Kubota RTV 900 TURBO

Written by: C Blackmore.
Kubota is a name traditionally associated with tractors and diggers. But in the mid 2000’s Kubota took a leap into the ROV market with the RTV 900.

This was a side by side vehicle unlike others on the market. It was diesel, it was designed for work – not play, and it was bigger than other ROV’s of the time.

The Kubota RTV900 is a 3 cylinder, 900cc, diesel powered vehicle. Rated at around 20 HP from the factory, it can be operated in both two and four wheel drive and power is put to the ground through a hydrostatic transmission with three gears – Low, medium and high. The top speed is around 40 KPH or 25 MPH

Sitting in the operator’s seat, the first thing you notice is the ease in which the RTV 900 can be operated.

The operator sits on the left hand side and has a steering wheel, with two pedals for the main driving features. The left pedal is your brake and the right pedal is the throttle. Kubota’s RTV 900 operates a wet disc set up, which applies itself when you lift off the throttle, meaning the actual brakes don’t need to be applied as often.

To the right of the steering wheel are the 2WD to 4WD lever and the gear shifter. The transmission is to the right of this, with low, medium, neutral and high available for selection. There is a switch for operating the hazard lights below the gear shifter.

To the right we have our display gauges. On the left is a speedometer in MPH, then the temperature gauge, fuel gauge, turn signal indicator and at the top we find the hour meter.

Note that newer RTV 900’s have a digital dash and look a little different from this one.

The RTV 900 is designed for work. The rear cargo deck is tippable and can carry a load of 500 KG or around 1100 poundss, while the payload of the entire vehicle is around 740KG or 1630 pounds.

The tipper deck is operated by a lever to the left side of the driver, slightly above the hand brake which is also on the left side.

The off road tyres combined with 4WD means this thing can go more places than most. But while this RTV 900 is all about work – it’s not your average Kubota.

Here’s the secret ingredient: Forced induction! This particular RTV 900 was imported to New Zealand from the USA, where it was fitted with a turbo kit prior to shipping. Specific details on the kit itself are scarce. But the tiny little snail provides a bit more punch than Kubota intended from the factory, along with a magnificent exhaust note. As you can see here, the exhaust dumps straight off the turbo and the air intake is a ‘custom’ high intake to ensure no issues in any water crossings the Kubota might come across.

The battery is hidden below the left side of the seat, a spotlight has been fitted to the roof as a reversing light and the whole thing has had a colour change prior to it’s arrival in New Zealand.

This Kubota RTV900 even has a tow bar fitted to the rear, allowing you to haul even more of a load when required.

If you happened to pass the Kubota RTV900 on the roadside, you wouldn’t give it a second glance. It’s just another hard-working utility vehicle used around the world to keep things moving.

But as we’ve learned looking at this particular example, things might not always be what they seem and a closer look can always be worth the extra effort.

The RTV 900 was a bit of an oddity when it came out, it was bigger than other ROV’s of the era and was released into a market mainly focused on recreation. Yet since it’s first year of production, the Kubota has gone from strength to strength and become THE go to model of utility based side by side.

In my home town of Tauranga, New Zealand – it’s not uncommon to see RTV 900’s used by contractors to the local council while they maintain the city.

Over all, in stock form, this machine is king of it’s own world. But with a turbo added? It quite simply; can’t be beat.

The Kubota RTV 900. How good?!