an easy choice! We couldn't believe the gas version was more expensive!

 

[JirafaBo]

We own 3 at my job (2x 2019 RTV 500 & 1x 2023 RTV 520). Previously we've owned 5 Polaris Ranger 570s. The rangers have all lasted about 1500 hours max. The older RTV's are going over 2000 hours and have had zero issues. The kubota hydrostatic engine is so good Polaris is now putting them in their commercial level rangers. The only downside is the suspension is pretty stiff.

 

[fj40dave]

We own 3 at my job (2x 2019 RTV 500 & 1x 2023 RTV 520). Previously we've owned 5 Polaris Ranger 570s. The rangers have all lasted about 1500 hours max. The older RTV's are going over 2000 hours and have had zero issues. The kubota hydrostatic engine is so good Polaris is now putting them in their commercial level rangers. The only downside is the suspension is pretty stiff.

The suspension is adjustable on our new one....5 different levels with it being delivered at level 3.
It handles the pot holes on the gravel road down to the cow's really well.....but, we've never had a rig like this to compare it to.

 

[Sidekick]

The suspension is adjustable on our new one....5 different levels with it being delivered at level 3.
It handles the pot holes on the gravel road down to the cow's really well.....but, we've never had a rig like this to compare it to.

I have that same machine and my ride is really rough, it's extremely slow, and was very tippy on hills. I then had to add heavy duty front struts for adding a plow that made it ride worse with no articulation. I also changed to the orange aftermarket Kubota recommended vision aluminum replacement wheels that have 50mm of offset that helps greatly with hill stability. Mine is not a fun machine to drive but it's built strong.

 

[Diesel5610]

I have a RTV900 that I bought new in 2014. I wanted a workhorse and went partially with it because it is geared low. I did not want a machine that would do 55mph since kids would be operating it. I also have 2 friends that have the same machine. Theirs have been bulletproof. Mine has been an ultra reliable beast. Do all kinds of work with it, hauling ridiculous loads of firewood and it never blinks. Runs like the day we bought it. I would replace it in a heartbeat if something happened to it. My other buddy has a RTV500 and it has been a good machine for what it is. Only downfall I have seen is it is a bit anemic going uphill in high gear like was already mentioned.

 

[Missouribound]

Since my needs are limited, I wound up with a Honda Pioneer 520 with a dump bed.
I looked at the Mule and they were unavailable at the time. I contacted Honda and Kawasaki dealers and told them to let me know when they get the machine in. A few months later Honda came through first and I would up with that machine. I'm happy with it. I do wish the rear end post-traction could be unlocked because it can tear up the yard quickly if I am not careful. But replacing the factory tires with a hard surface tire took away 90% of that problem.