Barebones Mule or your Suggestions

[EddieWalker]

Jim,

I've been wondering about the windshield and how you keep it clean. Without wipers, do you just keep a squeegy handy? I hope I spelled that so you can figure out what I mean!!!

I hate washing windows, and that's my biggest reason for not getting the windshield just yet. With winter only being two months long, and some of those days, not too bad, I'm unsure if I want it for the cold, but maybe the rain would be a good reason to get it?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[jinman]

Eddie, a squeegee (I've seen it spelled squeegie, squeegy, etc.) is probably okay, but overkill. We keep a rag (towel) handy and just wipe off the window when needed, but at the house we have a squeegee too. Rain makes the windshield less clear, but it's not like a car where you are driving fast and rain is a problem. the biggest problem is dew and frost if you leave it outside. We wipe dew off with a towel or squeegee. If you have one of the lexan windshields like ours, it can and does get scratched. The flat windshields from Essex seem to be very nice and they even have your choice of glass or plastic. Our molded plastic windshield gives some optical distortion, but the flat windshields should not. I may replace ours with an Essex one one day, but for now the plastic one is okay and it does a good job of keeping water and cold air directed around us rather than coming straight into our faces.

 

[EddieWalker]

Jim,

I just went down to Lake Marabou to take a few pictures and while driving back, I had a bug smack my on my forehead. I didn't think about blocking bugs with the windshield. What's sad is how much I was enjoying the breeze on my face.

Top speed is governed to 25mph, and I'm not even close to flooring it, and going plenty fast enough. Speed was never an issue, and it has plenty for my place.

I really have to thank you on getting 4wheel drive. I was going along a sandy area by the creek and all that loose soil really spins the wheels. I haven't had to use 4 wheel drive yet, but can sure tell that it's going to be needed.

Power steering is SOOO NICE!!!!!

I brought a few sacks of corn to my deer feeder with it and just love how much simpler and easier it is then my truck. The bed is easier to get into and the Mule is better for getting close to where I store the corn, and getting right next to the feeder.

Here's a few pics that I took this morning at Lake Marabou.

Eddie

 

[nickel plate]

Hello Eddie,
Good choice on your new 4010 Trans Mule. Assuming you have similar inboard wheel wells as my 2008 3010 Trans diesel Mule, get a piece of thick pickup truck rubber bedliner and cut to fit the top section of both wheel wells as it is a perfect place to set your and your passenger's outboard foot. Use a contact adhesive or your favorite method of stick. Excellent foot traction will follow.
I know they are pricey but now is the time to also install floor mats before you scratch up the floor paint and cause future rust issues.

 

[EddieWalker]

I was mowing around Lake Marabou with my Scag Wildcat riding mower and got a little too close to the water. I've done this more time then I can count, so it's not really a big deal. I just go get the backhoe or little tractor and pull myself out.

Today, I decided to try the Mule.

My Mom came along with me. In fact, she drove!!! I hooked up a chain, put it in 4 wheel drive and locked the differential. In Low, the tires just spun. I asked my mom to take over in the Mule and I got on the mower.

With just the slightest amount of wheel spin on the mower, the Mule pulled me right out. The problem with the Mule is it's just too light to get any traction for something like this. With two people, it worked, but next time, I'll just grab a tractor.

After it was out, my Mom took a picture of me in the drivers seat.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

My Mom and Dad in the Mule, then one of just my Mom.

I've never seen her so giddy. I don't know a better word. She's like a little girl. I've can't remember seeing her act so silly, or be so adventerous!!!!

She really LOVES the MULE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Looks like you're going to need a second Mule for you to drive :laughing: Glad you guys like the Mule so much :thumbsup:

 

[EddieWalker]

Now that we've had it a few days, it's become obvious that we want and need a lift for the bed. It's bed is big enough to get a really heavy load in it, and it would sure be nice to push a button or switch, and have it dump all by itself!!!!

The dealer told me that they sold two typs of lifts. An electric lift that's under $700 that works, but isn't very heavy duty. And a hydraulic lift that is very good will run $1,100.

Kawasaki has a lift on their website with a suggested MSRP of $969.95 Item # : KAF40T-009 Parts Detail Page - Kawasaki.com

There is one on Ebay for $819.95 that says it's for a 2009 and 2010 TransMule 4x4. From what I've seen, it's the same from 2009 to 2011. I have a 2011 TransMule. I sent the guy on Ebay a message to see if it is the same thing as listed on Kawasaki's website, and if it will work on the 2011 model years. KAWASAKI MULE 4010 TRANS 4X4 ONLY HYDRAULIC BED LIFT : eBay Motors (item 110465948766 end time Sep-30-10 11:52:29 PDT)

Any other suggestions or advice? Has anybody installed one of these? Anything to know?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[texasjohn]

Eddie, thanks for sharing the photos of your mom and dad..two fine folks there..obviously good times on the mule.... excellent choice, and I can't wait to see all the things you do to it over time....I don't think it's barebones anymore:thumbsup:

 

[jinman]

Eddie, I think for most instances, the lightweight bedlift will work fine. It will dump limbs, trash, and even light materials. The only time you will need more dump capacity is if you are hauling dirt. I'm not talking about mulch or compost, but rather sand and soil. If you are building flowerbeds or landscaping, then the materials you will carry can be dumped by the lighter bedlift. If you are hauling bricks or rocks and dumping them in a ditch for erosion control or riprap for your dam, then you'll need the heavier lift. The hydraulic unit certainly looks to be the ideal lift. If you are like me, I cringe when I have to spend 1/10th the price of the Mule on a single add-on item like the hydraulic lift, but when you figure the heavy duty lift is not that much more expensive than the light duty lift, you get back into the same argument that made you decide on the 4010 4x4 Trans Mule over the 610 Mule. It's a case of being prepared for the most you will ever need. My vote goes for the hydaulic lift, but for most jobs, I'm sure the electro-mechanical screwjack lift will do the job.

 

[Bird]

An electric lift that's under $700 that works, but isn't very heavy duty. And a hydraulic lift that is very good will run $1,100.

I'm not sure what he paid, but my brother had a dealer install the electric lift on his Mule. I've forgotten exactly how long the bed was on his Mule, but my B2710 had a 54" bucket on the FEL, so my brother drilled two holes through a piece of plywood and through the front corners of the Mule's bed, so with the tailgate open, he bolted down the plywood to make the bed 54" long. We loaded dirt from the side and would pile enough on there to have it falling off the sides and back, and that electric lift had no problem dumping that, sometimes sitting in one place and sometimes dumping "on the fly" to spread the dirt.

In other words, the electric screw type lift worked just fine, but naturally I would expect the hydraulic to be even better.

 

[nickel plate]

Nice photos of your folks but when I opened one up, I saw something that reminded me of a past incident-that ill designed emergency hand brake! Again, if your 4010 emergency hand brake placement is similar to my 3010, be extra careful when setting it on a hill and climbing out as the set button can easily be depressed by your leg or thigh and away goes your Mule..... It happened to me ONCE but I was lucky to catch and reset it as the hill wasn't too steep. Can't just shut it down in gear like a standard transmission so try a static test on fairly flat land and teach yourself and other operators to avoid body contact on that set button when entering and exiting the driver's seat.

 

[timswi]

Nice photos of your folks but when I opened one up, I saw something that reminded me of a past incident-that ill designed emergency hand brake! Again, if your 4010 emergency hand brake placement is similar to my 3010, be extra careful when setting it on a hill and climbing out as the set button can easily be depressed by your leg or thigh and away goes your Mule..... It happened to me ONCE but I was lucky to catch and reset it as the hill wasn't too steep. Can't just shut it down in gear like a standard transmission so try a static test on fairly flat land and teach yourself and other operators to avoid body contact on that set button when entering and exiting the driver's seat.

Very true...All UTV's sould have park and a foot operated parking brake. Why most don't is still a mystery to me. I have never needed to pull my e-brake during operating except to spin it out in the snow

 

[nickel plate]

The dealer told me that they sold two typs of lifts. An electric lift that's under $700 that works, but isn't very heavy duty. And a hydraulic lift that is very good will run $1,100.
There is one on Ebay for $819.95

If you decide to go with either of the hydraulic lifts, please post detailed installation photos.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Jim,


I hate washing windows, and that's my biggest reason for not getting the windshield just yet. With winter only being two months long, and some of those days, not too bad, I'm unsure if I want it for the cold, but maybe the rain would be a good reason to get it?

Thanks,
Eddie

Eddie,

If you don't want a windshield Northern Tool makes a bug screen Classic Accessories QuadGear UTV Windshield Small, Fits Kawasaki 610, Yamaha Rhino, Black, Model# 78617 | UTV Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

I don't how great the visibility is but I have thought about getting one. But will most likely make a windshield that is hinged in the middle so I can fold it down, like is on some golf carts. My problem is running into spiders on the trail. I think you made a great choice on the Trans Mule, I really like mine.

David

 

[firefighter9208]

Eddie,

If your going to add a top, I wouldn't worry about the bed lift just yet. Unless you buy the factory top you can't dump the bed with the mule in long bed (2 seat) configuration. The front screen will hit the top. The mule has to be in short bed (4 seat) configuration to dump. With the mule in short bed (4 seat) configuration it's not hard to dump by hand.

I have the GR manufaturing top and windshield on my Transmule. The top is economical and fits well. The windshield works well also. I bought both through my dealer for less money than the Kawasaki top.

I have had the mule out in a pretty good rainstorm and stayed fairly dry with the top and windshield. The windshield folds up at the bottom, so you can access the under hood storage and get air in the summer. Here's a link: Utvproducts My wife also bought me the Transmule Stereo system from GR manufacturing for Christmas last year. :thumbsup:

Chris

 

[MarkV]

Eddie that is cool!! I haven't followed UTV's closely and am really impressed with the rear seats folding up to create a larger bed. That seems like the best of both worlds to me. Almost makes me wish I had a bigger need for one.

MarkV

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie,

If your going to add a top, I wouldn't worry about the bed lift just yet. Unless you buy the factory top you can't dump the bed with the mule in long bed (2 seat) configuration. The front screen will hit the top. The mule has to be in short bed (4 seat) configuration to dump. With the mule in short bed (4 seat) configuration it's not hard to dump by hand.

Chris,

I've already paid for and ordered the factory top. Are you saying that the factory top will allow me to dump the bed with the back seat folded up and bed in the full size configuration?

This morning, I ordered the hydraulic lift for the dump bed off of ebay. $700 for the factory top and $820 for the lift is a lot of money. If they don't work together, I'm gonna be in trouble.

Guess I'll know soon enough what will or wont work.

Something that I've been wondering since pulling my lawn mower out of the mud with it, is mounting a tow hook to the front. Has anybody done anything like this? I figure that when I buy a tow hitch for the back, I'll be fine there, but I'd like something on the front in case I need to pull it for whatever reason.

Any thoughts or suggestions? There is a place for a winch, and I think that would be a good place to mount something.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Is there a hitch available for the front? My RTV 500 has a 2" hitch front and back so I just use a shackle receiver and switch it where I need it at the time.

 

[MarkV]

It just struck me that the title "Barebones Mule or your Suggestions" may not fit as well anymore. I think you are making the right choice Eddie. Buy it right the first time with everything that meets your needs and you will be happy for years.

MarkV