Curious.

Tell me about a Kawasaki Mule.......

Others may have a better opinion than myself, however I would not recommend it. Used it on a horse ranch for feeding, hauling bagged shavings, etc...

What about it?

All I know is I've sat in a couple of them and that was enough to know that I really don't want one. They are not meant for tall or large people. My knees hit the dashboard and my gut hit the steering wheel. While I can do something about the gut I can't help the knees.

I have a Polaris ranger very satisfied for farm work

Hi, I looked after two at a local golf club many years ago. These were probably first generation ones and I think under-engineered for long term work of this sort. Frequent repairs and replacements were needed to steering and suspension components.
DavidP, South Wales

can-am HD8 love ours

My grandparents used a Polaris Ranger for feeding horses in pasture for a little while and they decided they liked using a Saturn car more. I know someone with a Kubota and he loves it.
Personally I like prefer an atv with a trailer.

Business partner has one. We often use it and my Kubota spot spraying weeds in rough fields.

The Kawasaki is a sports car and the Kubota is a little tractor. Suspension on the Kawasaki in rough going is amazing. Suspension on Kubota is like a tractor (ie none).

Both very reliable so far but I think the Kubota will last longer.

Kubota is a ATV 900xt (diesel engine)

Kawasaki Mule is also ATV. Has what people in US call gas engine (we call it petrol).

Kubota sips fuel, Kawasaki has much greater performance (uses Chinese Cherry car engine) and likes fuel.

I had one for 15 years or so, eventually cracked a head like they commonly do, engine was way too expensive to repair so I fit in a 13hp briggs, less power but was reliable. Probably would still have it if I didn't get a Yamaha rhino from a relative. The rhino is 4wd and a lot faster with better suspension, the mule was really a heavy duty golf cart but did the job well for what it was. It was 2wd but went surprisingly well with differential lock

I have an ‘06 Polaris Ranger 700XP. Neighbor has a Mule, I like the ride of the Ranger better.

It’s hard to keep up.

My Polaris from 10 years ago is great. The JD and Mules from back then were kinda dogs.

Now a days, the new Polaris seem to be too flimsy and fall apart, while the JD machines came up to speed, the mule is more refined, and Can Am seems to sell a whole lot of machines around here there must be something to them worth looking at.

Paul

My uncle has a 2011 610,and he uses it for things I wouldn't do with a 3/4 truck.He actually ripped off both front and rear bumper because there was no trail in the woods,so he drove over the trees by backing up and launching over them.He also knocked down a tree in his yard,by driving the mule strait up and pushing it.He has a snowplow on the front that he uses to ram into trees and rocks.I am amazed he didn't blow that thing up yet,and I believe he only replaced the fuel pump which says a lot about durability.I will say that suspension and the operater layout is nothing compared to my 2007 yamaha rhino.My rhino has bucket seats with a center console shifter,and the mule has a bench seat,with a dash shifter.The mule is a lot more stiff compared to the rhino.The reason I like the rhino,is because it is built on the yamaha grizzly atv suspension,so it rides and turn as tight as an atv,yet it has more capacity,where as most other utv's aren't that good for tight spots or really rough terrain,which is where the rhino rules.


Rock

We have both mules and gators at work... having worked on and used both,alot less problems with the gator.

Gator doesnt have as big of a motor as the mule but both are governed about the same. . gator has diff lock and will suprise you.

I picked up a used gator from the local college. it has almost 5000 hrs on it. It needs new rear tires or tire chains when things get icy. my gator gets run every day 330 days a year at least

It was probably the best investment ive made in the last 10 yrs

If you are looking new go by your KUBOTA dealer they have gas or diesel models that sure out sell the mule in these parts.

I have 4 kawasaki mules and a two kubotas... so...

the kawasaki diesel mule is a great machine... will last almost forever. other than flats from thorns, its a workhorse. Almost impossible to get stuck, as it will sit there, waddle, and slowly move forward in the worst of monsoon seasons. rides rough so usually drive it around 5 to 10 mph max unless smooth road. have over 3000 hours on all three now, gone through several sets of tires and a couple of batteries. Have two radiators on them so overheating is not a problem.

The kawasaki carburator gas mule... always has a carb problem from the external_link gas and always needs some work to run right. pretty much a pain. would never buy a gas atv again.

Kubota diesel... ok machines,,, rides way better, smoother, and therefore can run faster across the ranch. one with cab is nice, quiet, and has great a/c / heater... They require radiator screen cleaning more often or will start to run warm. hydraulic drive and when you let off the gas, its like stomping the brakes as it trys to throw you through the windshield. Its horrible when in medium mud and will usually go to the frame when getting stuck.. as its much too heavy. otherwise a good machine.. but only have 600 hours on it, so the jury is still out on longevity.

So unless speed is a factor, I still have to lean towards the kawasaki mules, more reliable for the long term... I might change my mind later as I get more time on the kubotas. When you get a mule, your tractors dont get near the run time on them anymore for the minor chores. So factor that in...

My cousin and I both bought new Kawasaki mules 610 4x4 XC SE in 2014, we both have a plow on for plowing snow, we both have replaced a battery once, if you want speed forget it , the top speed is only 23/24 miles per hour, they are a work horse, 4 wheel drive with differential lock, no problems with it so far, very good on gas, it suits me for what I'm doing, i like mine and would recommend it.

I have an 2002 jd 4x2 gator. Had it for 10 years. Spot spray with. Haul wood 5x8 trailer behind it. Just new tires. Not fast. But a work horse