Mule Questions

firefighter9208 · Oct 12, 2009

I plan to buy a 4010 Transmule this week. Here are my questions:

1. Diesel or Gas. I WANT the diesel, but can get a fuel injected gas version for $1500.00 less. Is the diesel worth the extra cost????

2. How much gas does the gas version use??? I have a Grasshopper with a 23HP Kohler and it drinks the gas. Don't want a mule I can't afford to drive.

3. Is $11,000 (tax included) a good price on the diesel version. Top and windshield add $700.00 to that.

4. He offered me an 09 4010 Transmule Gas version for $9600.00 (tax included) plus $700.00 for top and windshield? Is this a good price???

Please don't try to get me to buy a Kubota or Polaris. I can't fit in the Polaris Crew (I'm 6'9" tall) and the Kubota Crew is more than I want to spend.

Chris
Help me make this decision.

Happyman · Oct 13, 2009

I have the 3010 trans 4x4 mule in gas. Go for the gas model. I work the crap out of mine and it just sips the fuel. Diesel unit costs more and is a much louder engine. I would go for the 09' mule and save some $. I added a hydraulic bed lift, full skid plates for the engine, tranny and front CV joints as well as a 3,000 lb Warn winch on the front.
Like I said, I work the crap out of my mule and it has never let me down. I wish I had the newer version (09' and later) because you get electric assisted steering and fuel injection. Mine has a carb and no power steering. But I love her anyway!

Hope my opinion helps.

Jimbrown · Oct 13, 2009

I have a 3010 trans I like it. It goes anywhere I want to go. I does not use much gas for small jobs and just going around the place but it does seem to use more than I expect when I run it for long distance at full speed. 5 or 6 miles at a constant 25MPH.

I would go for the 09 gas. Thos prices look good to me. They do not discount them around here.

firefighter9208 · Oct 15, 2009

Thanks guys. I ended up buying a 2010 Diesel Transmule for 11,250 with top and windshield, tax and all. It is a little louder than the gas version, but I just like Diesel. We'll see. I put about 3 miles on it last night.

Can't wait to get home from work today and play, I mean work it out.

Chris

nickel plate · Oct 15, 2009

I just brought home my new 2008 Trans Diesel with 37 hours/137 miles-yes, that averages 3-3/4 mph! Has full warranty, etc. Your price for windshield and top for $700.00 is great concidering that is less than the Kawasaki list price for each of those items.

firefighter9208 · Oct 15, 2009

It is a GR windshield and top. I didn't go with the Kawisaki items. They were too rich for my blood. How do you like the Diesel. Mine was vibrating a lot at first, but has stopped. I think it needed to break everything in.

I hope to put a couple hours on it today.

Chris

rut3556 · Oct 18, 2009

>>It is a little louder than the gas version, but I just like Diesel.<<

Yup, that was my problem too!

(2008 3010)

firefighter9208 · Oct 19, 2009

Well it now has 14 miles and nearly 4 hours on it. Maybe I shouldn't have cussed that golf cart so much. Didn't realize how many miles I was putting on it.

My wife drove the Mule a good bit yesterday and she likes it. I'm also really happy with it so far.

also, the gas hand on the tank hasn't moved a bit. Hope I'm getting that good of "mileage".

Chris

purplewg · Oct 19, 2009

My $.02 is the diesel just isn't worth it anymore. It used to be you could buy diesel for 50-70 cents a gallon cheaper than gas. Now you pay more for diesel than gas.

I paid $6000 extra for the diesel in my truck. I haul a lot with it so I hope over 5-6 years I break even on the fuel mileage versus the initial cost.

For these little things I would stick with gas. If you loose an engine it is far cheaper to buy a new gas motor than a diesel replacement.

Just my thoughts.

firefighter9208 · Oct 19, 2009

I understand you exactly. I have a 99 F 250 with 186,000 miles. It has the 7.3 powerstroke diesel. If I were buying a new truck today it would be gas.

With the mule I was concerned about fuel consumption and towing power. I spoke with some guys on the RUV forums and they said their mules were using 1 gallon an hour (gas) and much less than that (diesel). Also, this is the first year for the fuel injection in the gas mules. The diesel in the mule is also a much larger engine that the gas engine. Diesel (953 cc, 3 cylinder) vs. Gas (617 cc 2 cyl). I drove both and the diesel had more low end grunt. Just what I need on the farm.

I also, can run the same off-road diesel that I run in my tractor. And I get a federal tax credit for the federal taxes paid on the fuel each year.

That puts diesel back cheaper, or as cheap, as gas.

Chris

rut3556 · Oct 19, 2009

Well, either you like diesels or you don't. It's not really about the cost of fuel.

Gary Robertson · Oct 20, 2009

Hey fellas, don't worry about the fuel consumption (gas or diesel) on the Mule. I have had 9 of them (not boasting, we just need them for our business purposes), and they all SIP the fuel!

For you guys that have bought the new Mules, just be sure to keep your foot out of the throttle for the first 10-hours or so. The rings need to seat properly on the pistons, the valves need to do their thing, etc. I have always been told to not run the Mules wide open (which is still only about 23mph) until you hit the 10-hour mark. Also, I ALWAYS changed my oil filters at the 10-hour mark, just as a precaution. They are very inexpensive, it is very quick to do an oil/filter change, and very simple. In addition, they don't hold much oil. So it is a quick and inexpensive way to be maybe help extend the life of the machine.

Thanks for letting me chime in.

Gary

rut3556 · Oct 20, 2009

>>Also, I ALWAYS changed my oil filters at the 10-hour mark<

Same on this end. It's nice to get all those iron filings out.

firefighter9208 · Oct 20, 2009

The thing that gets me about the owner's manual is there were no break-in instructions. I've tried to take it easy these first few hours.

Chris

Gary Robertson said:
Hey fellas, don't worry about the fuel consumption (gas or diesel) on the Mule. I have had 9 of them (not boasting, we just need them for our business purposes), and they all SIP the fuel!

For you guys that have bought the new Mules, just be sure to keep your foot out of the throttle for the first 10-hours or so. The rings need to seat properly on the pistons, the valves need to do their thing, etc. I have always been told to not run the Mules wide open (which is still only about 23mph) until you hit the 10-hour mark. Also, I ALWAYS changed my oil filters at the 10-hour mark, just as a precaution. They are very inexpensive, it is very quick to do an oil/filter change, and very simple. In addition, they don't hold much oil. So it is a quick and inexpensive way to be maybe help extend the life of the machine.

Thanks for letting me chime in.

Gary

viking · Oct 21, 2009

I'm with you on the diesel firefighter, it has to be better on fuel consumption than the gas version.

firefighter9208 · Oct 22, 2009

Viking,

Right now I have put 5 hours and 21 miles on the Mule and the guage hasn't moved. I know it's used some. I will wait until it's about empty and report back on the usage.

Chris

jetsons · Oct 23, 2009

I think you will enjoy your mule for a long time. I purchased a 2008 trans mule diesel and have enjoyed the economy and durability of the rig. I just put a cab kit on it mfg by Curtis so now I can enjoy it when it is cold out also, I would like to find a way to put a dash mounted fuel guage on it and cupholders , enjoy your new mule, John

rut3556 · Oct 23, 2009

>>I would like to find a way to put a dash mounted fuel guage on it<<

If yours sips fuel the way mine does, it's hardly worth the effort!

firefighter9208 · Oct 23, 2009

jetsons said:
I think you will enjoy your mule for a long time. I purchased a 2008 trans mule diesel and have enjoyed the economy and durability of the rig. I just put a cab kit on it mfg by Curtis so now I can enjoy it when it is cold out also, I would like to find a way to put a dash mounted fuel guage on it and cupholders , enjoy your new mule, John

Check out GR manufacturing for cup holders. They have a neat set on their website Home | GR Manufacturing, LLC. .

How much did that Curtis cab set you back??? If you don't mind me asking.

I kinda, would like a fuel guage on the dash, but don't think it's necessary because of the great fuel economy.

Chris

rut3556 · Oct 23, 2009

>>Check out GR manufacturing for cup holders<<

I checked it out, and it does look interesting. However, I'm a bit reluctant to drill all those holes in my hood/cowl. The other thing that's a bit irksome is they don't list any prices on the website nor do they tell you where to buy their products. I tried calling them, but got a recording. They have some interesting products, but clearly need to be schooled in the art of doing business.