J.D. 4 X 2 Trail Gator - need info

cowboydoc · Jan 14, 2004

jinman,

I'm not sure why the mule is so dang hard to start. There has to be something different between the two. It does have a manual choke. But the throttle assembly, idle etc, is different on them. If you open the bed you wouldn't know that they were both the same engine. It may be the carbs, I'm not sure. Rarely will we run the battery down. But it takes a good five minutes to get the mule going. My friends brand new one is the same way. In the summer we don't have any problems at all with it. I will say the new Mule that he has is way better than the one I have. That storage in the front is really nice. The bed is alot deeper as welll.

MiniOaksMocha · Jan 14, 2004

Thanks for all the replies. Been offline a few days. Went see a Gator 4x2 and the new Gator CX today. The Gator 4x2 is almost as big as my Nissan Pickup! Can't haul it in my 5' x 10' trailer, too wide. But it sure is well built, could use more ground clearance. The Gator CX is more in line with the size I'm looking for, but it sure seems cheap made - too much plastic, also worried about smaller 8 hp engine. So far, haven't seen anything I like better than the Mule 550. I have a 1994 Bayou 300 2wd which I believe has basically the same engine used in the Mule 550. Best ATV I've ever owned, can't seem to wear it out. Does anyone have any experience with the EZ GO carts, etc? Don't have a dealer close, but have seen a few units in Miss and Tx at horse arenas.

jinman · Jan 15, 2004

( Does anyone have any experience with the EZ GO carts, etc? ) 

I don't have any experience except looking closely at the Workhorse 350 and 480 which are the two major models. The 350 is 13 hp/2wd and the 480 is 16 hp 4wd. Their frames are pretty lightly built, but are very similar to the Mule 550. The 350 starts when you press on the accelerator pedal and the engine stops when you take your foot off. It's very much in operation like a golf cart. The 480 has bucket seats with a parking brake on a console between the seats. My NH dealer sells these units and they come with screwjack bedlift, windshields, and roofs in the package he sells. The 350 is about $6500 and the 480 about $7500. If you are interested, they are probably worth looking at. The local Tractor Supply stores in Texas also sell them.

Edit: Actually I made a mistake about the 350's hp. It's 11 hp instead of 13 hp. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

cowboydoc · Jan 15, 2004

If you want to pull anything I would think seriously about jumping up in size over the 550. We used to have one and it didn't even have enough power to pull a 4' harrow up a hill. The 2510 is not short on power. If you're just looking for something to run around your place you would be fine with a 550. Not much speed though.

Docsknotinn · Jan 15, 2004

A bottle of "Heet" dry gas in the tank might help out with those hard starts a bit. My Fun buggy is still starting at under 10 degrees ! lol, It just wont go any place /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Dave

art · Jan 15, 2004

( If you want to pull anything I would think seriously about jumping up in size over the 550. We used to have one and it didn't even have enough power to pull a 4' harrow up a hill. The 2510 is not short on power. If you're just looking for something to run around your place you would be fine with a 550. Not much speed though. )I see it I but don't believe it!

jinman · Jan 15, 2004

( My Fun buggy is still starting at under 10 degrees )

When it gets down to 10º here in North Texas, we go into hibernation. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ...but thanks for the tip. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif