Small Cabin

# Posted: 23 Sep 2015 00:19
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Quoting: Salty Craig

Ya got her properly branded before a fly had a chance!!

I make everything look like a big operation. Its really just a hobby, I have a full line of apparel Salty. I am having loads of fun. I am past the cabin stage, now I am decorating the property with signage to make it look like forest service or state parks. The mule is the "Rangers Rig"

Full line of apparel, rubber stamps, embroidered patches, stickers, I even have a iron brand:

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# Posted: 23 Sep 2015 01:56
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upndown I'm getting the grass-eating, stubborn kind of mule, lol!

I speak mammal much better than I speak machine!

toyota_mdt_tech WOW, that's some beast! It looks powerful! Enjoy!!!

mick968
Member

# Posted: 23 Sep 2015 20:55
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nice (grass eating) saves on fuel we have a pack of llamas roaming the mountainside they consume a lot of everything haven't figured how to constructively put them to work

Asher
Member

# Posted: 23 Sep 2015 21:08
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While your redoing the wiring, consider adding a trailer light plug, and maybe a aux lighter plug below the bed in case you ever decide to get something that might need power (powered sprayer, etc)..

Also instead of using regular blade fuses, spend a couple more dollars and get "automatic reseting" fuses... It might keep you in the light if a wire ever gets chaffed in the middle of the night...

# Posted: 23 Sep 2015 23:32
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Asher, I have loads of those Cole Hersee auto reset circuit breakers from 5 amps all the way up to 50 and everything in between. Good idea actually. They actually make one that fits into a blade fuse socket (auto reset circuit breaker).

There is a pigtail under the bed with wires already, I'd bet that is what its for. There is also a socket already in the dash for 12V, it looks like only a 120 watter though based on wire size. Battery is easily accessible too from the back.

I just about finished wiring up the front now. Just trimming out under the dash now. Loads of errors in the wiring. Horn snail was set in a way it could of easily collected water, flasher relay was upside down, good way so become a cup of water over time. I am so glad I went over this. I am just frustrated I paid a guy $500 to have it installed and then did it all myself. (this did include the full kit). He did mount the lights in a nice spot. Its about the only part of the job I gave the thumbs up too.

# Posted: 1 Oct 2015 23:37 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Wiring is all redone, never cause trouble, all wrapped up and tied in with the original stuff. Added the RH matching tail lamp, so now 2 stop lamps in the rear and I swapped out the bulbs for LED units. I also aligned the front wheels (toe in) and centered the steering wheel, drives so much easier on the pavement now. Added the optional Kawasaki storage box under the seat, very deep. And my new Superwinch 3500lb showed up today, I'll wire it all in this weekend. The winch mount plate wont be here till Monday. My slow moving vehicle triangle shows up tomorrow. After that is all installed, its going to be fully cabin/ranch/farm ready.

Ok, just got word, after the fires, some grazing areas were burnt, some fences burnt and a local gentleman has 2 horses and a colt and no where to keep them. Well, everyone fights to get them to keep the grass as bay, (there is a waiting list for his horses on peoples lots) brush cleared back, opens the area up more and really does wonders for keeping forest fires at bay. He asked me if he could put his 2 horses and 1 colt up at my place. The front 20 acres is fully fenced. I said absolutely. He will bring in a stock tank, fill it weekly. I have a nice spot for it. He has a propane burner to keep it from freezing in the winter and he said they can stay there all winter long. If there is too much snow, he will bring them in hay.

I am excited about my new tenants. I will bring them treats when I show up. He said apples and carrots are treats for them. I am going to spoil them.

Update: I was told not to hand them the treats (carrots, apples etc) just go near them, dump them on the ground and leave. If you hand them food from your hand, they will follow you all over the place always nudging at your hand and you wont get any peace, work done, sleep....

upndown
Member

# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 00:25
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Horses are great, as long as they're some one elses! Fun to ride tho.

# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 02:01
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So a "Mule" and now real equines! You're brimming with horsepower! I love horses.

# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 21:58
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Quoting: Julie2Oregon

You're brimming with horsepower!

Julie, be about 2-1/4 HP total. I will have him take a few pictures of them and post them.

# Posted: 3 Oct 2015 04:59
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Oh, yes, please!

I'd love to see them!

# Posted: 12 Oct 2015 21:39 - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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you slung a cravin on me....

Went and bought a new 2015 MULE 4010 Trans 4x4 Green with roof. Picked it up last week. Has 2 row of seats for I can haul the all Grandboys with me when they come in town.....and I kept the old Mule to leave at the camp. Sold my 4wheeler in one day on Craigslist....had to get a new 6x12 trailer to haul it on. Picked it up Friday. Sold my 5 x 10 trailer in one hour.... been wheeling and dealing last week;)

https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2015-Mule-4010-Trans4x4

# Posted: 12 Oct 2015 23:02 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Right on Turkey Hunter. I was looking at the 4010, was too big for my tight wooded area. The 610 was the smallest side by side in the industry. The 4010 came in diesel. I think my neighbor is going to get the 4010 next year.

Hey, for the big camps, these things are a must.

I just added the 3500# Superwinch, nice kit, came with everything, IE roller fairleads, remote control, inside switch, contactor, all wires. I had to buy the winch plate for my rig. All in, looks like it came from the factory with it. I added the factory tow hitch on it also, slow moving vehicle triangle on it, the second rear tail lamp (came with one on the LH side, looked lopsided to me)

I added the inside middle rear view mirror (mounts to roll bar), I have the 2 outboard mirrors with the street legal kit, but found myself constantly looking for my rear view mirror. So its coming, be here Wednesday.

Get the windshield too, keeps your legs from getting wet if it rains.

I will get final updated pictures this weekend. I have a co worker who is interested in my quad. So he may end up with it. My trailer is a 7X16, but its enclosed, so it wont fit inside unless I remove the roll bar. So it should be easy enough.

# Posted: 13 Oct 2015 09:32
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

I just added the 3500# Superwinch,

I put the Superwinch 3000 on my old Mule last Christmas...love it

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

I added the factory tow hitch on it also

mine came with tow hitch

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

slow moving vehicle triangle on it,

I got several here around the barn..but the new rig deserves a new one..will get one at tractor supply today

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

the second rear tail lamp

mine came with 2

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

middle rear view mirror

cant decide which one to get ...looking on Amazon last night

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

Get the windshield too

looking at the fold down one

# Posted: 13 Oct 2015 10:12
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T/H, check Kawasakis website too to see all options available. I found a huge deep underseat storage well option for mine and installed it. Otherwise, would of never known it was available. I got the front floor mat and the bedliner too

# Posted: 13 Oct 2015 11:46
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

T/H, check Kawasakis website too to see all options available

will do

Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

I got the front floor mat and the bedliner too

I just had Line X done on my truck tailgate....going to get a price and maybe have the inside of the bed done in LINE X on the MULE

which mirrors did you get??/

Cowracer
Member

# Posted: 13 Oct 2015 13:47 - Edited by: Cowracer
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I looked at all the brands when I bought mine, and I wound up with an Odes Dominator 800. You probably never heard of them. Its a Chinese clone of different models. Body frame and suspension are largely Yamaha Rhino. Engine and trans are Can-Am 800 v-twin. Diffs are rhino in front, Can-Am in back.

Total for it, just exactly as you see it in the picture was $9400 with the nice wheels, electric dump bed, winch, doors, roof, lights and all. It runs a solid 52MPH, and will climb a tree if you can keep the bark on. A lot of my friends have given me crap for buying cheap Chinese junk, but for the most part, it's pretty solidly built. Its not a nice or refined as an $18,000 Ranger Crew, but at roughly half the cost, it's a screaming deal.

It's not without its problems though. Apparently they used a batch of poor quality wheel bearings. I have one that is really crunchy right now after only about 500 miles. Good thing is they are common bearings. All 8 bearings (good quality EBC bearing) and seals are only $95, and a couple hours to change.

I'm still way ahead, money wise.

Tim

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# Posted: 16 Oct 2015 00:19
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Quoting: turkeyhunter

cant decide which one to get ...looking on Amazon last night

T/H, this is the one I got from amazon:

ATV Tek (UTVMIRCTR) Clearview UTV Center Mirror

Nice unit, fits right on the roll bar (ROPS)

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# Posted: 18 Oct 2015 15:10
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Updates photos. I have been working on this thing for several weeks now. My last and maybe final project is to remove the rear add on turn signals and incorporate them with the rear running/stop lamps. I will have to wire in the turn signals other circuits to turn off left brake lamp when left turn is on.

New, it came with one tail/stop lamp, mounted drivers side only. It looked lopsides. So I bought a complete OE Kawasaki lamp and all mounting hardware to add a RH lamp. Well, go to tip up the bed, it hits the muffler pipe and I used the existing holes in the bed. So I ended up moving the lamp to clear the muffler, this meant moving it further outward, but I didnt want it right behind the rear tires to take in a bunch of mud/road spray. Then I moved the other side to match it.

Winch fully installed, I added a neat bumper, I call it a rubber biscuit at the cable end. Was a bear to get the cable loop through it, silicone spray made it an easier task.

I installed the remote hand control plug for the winch also. I have a rocker switch inside for in/out but needed to have one for the outside too. Really critical to winding the cable back in feeding ti across the spool/drum evenly. Once winched in for storage, I always leave the transmission for the winch in a disengaged mode in case it powered up or someone just pushed the button, it wouldn't tear itself up.

I added the factory tow hitch, it was the best set up. Plenty of other designs for less $$$ but mounting was sub standard. So paid $140 for the OE unit. Pricey, but I only needed to do it once.

Added the rear view mirror, slow moving vehicle triangle on the rear of the rack and a few more of my Do_uble J Ra_nch stickers.

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# Posted: 18 Oct 2015 15:13 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Few more pictures...

I will probably install some large rubber mudflaps behind the rear tires.

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# Posted: 26 Jan 2016 23:38 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Ok, added more modular LED tail lights for the street legal Mule.

I also added a 2 meter Alinco DR135 II ham radio. I used a 1/4 wave Tram antenna vs my favorite Larsen NMO 150B 5/8 wave. I wanted a shorter antenna for the heavier brush I may encounter.

I modified a Panavise mount to secure to the rollbar for the radio and the antenna mount is home made, no drilling required to mount it, made it fit an existing hole.

The rollbar/top unbolts and I used Anderson Power Poles to separate the radio power wires for easy top removal. The Mule has no "ACC" position on the key, so I wired the radio hot all the time. But the radio has an APO feature, ie auto power off if there is no radio activity in 30 minutes, it shuts it off preventing a dead battery. So I activated this feature. I am close to a local repeater at the cabin, so I have a radio range in excess of 40+ miles.

I did find 2 neat dome lamps/reading lamps in LED that used velcro straps to mount on the roll bar, one for each occupant.

I added the slow moving vehicle triangle. Its road legal, but has a top governed speed of 25 mph.

I am looking into 2 large rubber mudflaps for the rear, i they need to support the flaps sticking out wider than the bed, but flex when hitting obstructions.

I am done, there is nothing more I will do to this at this point. It heads to the cabin in April.

modular LED tail lamps

2 meter radio mounted

radio mount

1/4 wave antenna

bldginsp
Member

# Posted: 27 Jan 2016 14:50
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I'm jealous- can't afford that Xmas present to myself- I've been looking around on Craigslist- saw a beat up old Rhino 4x4 for $3000- broken fenders, needs brake work and clutch, etc., I'd look pretty silly in that next to yours- oh well.

bldginsp
Member

# Posted: 27 Jan 2016 23:27
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Alright, so here it is- a beat up old Kawasaki Mule with missing fenders, was smacked into immovable objects by joyriding farm workers, needs a new seat but supposedly runs well. He wants $3000 OBO. Is that a good deal?

Rather used Mule

AK Seabee
Member

# Posted: 28 Jan 2016 00:41
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If the exterior is abused that bad I would not trust the motor, axles or tranny. Thats my two cents anyway.........

# Posted: 28 Jan 2016 01:32
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Quoting: bldginsp

Alright, so here it is- a beat up old Kawasaki Mule with missing fenders

bldginsp, I was looking at craigslist for used and I seen way better than that for around the same price. Also, there is rental places that rent out heavy equipment, up here, called Star Rentals/Equipment and they had a bunch used for sale in good shape. Prices varied from $3500-$5000. They had Mule 610, 4010, Kubota and Polaris Rangers.

That rig IMHO is worth $1500 max.

# Posted: 28 Jan 2016 06:56 - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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I am a huge Kawasaki MULE fan!!! I have a mid 90's Mule I leave at camp....starts every time...I change oil in it once a year...and put staybil in the gas tank...it get's run very hard hauling wood/ food plot supplies/deer stands....hauling deer/and lot of other dead critter's get to ride in the back of the MULE....that being said...last fall as I was looking for a NEW MULE as the tax lady said buy something for the tree farm...as a tax write off.....

so I bought this
https://www.kawasaki.com/products/2015-Mule-4010-Trans4x4

this is like night and day over my old mule ... power steering /etc.....as I looked at used Mules on CList etc....they wanted so much for a used one. This one seats six and my grand boys love it. But if you look you can find a deal on a used one..it takes TIME!!!!.they are out there~~~~ bldginsp good luck on your search!!!

PS--the dealer tried to sell me a Polaris ..all plastic bed etc...several guys in my hunting club have them..they all have problems with them. The Mule is a WORK HORSE

RichInTheUSA
Member

# Posted: 28 Jan 2016 07:27
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech

My credit score is "0".

I too #LiveDebtFree and have no reporting to the credit bureaus.

I learned there are multiple credit score models...

A "consumer credit score" is the one where you look at your score online. This has history of good and bad which supposedly times out after 7 years. My good history has stayed on the books. I've never had bad history.

A "mortgage credit score" is slightly different. They require that you have had "debt activity" within the last 6 months, otherwise it comes back "0". Some car rental places do the same, as does my Electric Utility.

To address the no activity issue... I got a credit card, spent $3.40 on it, paid it off, let the bank report to the Credit Burea, and then canceled the card. Taaa daaaa... Credit score was restored.

Credit scores can be manipulated... I just prefer to not let them manipulate me -- by never going into debt in the first place. It works.

# Posted: 28 Jan 2016 22:41
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Rich, I was told if i had no credit activity in 2 years, it goes to zilch. I had credit history going back 10 years. Its just I had no activity in the last 2+ years. I have used the pay as you go plan. I guess it would not of bothered me as long as I didn't know about it. But now I knew. Anyway, with the Mule purchase (I financed it for 2 yrs with a 5K down, I have may jsut pay it off but was told to run it for 6 months minimum for credit score) and a credit card (I just got this from my bank with a 5K limit, first one in 20 yrs) I use each month and pay it off, zero interest... I might do better to actually use credit and pay a teenie bit of interest. Anyway, my score is now at 730 in just 2 months. My goal is to be in tier level 2 which is 750-799. It was 796 when I bought my new diesel truck. Tier 1 and tier 2 get the best interest rates. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it, but I do.

I own my home, have for 5+ yrs. I did buy the 20 acres next door to my cabin last year, 10K down, 1K a month, but its carried by seller via a middle man (land title company) and its not reported to credit bureaus, not sure why. It will be paid off the end of this summer.

Thanks for the info too. I am manipulating to get my score back up.

Sorry I got off topic :off topic:
Back to the thread.

# Posted: 14 Feb 2016 01:10 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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OK, final modification. I can not think of anything else I'd like to do. Had it since last summer, drove it so far, about 2 miles. Its cabin property ready now.

I added large mudflaps in the back, 12 wide, 18" long.

I may spray in a bedliner. It has the rubber mat in the bed now. I may also add a chunk of plywood to the tail gate for a nicer work surface.

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# Posted: 20 Mar 2016 22:51
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OK, been a while and really no modifications left, but I did make a compartmentalized box that fits right in the bed, used all treated wood, floor is 1/2" treated plywood. I will almost always have my Stihl 026 with the 20: bar, some gas, either the gallon can or the qt gas can, couple of bottles of oil and file with bar tools.

Second compartment in the middle will hold 3 of my 8 gallon water jugs. It will hold my Honda generator and a gas can and the rear compartment can hold misc items. The middle and end rack will change contents, but the saw will be almost a permanent part of the Mule.

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