"turning up" 2016 Kawasaki Mule Pro-DXT

[quadmaster50]

I bought a 2016 Mule, it was a guiltless 2000LB turd mainly because of the EPA. I turned up the fuel as much as it would go and its still not smoking but i did notice it was a bit stronger. maybe 5hp? Anyone know these Yanmars better then me?

 

[Code54]

I personally went with the gas motor and it is not bad at all. I am disappointed to hear the diesel is not impressing you. I can't say we have any regrets buying ours. It has been a real workhorse. Good luck

 

[astrohip]

I have a 2015, gas engine, and love it. Best utility vehicle I have ever owned. Plenty of go, handles rough terrain surprisingly well.

 

[MF283]

The Yanmar wasn't built as a performance engine, other than low end grunt & getting task done. I've seen several diesel UTV's over the years, they just seem to be like dogs on a hot day, low end performance they seem to get it done though.
What are you aiming for by turning the fuel up?

Ronnie

 

[Maxify55]

If you were looking for speed, you bought the wrong machine.

My Yanmar diesel Ranger was and always has been my go to machine for pulling torque.

No need to bring gas motor up to 3000 rpm's to pull something.
A diesel can almost do it from 1500 rpm's.

Speed is for play.
Torque is for work.

You, my friend, have a torque monster.
Which it can also do but never with the neck snapping speed of a gas engine.

Your engine will far and away outlast the body and trans attached to it.
Given maintenance schedules are followed.

You bought a winner of a mule not a thoroughbred racer.

 

[gsldirtman]

Did you ever figure out how to turn yours up? I also have one and it is worthless. NO torque and no HP! Its a joke.

 

[Jackball]

Long time lurker here, checking in for the first time. I had to respond to the "worthless diesel Mule" thing and to let others know what it really is.

Well it's far from worthless.

I have a 2017 Mule DX LE Diesel. Power steering and a bunch of accessories.

Is it quick as a cat? No. I knew that before I bought it. It's suppose to go 30 mph. I have had it at 23 mph on a dirt road for only about 30 seconds and backed off. Fast enough for me and what I purchased it for.

Torque? Of course it's got torque. Yanmar diesel .... no problem! Working machine is what it is.

It's not designed for "mudfest" or "racing through the forest two track" Youtube videos.
Other machines are made for that stuff.

Before I got the mule I looked at the Polaris Ranger and the JD Gator's. I didn't know about the Mule until I seen one at a dealer. The size of the Mule attracted me. The usefulness/utilitarian design along with the reputation of durability helped guide me to buy.

Several years ago I had a motorcycle that was not fast like a street bike so it was rather boring on the road. It wasn't really good in the dirt and it didn't handle well there either. This bike was created and marketed to do all these things but it wasn't good at none of them.

Polaris RZR is great at speed and thrills. The Mule DX is a working animal.
Machines marketed and advertised to do everything cannot do anything with excellence.

 

[gsldirtman]

Jackball, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I had the gasoline version of this Mule first and frankly got rid of it because the engine is Chinese and was making knocking noises on start up. I will say it was an impressive machine but the diesel version is a joke in my opinion. I live on 325 acres of hills and woods and the diesel version stalls out on hills my gas version went up with no problem. I also own a 610 Mule which also goes up the hills with no problem.....as well as my numerous tractors. If the Diesel version has all this torque then it should be no problem.....should be better than the gas.....not faster but better for slow "work". The owner of my dealer came out and agreed it is a joke and is going to trade me out of it....and I am not the only one.

I guess if your work is on flat ground you will be fine but I wanted to make sure members know this thing is absolutely terrible on hills....it just runs out of steam which is very dangerous. And when I say hills I am talking about farm roads around my property that my wife drives her truck on!! They are steep but certainly not unreasonable. I got into a very dangerous situation pulling my log splitter up a grade and had to back down due to lack of power (torque). NOT good!

 

[Jackball]

My area is flat so I'm going to look for some hills to try out.

I did look at the Mule gas version and was turned off by the chinese engine. I lived in China for 3 years and the chinese don't even like their own products... they want Japanese, German and American products.

The lack of torque issue with the diesel, I believe is not the fault of the engine but the continuously variable transmission. It's my understanding that on the diesel model it's not the same as the gas. That is also why it is so much slower.

I have not pulled anything heavy yet so I will also try to put it to the test just to satisfy my own curiosity.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Can I ask you HOW you turned up the fuel?? a pic would help a lot..