Kawasaki Mule

[ADKMAPLE]

Looking into buying one of these, probably the 610 or the 610 XC. anyone have one of these? Would be doing firewood with it mostly..any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Brokermike]

Looking into buying one of these, probably the 610 or the 610 XC. anyone have one of these? Would be doing firewood with it mostly..any thoughts would be appreciated.

I bought a 610 xc last year. I really like it, after having a full size ranger I really like the smaller size. It fits in the back of my truck. Two thigs I dont like. 1. It's very cold blooded, it always starts but b/c of emissions crap it has to be choked and let to warm up. 2. It is belt driven, so fully loaded with wood and two big guys it is slow, very slow. Also when new the belts will smell a little as they get broken in.

I really like the waterproof storage, and the air intake being plumbed into the roll cage, you never really need to worry about water crossings, etc.

[ADKMAPLE]

What color did you get and what did you pay for it. I contacted a dealer and they quoted me $7200 out the door includes tax for a 2011 XC.

Thanks for the info. I would be using it for mostly for hauling firewood. I would build up the sides of the box some and pull my atv trailer.

I would also be using it for going up to our hunting camp which is a good 2 miles up the side of a mountain..

can you send me some pics of yours?

henze01@yahoo.com

[Brokermike]

I bought a black one, that's all they had last year. It will pull a trailer easily but you will DEFINATELY want to buy a 2" hitch for it. There are several aftermarket suppliers. Stock they only have a 1.25" and it's rather flimsy. You'll also want a windshield of some sort, it really takes the edge off on those bitter cold days, and it helps with the rain. I built a roof out of plywood and coated it with bedliner paint. works great and I can strap ladders, etc to the roof for when I'm tapping some of my high taps.

I don't have any pictures handy. If I can get some daylight pictures this weekend I'll send them.

I bought mine from Central VT Motorcycles in Rutland VT. They were good to deal with, I bought the first one they had last january.

[ADKMAPLE]

have you ever had it stuck or do they go basically anywhere like they say they will. I am also thinking about a used Yamaha Rhino 660. Definatly alot sportier. My brotehr in law has one of them and so does a friend of mine but they are pricey and I am looking for something alittle more utilitarian to work with more than just play.

[Acer]

Rtv 900 is a workhorse if you don't need a go-fast machine. happy with mine.

[peckfarm]

I bought mine from Central VT Motorcycles in Rutland VT. They were good to deal with, I bought the first one they had last january.

Not to get off topic, but what in the heck is "central" about Rutland? The owners must be from MA.

[Brokermike]

LMFAO Rutland used to be central, it also used to have businesses, it used to be clean, heck it even used to be prosperous! I guess it's so named becasue it's on route 4 the main east/west route in middle Vermont.

I have been some really hairy places with my mule, places that are tough to walk, and it never slipped. The tires help considerable and the locking differential is great. My biggest compliment is its simplicity. Nearly everything is cable driven, no electronic solenoids to engage the 4x4 or the diff. After having a Ranger that maintained some electrical quirkiness I have some comfort knowing if I'm out in East BF I can get home. It also has tons of extra room right next to the existing battery so you can run a winch with a spare battery, you can also use the spare to jump your existing battery if for some reason it is running a little low. I have a winch ready to install on the front but haven't yet done so.

I compared it to the RTV 500 and was underwhelmed with the Kubota, especially since it is much more $ than the Mule

I figured the basic Mule design has been around for nearly 25 years, they're still making it, and it is still selling well. If it ain't broke, well you know the rest

[ToadHill]

This has the makings of a Ford, Chevy and Dodge debate. That said, we have had two Mules and a Kubota RTV 900. While the Mules were functional we didn't think they were as rugged built as the Kubota. As far as where you can take them, we found that the Kubota will go up grades and over stuff a little better than the Mule. One big advantage the Kubota has over the Mule is coming down steep grades. The transmission will hold it back and even stop it if you let off the accelerator, whereas the Mule will free wheel down hill and you have to ride the brakes. The drawback to the Kubota transmission is that when you are going up hill and you stop, it won't disengage unless you shut the machine off. If you're trying to turn around in a tight spot on a hill this can be really annoying when you have to turn it off 3-4 times to get turned around. Also, as was previously mentioned, the Mule is quite cold blooded, whereas the Kubota diesel just starts and goes. As others have mentioned the Kubota is pricey. Having had them both, I would go with the Kubota if money isn't the issue. If it is, the Mule will probably do everything you want, but neither of them will go where a 4wd ATV will go. They are to wide, to low and to high, but they will carry a good sized payload. Hope this helps.

[Brokermike]

FYI the Mule XC is the one I have. It has much more ground clearance than the regular Mule 610. I have no real world experience with the Mule's other than my XC

[ADKMAPLE]

That is the one that I would be getting as well the XC. I definatly am not interested in any Kubota's, they are way too big for what I need it for. I need the versatility of a 4 wheeler with the comforts of a UTV. Hope the Mule will be the one that meets both.

[morningstarfarm]

For what its worth..I would highly reccomend the Club Car utv..Believe it or not they have made more of them than any other maker and have been making them for over 20 years..They arent as well known on the recreational market as they were originally only available to the commercial market (Disney uses a ton of them). Mine is built like a tank..automatic 4wd with a progressive transmission that will haul 1250 lbs. My 16 year old did his best to roll it over on a bet from the dealer and failed :) It'll pull a loaded hay wagon with 150 bales of hay in it... I've only gotten it stuck once in about 18" of mud...all in all two thumbs up...new it ran around $6500