mcraigchr

In addition to the work I had to perform on my Coleman,  I posted the results of the oil analysis I had done.  It showed that the machine was falling apart inside.  I encourage everyone to get the oil analyzed no matter what brand.  It's a good indicator of what your future will be.

I have heard good things about Polaris from friends that own them, but have no experience myself.

I think you'll find that there is a much larger percentage of people that have had issues with Hisun et al.  (Coleman, etc) than with any other brand.  I had a Coleman 550.  Which is just a Hisun with Coleman badges.  I had problems from the get go.  Customer service is a joke.  Finding someone to work on it was impossible for me ... partly because I don't live in the city.  So, I did the work myself.  Until I just got sick of it.  A UTV needs to be like a toaster.  You get in and go.  Do some maintenance after 50+ hours.  Then get in and go again.  Parts were hard to find.  Even something simple like an oil filter that actually fits was difficult. 

A Hisun UTV reminds me of owning an old boat.  I spent more time working on it than using it.

I went with a Kubota as a replacement.  RTV-x1140.  Could not be happier.  Just did my 200 hour maintenance.  Won't have to touch it again for 200 hours.

Good luck,

CC

It's not water as far I can tell.  This is diesel that I purchased in summer time.  But .... that is why I added the anti-gel.  My buddy had the same issue with some of his earth moving equipment.  He admitted to not adding any anti gel.  So that is what has me puzzled.  Either the brand I used (Sta-Bill All Season) does not work, or I got a bad batch ... or ?

Just puzzled since I have never had this issue before.  I guess the safest thing for me to do is go back Power Service brand additive.  Or I could try Lucas.

I realize that many of you do not have diesel machines.  For those that do, this is for you:

Just wanted to post my experience this past week.  Here in Texas, we had pretty good dip in temps.  For 4 days it did not get above 25.  At night, it was single digits or close to it.  I always put Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer in the storage tank (30 gallon).  And up until this tank I was using Power Service (white bottle) for anti-gel.  Never had an issue.

This tank, however, I switched to Stabil All season (anti gel).  It is supposed to good down to -40.  Zap.  That is a big fat lie.  I put in twice the amount called for in the instructions.  Result was less than optimal.  I drove the SxS 100 feet (to go get the mail) and it died.  I looked at the fuel bowl and it was a cloudy, wax substance.  So, the Stabil did not work.  That said, I'm not sure that I ever tested the Power Service in the same manner.  So I am not saying that one is better than the other.

What are your experiences?  Are these products inferior?  What do you folks in the northern states / Canada use?  Am I missing something?

CC

Howdy all,

Time for the 200 hour service.  I did see that someone finally put a youtube video up.  Only thing it is missing is the spark arrester service.  Anyone know anything about that?  I did see a youtube video, not related to this one, for doing that service but it is very suspect.  I'm not a fan of beating on parts with a rubber mallet.

Anyway, here is the video that I will using to do my service.  Hope it is of use to some of you.

CC

I had a bad experience with a Coleman (Hisun) UTV (mechanical issues).  If it were me, I'd run away as far and fast as you can.

I spent the money and got a Kubota.  900 hours later, not one issue.

I'm a Kubota 1140 owner.  Love the machine.

I'm also old, live in central Texas and have a decided to stop sweating / freezing when I can help it.  So, I am looking into a machine with heat and AC.  I see that Can Am and Polaris have those options.  Questions:

1) Do the environmental controls work well?  Any issues with overheating, etc?

2) Are there any other brands that offer heat and AC?

Thanks,

CC

38 minutes ago, igolfat8 said:

We did a total flip flop and ordered a custom Club Car golf cart.

lol.  Enjoy.

CC

@igolfat8

What did you decide on?

CC

On 6/16/2022 at 11:53 AM, Roadstar515 said:

Forgot to ask you, what year was yours and size

2018 Coleman (Hisun) 550.  Bought it at Tractor Supply.  Well equipped.  Nice looking machine.

CC

5 minutes ago, Roadstar515 said:

Well that’s exciting news, NOT!!! Really not looking forward to that. Maybe if I run 10W30 it won’t happen (lol) just kidding. I’m still wondering if the valves really need to be checked like the book says or it’s just another way to get it in the shop for more revenue. My use for this machine is just to drive it around the neighborhood with the wife. It will probably never see dirt seeing I bought it for her. Don’t see us playing hard but it may not take that either from what I’m reading. We would have got a gas powered golf cart but they can’t make it up the inclines we have in the Georgia mountains

Well, as my aunt always tells me "don't borrow trouble".  You may not have a lemon like I did.   Getting an oil analysis will protect at least some of your investment if it turns out to be a similar situation.  At least you will know that you need to take steps before it completely seizes up.  I wouldn't worry about the valves right now if it were me.  You would know if they were way out of whack.   Engine bogging down.  Loss of power when it warms up. etc.

I hope you have better luck than I did.

CC 

51 minutes ago, Roadstar515 said:

Oh no problem, I get it. I’m an Amsoil guy so I understand where your coming from. Buts that’s a whole different animal if you know what I mean. I had added another post about valve adjustment at 20 hours. Do you care to comment. And thanks for your input, I have an opened mind and willing to listen. This is how we all learn the good and bad. Just sorry I wasn’t on this forum earlier, I would have purchased something else for what I read, lol

I never adjusted the valves.  I traded mine for a Kubota after 80 hours.  I did so because I had 3 lab reports run on the oil.  It was eating itself from the inside out.  I dumped it before I got stuck with a boat anchor.  My advice would be that you get the oil analyzed.  I use Blackstone Labs.  They will mail you a collection kit.  You mail it back to them.  You get a report that shows all of the details and he explains what they mean.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

CC

52 minutes ago, Roadstar515 said:

Just happened to notice in my service manual the recommended oil weight is 10W30 and it doesn’t mention synthetic. I’m a firm believer in synthetic oils, seeing I use them in all my vehicles that call for that. I’m going to call Hisun and see what they say. I’ll let you know if your interested and if not no biggy 

IIRC, my manual also said 10-30.  Living in Texas (hot summers), I have always believed that stepping up in viscosity never hurts anything.  After 40+ years, I have never had an issue in any of my vehicles or toys.  But ultimately, it's your call.

Don't mean to be a negative nancy, but based on my experience, you will have other issues with your Hisun long before you have issues related to oil viscosity.

CC

9 minutes ago, Roadstar515 said:

Full Synthetic correct?

19 hours ago, Roadstar515 said:

Just talked to Hisun and they said I could do the oil changes but to make sure I purchase the Hisun oil filter and use a good quality 10w40 wet clutch motorcycle oil. I new about the oil, but wanted to make sure about the filter. With that said by following that guideline, it won’t void your warranty if something happens during that period. I don’t like not being able to do my own maintenance.

I used Mobil 1 4T-10w-40 when I owned a Coleman (Hisun).  There was a noticeable improvement in the shifter and sound of the machine.

Oil filter was difficult to find.  Finally found one for the 550 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2UIZT6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

On 5/31/2022 at 4:11 PM, Travis said:

Kawasaki, Polaris and Kubota are what i call "the big three" for utility vehicles... you get the best bang for your buck without sacrificing QUALITY.

If you get down to the cheap machines (Hisun, Massimo, Coleman, etc)  that are loaded with features and cost only around 9,000.... you're sacrificing quality.

This.  100% correct in my experience.   Buy one of these three quality machines and cry once (at purchase).  Buy the cheaper brands and cry hard and often.

Craig C. 

I have had good luck with my Kubota RTV-X1140 so far.  Diesel.  Can be both 2 seater (larger bed) OR 4 seater (short bed).  Takes 2 minutes to switch.  Hydro dump bed.   Easy to work on.    I paid 18k for mine a year ago.  Not sure what inflation has done to the price.

CC

3 hours ago, meneb2 said:

Craig, from your picture with the out-building with the Texas flag I would guess you live in Texas.  I do.  Out in the Hill Country, near Fredericksburg.  West of Austin, northwest of San Antonio.

 

I am north of the thriving metropolis of Richland Springs.  Home of winningest six man football team in the history of six man football!

Need rain.  Bad.

Craig C.

On 5/13/2022 at 5:35 PM, meneb2 said:

Changing the oil on the vehicle.  replacing oil filter too.   Holy crap.  tight spaces, over-torqued filter.  cant get it off.  Have tried every filter wrench out there.  cant get a good angle for me to torque it off.  Ideas?

Yes!  I posted about this nightmare in the Coleman forum back in the fall of 2021.  I tried many different styles of wrenches (strap, etc).  Screwdriver.  None worked.  This is what you need along with an extension for your rachet:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/lisle-import-car-oil-filter-wrench-63600/25981259-P?searchTerm=filter wrench

Good luck.  Make sure no kids are around while you're doing this or they will learn some new words.

Craig C.

On 4/25/2022 at 6:38 AM, Howard Dare said:

The steering delivery tube running from the pump to the steering controller below the steering wheel has fractured due to rubbing on a sharp steel flange.  I would like to replace the tube and I am hoping someone reading this has actually done the job.  To get to the point that I have identified the problem I have had to do a great deal of disassembly.  The manual implies I must take off the roll cage, the rest of the body, the steering wheel and the dashboard.  Is this really necessary?

The manual also suggests bleeding the steering without detailing how this is achieved.  Does anybody know how to do this?

This sub forum is not very active.  That's good or bad depending on how you look at it, I suppose.  I have not encountered the issue your are describing with my Kubota.  However, I did encounter something similar in my prior UTV.  I did have to remove the body to get to the areas needed for repair.

Good luck.  I can give you the number of my Kubota dealer.  They are always very helpful with DIY issues.

Craig C.  

43 minutes ago, Lippert Powersports said:

As I stated earlier every manufacturer has an interest in China, the old Massimo units were a Hisun the more recent are a Linhai, again a Yamaha brand and the only difference is the sticker they put on it because they all come out of the same plant. The Coleman units also come from there but are specifically designed to a lower grade for price as Tractor Supply orders  thousands of units a year and orders them that way.  People don’t understand the logistics of how these are ordered with specific design parameters  for each distributor.  It’s not the Chinese but the US company that set standard of what they want to sell and at what price point.

I see your point and agree with much of what you are saying, minus this:  

"It’s not the Chinese but the US company that set standard of what they want to sell and at what price point."

The quality and quality control process of the engine production is NOT the responsibility or result of Tractor Supply.  Quality belongs with the manufacturer and the factory producing the unit.  Logistics and pricing pattern has nothing to do with that.  Hisun owns this eff up.  Not Tractor Supply.  Where TS effed up was not backing a product that they endorsed.  At the very minimum, my expectation of TS was a replacement, store credit or money back. My expectation of Coleman / Hisun was a warranty worth more than a pile of bovine excrement.

CC 

18 minutes ago, Bill Hughes said:

Of course , if you have the money and you're happy spending it, then you should buy the most reliable with the  most features. But if you don't have that much cash and don't want to spend it, their are other options. That's how markets and competition work  And of course, like everything else, since 2013 Kubota makes all if it's parts in China.

My understanding was that Kubota made the bulk of its parts in the US and Japan.  But that is merely hearsay on my part.  Outside of political issues (which I shall keep to myself lest I offend a libtard), I don't have an issue with *quality made* (controlled) Chinese ... anything.  I have an issue with Chinese crap being pushed as something good.  There seems to be a lot of that in the power sports area.  Tractor Supply, a place I spend a lot of money and have / had a high opinion of, pushes the Coleman / Hisun crap.  After I started having issues with the unit, I lost a lot of respect for Tractor Supply.  They completely took a hands off / 'not my problem' stance.  This is after owning it for less than 30 days.  So, I dealt directly with Coleman and Hisun.  I can assure you, my money will not go to those turds ever again.   

Funny thing is, I was working a deal on a Polaris at the same time as the Kubota.  Comparably equipped, the Kubota was cheaper when 0% financing was considered.  Plus I got the Kubota after a 2 month wait.  The Polaris dealer couldn't commit to getting anything for 9 months.

Not saying these things to argue with you, just that there is more to a UTV purchase than merely price.  Comparably equipped the Kubota is not more expensive when all things are considered (including cost of ownership). 

13 hours ago, Bill Hughes said:

Kubota makes decent stuff. They should. Their utv sells for $6000 to $9000 more than a Massimo. 

Yeah, I paid more than I ever thought I would for a UTV.  $18200.  But, there are clearly some things about it that drive the price increase. 

1.  It's a diesel.  There is always a price increase for that.  Power / torque and longevity are worth something.

2.  It's a 5 seater / 2 seater with an expanding bed.  This might be an option too on some Mossimo models.  Not sure.

3.  I have not confirmed this, just read it from sources that are not bullet proof.  The Kubota frame is supposedly a L series tractor frame.   If true, this machine is a good deal tougher than most (all?) China made buggies.

4.  There is *no* comparison in the ride quality between the Hisun and the Kubota.  We thought we were in a Cadillac when we got the Kubota home.  lol.

So, while agree with your statement about a Kubota costing more (purely $$$) ... it really isn't an apples to apples comparison.  That said, I see where there is a market for the 2 seater, gas powered UTV's that cost less.  It just didn't fit well for me.

CC

2 minutes ago, Joe Breaux said:

They ALL have stopped working on them everywhere.  They dont get paid!  A Massimo warranty is about as good as Joe Biden's mental acuity .. I am shocked you could trade it.. Honda refused mine with almost no miles on it 

Gosh.  Sorry to hear that.  If it makes you feel any better, I took a bath on it.  lol.   Paid $8500.  2 years later, I got $3000.  😞

In case you're interested, here is the oil report.