When we were first introduced to Kawasaki’s Mule Pro-FXT last summer in Nebraska, we got to spend a half-day riding this new utility/work side-by-side in the fields and woods outside Lincoln. It was a fun half-day of riding but we definitely weren’t working much as it was more of a recreational ride than a work trip.
We again got some seat time on the new Mule Pro-FXT early this winter at the Santa Margarita Ranch in Paso Robles, CA. The 14,000-acre ranch is a working cattle ranch, home to a vineyard and a pretty sweet zip line. We spent the better part of the day riding the Mule Pro-FXT across the ranch, stopping to feed some cattle and then exploring the vineyards, trails and mountains on the ranch property.
Okay, so we didn’t work a lot but we did feel like we could experience the Mule Pro-FXT, Kawi’s newest side-by-side in a more natural habitat than what we experienced in Nebraska. The Mule is one tough side-by-side and really is a great work vehicle, whether it be on the ranch/vineyard like we experienced or a worksite such as a construction site or oilfield setting.
Its configurable Trans Cab seating for three or six passengers allowed us plenty of room to comfortable seat our driver and two passengers.
One of the standout features of the new Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT is definitely its new Trans Cab seating arrangement. It is a 1:1:1 system that allows one person to convert the seating with one trip around the vehicle in less than one minute. In fact, one person can easily convert the three-passenger machine into a spacious six-passenger workhorse quickly and without tools.
To convert from 6-passenger to 3-passenger mode, you simply unlatch the rear seat and fold it away, slide the cargo wall forward, lower the cargo wall struts and re-attach the seat latches.
With this Trans Cab feature, the cargo bed length is easily increased from 22 inches in the six-passenger configuration, to an impressive 42.7 inches in the three-passenger layout.
We are impressed with the torquey 812cc, three-cylinder engine with its 48 ft. lbs. of torque and especially like Kawi’s electric power steering (EPS), which came in handy on some tight turns and rough stretches of trail.
We have more complete report ready for an upcoming issue of Dirt Toys Magazine so stay tuned.
2015 Kawasaki MULE PRO-FXT EPS Specifications*
|
Engine:
|
Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 3-cylinder
|
|
Displacement:
|
812cc
|
|
Bore x stroke:
|
72 x 66.5mm
|
|
Compression ratio:
|
9.5:1
|
|
Fuel injection:
|
DFI® w/ 34mm throttle body
|
|
Ignition:
|
Battery and coil
|
|
Transmission:
|
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with high and low range, forward, neutral and reverse
|
|
Final drive:
|
Shaft, selectable four-wheel drive with dual-mode rear differential
|
|
Tires front:
|
26 x 9.0 R12
|
|
Tires rear:
|
26 x 11.0 R12
|
|
Front suspension / wheel travel:
|
Double wishbone / 8.7”
|
|
Rear suspension / wheel travel:
|
Double wishbone / 8.7” / 8.5” (R / L)
|
|
Steering:
|
Electric power assisted rack-and-pinion
|
|
Brakes front:
|
Hydraulic dual 212mm discs with two-piston calipers
|
|
Brakes rear:
|
Hydraulic dual 212mm discs with single-piston calipers, mechanical parking brake
|
|
Fuel capacity:
|
7.9 gallons
|
|
Curb weight:
|
1,878.7 lb
|
|
Overall length:
|
133.3”
|
|
Overall height:
|
77.6”
|
|
Overall width:
|
64.0”
|
|
Wheelbase:
|
92.3”
|
|
Ground clearance:
|
10.2”
|
|
Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS):
|
This structure meets ROPS requirements for wheeled tractors under SAE J1194, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 7.5 and meets the FMVSS 216 Roof Crush resistance requirement
|
|
Cargo bed dimensions (LxWxH):
|
42.7 x 53.7 x 11" (3-passenger mode)
22.0 x 53.7 x 11" (6-passenger mode)
|
|
Vehicle load capacity:
|
1649 lb
|
|
Cargo bed capacity:
|
350 lb (6-passenger mode) / 1,000 lb (3-passenger mode) (where state law permits) 600 lb maximum capacity for California models.
|
|
Towing capacity:
|
2,000 lb
|
|
Turning radius:
|
16ft
|
|
Headlights:
|
(2) 55/60W sealed-beam headlights
|
|
Instruments:
|
Multi-function display includes digital speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, hour meter, clock, dual trip meters, 2WD/4WD indicator, water temperature warning indicator, oil pressure warning indicator, fuel injection warning indicator, CVT and EPS warning indicators, neutral, reverse and parking indicators, seatbelt reminder lamps
|
|
Color choices:
|
Super Black, Timberline Green
|
|
MSRP:
|
$13,999
|
|
Warranty:
|
Kawasaki Strong 3 Year Limited Warranty
|
|
Good Times Protection Plan:
|
12 or 24 months
|
|
Wholesale distributor:
|
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, Calif. 92618
(949-770-0400) www.kawasaki.com
|
*Specifications subject to change.
