Guess I don't get the dust issue on SxS's. I have a half windshield though, and it does a great job at keeping most of it out of my face.

We've had them all. CJs, army jeeps, Polaris, Deere, Can Am, Kawasaki Mule.

Best of all the group imho were Can Am Defender XT Max, Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT, army jeep, in that order.

Sold off the Polaris's, the Kawasaki and kept the Can Am. Just super comfortable and handles everything we throw at it

And I do love me some CJ5 and 7 but frankly, if you are driving them around a ranch, they aren't the best option.

For work on a ranch, I just use my truck. But I can't drive it through every narrow sendero or trail and it doesn't get through steep creeks etc so well. I use it to feed cows mainly

+1 for SxS being far more comfortable around a ranch. Do you need another street legal vehicle?

Bradley.Kohr.II said:

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+1 for SxS being far more comfortable around a ranch. Do you need another street legal vehicle?

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No, but the benefit of a jeep in my opinion would be the AC/Heat and not having to trailer it. That said you can't really put anything in the Jeep without removing the top. Looks like a SxS is going to be the winner. Lead times on them are a few months at least and the used one's are more than ordering new. What a time to be alive!


Now.

Canam
Polaris
Kawasaki
Honda
John Deere

In the order below based on what we have experienced:
Canam (we have the Defender max xt HD10, power is incredible, ride is great, turning is better than any other full size UTV I've been in and the 10.6 gallon gas tank is nice)
Kawasaki mule pro FXT (this is probably the most dependable and lowest price point, but it is lacking in power and the bed is pretty small if you have more than 2 guys and need to use back seat. If you don't need back seat, it folds down and doubles the bed size)
Honda (would be number one if they had a full size model with a decent bed, dependable, no belts and plenty of power)
John Deere (drove an 825 years ago and it was nice, but seemed dated. No new experience with these.
Polaris (we have a 2016 ranger at the ranch and it is not dependable. Replaced belts, starter, axles and fuel pump, smooth ride though)

Yesterday said:

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Bradley.Kohr.II said:

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+1 for SxS being far more comfortable around a ranch. Do you need another street legal vehicle?

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No, but the benefit of a jeep in my opinion would be the AC/Heat and not having to trailer it. That said you can't really put anything in the Jeep without removing the top. Looks like a SxS is going to be the winner. Lead times on them are a few months at least and the used one's are more than ordering new. What a time to be alive!


Now.

Canam
Polaris
Kawasaki
Honda
John Deere

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Depends on use. If you regularly need to drive around 4 grown men, the CanAm Defender Max is the way to go. Huge compared to the others and smooth riding.
That's the route we went and I'd buy another if I needed another sxs

The most comfortable vehicle for ranchwork has four legs and requires a saddle. They're pretty expensive to maintain however.

Cross off Honda if you want a crew cab. Really wish they would build a true competitor to the Ranger/Defender crew...

I think most people that just need a light duty SXS with moderate capabilities, the Mule Pro FXT is a good option. You start getting into things like carrying around a bunch of feed, running through nasty mud (duck hunting), or ever want to open it up past 35 mph, you're going to want to look at something else.

I think the CanAms are great and if it wasn't going to be an additional $4k over the equivalent Ranger model, I would have purchased one. They seem to be reliable but they absolutely still break based on the people I know that use them, albeit that's under the most stressful environments you can put on a UTV (duck hunting).

Polaris has certainly had quality issues but I haven't had any issues with my 20 crew. There are certain things that I don't like and seem very cheaply made (bracket underneath seats that lift up, comes to mind). The best thing about it is the availability of aftermarket add ons... it is the jeep of SXS and you can find a youtube video and a bracket/tool for basically anything you need. It is also very fun and smooth to drive, just like the CanAm.

I don't really know much about the Kawasaki's...

I completely agree about Honda. 6 seater with a full size bed would dominate the market.

I just run a little RZR 800 Trail. It fits in the back of my truck and runs 50mph. I get some looks that's for sure.

Went to the Kawasaki dealer to order a Mule FXT pro bare basic model which has an MSRP of $13,599. Guess what the out the door price was!!!? $19,286! WTF!

Freight and set up fees were $3900! Is this normal or just Covid up charges?

That's more than I paid for my ranger out the door, with a few things added on.

Covid increase. In August '20 bought a Mule Pro-FXT EPS from Mainland Cycle and paid $1k for freight and setup. It was $15.7k out the door with the only add-ons being a roof and grill guard.

I'd skip the base model and get the model with EPS, it makes a huge difference in steering and allows practically anyone to drive it easily.

CenterHillAg said:

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Covid increase. In August '20 bought a Mule Pro-FXT EPS from Mainland Cycle and paid $1k for freight and setup. It was $15.7k out the door with the only add-ons being a roof and grill guard.

I'd skip the base model and get the model with EPS, it makes a huge difference in steering and allows practically anyone to drive it easily.

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This makes me sad but happy for you. I think I am going to get the EPS, but may start looking used. Unfortunately used looks pretty high too. A horse is looking better and better. haha

Personally I'd still order new if the wait isn't crazy. Buying used can be such a crapshoot with what you're getting, plenty of people sell them with low hrs/miles, but having the factory filled oil and lack of other maintenance will sour the purchase in a hurry. My Dad and I bought from Mainland and had a great experience, I know others here have too. They're worth the drive if you're not in the area.

Sounds like the dealer is playing games. Might call around and check some others.

But with the short supply right now, I expect some are marking up the "shipping and handling".

I've heard of several used SxS being sold for more than the new price.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Cross off Honda if you want a crew cab. Really wish they would build a true competitor to the Ranger/Defender crew...

I think most people that just need a light duty SXS with moderate capabilities, the Mule Pro FXT is a good option. You start getting into things like carrying around a bunch of feed, running through nasty mud (duck hunting), or ever want to open it up past 35 mph, you're going to want to look at something else.

I think the CanAms are great and if it wasn't going to be an additional $4k over the equivalent Ranger model, I would have purchased one. They seem to be reliable but they absolutely still break based on the people I know that use them, albeit that's under the most stressful environments you can put on a UTV (duck hunting).

Polaris has certainly had quality issues but I haven't had any issues with my 20 crew. There are certain things that I don't like and seem very cheaply made (bracket underneath seats that lift up, comes to mind). The best thing about it is the availability of aftermarket add ons... it is the jeep of SXS and you can find a youtube video and a bracket/tool for basically anything you need. It is also very fun and smooth to drive, just like the CanAm.

I don't really know much about the Kawasaki's...

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I carry 400-600 lbs of feed, etc. in my Mule regularly, and my lease is 100% river bottom mud that rivals any duck lease you can find. The Mule (actually all 6 of them on our lease) handle it extremely well. We all run 28's as well.

Speed is nice, but the only time I get above about 20 is when I'm on the little bit of all weather road we have, or when I'm tooling around the neighborhood at the house. And it will get up to 45, but in all honesty....30-35 is a great cruising speed for me.

The Mules have a significant amount of aftermarket mods these days, and the ride is on up there with any of the others for smooth. I wish it had a smidge more power, but I've also never been in a position where power was an issue either. The ability to go from single to double seat is awesome.

Warranty for a Mule is way better than the rest from what I've seen. Just bought an additional 3 year extended the other day, nice to have that in my back pocket.

CenterHillAg said:

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Covid increase. In August '20 bought a Mule Pro-FXT EPS from Mainland Cycle and paid $1k for freight and setup. It was $15.7k out the door with the only add-ons being a roof and grill guard.

I'd skip the base model and get the model with EPS, it makes a huge difference in steering and allows practically anyone to drive it easily.

---

This x1000

I think my 2019 was $12,900 base, but after taxes, add ons, etc. I walked out the door for a smidge under $18k. Taxes added a lot to the overall cost because I wasn't buying it for farm purposes or anything. Wish I had gotten a better roof, but that's it.

Mainland is the way to go. Albert Crowe is a good dude.

Mainland is about 5 hours from me unfortunately. Tried another dealership and their delivery and prep fee was $2478 so the first place was definitely hammering me on that.

I hear you, but the only people I know that duck hunt on our club with mules, get stuck all the time and/or eventually trade them in. Driving through duck ponds is arguably worse than driving through river bottom, depending on the bottom type.

It makes no difference in a hard bottom pond but in a soft bottom pond, with similarly equipped tires, a ranger or CanAm doesn't have the struggles a mule does… I'm not saying this to knock the mule just noting what I have personally witnessed.

I'm not against the mules, just wouldn't buy one if I was duck hunting…

schmellba99 said:

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ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Cross off Honda if you want a crew cab. Really wish they would build a true competitor to the Ranger/Defender crew...

I think most people that just need a light duty SXS with moderate capabilities, the Mule Pro FXT is a good option. You start getting into things like carrying around a bunch of feed, running through nasty mud (duck hunting), or ever want to open it up past 35 mph, you're going to want to look at something else.

I think the CanAms are great and if it wasn't going to be an additional $4k over the equivalent Ranger model, I would have purchased one. They seem to be reliable but they absolutely still break based on the people I know that use them, albeit that's under the most stressful environments you can put on a UTV (duck hunting).

Polaris has certainly had quality issues but I haven't had any issues with my 20 crew. There are certain things that I don't like and seem very cheaply made (bracket underneath seats that lift up, comes to mind). The best thing about it is the availability of aftermarket add ons... it is the jeep of SXS and you can find a youtube video and a bracket/tool for basically anything you need. It is also very fun and smooth to drive, just like the CanAm.

I don't really know much about the Kawasaki's...

---

I carry 400-600 lbs of feed, etc. in my Mule regularly, and my lease is 100% river bottom mud that rivals any duck lease you can find. The Mule (actually all 6 of them on our lease) handle it extremely well. We all run 28's as well.

Speed is nice, but the only time I get above about 20 is when I'm on the little bit of all weather road we have, or when I'm tooling around the neighborhood at the house. And it will get up to 45, but in all honesty....30-35 is a great cruising speed for me.

The Mules have a significant amount of aftermarket mods these days, and the ride is on up there with any of the others for smooth. I wish it had a smidge more power, but I've also never been in a position where power was an issue either. The ability to go from single to double seat is awesome.

Warranty for a Mule is way better than the rest from what I've seen. Just bought an additional 3 year extended the other day, nice to have that in my back pocket.

---

the problem with the mule is the damn driver side heat

How do yall afford all these expensive toys?
I make decent money and can't

You dont seem to understand that my place is significantly worse than any duck lease I have seen, but everybody has their favs and what not.

We are bottomless mud, and miles of it. Sometimes as much as a foot of standing water on top. It is rough, muddy and swampy.

Ragoo said:

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schmellba99 said:

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ttha_aggie_09 said:

---

Cross off Honda if you want a crew cab. Really wish they would build a true competitor to the Ranger/Defender crew...

I think most people that just need a light duty SXS with moderate capabilities, the Mule Pro FXT is a good option. You start getting into things like carrying around a bunch of feed, running through nasty mud (duck hunting), or ever want to open it up past 35 mph, you're going to want to look at something else.

I think the CanAms are great and if it wasn't going to be an additional $4k over the equivalent Ranger model, I would have purchased one. They seem to be reliable but they absolutely still break based on the people I know that use them, albeit that's under the most stressful environments you can put on a UTV (duck hunting).

Polaris has certainly had quality issues but I haven't had any issues with my 20 crew. There are certain things that I don't like and seem very cheaply made (bracket underneath seats that lift up, comes to mind). The best thing about it is the availability of aftermarket add ons... it is the jeep of SXS and you can find a youtube video and a bracket/tool for basically anything you need. It is also very fun and smooth to drive, just like the CanAm.

I don't really know much about the Kawasaki's...

---

I carry 400-600 lbs of feed, etc. in my Mule regularly, and my lease is 100% river bottom mud that rivals any duck lease you can find. The Mule (actually all 6 of them on our lease) handle it extremely well. We all run 28's as well.

Speed is nice, but the only time I get above about 20 is when I'm on the little bit of all weather road we have, or when I'm tooling around the neighborhood at the house. And it will get up to 45, but in all honesty....30-35 is a great cruising speed for me.

The Mules have a significant amount of aftermarket mods these days, and the ride is on up there with any of the others for smooth. I wish it had a smidge more power, but I've also never been in a position where power was an issue either. The ability to go from single to double seat is awesome.

Warranty for a Mule is way better than the rest from what I've seen. Just bought an additional 3 year extended the other day, nice to have that in my back pocket.

---

the problem with the mule is the damn driver side heat

---

Hood scoop solves that, love mine.

Dude, I am not knocking on the mule. I even said it's a great option depending on your use. I'm glad you enjoy yours and it works well for you… for most people that is the case.

If you don't believe me about them not performing the same as a similarly equipped ranger or CanAm in a duck pond, with 4 people and gear, driving through 2.5' of water and mud, I don't know what to tell you. Im sure your river bottoms are nasty terrain but there is a reason why I always tell people to avoid buying a UTV from a duck hunter…

Didn't mean for this to be taken so personally

schmellba99 said:

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Ragoo said:

---

schmellba99 said:

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ttha_aggie_09 said:

---

Cross off Honda if you want a crew cab. Really wish they would build a true competitor to the Ranger/Defender crew...

I think most people that just need a light duty SXS with moderate capabilities, the Mule Pro FXT is a good option. You start getting into things like carrying around a bunch of feed, running through nasty mud (duck hunting), or ever want to open it up past 35 mph, you're going to want to look at something else.

I think the CanAms are great and if it wasn't going to be an additional $4k over the equivalent Ranger model, I would have purchased one. They seem to be reliable but they absolutely still break based on the people I know that use them, albeit that's under the most stressful environments you can put on a UTV (duck hunting).

Polaris has certainly had quality issues but I haven't had any issues with my 20 crew. There are certain things that I don't like and seem very cheaply made (bracket underneath seats that lift up, comes to mind). The best thing about it is the availability of aftermarket add ons... it is the jeep of SXS and you can find a youtube video and a bracket/tool for basically anything you need. It is also very fun and smooth to drive, just like the CanAm.

I don't really know much about the Kawasaki's...

---

I carry 400-600 lbs of feed, etc. in my Mule regularly, and my lease is 100% river bottom mud that rivals any duck lease you can find. The Mule (actually all 6 of them on our lease) handle it extremely well. We all run 28's as well.

Speed is nice, but the only time I get above about 20 is when I'm on the little bit of all weather road we have, or when I'm tooling around the neighborhood at the house. And it will get up to 45, but in all honesty....30-35 is a great cruising speed for me.

The Mules have a significant amount of aftermarket mods these days, and the ride is on up there with any of the others for smooth. I wish it had a smidge more power, but I've also never been in a position where power was an issue either. The ability to go from single to double seat is awesome.

Warranty for a Mule is way better than the rest from what I've seen. Just bought an additional 3 year extended the other day, nice to have that in my back pocket.

---

the problem with the mule is the damn driver side heat

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Hood scoop solves that, love mine.

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so why isn't it stock? I shouldn't have to mod the vehicle off the lot to fix a huge problem in the design.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Dude, I am not knocking on the mule. I even said it's a great option depending on your use. I'm glad you enjoy yours and it works well for you… for most people that is the case.

If you don't believe me about them not performing the same as a similarly equipped ranger or CanAm in a duck pond, with 4 people and gear, driving through 2.5' of water and mud, I don't know what to tell you. Im sure your river bottoms are nasty terrain but there is a reason why I always tell people to avoid buying a UTV from a duck hunter…

Didn't mean for this to be taken so personally

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Thats why i said every ody has their favorites

Why arent a lot of things stock?

Not having one has no bearing on the performance or ride or anything, and it is a cheap and quik mod.

I could pick apart any vehicle on what i think they did right and wrong. Remember too that every added mod costa moy, and the manufacturers have to work to hit price points. Sometimes that means things arent included.

YellAgs said:

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How do yall afford all these expensive toys?
I make decent money and can't

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Carry no debt outside of a mortgage. You'd be amazed what you can afford when your paycheck hits your account & just stays there until the next month, then again, and again. Compounding interest works both ways.

It is an engineering design flaw. Plain and simple.

Ragoo said:

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It is an engineering design flaw. Plain and simple.

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Ehh, there are a lot worse things IMO. I drove mine around for a year before I put the wcoop on, including summers while wearing sandals. My feet didnt burn off. I was wam, sure, but not exactly dangerous or anything of that naure.

Put a scoop on, problem solved. Or use i as an excuse to dislike it, either way...meh.