That was my father-in-laws first reaction too. He was thrilled when we saw the full size version. Like I said, he bought one before 2022 ended to claim that deduction but I'm sure those will become our go-to UTVs now. That transmission on it is sweet.

Almost always have 2 people filling feeders + rifles + cooler and probably hunting pack or two. Will pretty regularly throw 4 people in there during season or if we're all out there hunting.

Duck hunting is a totally different story… I usually have 12 dozen decoys, dog stands, marsh stools, blind panels, mojos, and other crap in there so the bed is absolutely needed.

Wish we had a Pro.
Smoother ride and little faster for those longer trips.

Dang they got high though and can't find a decent used one.

There is a Ranger on the classifieds, but it's priced high and doesn't have power steering.

Have a 2012 mule 4010. The grandkids at the ranch have put diesel in it instead of gas a number of times. It smokes like the Bastrop lost pines fire for a while. Then you fill it up with gas and runs fine after a time.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Almost always have 2 people filling feeders + rifles + cooler and probably hunting pack or two. Will pretty regularly throw 4 people in there during season or if we're all out there hunting.

Duck hunting is a totally different story… I usually have 12 dozen decoys, dog stands, marsh stools, blind panels, mojos, and other crap in there so the bed is absolutely needed.

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We may have 2 on occasion, but even with 2, a cooler and other stuff there is plenty of room for corn and protein. Rifles are overhead and bag hooks to the headache rack.

Usually we all have our own and run quasi solo. If i need to get more than that to my area, will hook up my little 4x8 trailer and roll on. That thing is handy to have.

Around the neighborhood the girls will go on rides with the dogs and what not, usually in the 2 seat configuration that way with one of my coolers in the bed.

No duck hunting anymore for me, that is younger man's sport that i dont have as much interest in these days. If i do go, its a guided hunt at Pintail.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Wow! I just realized the finally made a version of the Crew Honda with a full bed… bout dang time! I bet they're going to be great!

Not sure about capacity but it looks to be a full size bed like the ranger. That always irritated me about the Mule if you're rolling with a few folks and loading feeders. Hard to get more than 8 bags in there.

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Would like to see how much room the drivers seat has on that Honda. The main reason I bought a mule pro fx last year was the extra leg room compared to Honda. Felt like I was driving a clown car in the Honda I test drove.

Good point. I haven't even seen one in person but I'm curious. Hopefully I'm not buying a new UTV for another 8 years or so

Have a 2017 pro fxt that has been trouble free. Rzr before that. Fuel pump died with 18 hours on it. preferred the mules tight turning radius to get thru mesquite trees while quail hunting. Also Polaris had a 6 month warranty, Kawasaki was 3 years. The manufacturers know which one they will have to pay to repair.

You can also buy an extended 3 gear warranty on top of the factory 3 year.

The new Pioneer looks great but it's huge. The transmission and larger engine are nice though.

I hope Kawasaki adds some of the same features to a future generation like a 1000cc engine, bigger cup holders, and locking front diff. But they can barely build enough of the current FXT pro model so seems like it would be tough to implement changes anytime soon.

I still regret not buying a new mule right before covid. I had several quotes then got ready to move and put it off. Then there were none in stock and prices kept going up. Same models are roughly $3000-5000 more now for the same machine. It sucks.

chris1515 said:

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https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/side-x-side/mule/mule-2-passenger/mule-pro-mx?cm_re=GLOBALNAV-_-PRODUCTGROUPLIST-_-MPP

I'm looking at this for basically puttering around the farm/ranch.

Thoughts on the Mule? Are there any other competitors that might be worth considering also? Does not need to be two seated. Speed is not a concern. It'll probably never be put on a trailer or hauled anyplace once it's "home".

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When I graduated from 4-wheeler to side by side I had the same questions. We had a independent motorcycle an 4-wheeler repair shop close by and i asked them which brands new or used to stay away from. They answered all my questions. This being said we are in farm ranch country and the local UTVs are being used hard and not for leisure riding. They all hold up to that.

I just bought one this week for jobs around the hobby farm (only 7 acres) - mostly to haul manure and debris from the barn to the woods in the back. So far so good! Small enough to fit on the trails (though wish I had gotten 4 wheel drive but that was another $5K) and the dump bed is wonderful for the purpose I bought it for. The kids have enjoyed riding on it too. Hoping to get on it some more this weekend. Top speed is 35mph on this one.
My grandpa has had one for 15-20 years and loves it.

kyledr04 said:

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The new Pioneer looks great but it's huge. The transmission and larger engine are nice though.

I hope Kawasaki adds some of the same features to a future generation like a 1000cc engine, bigger cup holders, and locking front diff. But they can barely build enough of the current FXT pro model so seems like it would be tough to implement changes anytime soon.

I still regret not buying a new mule right before covid. I had several quotes then got ready to move and put it off. Then there were none in stock and prices kept going up. Same models are roughly $3000-5000 more now for the same machine. It sucks.

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They don't need to make a bigger engine - the 3 cylinder Cheri engine is plenty big, they need to open up the programming so more power can be drawn out of the engine. That may be the biggest complaint - so far absolutely nobody has been able to figure out Kawi's coding to allow better performance on the PRO series. Even 10% would absolutely change the capabilities.

Bigger engines and transmissions mean more weight, which is counter productive. Most of these rigs are already pushing 1700+ pounds dry weight as it is. I'd rather them keep the lighter weight but tune the engine up some versus adding more weight with a bigger power plant.

I've posted before, and not to derail the conversation, but I've had experience with all utv brands, sizes, finish packages, etc.

The most reliable work horse is the kubota diesel.

It is also the slowest, least sexy, and clangiest.

I've heard great things about the Kubota also. Friend in MO. swears by them. You can still chase a cow you just can't get around the cow.

I have an MX. '18, I think. Yeah, it's boring compared to a RZR, and news to me it may not be a Kawasaki product. But I like it for what I do with it (around the place work hauling chain saws, filling feeders, firewood duty, booze cruise with my dog, etc.). Suspension beats the hell out of the 4010 it replaced, I don't miss the extra seat, relatively maneuverable in tight places and it's considerably faster on the rare occasion I get it on the road. Got a glass windshield too, and I think it sucks.

What do you want to know?

AgEng06 said:

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ghollow said:

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The Kawasaki Mule is the best UTV on the market. They can take a beating and keep on performing. The only downside to them is that most of them are governed at 25 mph. They do have some models that will go up to 50 mph.

I drove a 4010 Trans for many years. I rarely ever went the top speed in it.

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I agree, although our Mule Pro FXT will run in the mid-30s I believe. Count me as one that doesn't see the need to go fast in a UTV. Most of the time it's either being used for work and loaded or riding to/from hunting areas. I don't see the need to run fast during either of those times. Not to mention any safety issues that arise with high speeds.

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My Mule pro fxt will do 55

Newbie question. Does anyone's answer differ if the land has significant muddy areas 3 months a year?

I don't own a mule but I do have a ranger. To answer your question simply - this is less about the machine and more about the tires. Some of the smaller model mules and even rangers don't have great ground clearance, so that's another battle.

If you're plowing through mud, get some nasty tires. We drive all through duck ponds with those type of tires and they just bite. On good dirt/concrete it isn't nearly as forgiving but they're not as terrible as one would think.

Another advocate for the Pro FXT. We have the ranch edition and it gets used everyday multiple times a day. We push it pretty hard and it takes a beating. I also have a snow plow on it in the winter and plow with it regularly. Would recommend.

Buddy has 2 Kubotas at his ranch, both diesel. One is the crew model, and the other a 2 seater. They have been troublefree since 2018.

plowe32 said:

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Newbie question. Does anyone's answer differ if the land has significant muddy areas 3 months a year?

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Absolutely not. You should see the stuff we put our mules through at my river bottom lease.

https://instagr.am/p/Cn2DccEo15u