2013 Mudd-Ox Turbo Diesel 8x8

[fcris]

I wanted to post this in case anyone was wondering.

I wish I can give some more input but it’s too early. I agonized over this decision. And with the help of this forum, I made this choice.

One of Matt’s coworkers, Billy, delivered my Mudd-Ox Saturday morning. I had it out two times since. I driven just about anything that burns fuel and drives on land, and I can say that this an impressive ride.

I found Matt very helpful and always available via cell phone or email. I know most would say that he’s selling you a machine, of course he’ll always be available. For what it’s worth, he was just as helpful after he received payment. And they delivered the machine as promised.

I really like the fact that I can talk to the designer. I’m the kind of person that has to modify everything, so if Matt doesn’t mind, his input will very helpful.

After two rides, totaling three hours, I can say... This machine is a real stump puller. It’s noisy, though the engine is very quiet. I think the quietness of the engine makes the hydraulics seem even louder. I own a lot of hydraulic machines and I'm sure the colder weather makes this machine louder.

I have a thousand questions, but I’ll see if more drive time will answer some before I start.

Thanks to everyone that helped.

Frank

[kghills]

Congratulations on your new Mudd-Ox purchase. What a great Christmas present. Please keep us informed on how it performs for you and remember we love pictures and videos.

Keith.

[Buzz]

congrats buddy on your new machine. The diesel really transforms the mudd-ox. While a gasser can be made to work very very well, the diesel really makes the mudd-ox what it should be, and sips fuel while doing it. The heavy towing and climbing expeditions actually become practical.

[thebuggyman1]

Pencil in some vacation time on your calendar for one of the group rides....you won't believe how much fun it will be

Trail Rides, Clubs and Events

I would suggest hitting both of these:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/trail-rides-clubs-events/24899-busco-beach-nc-april-5-7-2013-a.html

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/6x6-atv-racing/24751-ashtabula-2013-a.html#post134611

The racing weekend is not all races, it full of trail riding, talking with other 6x6ers, telling TRUE stories, and small amounts of alcohol. Here is from last year http://www.6x6world.com/forums/6x6-a...ts-2012-a.html

[mightymaxIV]

That is a very nice machine you have there, I would love to see some pictures and video of that machine in action.

[rentalrider]

That is a very nice machine you have there, I would love to see some pictures and video of that machine in action.

Yeah, this! Been contemplating this...

[PA Jeep]

I have a 2012 with a powered up diesel, low gears and tracks. What an awesome machine. Did you get tracks or other options?

[north28]

Thanks for your post Im looking forward to reading your updates

[fcris]

I have a 2012 with a powered up diesel, low gears and tracks. What an awesome machine. Did you get tracks or other options?

Yes, low gears and 20” tracks.
I get to take a 45 min loop around my property about once or twice a day.
I’m just learning how to drive it. Since I’ve used skid steer machines in the past, ripping down the trails wasn’t the issue. I can steer it ok. It wasn’t until after Matt directed me the website for the hydraulic pump package he uses, that I learned how to climb steep hills while weaving through trees.

It’s hard for me to explain the concept, but it’s like having a transmission with no gears. When the sticks are only moved a small amount, the torque is high as if you’re in first gear. And when the stick are at max, you are in high gear with low torque. So the first thing I had to wrap my brain around is, if you need more power while climbing or tight turning, back off on the sticks. I’m sure you guys already know this. Any skid steer machine I ever used didn’t go over a few miles an hour, and only had one speed.

The other thing I’m still out on the limb on is the dash mounted throttle. I’m not sure if having it on the stick would be better, but I guess it depends on the driving style we do.

I’ll send photos as soon as I can get someone to take them.

Frank

[kghills]

Frank, that is really very interesting. I guess I did not really know exactly how the Mudd-Ox operated other than it had joy sticks an hydraulics. Your explanation is very good and makes me want to take a trip to the Mudd-Ox mecca and take a test drive myself. (that and I hear it is full of vintage 6x6s)

Thanks for the update, hope you can get some pictures or video in the near future. Keith.

[Buzz]

It's amazing how little throttle you need if you're "patient" and just make slow turns, allowing the low-gearing of the hydraulics to do the work. I try to save the higher RPM for when I need the power to climb as opposed to just maneuvering quickly. Seems like less wear and tear anyway. Adding an EGT guage might be a good idea so as not to unknowingly overburden the engine at lower rpm's even though it has the power to do the job. I could see where at times higher RPM's might be "healthier." Seems like you can more or less "listen" to the engine, but an EGT guage would be nice, especially on a tuned-up diesel. Mine is stock. Although, I have a dash-mounted throttle on the diesel, I almost wish now that I had the manual lever on the sticks like my gasser. I don't know if I could actually save fuel or not, but you could definitely manage the RPM's better. You might be a little more prone to stalling if you let off the manual throttle I suppose...I don't know. In regards to the electric throttle- the engine-mounted "actuator" or "servo" if that's the right term just extends (telescopes) as it receives input from the dash-mounted toggle. It then in turn holds the engine throttle linkage open that "set-amount." The downside I see is that the electric throttle holds itself in a fixed position, but the engine may receive a heavy load suddenly, forcing the throttle linkage closed (or trying to).......it is a potential break point. Not a major deal....if the actuator rod (that connects to throttle linkage) breaks, you'll just have to find another way to hold the throttle open (wire, zip-ties, or in my case...get lucky and have enough rod left that the broken piece can be unthreaded from the female-body of the linkage, and the remaining (majority) of the rod can be re-threaded, letting the servo operate as normal- although with "slightly" less throw and without the absolute top RPM). Matt lined me out over the phone for this exact thing. It was actually simpler than I had expected once I just "looked" at it. I believe the diesels now come with a more severe-duty cooling system now, but another benefit to having a heater on your rig is that you can leave it running to sponge-off additional heat if you're working the rig hard. I know that's probably obvious. I've wished for a 3rd hand when working the sticks and the winch at the same time. While you can use the remote control in one hand and still operate both sticks (as opposed to using your knee for one stick if you have to use winch's dash switch), having a winch toggle on the sticks (I think) might be helpful....random thoughts
Just wanted to share....... I look forward to hearing about and seeing your rig-

[mudslinger]

Is getting both the electronic dash mounted throttle and a stick mounted throttle an option? Seems like that would be the best of both worlds, you could set the dash throttle for a set engine speed and just work the sticks, kind of like zero radius turn lawn mowers, and then have the convenience of the stick throttle when you come upon a situation that requires more RPM. Is that an available set up from the factory?

[Buzz]

I think it would actually be a good idea to have both installed so you would have a reliable back-up throttle should your servo ever have problems. It would be as easy as disconnecting the servo rod and connecting the manual throttle linkage at the butterfly. The manual cable could be tied out of the way until needed. The electric can be set at virtually any fixed throttle setting from idle to WOT as they are set up now, so you do have a full-range of RPM. It seems like 2400 (sometimes less) seems like a good spot in the torque curve. Higher rpm is only needed for brute pulling or climbing. I can't imagine what a tuned-up rig would feel like. The electric throttle is nice for keeping you there or at any rpm for that matter, and it does save on tired fingers.

[Matt O.]

Hi Everyone,

Over the last few weeks I have had a few people ask about a control lever mounted throttle switch. Here at the factory we are working on this. I have a mount set up for our snow plow so you can run the blade up and down while driving to make snow plowing much faster. The throttle switch can be done much the same way.

Matt

[mudslinger]

Hi Matt,

Happy New Year to you and all your Ox family of workers, hope your year continues with lots of Mudd-Ox production and innovation. In the thread above you mention the control lever mounted throttle control, does this mean that on a turbo diesel model it will be possible to have both the dash mounted electronic throttle control and the control lever mounted throttle control so that a set RPM can be locked in by the dash control and then if needed the control lever mounted control can be used for more RPM and when released the engine speed would return to the level set by the dash control? Thanks.

Ed