UTV's and ATV's general discussion.

[Runner]

How do you like that Mule SX/FI? I was considering that when I was shopping for a SxS. I wanted a smaller one, since I have a tractor set up for forestry work for the bigger jobs. I ended up with a Honda Pioneer 520, but it was a close choice. I was impressed by the construction and reputation for reliability of the Mule. The two big deciding factors for me were that lack of Kawasaki dealers in my area and the engine braking on the Honda (helpful in our hills).

The main reason I went with the mule is it appeared to be the cheapest new S x S you could get.
Likes: fuel economy, ease of access (you can slide in/out from either side), seems to get decent traction and 4x4 if needed.
Dislikes: CVT transmission (non-responsive and no engine braking), poor drum brakes, no standard hitch receiver, hard to put a windshield on it that doesn't interfere with the front storage, solid rear axle, not a lot of content for the money (compared to some of the China built models), heavy steering, hard to access the dump release handle, have to have the valves adjusted at 25 hours, lights that stay on all the time, too loud, drum brakes

Didn't know the Honda had engine braking, I would really like to have that feature. If I were buying again (and I may be) I would probably look at the little Kubota with the hydrostatic transmission. I don't need speed, but would like better driveability....

 

[ArlyA]

Most of today's atv's and utv's have engine braking. I don't pay attention to the lower cost market machines or sport types and can not comment on them.

 

[John_Mc]

Most of today's atv's and utv's have engine braking. I don't pay attention to the lower cost market machines and can not comment on them.

When I was shopping a couple of years ago, I found that many do not, particularly in the smaller SxS class.

 

[ArlyA]

When I was shopping a couple of years ago, I found that many do not, particularly in the smaller SxS class.

Was that those small sport machines?

 

[John_Mc]

Was that those small sport machines?

No, I have no interest in those, so never looked at them.

 

[Code54]

We had a Honda 500 when they first came out and it was a solid little machine that is ok for work and not bad for trail riding. I ended up selling it when our needs changed.
This year we wanted a new small utility machine and looked at the little Kawasaki Mule but decided against it for some of the reasons mentioned above. I also have a good friend who got a Kawasaki KRX1000 and has had a TON of problems (two engines, a bunch of transmission work, a new fan twice, and a bunch of little issues) . Even though it is under the Kawasaki extended warranty the dealer and Kawasaki don't seem to care to get it up and running or perhaps change it out for a non-lemon. In the 24 months he owned it he said it has sat in the shop for 9 months while he made payments.

After seeing how they handled his problems I decided to skip it and get a little Kubota 520. I love the little thing. It is slow and NOT a trail-riding machine. Just a good little worker. Engine braking - let off the gas on about any downhill and it will stop unless it is extremely steep, then it will slow to a walking pace. It turns on a dime and it is easy to steer even though it does not have power steering. It is slow on the uphills, and you need to use low range for climbing with a load, but it is built solid.

We just sold our sport machine to buy a Can-Am Defender limited for trail riding so the Kubota is only for working and is what it is built for. The Kubota is much more tractor-like than the normal UTVs.

 

[Runner]

We had a Honda 500 when they first came out and it was a solid little machine that is ok for work and not bad for trail riding. I ended up selling it when our needs changed.
This year we wanted a new small utility machine and looked at the little Kawasaki Mule but decided against it for some of the reasons mentioned above. I also have a good friend who got a Kawasaki KRX1000 and has had a TON of problems (two engines, a bunch of transmission work, a new fan twice, and a bunch of little issues) . Even though it is under the Kawasaki extended warranty the dealer and Kawasaki don't seem to care to get it up and running or perhaps change it out for a non-lemon. In the 24 months he owned it he said it has sat in the shop for 9 months while he made payments.

After seeing how they handled his problems I decided to skip it and get a little Kubota 520. I love the little thing. It is slow and NOT a trail-riding machine. Just a good little worker. Engine braking - let off the gas on about any downhill and it will stop unless it is extremely steep, then it will slow to a walking pace. It turns on a dime and it is easy to steer even though it does not have power steering. It is slow on the uphills, and you need to use low range for climbing with a load, but it is built solid.

We just sold our sport machine to buy a Can-Am Defender limited for trail riding so the Kubota is only for working and is what it is built for. The Kubota is much more tractor-like than the normal UTVs.

Wondering how the 520 handles trailer towing? Looks like Kubota lists it for up to 1100 lbs or so. The Mule is also spec. for 1100 lbs and it is good for towing, which is about the only real work I use it for. Mostly just transport around the property.

The other task is occasional water hauling duty

 

[paulsharvey]

Wondering how the 520 handles trailer towing? Looks like Kubota lists it for up to 1100 lbs or so. The Mule is also spec. for 1100 lbs and it is good for towing, which is about the only real work I use it for. Mostly just transport around the property.

The other task is occasional water hauling duty
View attachment 873754

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

 

[John_Mc]

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

Never had that problem on my 2022 Honda Pioneer 520. It has spent most of it's time doing low speed, high work load stuff. I can hear the fan kick on after a bit of sitting still and idling (other times, the sound of the fan gets lost under the other noise).

 

[Code54]

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

Check your radiator carefully. The dust and dirt builds up in them and will really hurt the cooling. The outside sometimes looks good but the middle gets the build up. I normally flush with tap water

 

[ArlyA]

No grunt, no spin stump pulling today. Kinda did think it would fell like towing.

 

[Code54]

I needed to check where I have to install some drain pipes to make it easier to get the tractor through the woods. Figured it was much easier to jump in the SxS and make a loop around.

 

[deserteagle71]

I needed to check where I have to install some drain pipes to make it easier to get the tractor through the woods. Figured it was much easier to jump in the SxS and make a loop around.

Been using my Can-am pretty much daily around my place. Putting a lot of miles on it. Can't believe how handy it is, hauling stuff around, spraying Mormon crickets, spraying weeds. Love this thing!

 

[Code54]

Nice! I think I just rolled 100 miles tonight, only had it for about two weeks. It is a nice machine, with a great ride.

What is the pipe on the roof, I never saw anything similar.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

It is a nice machine, with a great ride.

They ride even better after removing the rear anti sway bar.

 

[deserteagle71]

Nice! I think I just rolled 100 miles tonight, only had it for about two weeks. It is a nice machine, with a great ride.

What is the pipe on the roof, I never saw anything similar.

Mine had nearly 4000 miles on it now.

There's actually 2 pipes up there. One of the things Can-am could have done better(at least on this particular year/model) is the location of the OEM air intakes. Both intakes (belt and engine air) are under the bed of the unit. Here in the desert, this time of year a lot of the roads and trails develop silt beds - very deep, very fine dust. All that dust kicked up by the tires gets sucked into the belt chamber and the air filter housing - it can completely plug up an air filter in 20 miles of driving. Can-am sells "snorkel" kits that move the air intakes up high - but they are super expensive and obstruct the view through the rear view mirror. So I made my own "snorkel" kit using 2" ABS pipe. Only cost a few bucks and now both air intakes breathe from the top of the windshield. Since I made this mod I've not had to clean out either the belt chamber or the air filter. It may look weird...but I don't care!

 

[BruceSH]

I could get used to the appearance, especially knowing what it does.

Our Club Car 1700D uses the driver's side boxed frame rail as the engine air intake and takes air at the very front of the rig near the radiator. Not sure how many makes do that?

 

[tradosaurus]

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

No problem like that with our 2019 Honda 700-4. Like mentioned before, may need to check your radiator and coolant level.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Our Club Car 1700D uses the driver's side boxed frame rail as the engine air intake and takes air at the very front of the rig near the radiator. Not sure how many makes do that?

As I recall, that's how it is on my HiJet, too.

 

[Eagle1]

I could get used to the appearance, especially knowing what it does.

Our Club Car 1700D uses the driver's side boxed frame rail as the engine air intake and takes air at the very front of the rig near the radiator. Not sure how many makes do that?

Not a good place for something that could see deep mud or creek crossings in our neck of the woods. Any thing below at least seat level is likely to suck water in my uses and I don't go looking for mud. When we flash flood even tractors do some wading to clear obstructions in creek or ditches to allow the water move.