Kubota RTV500 – Specs, Attachments, Prices

The RTV 500 is a Kubota made utility vehicle, designed both to haul cargo and transport people.  It has a liquid cooled, 2 cylinder, 4 cycle, Kubota GZ460 gas engine, with a power output of 15.8 hp at 456 rpm.

It has a standard differential lock, with a maximum travel speed of approx 0-25 mph. It has a towing capacity of approx 1102 lbs, and  a maximum cargo bed load of 440 lbs.

Kubota RTV 500 Specifications

All details relating to specifications, parts and attachments are approximate and should be checked with the manufacturer before any purchase or repair is made.

This in part is because changes can be made to a particular model over the years of production, and also a number of websites carry detailed technical information, which can sometimes slightly differ.

When checking exact specifications for a Kubota RTV500, there are a number of areas to check :

RTV500 Body color

• Normally orange
• Sometimes camouflage

RTV500 Engine

• Make
• Type – number of cylinders and cycles
• Displacement
• Horsepower
• Cooling system
• Battery

Transmission

Gear selection

Maximum traveling speed

RTV500 Four wheel drive system

• front differential
• rear differential

Steering

RTV500 Brakes

• front brakes
• rear brakes
• parking brake

RTV500 Suspension

• front suspension
• rear suspension

RTV500 Ground clearance

• front
• rear

Headlights

Occupant protective system (OPS)

• ROPS structure
• seat belts
• certification

RTV500 Dimensions

• length
• width
• height, overall
• front tread
• Ria tread
• wheelbase
• turning radius

Weight

Towing capacity

Payload capacity

RTV500 Cargo bed

• material
• width
• length
• volume
• bed height
• cargo bed load
• dumping system

Fuel tank capacity

RTV500 Sound rating at operators ear at maximum rpm

Tires – front and rear

• ATV
• HDWS
• Turf

Front gard design

Alloy wheel

Hydraulic bed lift

Spray on bed liner

Kubota RTV500 Problems

Problems can occur with any RTV , either new or secondhand. Sometimes these problems are to do with defects in the machine, or with parts and sometimes they are to do with poor maintenance or simple checks and remedies.

Below are listed some of the most common problems with the Kubota RTV500, and some general ideas as to how these problems can normally be dealt with.

RTV500  Won’t start

Check the following

• Check the transmission gear shift lever. It may not be in the right position. Place the range shift lever into neutral and check the engine throttle lever is not put forward. Move the throttle half or full impulse.
• Check and see if the battery connection is loose or corroded. Check connections and retighten it necessary
• Check and see if the fuel shutoff valve is closed.
• Check and see if the fuel is either stale, or at an improper fuel level. Drain the tank if necessary of all fuel and refill.
• Check if the engine oil viscosity is correct or not, and if not completely change the oil in the tractor.there
• Check and see if the fuel filter is plugged, and if necessary place.
• check if the air intake filter is plugged, and if it is clean or if necessary replace the air filter elements.
• Checked to see if any of the fuses have blown and if necessary replace one or all of them.

RTV500 Won’t start, just clicks

Check the following

• Could be potential battery issues. Check that all the motor and battery connections are clean and tight.
• Check the battery voltage and its holding power and replace it necessary.

RTV500 Turns, but will not start

Check

• The fuel may not be getting to the cylinder. check the fuel level, the shutoff valve and the fuel filter.
• Check the air filter. It may be too cold for the cylinder to combust mixture of air and fuel.
• Move the throttle back to idle and then half throttle and attempt to restart

Starting diesel engines in cold weather

Check

• Use proper seasonal diesel blends. Winter blends have certain additives to ensure that they remain liquid when it is cold.
• Watch and check for bio diesel percentages
• idle the engines for a time before using, this increases its efficiency and range.
• Maintain the cooling system properly. Check the overall level and quality of coolant.
• Use various engine starting aids if necessary. Some of the most common are glow plugs, intake preheaters and block heaters.
• if the engine fails to start, this could be due to the cold start system malfunctioning, the fuel injectors may be dirty or there may be a faulty switch.

RTV500 Engine Problems.

Either the engine went start, or it is hard to start or start and then stalls. Check the following :

• There may be no fuel flow. check the tank, hoses, feel shutoff valve and fuel filter. Make sure they are all functioning properly and that there are no leaks from any of them.
• The exhaust smoke may be black. This may be due to too much oil, a clogged air filter or dirty fuel.
• The exhaust smoke may be blue or white. This may be due to fuel inside the muffler, a clogged fuel injection nozzle, poor quality fuel, a defective thermostat or that may be sediment in the fuel which may also be stale.

RTV500 Engine may be overheating.

Check the following

• The engine may be overloaded, in human terms too much may be asked of it. Lighten the load or shift to a lower gear
• The coolant level may be low check and see if it needs refilling and also check the hoses and radiator to make sure there are no links or loose connections.
• There may be a blockage in the coolant system that is affecting its flow. Best thing to do is to completely flush the whole coolant system and replace as necessary.
• The fan belt may be loose or damaged. It should be easy to check for wear and tear and any tension and replace as necessary.
• The radiator core or screens and dirty and simply cleaning them maybe enough to solve the problem.

RTV500 Steering issues.

Normally the steering either feels a bit loose or may pull to one side.

• Check the steering fluid. Check the hydraulic oil level, and check for any leaks.
• Tires may be a bit low or flat. Check for low tire pressure and reinflate all replaced if needed.
• The steering linkage may be in need of lubrication.
• If there is too much play in the steering wheel, and none of the above again difference them advice and assistance should be sought from the nearest Kubota dealership, as this could be a real safety concern.

RTV500 Troubleshooting

The manual for the Kubota RTV500 is likely to have a section entitled troubleshooting or something similar. This information is also often found on a number of major Kubota websites, either entitled troubleshooting, resources or FAQ.

It mainly contains questions and answers on common problems and questions relating to Kubota machines generally, and can be a really useful source of advice.

Below are some of the main areas that are covered :

• How to obtain replacement owners manual or parts catalogue
• Free start-up checks. This can include removing debris from surrounding areas, checking oil levels and using fresh fuel.
• Follow all safety recommendations
• A recommended maintenance schedule
• How to change oil
• How to clean machine
• How to find the right spark plug
• How to lubricate gears
• How to maintain pistons and cylinders
• How to maintain air filters
• How to store when not in use
• Tire maintenance
• Which attachments are available
• How to obtain a wiring diagram
• Tracking adjustment if machine is putting to one side
• Type of fuel
• Warranty information, normally the type of coverage available depending if manufacturer or dealership warranty, and the length of the warranty as well.
• PTO problems
• Loader problems
• Steering box issues
• Starting problems
• How to fix attachments
• Optional extras as listed below
• Engine block heater
• Work lights, front and rear enabling high visibility at night
• Back buzzer
• Toolbox
• Horn
• Double acting remote hydraulic control valve
• Three point hitch
• Drawbar
• Top and filter kit

Kubota RTV500 Maintenance and Servicing

One of the best ways to prevent a lot of common problems is to make sure that the RTV500 is regularly serviced, and all the recommended checks are carried out in accordance with the schedule laid out in the sservice manual.

Check the owners service and parts manual for full details

• Check all the service intervals. These are normally something like daily checks every 50 hours, every 100 hours, every 200 hours, every 400 hours, every 800 hours, every 15:00 hours, every 3000 hours, every one year, every two years and service as required.
• Maintenance of loader, including daily checks, lubrication and tire inflation.
• How best to store tractor, in terms of inside/outside, draining of fuel, maintenance of battery and electrical systems etc.

Kubota RTV500 and Biodiesel fuels.

Many people like to use biodiesel fuels in their Kubota RTV500 , but it is an area that is slightly complicated. Anyone wanting to use this type of fuel should look into it carefully, check the nature of biodiesel fuels, check manufacturers advice on whether or not to use it in their engine and check potential problems it may cause. Below is a list of some of the things to consider.

• What is biodiesel
• Is it safe to use biodiesel in RTV engines – check with the manufacturer
• What are the advantages of biodiesel
• Biodiesel fuel storage guidelines
• How does using biodiesel fuel affect the engine warranty
• Potential drawbacks to using biodiesel fuel
• Cold weather flow degradation
• Stability and storage issues
• possible filter restriction and plugging
• possible fuel leakage through seals and hoses
• possible reduction of service life of engine components
• possible coaching/block injector nozzles
• possible crankcase oil pollution
• potential corrosion of fuel injection system
• possible seizure of internal components
• possible formation of sludge and sediments
• possible thermal oxidation of fuel at elevated temperatures
• possible steel and gasket material degradation
• possible compatibility issues with other materials used in fuel handling distribution and storage equipment
• possible reduction in water separator efficiency
• potential high acid levels within fuel system
• potential damage to paint is exposed to bio diesel
• emissions – check engine year of manufacture
• emissions – how to find engine emissions certificates
• emissions – check engines horsepower rating.

Buying a second-hand Kubota RTV500  checklist

Many problems arise with a Kubota RTV500 when it is brought second-hand. Below is a checklist of things to look out for when buying a used second-hand machine which if followed, may help to alleviate some of the more common problems.

• Check vehicle documents and service book, warranty documents, year of manufacture, any chassis number and any outstanding finance.
• Check tires and wheels for wear and tear. Make sure the tires are the same type on any one axle, check for rim damage and check we’ll attachment for weights
• Check gearbox, especially if any grinding noises during steering. Check differential lock engages and disengages, functional rear and front power takeoff, PTO shaft condition and any unusual noises.
• Check lifting mechanism, the hydraulic pump system, any hoses and cylinders
• Check all electrical systems, make sure it is a functional lighting system and test all electrical elements
• Engine and battery – check for leaks in the unusual noises when starting or idling, any abnormal exhaust colouration. Check battery maintenance and emission control
• Oils and liquids – check for any oil leaks and liquid levels, check engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, servo oils and gearbox
• Cabin and visibility – condition of drivers seat, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, display indicators working, front and rear windows free of damage and check windscreen wipers and mirrors are working properly.
• Overall condition – check the signs of repairs, proof that spare parts and accessories are original, check for any corrosion or rust and any unusual alterations to paintwork.

Kubota RTV500 Accessories and Attachments

There are a wide range of accessories available for Kubota RTV’s. depending on the vehicle, if it s new, second hand or ha sbeen adapted in any way. below are listed some of the main ones.

3 ft.³ rear salt spreader

3 ft.³ rear seed spreader

10 ft.³ cargo box salt and sand spreader

68 gallons sprayer system

Deluxe hydraulic controls and valve kits

Front hydraulic quick hitch

Commercial HD 60 inch Rotary Broom

Commercial HD front 72 inch straight and V blade

General duty front 72 inch straight blade

Cab Enclosures

• metal canopy
• black canopy
• Orange canopy
• plastic canopy
• tempered glass windshield
• laminated glass windshield
• hardcoded polycarbonate windshield
• metal door
• final door with metal frame
• metal rear panel
• external mirrors
• he took it
• windshield wiper kit
• interior dome light
• LED worksites
• front lights
• rear lights
• strobe lights
• acrylic windshield
• clear windshield
• tinted windshield
• uncoated polycarbonate windshield
• plastic canopy
• halogen worksites
• ROPS

Engine hand throttle kit

Front HT spring and damper kit

Backup alarm kit

Turn signal/hazard light kit

Front CV joint guards

Rear CV joint guards

Splash guard kits – front and rear wheels

Mirror kit for cab

Tail lamp guard

Halogen work lights

Plastic cargo bed liner

Vehicle and storage,

Trailer hitch ball mount kit

Rapid access cargo system

Backup beeper

Bed liner

Cabin heater

Console kit

Engine hand throttle kit

Fabric cover

Front accessory box

Front heavy load springs

Front heavy load Strutt

Front mudguard

Front trailer hitch and pin

Front work light

Glove box

Golf cage

Headrest

Hydraulic bed lift kit

Large front garden

Plastic canopy

Rear trailer hitch and pin

Sneh Blade

Speedometer

Winch mounting kit

FAQ

Kubota RTV500 Accessories,

Kubota RTV500 Price / For Sale,

Kubota RTV500 Problems,

Kubota RTV500 Craigslist,

Kubota RTV500 Diesel,

Kubota RTV500 Windshield,

Kubota RTV500 Problems – Starting,

Kubota RTV500 Problems – Engine,

Kubota RTV500 Problems – Transmission,

Kubota RTV500 Problems – Gearbox,

Kubota RTV500 Problems – Troubleshooting,