MULE 2510. What can make a vehicle so USELESS in the Snow?

[Industrial Toys]

My Diesel Mule is one of the family and I have had it since about 2000.

But when I spend time pulling it out and having unexpected long walks, I get a bit annoyed.

It was lousy in the snow from stock. I figured it had insufficient ground clearance and goofy small tires. So about six or so years ago, I put some larger Essex Manuf. 6 ply mild Ag tread Tires on and installed a lift kit. This only slightly improved performance.

Now it gets stuck, just digs itself in and is not sitting on the undercarriage. Def lock helps a bit. Also, machine has TERRIBLE directional stability in snow, using 4WD.

What makes these things so terrible in the snow? Come to think about it. You never see pictures of these things operating in snow in the brochures.

Thoughts:

Wheelbase to short?
Tires too Wide?
Too Heavy for Size?
Too Light for Size?
Do they turn the front wheels faster then the back for stability? In one sense it almost appears as though the front to back ratio is so high, it doesn't go anywhere, it just digs itself in.

I have considered chains, back only, but this may just be yet another expense that nets me little in performance.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a 2012 mule 4010 and use it in snow all the time. Have very few issues unless we hit heavy ice. That’s another story. On my trail system I have several areas with hills and when snow melts off it tends to make large areas of ice at base. If I make a run at it I can usually plow thru them ok.

I hardly ever engage the diff lock. Just leave it in 4x4 mode all winter.

I drive they snowy woods at lease 3 times a day exercising dog.

 

[Industrial Toys]

All my Mule really likes to do in snow is dig holes! If you get stuck on your belly, there is no questioning why you are stuck. But when you are free and clear, but dug in on three corners, for no apparent reason, you scratch your head and ask WHY?

 

[grsthegreat]

That’s so weird. Mine has only gotten me stuck 1 time in 5 years of ownership ( I bought it used) and the winch got me out. I drive it in snow most winters ... mine you hardly no snow this winter.... but I do groom my trails so the snow is only about 3-6 inches deep. I would not take it in deep snow, cause it isn’t a snowmobile.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can get stuck three times in one day. Last time, I had a heavy load of firewood, came down a hill to a sharp curve and just slid off the road into deep snow. I didn't expect this and was going a bit too fast. Not fast, but not dead slow.

My ten foot fixed V blade on my tractor seems to ride up on the banks a bit on subsequent passes and leaves maybe ten inches of snow on the roadway, which the Mule stuggles with.

I have a portable winch which I should carry. It's a pain, but it beats walking and trying to start a stone cold piece of equipment for rescue.

 

[LouNY]

I tend to believe that the light weight for the tire width which allows them to do good in soft ground and mud,
works against them in the snow. Ours get around decent on packed snow but anything loose and they have problems.
Chains would certainly help,but when they get stuck your stuck.

 

[Zebrafive]

I had a 1996 Mule 2510. It did not go well in snow. I figured low ground clearance and the 22" tires. So it never got used in snow.
Yours digging, but not going, sounds like the tires are inflated too much/high psi.

 

[mx1alex]

Not sure if Mules were the same way but some of the older Polaris Rangers were set up that when in 4x4 the front wheels would only engage if the rear wheels were spinning. This made driving in the snow pretty difficult. Polaris has since changed that and went to the same ratio for both the front and back.

 

[CobyRupert]

For vehicles in general, I’d say light weight, poor ground clearance, unlockable differential, poor tires, and poor weight distribution make for a vehicle that is useless.
Ignoring tread types, what is best tire width?
Does it depend on type of snow? If your trying to float or dig? A wide tire, low psi, and lightweight vehicle that doesn’t sink; or a narrower tire that digs and a heavier vehicle?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Thanks for the insight. So Mule can't be a particular stick in the mud, compared to any similar sized UTV I guess.

I guess if you have enough ground clearance for the depth of snow, high, narrow tires that sink down to get purchase are the answer.