[AT] OT Four wheeers

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

I bought a Kawasaki Mule 12 years ago. It is perfect for farm use. I have 
over 1200 hours on it. I've had to replace the muffler twice and the 
starter. For frequently getting off and on, it is a lot easier than a 4 
wheeler. I have overloaded it many times hauling rocks out of the fields. 
The windshield is nice in cold weather or if you get caught in the rain. 
Mine is the smaller size (I assume they still build it) so it did not come 
with 4wd, but it does have a differential lock which I have used a few 
times. Top speed is about 20mph. There are some side-by-sides that run 
40+mph, but to me that is ridiculous, it is an off-road vehicle after all. 
If I need that kind of speed I'll just buy a used small 4x4 pickup--for a 
lot less money. Another thing I like about it is being able to transport 
another person, although sometimes I wish I had one with 2 seats so I could 
haul 4 people. When I bought it, the dealer told me it was not meant for 
constantly blazing a trail through the woods or slugging through deep 
mud-holes. There may be some built now that are. The frame on mine doesn't 
have a lot of twist or an overabundance of ground clearance. I have only 
swing it once although it has been in the woods several times. Deep snow can 
be a problem as well--if the floorboard starts acting as a trowel, you might 
want to leave it in the shed. I drop a tractor weight or 2 in the back and 
it generally goes really well.

If you look at side by sides, consider leg room and can you enter/exit from 
either side. I had a friend that bled John Deere green but bought a Mule for 
those 2 reasons over a Gator. I think the new Gators did away with the 
center console.

Also, there seems to be a new class of side by side meant for high speed 
exploring, not working---be sure to compare apples to apples.

Dad uses a golf cart. As long as you stay on the roads and only need to 
carry a couple items it is fine.

John Hall


-----Original Message----- 
From: Don Bowen
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 1:07 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: [AT] OT Four wheeers

I recently underwent some fairly major surgery on my leg.  It appears
that it may be several months before I can return fully to my previous
activities.  The trouble is that things still need doing around here.
Now that the bugs are down and the woods are clear I need do some work
there.

To that end I have thinking about getting some sort of four wheeler.  I
know almost nothing about them.  What I am looking for is something that
I can strap on a chain saw and a tank of fuel.  I would like to be able
to drag out small branches and maybe tow a small trailer and the
chipper.  The wooded area is mostly steep hills with a few trails.

Any ideas welcome.

-- 
Don Bowen           AD0BR
"A man must keep a little back shop where he can be himself without reserve. 
In solitude alone can he know true freedom."
-Michel De Montaigne 1588
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

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