Barebones Mule or your Suggestions

[firefighter9208]

That windshield style is one that I've looked at, but the bottom part folds forward so you can access the storage compartmet in the hood. The other is a one piece unit that goes forward with a hinge of some type at the top. The one piece windshield is a hundred bucks more then the middle folding one. Both seem to do the job, but I'm thinking of just waiting until I see them in person somewhere in the future.

I love the roof. In the summer, it is it's own shade, and nice to sit under it on a hot day. The other day, was down at my lake to take pics of the sunset and it started to rain. I noticed it was raining because the water went from being smooth as glass, to having rain drops hitting it. I didn't get any on me and I was able to take picture while it was raining!!!!!

I've thought about adding a rack to the roof for more storage and to mount off road lights facing in all four directions. I don't need it, but still think about doing it.

Thanks,
Eddie

Eddie,

I have this windshield from GR Manufacturing in Fort Worth,Texas. I think they even produce the tops there. Here is a link: Kawasaki Mule 4000?Series Windshield Utvproducts . I have been very pleased with it. It takes about 2 minutes to install and remove. The bottom section folds up and allows more than enough windflow here in the 100* Alabama heat during the summer. During our last snowstorm (sounds funny for Alabama) I drove the mule about 15 miles on the road @ 25 mph and didn't really get cold. The windshield does a really good job of blocking the wind. Of course I was wrapped up like an Eskimo.

I also have the GR top and with both can drive the mule in fairly hard rain w/o getting wet (unless it's blowing sideways).

Chris

 

[EddieWalker]

Melanie and I have been out playing in the mud on the Mule. It's 4 wheel drive with differential lock. I can have the lock turned on or off. I kept it off in case we got stuck. Then I have the hope that the extra traction will get us out. Fortunately, we never needed it.

The Mule is great fun for spinning the tires, splashing mud and chasing Oscar around the puddles. It's very stable, and goes into the mud and slides sideways without any hint of a roll. It just goes and goes and goes!!!!

Eddie

 

[texasjohn]

Wonderful to hear you on this thread again, Eddie !

Well, lookee there, Oscar's all growed up,

Dang it, stop bragging about how much water you have.....we're still in exceptional drought....beyond extreme

Glad the mule is still doing good for you. You, Melanie, mule and Oscar playing in the mud....gotta be fun times:thumbsup:

After watching this thread for a while, I got a Kubota RTV 1140, 2 seater plus dump. Love it!!
:thumbsup:

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations on your RTV. I really liked them too!!!!!

We're still real low on our lakes, but this is turning into a really strong storm. This is day one and I'm getting close to two inches. It's supposed to get heavier tonight and tomorrow.

That mud is in what is supposed to be a level pad. There are few low spots that are holding enough water to be FUN!!!! We can drive real fast on the dryer mud, then hit the water, make a big splash, and then take off out of the water and slide around on the mud.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

More fun with the Mule.

Mule 11 Dec 11 - YouTube

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Yesterday we where having some friends over and we wanted to add more seating. I bought a pair of seats from Northern Tool years ago for a jeep that I had, but never got around to using them. Searching through my scrap wood pile, I found some 3/4 plywood and short lengths of 2x12's that seemed like about the right height to mount the seats.

It rained during the day, so this worked out perfectly to show everyone around the land.

View attachment 323058

View attachment 323059

View attachment 323060

Eddie

 

[MarkV]

attachments didn't work for me Eddie.

MarkV

 

[EddieWalker]

Let me try again









Eddie

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I saw my first Chuck Wagon UTV yesterday that looked handy but do not know if they are in business today. It was RWD but you could lock the rear end into full time positive track if needed and transmission was F-N-R variable speed. It was a 2006 but looked new and top end speed was about 20-25 MPH. The engine was a 11 HP Honda. It had a roof, windshield and a 500 pound capacity manual dump box. While it was no Ranger I am sure that was reflected in the price.

 

[jinman]

Eddie, those are some mighty fancy rear seats for your Mule. I just throw some stadium seats in the back and let everyone fend for themselves.

 

[texasjohn]

good job...and when deer season arrives, you are ready!

 

[EddieWalker]

I just like how versatile the Mule is and being able to change it from something to haul stuff around, to going for a fun ride around the land to being able to shuttle people from one place to another. Being able to fit six people was really nice!!!

Eddie

 

[gatorguy7]

How about an update Eddie? I really appreciate all of the information in this thread. I'm in a similar situation now and am looking into the Mule and other UTV's. How many hours does your mule have now? Any Issues?

 

[EddieWalker]

How about an update Eddie? I really appreciate all of the information in this thread. I'm in a similar situation now and am looking into the Mule and other UTV's. How many hours does your mule have now? Any Issues?

No news is good news. It's proven to be a great purchase and one I would do again and highly recommend to anybody looking for a UTV. It's low enough to the ground that my elderly parents feel comfortable getting in and out of it. It's super easy to drive and for the first timers, there is no intimidation or issues with getting comfortable with it. Probably the most fun is when a friend comes over with a young kid and I let their kid drive it!!! It's no racer, but it's plenty fast enough for getting around on my roads and trails. The bed is big enough to haul most everything we need.

I bought a clear plastic windshield for it off of Amazon that has proven to be well worth the $40 I paid for it. I put it on last winter to keep the rain off my mom when she takes I to get the mail. That has made a huge difference in comfort on wet days. Same thing with just driving around when it's cold out. Having the windshield keeps the cold off your face and makes it a lot more comfortable. When it warmed up I was planning on taking it off, but we just unzipped it and rolled it up against the passenger side roll bar. It's a little dirty and not the greatest for looking for, but it's not so bad that anybody would think of removing it right now. Eventually I think I'll buy a solid windshield that we can keep clean and then remove when it's warm out.

Eddie

 

[gatorguy7]

Thanks for the update Eddie! Glad to hear all is well

 

[texasjohn]

How about an update Eddie? I really appreciate all of the information in this thread. I'm in a similar situation now and am looking into the Mule and other UTV's. How many hours does your mule have now? Any Issues?

:welcome:

After Eddie started this thread, and because he commented on how handy the Mule is, I ended up buying a Kubota RTV 1140, which has 2 bench seats or can be converted to one and a long dump bed. His comments would apply to the RTV as well.

I have 400+ hours on it so far. Love it. I leave it in the 2 bench seat mode all the time because I have other ways of hauling bulk loads. My wife loves to drive it. The power steering is grand. I have a fixed windshield and echo Eddie's benefits for it. I wish it were glass, but is plastic and scratches/gets dirty and needs cleaning from time to time. It is a real work horse and I have added over a dozen mods to it which make it customized for my use...gun racks, fishing rod holders, front and rear racks in the receiver hitches, front and rear LED lights, hood rack, ...to name a few. I have a small trailer I use to hold fencing and other tools and am pulling it about half the time when I am out and about, which is almost every day.

You are in florida and seem to like gators...maybe this means you need to traverse muddy conditions, if so, I would recommend the largest tires you can get without hitting wheel wells. Height and flotation are your friend. Also, a high rise air intake. The HST transmission has been grand for me. No problems.

 

[gatorguy7]

Thanks for that info! It can get pretty wet down here so new tires will be a must. I think its time to go for some test drives before I can make a decision. I like the idea of the 2 bench seat models mainly for the larger bed. I don't see myself taking many people very often but I'm sure that would change if I could!

 

[texasjohn]

I strongly recommend the two seat version...yes, more money, but WAY more versatile...I've been amazed how handy it is...pockets on back of front seat holds stuff, put buckets of tools, etc. on rear seat as quick storage running around the place. When folks visit, everybody just loads up and we all go...if a huge crowd, just let the tail gate down and carry a few extra beyond the 6 who are in the front seat. Kids love riding around and driving it...bed provides safe place to throw cubes to the cows...etc..etc...

not just new tires...taller tires....an extra half inch of ground clearance makes a difference with the longer bed...