Kawasaki's New Mule Pro MX?

[Milo]

My 2019 MX now has 141 hours. It was an in stock floor model which I really didn't want because all of them get started and driven 100' out to the parking lot each morning then started again at the end of the day and driven 100' back into the store at closing time. I think it had 1 maybe 2 hours on it which is probably the worst (cold under rich fuel mixture) running that can be put on an engine. But it was going to be a while until they could get me a green base model, and they kept calling me with a lower price on the one they had to move it, so I finally went ahead and bought it. On their paperwork I noticed they had replaced the spark plug which didn't surprise me given how it was run, I'm surprised the battery tolerated that abuse. Some UTV's get ridded almost like the dealership floor models often just to the mail box and back every day. When I bought mine I picked up a new spark plug just to be safe but it's still in the box, not needed.

I adjusted the emergency brake for the first time at 120 hours.

Other than a couple scratches the finish on mine still looks like new, it is kept in a garage though. Key's always in it but mine came with 2 so I do have a spare. I removed the doors and I really like it better with them (and the roof) off.

Front storage compartment is small but useful, I carry a tow strap and rags in it. I don't use it frequently but the turn latches fasten it securely with no rattling and are holding up fine so far.

I agree about the dump bed, it works but tipping up a heavy load to dump takes some effort. In fact if my use involved hauling a lot of stone or whatever that needed to be dumped I think I'd put a small electric linear actuator cylinder on it but mine probably hauls more firewood than anything and it goes directly from the bed to the log splitter.

The PVC pipe for carrying a shovel is a good idea I may look into that. I notched a 2x4 with a piece attached to it for a bed divider which secures a battery chain saw that I usually carry.

So far I've had to do nothing to my MX other than change the oil. I like it's 4wd system much better than the system on the Ranger. I also like how smooth it is starting off.

 

[Rock Crawler]

There is a factory electric bed lift kit that cross braces the under bed frame and provides more lifting force than dirt/stone can be fit. I would need to build walls to see what the limits are. I highly recommend the Kawasaki accessories power bed lift.

 

[grsthegreat]

There is a factory electric bed lift kit that cross braces the under bed frame and provides more lifting force than dirt/stone can be fit. I would need to build walls to see what the limits are. I highly recommend the Kawasaki accessories power bed lift.View attachment 671324

i put one on my mule 4010 and its great, but dang is it slow. but my wife could not tilt the bed when it was full of horse manure. personally, ill never take mine off of my property, so doors and speed are not an option for me...i would hate doors on it. the diesel unit i looked at (kubota and kioti) were both way too noisy. the 4010 is so quiet its amazing. my wife uses it mostly around the horses, and wanted quiet. i have never been stuck anywheres on this thing, the 4 wd performance is amazing. mine is a 2012 version and i have about 700 hours on it. except for replacing the muffler and oil/plug changes, i have had ZERO service $$$$ into this unit.

 

[Zebrafive]

FWIW, my experience with 2 2019-model Mule MX Pros. Mine was purchased this spring (on clearance sale), about 60 hours on it in 5 mos, mainly riding at ~20-25 kph (15 mph) on forest roads but some off-road too. My in-laws got theirs in 2019, but have a special use case where they drive mainly up and down one hill, summer and winter, and so are only 20 hrs in 1.5 years.

Both mules do what they're supposed to and we're happy with them. In particular, good towing ability in Low gear. And general good utility performance in a small-width 2-person form factor, which is what we need.

Here's the list of small problems encountered, for prospective purchasers to be aware.

1. On ours, 3 mos in, parking brake cable broke. No apparent reason. Warranty repair, no problems, but still.

2. On in-laws', they've been through 3 spark plugs by now. Not overly surprising given they use in 5-10 min increments and doesn't dry out. Just be aware if frequent short trips is your plan.

3. Finish is generally good, but door panels are cheap plastic with the green surface a cheap applied sticker on top. On ours, it's starting to peel off. No real problem, but really?

4. In-laws have the soft roof and side windows. Fit, air-tightness, and visibility is good, but you sort of have to snake your hand between door and side window from inside to outside to open the door using the only (outside) handle. Again, not a big deal, and wouldn't fuss about it with an after-market soft cab, but seems improvised for an OEM solution.

5. Front hood storage compartment stays shut with 2 cheap plastic knobs that don't look like they'll last long.

6. Nice to have dump bed, but the lift is fully manual, so don't expect to dump much!

7. Getting extra ignition keys is a hassle. Blanks not available in usual key duplicating places. Had to get from dealer, where it was expensive, had to be ordered from Kawi, and they sent only 1 not the 2 we ordered. Maybe people generally leave one key in the machine and one spare hidden away, but we prefer to have one set of "rural property keys" per person....

BTW, a 58" piece of PVC or ABS pipe, strapped horizontally or very slightly tilted on the outside of the back cab area at head height (so the dump bed clears) is a great way to carry a rake or shovel, which are otherwise just a smidgen too long to put in the cargo bed.

I am not sure which key blank the Mule Pro MX takes, but for the Mule Pro FXR and Mule 4010, its an X254. I had to buy a 10pack, but only paid $9 shipped. I split the 10 with 3 other guys. A local hardware store cut them for $1 each. I think the dealer wanted $15 for just one blank!

 

[grsthegreat]

i actually pull a fully loaded ground powered manure spreader with mine when i am too lazy to want to hitch up the horses to it. but then again, i guess you only need a 2 horse power motor to run the spreader

 

[houska]

I am not sure which key blank the Mule Pro MX takes, but for the Mule Pro FXR and Mule 4010, its an X254. I had to buy a 10pack, but only paid $9 shipped. I split the 10 with 3 other guys. A local hardware store cut them for $1 each. I think the dealer wanted $15 for just one blank!

Thanks! Online images of X254 look promising. I just have to find where I can get it up here in Canada (out of stock on Amazon, and not carried by a big key place....) since U.S. mail order is a bit tricky these days.

 

[Bryan 45]

I bought a Pro FXT EPS about 11 months ago to use on the farm. It's been even more valuable than I imagined. Currently has a little over 400 miles on it and we never leave the property with it. We've towed a trailer loaded with brush and hauled lots of rock, dirt, firewood, scrap wood, a 100 gallon water tank, and kayaks. It spends about 1/2 the time configured as a long bed/3 person mule and the other 1/2 as a short bed/6 person mule. Converting between the two takes about 30 seconds now with a person on each side.

I'm having 2 open recalls completed next week, but we haven't had any troubles out of it. It's been a fantastic piece of equipment. I initially was going to buy the diesel due to common fuel with my tractors, but my dealer talked me out of it and I'm glad he did. The gas Mule has never lacked torque in anything I've done with it, and every so often we have it over 30 mph, although that's just for fun.

The ability to convert from people mover to long bed was the reason I went with the Mule over other brands. The dog loves it too. The fancy wheels didn't do much for me, but the dealer through them in at no charge, so why not?

 

[deezler]

I bought a Pro FXT EPS about 11 months ago to use on the farm. It's been even more valuable than I imagined. It spends about 1/2 the time configured as a long bed/3 person mule and the other 1/2 as a short bed/6 person mule. Converting between the two takes about 30 seconds now with a person on each side.

The ability to convert from people mover to long bed was the reason I went with the Mule over other brands. The dog loves it too. The fancy wheels didn't do much for me, but the dealer through them in at no charge, so why not?

Looks great. So when you convert to the long bed, does the whole bed dump? Or just the smaller bed portion at the back?

 

[Bryan 45]

if you look at my picture above, you'll see the "headache rack" that is about middle of the rear door. That is the front of the bed. When dumping, everything from the headache rack rearward dumps. That's why the rear section of the roof is folded forward, to clear the rack.

When in short bed mode, the rear section of roof can stay in place, and the same section of bed raises, which is what now is the rear seat area. If you go to 3:30 in the following video, you can see how it works. Mainland's Review of the Updated 2 Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT Ranch in - YouTube

 

[deezler]

Oh I gotcha, thanks for the explanation and link. Thats good that it's really just one big solid steel bed going forward to under the rear seats.

So is it fun to drive when you want to tear up some trails? IE is it fast enough to get into any trouble.