KAWASAKI MULE
2017 Kawasaki Mule SX Review
New addition to Mule family holds its own
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| KAWASAKI MULE |
When you think of kawasaki
mule, what comes to mind? Do you think of an animal that
is tough, rugged, and manages to get the job done under the toughest
conditions? Before there were trucks, tractors and farm equipment, these hearty
animals toiled away under the watchful eye of their owners, and muscled through
whatever work or chores were asked of them.
Now that times have
changed and technology has improved significantly, the expectations of our
equipment have increased as well. We need something tough, rugged and reliable,
but at an affordable price. So, to meet our needs, Kawasaki has introduced the
Mule SX as the new kid on the block.
New for 2017, this
machine replaces the Mule 610, and offers a more compact UTV without the size
and speed of its predecessors. Kawasaki boasts that the “S” stands for small,
while the “X” stands for extra strong, which makes perfect sense once you sit
down in the driver’s seat.
Just like the mule that
worked with our ancestors through long days, filled with dirt, grime, sweat and
sheer determination to get the job done, the Kawasaki Mule SX
is there, too.
Kawasaki mule has been
making Side-by-Side vehicles since 1988, with all units assembled in the United
States from domestic and imported parts.
Combine that with an industry-leading three-year warranty, affordable price
point, and 66 different accessories to meet your work needs, and the Mule SX
makes for an attractive option.
After hearing about
this new addition to the family, I put the Mule to the test at Ancient Peaks
Winery in Santa Margarita, Calif. With over 14,000 acres of farm, hills, bush
and more, this was the perfect location to see exactly what this machine could
handle. While the new Mule SX Series offers six different models, I quickly jumped
on the Mule SX 4×4 XC.
Test #1 – Terrain Test
Heading up through the
mountainous landscape, I was able to navigate some steep and rough terrain on
the Mule SX. With a 401cc, two-cylinder, four-stroke engine, the machine held
strong both on and off trail. The two-speed CVT transmission with a high-low,
dual transfer case comes with all models and made for an easy ride. The OHV,
air-cooled engine was fed by a clean air intake mounted at the top of the ROPS
tube on the back rack to restrict dust particles. That, combined with improved
suspension spring and dampener rates and 24-inch Duro tires made for easy
handling and a smooth ride. Transitioning between two-wheel and four-wheel
drive was simple with an easily accessible dash-mounted switch just to the right
of the driver’s position. Top speed of the Mule SX is restricted at 25 mph,
which was enough for me as I took the Mule SX 4×4 XC through numerous tests
throughout the day.
Test #2 – Crop Spraying
What better place to
test out the sprayer system than on a fully functional 900 acre vineyard? I was
in my glory amidst the grape vines, flipping switches allowing me to easily
adjust the flow and direction of the spray. This system is sold separately, but
fits easily in the cargo bed, which has a 400-pound capacity. New KQR Bed rails
allow for easy tool-less installation of cargo bed accessories, including the
spray system.
In addition to using
the spray system, I also checked out the tilt feature on the cargo bed. The new
tilt latch is easy to reach, and the textured steel floor of the cargo bed adds
increased grip and improved resistance to scratching. It’s perfect for
unloading dirt, gravel or hay at the farm. The Mule can also tow up to 1,100
pounds, so the option of a small trailer, pull behind roller, mower or anything
else really is there too.
My head was already
spinning with all of the different uses I had for this Mule back home on my own
14-acre hobby farm. A machine like this can make life so much easier by
finishing the job quicker.
Test #3 – Hunting
Kawasaki decked out the
Mule SX XC Camo unit in Realtree Xtra Green Camo from top to bottom. It also
comes with two LED headlights for high visibility out in the backwoods. Add-ons
include a camouflage soft-cabin top featuring 600 denier water-resistant material,
and zip-open windows and doors. Customize your package accessories like a KQR
Flip-Up Windshield, under-seat storage box, gun boot mounts on the KWR bed
rails, and a cargo storage box. The new Mule Pro hood opens easily to reveal a
massive 16-gallon front storage compartment as well for packing some extras;
maybe a Realtree blind, or let’s save that space for bringing home the game you
caught. Use the back cargo bed to prepare your catch; maybe a wild turkey? Then
you can just toss it in the deep fryer hooked up to a propane tank back at the
shop, and you’re ready to rock. Either way, there’s lots of space for whatever
you need to do.
Test #4 – Plowing
There wasn’t any snow
during my test, so I had to envision plowing some of the white fluffy stuff using
the fully enclosed hard cabin Mule SX featuring a padded roof headliner,
sliding windows, forward hinged doors, and tilt-up glass windshield with wiper.
The plow is hydraulic, and uses the Mule’s winch system to move and clear
moderate sized loads. Anybody living where winters are white, cold and long
could make good use of this vehicle.
Test #5 – Recreation
We all like to work
hard, but what fun is work if you can’t play hard, too? I decided to take a
break and refresh my fishing skills out on the ranch. With the cargo storage
box doubling as a cooler filled with cold water, I kicked off my boots, rolled
up my jeans and just chilled out for a bit on the tailgate while I cast a few
lines out. There was nothing but me, my Mule, and nature surrounding me. That
day, I didn’t catch anything, but the chance to just relax for a bit was enough
reward for me.
Conclusion
The Mule SX is small,
yet strong, versatile and can adapt to most any task you need done. Don’t let
its size throw you off, this Mule can hold its own. At just 52.6 inches wide
and two inches shorter than the outgoing Mule 610, it can fit easily into the
back of a full-size pickup truck.
Kawasaki Mule
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