Kawasaki mule pro 2015

[ultrarunner]

Thank to all here with the positive info on their experience with the PRO-FXT.

Just took possession of the LE model in red to use on our CA vineyard.

Now to do some additions...LOL

Charles

Look forward to updates... still looking for the perfect match of capable and price.

Were you able to find one local in El Dorado County?

 

[ultrarunner]

What do you use the winch for?

The reason I ask is several I have looked at had winches and the owners said they never or seldom used them.

 

[Tinstafl]

We have pulled a bathtub out of the creek that someone dumped. We have pulled trees that were down off the trail. we have used it to pull a stuck car up the driveway a bit till they could get traction on the flat. We also use it to pull downed stuff out of the pond that gets over by the overflow for the dam. I have used it to pull the zero turn that my grandson got high centered. I think we use it a couple times a week. If you can do it by hand it is easier to do it with the winch. it is more then just pulling yourself out of something.

 

[ultrarunner]

Makes sense especially with the pond.

I've had to winch out my BX a few times... just too steep to get traction and having to go get the chains and come along
meant a hike back to the barn.

 

[Tinstafl]

Also, if you ever want to put a lightweight snowplow on it, then you need one too. For small snowfalls that is the cheapest easiest way to clear the driveway.

 

[Code54]

Makes sense especially with the pond.

I've had to winch out my BX a few times... just too steep to get traction and having to go get the chains and come along
meant a hike back to the barn.

Had to chain the Mule to a tree and then ran the winch to my MX5100 on two occasions to get it unstuck. Took everything the 4500lbs winch had but it got it out both times and saved me a lot of grief! Love the Mule and the winch just makes it all the better.

Enjoy yours

 

[CharlieE]

Look forward to updates... still looking for the perfect match of capable and price.

Were you able to find one local in El Dorado County?

After looking i Sacramento and even Santa Rosa i was able to get it locally in shingle springs for the best price. I'm really glad too. Now to find a tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's great when you can make the deal local...

We have two Kubota TLB... the BX23 which has been amazing and the L3800.

Really depends on the work that needs to be done and how much time/money you can devote.

I do have a Deere 110 which has an awesome Back Hoe...

If I had to get rid of all but one I would keep the BX... it is my first TLB and is so economical to keep.

Shingle Springs also has the feed and ranch supply outfits... perfect for the area it serves.

 

[ripHST]

hey all,

What is your impression of the Mule when towing, dragging, etc? Do you have experience with anything like that yet? I recently started looking into them (long story but I was looking for a tractor and my wife is trying to get me to consider a UTV now and get a tractor later) and was thinking I would stay away from the CVT machines. I know that will incite some rioting with some folks, but it seemed like a bad format for doing grunt work, which is mostly what I would want it for. I was leaning toward the new Pioneer for that reason but I talked to the sales guy yesterday and he mentioned that Kawasaki (and maybe Yamaha) have a different design than the Polaris (for example) and maybe it's more suited to this kind of work. What are your thoughts? Have you tested it doing this kind of stuff? Have you tried the Honda (DCT) for comparison? I've had only a little experience with CVTs and always got the impression you had to rev it a lot before it would engage and couldn't imagine skidding even a small log or towing a heavy trailer with that type of engagement. (before you say it, I know, I need a tractor....due diligence and keeping the peace).

Sorry to highjack, but it sounds like Code got his machine and would love to learn from your experiences.

 

[TheGoose]

In 2009 I wanted to buy a UTV or a tractor. I really needed both. I bought the tractor first and then bought a UTV last year. Man I'm so happy I got the tractor first. The UTV compliments the tractor but the tractor is just so much more versatile. Having a Front End Loader saves you so much work and time. I strongly urge you to buy the tractor first. I bought a mule 4010 trans (older than the pro version) and so far I'm really happy with it. If you're looking for a tough farm machine look at the big kubota. As much like a tractor as you can get with a UTV.

hey all,

What is your impression of the Mule when towing, dragging, etc? Do you have experience with anything like that yet? I recently started looking into them (long story but I was looking for a tractor and my wife is trying to get me to consider a UTV now and get a tractor later) and was thinking I would stay away from the CVT machines. I know that will incite some rioting with some folks, but it seemed like a bad format for doing grunt work, which is mostly what I would want it for. I was leaning toward the new Pioneer for that reason but I talked to the sales guy yesterday and he mentioned that Kawasaki (and maybe Yamaha) have a different design than the Polaris (for example) and maybe it's more suited to this kind of work. What are your thoughts? Have you tested it doing this kind of stuff? Have you tried the Honda (DCT) for comparison? I've had only a little experience with CVTs and always got the impression you had to rev it a lot before it would engage and couldn't imagine skidding even a small log or towing a heavy trailer with that type of engagement. (before you say it, I know, I need a tractor....due diligence and keeping the peace).

Sorry to highjack, but it sounds like Code got his machine and would love to learn from your experiences.

 

[ripHST]

Yeah, I agree about the tractor. We'll see how it goes. I actually looked at a used Kubota and the same place that had the Mule and Pioneer. I dismissed it at the time because of some comments I read about it being not so good in mud, but the more I thing about it, it might be a good choice for the money...it's an RTV1140 and they're asking around $10k. If I do go UTV first, I could trade the RTV in for something a little more sport once I have the tractor.

 

[Code54]

To answer your question, the Mule tows extremely well. Honestly better than I thought. This week I was digging a bunch of french drains and moving a lot of dirt. I have a l4 wheel ATV wagon dump cart that is supposed to dump 1000 pounds. I loaded it at least 10 times (as in stacked so high the wet clay was trying to flop out) - the cart dumped it every time but strained quite a bit. Don't know what the exact load is but with the weight of the trailer I would think I easily had 1000lbs. I would take this from my yard, into the woods up a 50 yard steep hill (as in walkable but you lean way forward and sure know you are climbing it) and then to the dump area 500 yards away. never the slightest problem. My son tried doing the same with our Pioneer 500 but it couldn't make it up the hill and I had to push the trailer with the tractors bucket so he could quit spinning and get up the hill.

I also have hauled a lot with it and in Low it does great (Never tried hauling in high - figured it is not the best idea). It will never set any speed records but in low I have had logs filling the bed and stacked to the top of the headache rack (with straps to hold them in) and drive right up the hill to the house. I do this on a gravel road that is steep enough that in my pickup wants to spin going up if I don't lock it in 4x4(about ½ mile).

High will get up to about 40 on the flat, on a hill it will be less. I would say I use low 75% of the time I am using the Mule, the 25% of the time I use high I'm on the road running to neighbors or going out the lane for the mail. The factory tires are ok - not the greatest in my opinion. For working on gravel or hard pack they would be fine but I am down in the woods enough I needed stronger and gripper tires. I bought the Pitbull Growlers and been real impressed. I can leave it in tuff mode and go places I would have kicked it into 4x4 mode with the stock tires. They also handle weight better and seem to reduce body roll.

I had a RZR in the past and the CVT on the Mule is a totally different animal - MUCH smoother and it never seems like it is slipping like the Polaris. Granted the Polaris was a sport machine but I can't say I was a big fan of their CVT.

 

[ripHST]

To answer your question, the Mule tows extremely well. Honestly better than I thought. This week I was digging a bunch of french drains and moving a lot of dirt. I have a l4 wheel ATV wagon dump cart that is supposed to dump 1000 pounds. I loaded it at least 10 times (as in stacked so high the wet clay was trying to flop out) - the cart dumped it every time but strained quite a bit. Don't know what the exact load is but with the weight of the trailer I would think I easily had 1000lbs. I would take this from my yard, into the woods up a 50 yard steep hill (as in walkable but you lean way forward and sure know you are climbing it) and then to the dump area 500 yards away. never the slightest problem. My son tried doing the same with our Pioneer 500 but it couldn't make it up the hill and I had to push the trailer with the tractors bucket so he could quit spinning and get up the hill.

I also have hauled a lot with it and in Low it does great (Never tried hauling in high - figured it is not the best idea). It will never set any speed records but in low I have had logs filling the bed and stacked to the top of the headache rack (with straps to hold them in) and drive right up the hill to the house. I do this on a gravel road that is steep enough that in my pickup wants to spin going up if I don't lock it in 4x4(about ½ mile).

High will get up to about 40 on the flat, on a hill it will be less. I would say I use low 75% of the time I am using the Mule, the 25% of the time I use high I'm on the road running to neighbors or going out the lane for the mail. The factory tires are ok - not the greatest in my opinion. For working on gravel or hard pack they would be fine but I am down in the woods enough I needed stronger and gripper tires. I bought the Pitbull Growlers and been real impressed. I can leave it in tuff mode and go places I would have kicked it into 4x4 mode with the stock tires. They also handle weight better and seem to reduce body roll.

I had a RZR in the past and the CVT on the Mule is a totally different animal - MUCH smoother and it never seems like it is slipping like the Polaris. Granted the Polaris was a sport machine but I can't say I was a big fan of their CVT.

Good good stuff. That's what I was looking for. Thanks Code. Does that Pioneer 500 have the DCT? If so, what do you think about it? It's probably academic at this point....I'm leaning toward the mule based on what you've reported. Gotta drive them first of course.

 

[Code54]

The 500 has the same basic transmission as the foreman ATV (5 speed electric shift - paddle shifter in the case of the SxS). I love the transmission for riding in the woods and having fun. 1st gear is low and works good for spraying but the Mule is a much better worker overall. Throw the Mule in low and it is always in the right "gear".

I never had to change a belt on mine nor has mine ever chipped or slipped but when I talked to the local kawasaki mechanic he said it in not bad at all and not overly expensive.