Kawasaki Mule Question

LarryT · Mar 26, 2001

Not sure what forum this goes in but I guess this one is a good as any. I figure most folks read from the "past X hrs or days anyway so I'm sure it will get seen.

I just bought a Kawasaki 3010 Mule. I want to add a hydraulic lift kit so my wife can use the dump bed. The kit from Kawasaki is over $1000. Seems way overpriced to me. Has anyone found an aftermarket version? It appears that the OEM is called "Original Powerlift" from looking at the picture but I can't find anything like that on the web. Any ideas/help are appreciated.

Thanks,

Larry...

Bird · Mar 26, 2001

Larry, when my brother bought his Mule several years ago, he told me they had a hydraulic dump kit available, but he didn't get it. I think it was nearly two years ago that he took his to another dealer and they installed an electric screw type dump. I don't remember for sure, but think it was about $600, and it works very well. We load that thing with all the dirt we can pile on - falling off the sides actually - with the FEL on the Kubota and it doesn't seem to strain the Mule at all to haul and dump it. I guess it's just an expensive (but very valuable) option whether you go with hydraulic or electric.

Bird

cowboydoc · Mar 26, 2001

I've got the same mule Larry and I looked into that too. Bird is right. I looked all over and that's the cheapest one I found too. It wasn't worth it to me for $600. I looked into some other ways as well to lift it and didn't come up with much except for doing some fabricating.

LarryT · Mar 26, 2001

Thanks Richard and Bird, guess I'll be doing some fabricating. The price of the Mule was high but reasonable I suppose. The price of the accessories is outta sight. The JD Gator had an electric option for $695, Kawasaki offered a hydraulic option for $1050. Guess I'll pick up a 12V hyd pump and a cylinder and make my own. Seems to me the power trim setup for an I/O boat drive would be perfect. I'll see if I can find a used one somewhere.

Larry...

Bird · Mar 26, 2001

It's only money, Larry./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Of course, since getting it, my brother figures that power dump on his Mule is just about as valuable as a hydraulic top link on the Kubota.

Bird

LarryT · Mar 26, 2001

Bird, it's not that I've got money falling out of my pockets, but this is more of a principle thing. In the interest of time I may end up going with the $600 or $1000 option. But I can't help but feel that I'm getting ripped off for that money which goes back to the principle thing. I'll look for options for awhile before I throw in the towel. I'll let you know what I finally do.

Larry...

RobS · Mar 27, 2001

Larry, I just had a thought for you. Perhaps you could rig up a manual dump using a trailer tongue jack, or an RV leveler jack, or one of the many jacks available at a farm store. Could also go hydraulic with a bottle jack (also available in long stroke). If you can take a photo of the Kawasaki dump mechanism and show it to a creative welder you never know what he/she might come up with. Good luck with your quest /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif