Sluggish Mule

Walkin Horse · Nov 24, 2016

I have a 4010 mule with a diesel. I drove it today for the first time in months. I haven't been around much so I'm not sure how it's been abused. About 12 mph is all I can get out of it. It starts and idles good but is just real sluggish. Where should I start. Fuel system or the belt. Like I said I don't know how it's been driven for the last 5 months. It does smoke on start up more than I remember.

Industrial Toys · Nov 25, 2016

I had major fuel issues with my Diesel mule a couple of years ago. All started with bad fuel. I didn't know my suction pipe on my bulk storage tank went down to the very bottom.

I had to remove and clean the tank thoroughly. There is also a water drain on the fuel filter. You should probably get a new filter too. But I warn you. The price is OBSCENE! I actually never replaced mine and have not had trouble since.

I also had to replace the clutch. Funny, since the machine has low hours and gets babied. But I never did notice it failing. It only came to light, because my crankshaft broke as Kawi had chosen the wrong engine for a belt drive. Later they specified the crank out of the turbo model of that engine.

Walkin Horse · Nov 26, 2016

I will start with the air cleaners. Then go to the fuel filter. Then drain the tank. I'm trying to burn off some of the fuel now that I have it back. I'll post and let you know what fixes it.

Industrial Toys · Nov 26, 2016

Reminds me. I should probably clean my air filters. On my list today was to fuel the mule, as it has no real gauge and has run out of fuel more then any machine I have ever owned.

EddieWalker · Nov 27, 2016

I can't say for sure on your Mule since mine is gasoline. I have had the same thing happen with my diesel tractors. A loss of power has always been from not enough fuel. Too much gunk plugging up the filters and the lines. I've added a cheap disposable Fram plastic gasoline fuel filter between the tank and the pump on all my tractors. You can see it get darker over time from the stuff in the tank. All my fuel tanks are metal, so there is no real cure for it. If your tank is not kept full all the time, condensation will form on the inside of the tank, and it will rust.

Replace your filters, clean the screen in your fuel pump if you have one and blow out the fuel lines with an air compressor.