2020 Kawasaki Mule SX 4x4 vs. Massimo T-Boss 410 4x4

[rhatfiel]

I'm curious the forums thoughts on what I've narrowed down my search to on buying a new SXS. We built a house on 3.5 acres and the SXS will be used for maintaining our tree line of Hedge Apples (really hauling cut limbs to the burn pile), moving dirt/mulch for beds, landscape, and plowing snow on our concrete driveway.

I narrowed down to the Kawasaki Mule SX and Massimo T-Boss 410 based on reviews, specs, and our needs.

It looks like the base MSRP on the Mule SX 4x4 is $8,099 + $500 rebate and the Massimo T-Boss 410 is MSRP $6,999. The difference comes in where the Massimo comes with a 3,000lbs winch, disc brakes, liquid cooled engine, larger fuel capacity (6.9gal vs. 4.2gal), a hydraulic assisted lift bed (vs. manual on the Mule), plus some nice accessories like speedometer (important to me for pacing fertilizer/weed control), side mirrors, plastic roof, and hitch receiver.

If I added the winch, roof/mirrors, hitch receiver, and speedometer to the Mule, the price on the Mule comes out to $1,500 more than the Massimo.

Anyone have experience with both? Seems like the Massimo gets great reviews and comes with some great features for the price. Hard to justify the extra $1,500 for the Kawasaki unless someone has some major concerns?

 

[Peter 315]

My buddy has a Massimo from TSC Biggest of junk... I'm looking at a MULE SX 4x4 XC FI to buy for the wife......

 

[LouNY]

I was going back and forth last year about which one to get and ended up choosing between a Mule Pro-FX
and a Massimo/Bennchee Warrior 800.
I ended up with the Warrior 800 it has been good for me so far, was it the right choice I don't now yet it was well over $2000 less almost 3.
The trouble that I have had with was my own doing, had an antifreeze comparability issue, since recovered from and working good.

 

[Code54]

Mule without a doubt. They are VERY well proven to be reliable and a solid work machine. Plus it is easy to get parts from dealers or online if you would ever need anything.

 

[Tippmann98]

The Massimo might be fine when it is new but once it needs parts replaced, where will you find them? I personally think you get what you pay for and would go for the Mule if that is the only other one you are considering. We have had very good luck with Polaris over the past 15 years. But I realize the Mule may offer you something that a Ranger 570 would not.

 

[Zebrafive]

I also vote Mule. A roof is nice. Do you have to have winch? You could use your phone for speedo GPS has one, do you need mirrors? Power dump would be nice.

I'll bet the Mule would out last 4-5 Massimos. I would pay more for a Mule.

 

[Bocephous]

I have no experience with either, but my vote goes to the Kawasaki. I've owned Japanese motorcycles/ATV's/vehicles for most of my life; they have been extremely reliable, and parts have always been easy to find. I'd never even heard of Massimo til I read this post.

 

[nybirdman]

Run from Massimo!NO comparison at all.Kawaski's are proven machines;had mine since 1998.A friend was a mechanic at a local dealer that sold Massimo and Yamaha;again no comparison.

 

[rhatfiel]

I also vote Mule. A roof is nice. Do you have to have winch? You could use your phone for speedo GPS has one, do you need mirrors? Power dump would be nice.

I'll bet the Mule would out last 4-5 Massimos. I would pay more for a Mule.

Thanks for all of the thoughts. Hoping I can talk a Kawasaki dealer down a bit on MSRP seeing some lower prices elsewhere.

Specific to the above, the winch would be only if I went with an aftermarket plow. Otherwise, no, if I go with an electric lift snow plow. Speedo and mirrors would be nice primarily for having things ready to go as I spray with a pull behind broadcast sprayer.

 

[rhatfiel]

My buddy has a Massimo from TSC Biggest of junk... I'm looking at a MULE SX 4x4 XC FI to buy for the wife......

I admit, I am learning a lot about these. Looks like the XC has 26in tires with 12in rims vs. 24in tires and 10in rims on the base 4x4 model. If I do not really need the ground clearance, any other reason to get the XC vs the base model for $400 more?

 

[Peter 315]

I admit, I am learning a lot about these. Looks like the XC has 26in tires with 12in rims vs. 24in tires and 10in rims on the base 4x4 model. If I do not really need the ground clearance, any other reason to get the XC vs the base model for $400 more?

No not really unless you want the bigger tires and a little more ground clearance ....

 

[Code54]

Bigger tire = better ride as well as more ground clearance. The little bit larger rim may also open up more future tire choices. Also ground clearance is something that comes in handy and something you may not realize you need until you need it. A little bit of mud will cut your clearance quickly.
Good luck on your purchase.

 

[Zebrafive]

I agree, more tire choices. Is that the only difference? I have not researched this model.
I have been looking at JD Gators, the series I am looking at comes standard with 25" or 26" tires (depends on tread) on 12" wheels. To up grade to 27" tires on 14" wheels is $500 for steel wheels and $915 for aluminum wheels, MSRP.
So $400 is probably "in the ball park" Did this get you aluminum wheels too? If so, I would up grade.

 

[rhatfiel]

I agree, more tire choices. Is that the only difference? I have not researched this model.
I have been looking at JD Gators, the series I am looking at comes standard with 25" or 26" tires (depends on tread) on 12" wheels. To up grade to 27" tires on 14" wheels is $500 for steel wheels and $915 for aluminum wheels, MSRP.
So $400 is probably "in the ball park" Did this get you aluminum wheels too? If so, I would up grade.

Wheels are exactly the same except the difference in size. So really just the extra clearance and sounds like maybe more options for replacing tires down the road.

 

[Zebrafive]

I admit, I am learning a lot about these. Looks like the XC has 26in tires with 12in rims vs. 24in tires and 10in rims on the base 4x4 model. If I do not really need the ground clearance, any other reason to get the XC vs the base model for $400 more?

Looking on Kawasaki's web site, comparing 2021 SX FI to 2021 SX XC FI the difference is $300, if you can find a 2020 SX XC FI it is $200 more than a 2021 SX FI.


The only other difference is color choice. SX FI red or green, SX XC FI blue or green.


So if you want blue and bigger tires/wheels $200-$300 more.
If you want red, ask how much to put 12" wheels on it trading the stock one in. They may or may not be willing do this upgrade.
Maybe they have some one wanting blue, but not wanting to pay $300 more, and not caring about 10" or 12" wheels?

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 2011 Kawasaki Mule. When I was looking, it came down to Kubota or Kawasaki. I liked the features and ride of the Kawasaki better, but it was splitting hairs. Kawasaki also had better financing, where Kubota wanted me to pay for insurance on the loan, along with the loan payments. I put $2 grand down and paid off a 6 year loan in two years. I like to do that because there is no pressure to make bigger payments, but easy to do when I have the extra cash.

I do not own or know of anybody that has a Massimo. I would be very hesitant to be an off brand that did not have a good source of parts or dealer support. I've had a few issues with my Kawasaki, and they where all handled under warrantee by Kawasaki. The main issue was in a carbon build up on a smog sensor. First time they cleaned it up and it worked great. But then it happened again and even though I was past my warrantee time, Kawasaki admitted that it was a design flaw and they replaced it with a newer design that solved the problem without costing me a dime.

I've broke things on it, and there are tons of sources for parts. I recently replaced my fuel pump. Kawasaki wants $700 for the pump, but since there are so many of them out there, I found an aftermarket fuel pump on Amazon for $170 that is working great.

What happens in ten years if you need a fuel pump for a Massimo? Will you find it, will you be able to afford it, or will you have to park it and never use it again?

I also found a leak in my brake system while doing the fuel pump. I bought the tubing that had developed the leak online and it arrived the other day. Cost was $40 including shipping, which was a bit expensive, but it was easy to find the exact part and have it delivered.

Buying Kawasaki allows me to fix it, keep it running and never stress over finding parts.

 

[rhatfiel]

Quick update. Found an in-state dealer with what was at least advertised as a screaming deal on the base Mule SX 4x4 (turned out to be a good deal, but lots of fees added to the advertised price, which made it not a screaming deal). Took it to my local dealer 12mi away, and they beat it ever so slightly. Then I asked if I could pay the $300 difference for the Mule SX 4x4 XC. Dealer says, "sure!".

So, I ended up with the Mule SX 4x4 XC model at a sale price of $6,956 vs. MSRP of $8,399. The $500 rebate from Kawasaki helped us both. $8,400 out the door.

 

[EddieWalker]

Sounds like you got a great deal

 

[Code54]

Congrats! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Peter 315]

Nice deal post some pictures when you get it...........