Kawasaki Mule Diesel

[Jeff Clark]

I'm looking at one of these. Anyone have some input? It's kind of a toss-up between the Mule and the Yamaha Rhino and right now I'm leaning more towards the Mule (longevity, track record, etc. )

 

[robertyoke]

dont forget polaris they make the ranger. I looked at them a year or so ago and I figure it this way if you want it for work get the mule if you want it for play get the rhino if you want to work on it get the ranger :-laf .

 

[Jeff Clark]

The Polaris is not even a consideration. I just don't like 'em. Besides, it has a plastic bed on it. I think the Rhino would have better recreational value (trail riding, mudding, etc. ), but I think the Mule can probably do at least as good and last longer.

 

[Skydiver]

Last time I had to buy tractor parts I noticed a neat looking Kubota ATV,And yes it had a 3 cylinder diesel all wheel drive and dump bed. I was too afraid to ask the price. Would guess around $12,000.

Tim

 

[Babyfat]

I'd look in the Kubota before buing anything VERY nice unit and prices start around 9800. 00

 

[Ncostello]

I work for a large general contractor who has alot of heavy equipment including 500 ton cranes etc. We use the Mules. On projects like building power plants where they might be on a jobsite for two years, the mules keep on going and going. They get abused, overworked, overloaded and downright trashed. But they always start, run and get you there. We even had one ran over by a 988 Cat loader. It was crushed mostly but still ran! Its for parts now.

 

[Murle]

I have the Kawasaki diesel Mule. I have had mine 3 years this last april. It has 5,400 miles on it and 960 hrs. I change the oil and filter every 100 hrs. I just had to put a new drive belt in it. That cost about 120. 00. It was the first time I have ever had any work done on it. It will pull just about anything. I have a cattle cube feeder I pull with my Mule. It hold 3000 lbs of cubes no problem pulling. I also pull a 16 ft. flat bed trailer with it. It gets run about 6 to 9 miles a day. It does not use any oil. Burns about 3. 5 gals. of fuel every 10 hrs. If it went down today there would be another Mule in its place tomorrow. My wife also has a 550 Mule. No problems with it either. She has only 400 hrs on her's.



I have also hauled a 1200 lb. round bale of hay in the bed. It hauled it with no problem. Of course the braking and steering had a lot to be desired. Was a little on the light side on the front end.



I also have a cab on the Mule... Here is a place to get the cabs. And other neat stuff. http://www.essexmfg.com/

 

[Fitasc]

kawa runs forever

My 2500 is used for landscaping, trail riding in the mtns, and hauling shooters around sporting clay courses. Pulls like a ctd and runs flat out @ 27mph with one or four riders ( two rear facing seats w/ foot rest. Change oil @ 100 hrs. new drive belt @ 500 hrs, ( preventative, not required) Battery replaced w/ marine battery three years ago------ never misses a beat--- Very easy to maneuver. I will buy another if this one EVER quits. I do not like the new tilt hood------



JAH

 

[Tony T.]

Mule for me!

Jeff, I would opt for the Mule myself due mostly to it's reliability alone. I know of a couple people myself that have owned them an do really like them. Out at work I noticed two new ones that just come in, that our facilities maintence department will be getting for their department. They also have the Gator's out at work also, but I never have drove one of those before. I like the Mule.

 

[GHinton]

Don't doubt that the Ranger doesn't last as well as the others... But man does it have a great suspension! Local dealer let my retriever club borrow one for a Hunt Test on a sizable farm.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I'm not sure I like the looks of the Polaris. I'm having a hard time with this decision. I know that the Mule will be more reliable and handle the work load better than the Rhino, but I don't know what percentage will be work, and what percentage will be play. I'm using my V-Star as a trade in for the unit I buy, but I haven't decided if I'm keeping my ATV or not. I suppose if I went with the MUle I could keep the ATV for play.

 

[Jeff Clark]

OK, made my decision today. I walked in to the Kawasaki dealership 90% sure I was going with the Rhino, mostly based on the fun factor and the fact there are boatloads of aftermarket stuff for the Yamaha. I ended up buying the Mule without even looking at the Rhino. The Mule is downright BAD. The little 3 cyclinder diesel has a ton of torque. I bought a model that the dealer has had on the floor for awhile. It has a 2" lift, 27" mud tires and Rockcrawler style wheels.



Now if I can just figure out how to get a turbo and a set of injectors on this thing.

 

[Tony T.]

OK, made my decision today. I walked in to the Kawasaki dealership 90% sure I was going with the Rhino, mostly based on the fun factor and the fact there are boatloads of aftermarket stuff for the Yamaha. I ended up buying the Mule without even looking at the Rhino. The Mule is downright BAD. The little 3 cyclinder diesel has a ton of torque. I bought a model that the dealer has had on the floor for awhile. It has a 2" lift, 27" mud tires and Rockcrawler style wheels.



Now if I can just figure out how to get a turbo and a set of injectors on this thing.

Congrats on the new Fun Ride!