Help zeroing in on the right RTV for me
- Thread starter Doc
- Start date
What would you be using it for Doc? The 05 RTV 900 I have does a lot of work. I can haul all I need in the cargo bed -any more would mean the truck.I have the hydraulic dump but only use it when I check the engine as my toolbox is bolted to the side floor and it is full of stuff. The bed can be heavy to manually lift. The notorious rattle with the driveshaft and the u joints are my main problem with it. It cranks every time and with the aggressive tires I can go most places- although I know better than to go in the deep without a plan.The cabs on the 1100 are nice but out of my price range. If I ever have to get another 900, I will get one of the 2011's or newer (by that time). That way some of the "flaws" would have been improved upon. Still though, I would not trade my old "05 for a newer something else.I just love that diesel.I have over 3734 hrs on it and no blow by as of yet.I have learned to deal with the abrupt stopping and my ankle has become quite flexible doing that. At first the RTV felt rough on my neck but I got use to it's springs and adding the memory foam under my upholstery job helped with that too. Bordercollie
I saw a 500 on Craigs List that was a gasser. It had a roof but no cab which is fine by me. It didn't say if it had the hydraulic bed or not but that would be a requirement for me. I much prefer diesel as i plan to use it to haul stuff. Rocks mainly for lining 1100 ft of river frontage and some spots on the small streams running through the property. I would also use it to pull a trailer to carry the wood & supplies we'll use for building docks.
General property maintenance. Very very hilly terrain.
Here is a link to the one I found on CL:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/2245754669.html
General property maintenance. Very very hilly terrain.
Here is a link to the one I found on CL:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/2245754669.html
General Lee
New member
I can only comment on the 500 as I have one. It is very maneuverable because of it size. Price and size was the deciding factor for me. It main use would be in the woods so its smaller size was a plus. The bed will hold a considerable amount, plus I added bed rails to increase the capacity. Its fuel injected so there is no choke to mess with. It has 2 speeds, Low and High. My terrain is very hilly and in low gear in 4wd it will climb damn near a vertical wall as long as traction is there. The engine is much much quieter than the diesel so that would be a plus if you were concerned about noise levels. If you have any other questions just ask.
General Lee
New member
Yes all 500's are gas. They are the smallest of the RTV series. Kubota claims they will fit in the back of a "full size" pick up and my dealer told me it has to be an 8 foot bed. It is a 2 cylinder 4 cycle kubota engine over head cam, water cooled. 16 hp. It will do 25 mph top speed. None of the RTV's are fast though, they are more for work. It also has a locking rear differential in addition to 4wd. Here is mine
General Lee
New member
Also as far as differences between the models. The 900 and 1100 are diesels but the 1100 is the cab model. I believe the engines are the same, as are the capacities and such.
You're requirement of a hydraulic dump bed rules out the 500. You could add an aftermarket electric bed lift kit but hydraulic isn't an option.
That being said I purchased the RTV 500 for a few reasons
1) Gas engine that is extremely quiet
2) Fuel Injected for quick easy starts
3) Narrower width, it's able to fit in most any atv trail
4) Lighter weight so it's not as apt to get buried in mud as the other RTVs when going down atv trails
5) I picked it over competitors similarly sized units because of the hydro tranny, a set of brakes should last for a very long time on these...you never need them unless you're shifting
6) The 500's shift much easier than the other RTV's....for some reason it doesn't driveline lock up like the others
7) The fuel economy is crazy, you keep looking at the gauge on the tank and wondering if it's working still
The only big downside I've seen so far is the aftermarket accessory suport for the RTV 500 isn't great...you can get anything you want for a Rhino or Ranger but for an RTV you better make it yourself or buy from the dealer.
This is my 500
Had it for a just over a year and so far no regrets, it's done everything I've wanted and more so far...even pulls the bassboat under the tarp in the background...it's a fully rigged tourney boat so it's 2500+ lbs and the 500 pulls it like a champ.
That being said I purchased the RTV 500 for a few reasons
1) Gas engine that is extremely quiet
2) Fuel Injected for quick easy starts
3) Narrower width, it's able to fit in most any atv trail
4) Lighter weight so it's not as apt to get buried in mud as the other RTVs when going down atv trails
5) I picked it over competitors similarly sized units because of the hydro tranny, a set of brakes should last for a very long time on these...you never need them unless you're shifting
6) The 500's shift much easier than the other RTV's....for some reason it doesn't driveline lock up like the others
7) The fuel economy is crazy, you keep looking at the gauge on the tank and wondering if it's working still
The only big downside I've seen so far is the aftermarket accessory suport for the RTV 500 isn't great...you can get anything you want for a Rhino or Ranger but for an RTV you better make it yourself or buy from the dealer.
This is my 500
Had it for a just over a year and so far no regrets, it's done everything I've wanted and more so far...even pulls the bassboat under the tarp in the background...it's a fully rigged tourney boat so it's 2500+ lbs and the 500 pulls it like a champ.
I have a 900 and my Dad has a 500. He did get the electric over hydraulic dump for the bed which seems to work well but it's quite slow and I don't know if it could dump a bed of rocks.
If you're in-and-out of the seat a lot (as it is with me as most of my runs are short before I have to get off to do something), an 1100 with the cab doors can be cumbersome. If you're sitting in the seat for awhile (e.g. plowing or bordercollies seat time spraying) the cab with heat, A/C and stereo would be very nice. The 1100 does have a larger engine.
Considering your initial use of rock hauling, my gut feeling is the 900. Has the diesel and higher load capacity over a 500 but doesn't have the glass cab as found in the 1100. (Rocks and glass don't get along nicely...). The extra HP the 1100 has over the 900 is pretty much negated as that extra power is to handle the extra weight of the machine due to the cab.
As I'd recommend to all new buyers, see if you can get a demo RTV brought to your place so you can try it on your terrain and under your terms. In your case, a test drive of each model would be ideal.
If you're in-and-out of the seat a lot (as it is with me as most of my runs are short before I have to get off to do something), an 1100 with the cab doors can be cumbersome. If you're sitting in the seat for awhile (e.g. plowing or bordercollies seat time spraying) the cab with heat, A/C and stereo would be very nice. The 1100 does have a larger engine.
Considering your initial use of rock hauling, my gut feeling is the 900. Has the diesel and higher load capacity over a 500 but doesn't have the glass cab as found in the 1100. (Rocks and glass don't get along nicely...). The extra HP the 1100 has over the 900 is pretty much negated as that extra power is to handle the extra weight of the machine due to the cab.
As I'd recommend to all new buyers, see if you can get a demo RTV brought to your place so you can try it on your terrain and under your terms. In your case, a test drive of each model would be ideal.
Doc, with my 900, I would probably have to do the "very hilly" in Low if I wanted to climb. H wouldn't be for loads. It would be good to test one before you made the decision. bordercollie
My Kubota tractor is much the same in that with a load I need to be in Low. Without a load I can traverse most of the hills in Medium. I rarely use High. I suspect the RTV diesel would be much the same as the hydrostat tractor.
As for a demo, I would only do that if I were ready to buy. If I buy now it would have to be a used RTV, most likely a 900. I prefer not to have an enclosed cab. Maybe the dealers will have a used 900 but I kinda doubt it. Still I'll keep an eye out as ya just never know what might pop up.
As for a demo, I would only do that if I were ready to buy. If I buy now it would have to be a used RTV, most likely a 900. I prefer not to have an enclosed cab. Maybe the dealers will have a used 900 but I kinda doubt it. Still I'll keep an eye out as ya just never know what might pop up.
yeah, I'd guess they are few and far between. I shopped for nearly new tractors for 2 years before I gave up on used and bought new. Same thing could happen with this. Right now I sure could not afford a new 1140 even if that was the model RTV that I was after. Thanks for the update though.
Doc, The right opportunity will come around, just continue with your research, and you will be ready to pull the trigger when it does. bordercollie
2810guy
Member
Hi Doc; i am sold on the 900, especially the hyd. dump. The machine i was first dealing on did not have a hyd dump standard. Im glad the dealer sold it on me by mistake. (can you say opsie?) The dealer made it right for me by their mistake too.You said you didnt want an enclosed cab, me too but i did get a glass windshield for mine, the windshield also tips out at the bottom when it warms up. The windshield makes a BIG difference with the wind and rain. I am also going to get a piece of 1/4" Lexan for the back window. This also will help a lot and added protection. Going to put more lights on too when it warms up. . .John
Attachments
As you can see, I also have the self-powered snow blower which attaches to the RTV. I only need it a few times a year, when a heavy snow has fallen and the snow banks on the side of my narrow road leave me nowhere to push the snow with the plow. You can see me using it on You Tube at: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73BEgcHHzs[/ame]
Between the plow (which does 90% of the work) and the blower, I can handle all the snow Nature throws at us.
