Mule engine replacement or rebuild

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

Hey group. My sister-in-law's family has a Kawasaki Mule. It's from 1996 or so, I believe, and I'm not sure of the model yet. It has a small gasoline engine, and they've had many problems keeping the engine reliable. It's been sitting off the side of my driveway unable to start for a couple of months now (The family is my neighbor and we share a portion of driveway.) I'm pretty sure if I offered them a few bucks, they'd be happy to unload what they consider to be a burden.

I suppose I'm posting to ask if any enthusiasts out there can recommend some good Mule forums (this one?) or good reference sites. Also, where do I look on this machine to get the numbers I'd need to get details on the year, make, and model, etc.?

I've gotten the thing running enough for them to think that if I owned this thing, I'd pull the engine and rebuild it, or if it were possible, I'd upgrade to a more powerful engine. This Mule has a cab on it, and the thing is just really lacking in power. I don't know if this is because it was underpowered when it was made, especially with the heavy cab, or if it's just because the thing runs so awful and it actually should have more power. My wife wants a Toolcat, but that's a bit out of our price range!

The attached picture is the only one I have of this machine.

TWO GUNS · Jan 11, 2008

That machine looks is great shape .... a new engine and you just might have you something !!!!

Robert_in_NY · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
My wife wants a Toolcat

You have a good problem on your hands. Most guys have to convince their wives they need a Toolcat

mocassincreekranch · Jan 11, 2008

Check out UtilityOffroad.com. Its the most active Mule forum on the internet. The mule is governed to run only 25 mph. It looks like a model 550. The mule's are very good machine's.

Skipholiday · Jan 11, 2008

mocassincreekranch said:
It looks like a model 550. The mule's are very good machine's.

UORC Mule forum agreed.

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

Robert_in_NY said:
You have a good problem on your hands. Most guys have to convince their wives they need a Toolcat

I have a great wife. Here's a (poor quality from a PDA) picture of her begging me to get her a Toolcat.

Skipholiday · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
I have a great wife. Here's a (poor quality from a PDA) picture of her begging me to get her a Toolcat.

View attachment 93491

I would seriously consider it, just for her.

They are fine looking vehicles..

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

mocassincreekranch said:
Check out UtilityOffroad.com. Its the most active Mule forum on the internet. The mule is governed to run only 25 mph. It looks like a model 550. The mule's are very good machine's.

I'd say that's plenty-fast!

Thanks for the link.

I learned today that my sister-in-law apparently already went through the research process as to what model this machine is and has service manuals and everything. I'll pick them up tonight and then go drag the thing into my garage.

Robert_in_NY · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
I have a great wife. Here's a (poor quality from a PDA) picture of her begging me to get her a Toolcat.

View attachment 93491

I agree with Skip, you "have" to buy that Toolcat. You "need" to keep the wife happy

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

Skipholiday said:
I would seriously consider it, just for her.
They are fine looking vehicles..

Perhaps I'll get a Toolcat the next time I have an extra $50,000 burning a hole in my pocket.

The Toolcat will definitely remain a dream either for a while or indefinitely.

Robert_in_NY · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
Perhaps I'll get a Toolcat the next time I have an extra $50,000 burning a hole in my pocket. The Toolcat will definitely remain a dream either for a while or indefinitely.

Just trade her car in for it

Skipholiday · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
Perhaps I'll get a Toolcat the next time I have an extra $50,000 burning a hole in my pocket. The Toolcat will definitely remain a dream either for a while or indefinitely.

Look at the grapple on the front, and that smile on your wifes face. LOL

I can only dream of a toolcat to. One day..

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

Robert_in_NY said:
Just trade her car in for it

The irony in that is that my wife had a Lincoln Navigator, but she downgraded to a GMC Envoy (much to my liking!) so that we could get a Kubota TLB. I think she'd get a bit cross if I suggested she downgrade again to one of these.

Robert_in_NY · Jan 11, 2008

RayCo said:
The irony in that is that my wife had a Lincoln Navigator, but she downgraded to a GMC Envoy (much to my liking!) so that we could get a Kubota TLB. I think she'd get a bit cross if I suggested she downgrade again to one of these.

Why buy a Nano, just trade the Envoy for the Toolcat. She can drive that to work. Its got seatbelts, heat, a/c. What more does she need. And if she finds a dead animal on the road she can help the road crews out by scooping it up

RayCo · Jan 11, 2008

Brilliant, Robert, brilliant!

Skipholiday · Jan 11, 2008

Let us know how the mule turns out Ray.

grnspot110 · Jan 12, 2008

Not a 550, roll bars are wrong, & 550's aren't 4X4. Maybe 2510.

My 1997-550:

MazsterBlaster · Feb 19, 2014

I have a similar issue with a Mule given to me by my father. It idles way too low and if you dont keep giving it the gas the engine will idle and die. Need to repair the 4 wheel drive as well. Love that I found a site to give me a project when the ground is no longer soup.