Help graduating from a golf cart. Kawasaki Mule?

[aczlan]

AND, the slower speed over the Ranger will make you feel better when friends, family or children drive off on it. Good all around choice.

That was one reason we liked the RTV500. Its fast enough to get around, but slow enough that we don't worry about letting cousins, grandkids, etc drive it...

Aaron Z

 

[westtx28]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I went back to Polaris/Honda/Kawasaki dealer and drove a Mule 600, 610 and Ranger 570. I really like the Mules. Even the 2wd 600 would be fine for me. The sales guy had to fool with the choke on the 600 more than I would have liked to have seen to get it started. And it was over 100 degrees outside. I just wish the 600/610 had efi. The Ranger is great but for some reason just not for me. Too loud, don't care care for or need the speed. You guys that have and love them are definitely more cool and awesome than me.

I am going to Kubota in the morning. I'm really wanting to like the 400ci as an efi alternative to the Mule. The reviews seemed a little negative when they came out but I can't find much posted in the last year. Don't know if that's good or bad. I have a L3800 HST and I totally get those who recommend the RTV 500. I'll certainly give it consideration but I'm just not planning on doing the kind of work I think that drivetrain was designed for. That's what the tractor is for. My thread title was a little misleading. My old electric golf cart really has done everything I asked it to do. I just can't charge it at the new property.

I'll post back what I end up with. Thanks again.

 

[PapaPerk]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I went back to Polaris/Honda/Kawasaki dealer and drove a Mule 600, 610 and Ranger 570. I really like the Mules. Even the 2wd 600 would be fine for me. The sales guy had to fool with the choke on the 600 more than I would have liked to have seen to get it started. And it was over 100 degrees outside. I just wish the 600/610 had efi. The Ranger is great but for some reason just not for me. Too loud, don't care care for or need the speed. You guys that have and love them are definitely more cool and awesome than me.

I am going to Kubota in the morning. I'm really wanting to like the 400ci as an efi alternative to the Mule. The reviews seemed a little negative when they came out but I can't find much posted in the last year. Don't know if that's good or bad. I have a L3800 HST and I totally get those who recommend the RTV 500. I'll certainly give it consideration but I'm just not planning on doing the kind of work I think that drivetrain was designed for. That's what the tractor is for. My thread title was a little misleading. My old electric golf cart really has done everything I asked it to do. I just can't charge it at the new property.

I'll post back what I end up with. Thanks again.

The Kubota 400 is noisy and vibrates badly. I didn't like it. And I love Kubota products!

 

[aczlan]

The Kubota 400 is noisy and vibrates badly. I didn't like it. And I love Kubota products!

I agree. We demoed a RTV400 before we got our RTV500 and the 500 is much smoother. It also it starts easier (its fuel injected and water cooled vs being carbureted and air cooled).
Its also smoother to speed up and slow down.

Aaron Z

 

[westtx28]

Well ****. Just got back from the Kubota dealer and like I said was really hoping to like the 400. It started amazingly well and the noise and vibration really wasn't bad at all at idle. As the rpm's went up a bit so the the thump and vibration. Sure could feel it in the back and nether region. The 500 is so much smoother. I could actually carry on a conversation with the sales guy. It's overkill for what I need and a lot more than I want to spend but it sure is a nicer ride. For the price I still really like the Mule but I'm all caught up on wanting EFI.

I just thought about it now but i assume RTV500 requires a warm up period for the HST fluid? You can't just fire it up and go full out can you?

 

[PapaPerk]

Well ****. Just got back from the Kubota dealer and like I said was really hoping to like the 400. It started amazingly well and the noise and vibration really wasn't bad at all at idle. As the rpm's went up a bit so the the thump and vibration. Sure could feel it in the back and nether region. The 500 is so much smoother. I could actually carry on a conversation with the sales guy. It's overkill for what I need and a lot more than I want to spend but it sure is a nicer ride. For the price I still really like the Mule but I'm all caught up on wanting EFI.

I just thought about it now but i assume RTV500 requires a warm up period for the HST fluid? You can't just fire it up and go full out can you?

I wouldn't let the carb scare you. I prefer their simplicity over efi and computers for small equipment. I can fix a carb!

 

[klm]

If you liked your 2wd golf cart you will love a Kawasaki 610, nice simple frill free go anywhere, easy on/off, do anything kind of machine. Have not had a lick of trouble out of my 2007. Uses almost no gas, in fact I forget all about checking for weeks at a time. I would not recommend a 600, full time 4wd is not the way to go.

 

[PapaPerk]

If you liked your 2wd golf cart you will love a Kawasaki 610, nice simple frill free go anywhere, easy on/off, do anything kind of machine. Have not had a lick of trouble out of my 2007. Uses almost no gas, in fact I forget all about checking for weeks at a time. I would not recommend a 600, full time 4wd is not the way to go.

I concur! (0:

 

[westtx28]

If you liked your 2wd golf cart you will love a Kawasaki 610, nice simple frill free go anywhere, easy on/off, do anything kind of machine. Have not had a lick of trouble out of my 2007. Uses almost no gas, in fact I forget all about checking for weeks at a time. I would not recommend a 600, full time 4wd is not the way to go.

Well, you are correct. Last weekend I went out and bought me a 2015 610XC. I am really happy with it. It goes plenty fast for me, in low, and compared to my old golf cart rides like a dream.
I really wanted to like the RTV400 but the noise and vibration made it way less attractive than the mule. I came very close to stepping up to the RTV500 but it was just way overkill for my intended use. Plus I really like the storage on the 610. That bonnet or whatever you call it is great. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[bumperm]

Surprised no one suggested another cheaper option, albeit now a bit late as you have a new toy :c). However for others needing to charge an electric golf cart at a remote off-grid site, you might consider installing solar panels and a solar charge controller for the required battery bank voltage (typically 36 or 48 volts)s. The solar system could serve other purposes with the addition of an inverter for AC power etc.