Mule 550 - a few questions

tracetrimble · 01-02-2007

My mother bought a used MULE 550 recently, and I have a few questions related to helping her get it running...

- First off, I'm trying to determine the year model. There is what looks like the remnants of a serial number tag on a frame crossbar on the drivers side under the dash. Most of it is gone, I assume from drivers propping their foot on the bar. Where is the VIN stamped on these machines?

- There is what looks like an open oil fill / level check hole on the lower rear of the motor case, on the right side behind the drive belt shroud. There is a plug on a very similar spot on the front side of the motor that has a yellow oil fill plug threaded into it. I really hope this is just a casting feature that is blocked off and not used in this model? The oil is right up to the opening of the one on the front side of the motor.

- It is not charging the battery. The stator is putting out about 12-50VAC linear with engine rpms, but the voltage regulator resistances do not check out according to the manual. Is this a common problem on these machines, or is there anything else that I might check before ordering the $65 part? The rollbar has been rewelded behind the seat, which easily could have cooked the regulator. It also appears to have been bypassed in the wiring, probably because the high voltage from the stator was blowing lights and such. This will be fun to chase down.

- Anything a new owner of an old Mule should be checking right off the bat?

Thanks-
Trace

GSTFTS · 06-10-2007

The S/N on the one I have is on the frame in front of the left front tire. I had a hard time getting the one off of the machine that we have, but WD40 and a wire brush cleaned it well enough that I could make it out with a magnifying glass.

Not too sure about your electrical problem. Something that might help is I found on EBay you can purchase a downloadable service manual for a couple of bucks from a number of folks. I got one and thought the photos are not that great, the wiring diagram and test procedures are useful and cheaper than the 50 bucks the dealer wanted for a manual.
Good luck,
Bill

01-02-2007	#1 (permalink)
tracetrimble Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1	Mule 550 - a few questions My mother bought a used MULE 550 recently, and I have a few questions related to helping her get it running... - First off, I'm trying to determine the year model. There is what looks like the remnants of a serial number tag on a frame crossbar on the drivers side under the dash. Most of it is gone, I assume from drivers propping their foot on the bar. Where is the VIN stamped on these machines? - There is what looks like an open oil fill / level check hole on the lower rear of the motor case, on the right side behind the drive belt shroud. There is a plug on a very similar spot on the front side of the motor that has a yellow oil fill plug threaded into it. I really hope this is just a casting feature that is blocked off and not used in this model? The oil is right up to the opening of the one on the front side of the motor. - It is not charging the battery. The stator is putting out about 12-50VAC linear with engine rpms, but the voltage regulator resistances do not check out according to the manual. Is this a common problem on these machines, or is there anything else that I might check before ordering the $65 part? The rollbar has been rewelded behind the seat, which easily could have cooked the regulator. It also appears to have been bypassed in the wiring, probably because the high voltage from the stator was blowing lights and such. This will be fun to chase down. - Anything a new owner of an old Mule should be checking right off the bat? Thanks- Trace

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06-10-2007	#2 (permalink)
GSTFTS Newbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	The S/N on the one I have is on the frame in front of the left front tire. I had a hard time getting the one off of the machine that we have, but WD40 and a wire brush cleaned it well enough that I could make it out with a magnifying glass. Not too sure about your electrical problem. Something that might help is I found on EBay you can purchase a downloadable service manual for a couple of bucks from a number of folks. I got one and thought the photos are not that great, the wiring diagram and test procedures are useful and cheaper than the 50 bucks the dealer wanted for a manual. Good luck, Bill

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