[Sweet Tooth]

I was reading over the litany of complaints about the Brutus, and I decided to look through some of the other threads to see if there were any people who had opposing views. Here's a few of the things that I found.

The air conditioning in mine has never worked. It blows cold air when you first turn it on, but after about five minutes of run time it's blowing nothing but hot air.

I find this strange since another user said "heat and air worked great." I wonder if it has to do with the climate that the vehicle is being used in, and I also wonder if the quality of the cabin enclosure could have something to do with it.

The Yanmar diesel engine is as loud as a tank.

This is generally agreed upon by everyone. I again wonder if using the cabin enclosure or modifying it could help with this problem. Ear plugs aren't the worst thing ever though when you are using vehicles like this.

The forks, and the hydraulics that lift them are a joke. First of all the forks are too short. Forks are for lifting pallets. The length of these forks only insert about 2/3 into a standard size pallet. Then, the lifting mechanism in the front of the Brutus is not strong enough to lift the average weight pallet. Now before anyone at Polaris tries to tell me some crap about it being unsafe to make it lift anything heavier then why did you even bother offering forks? If I ever get my Brutus back from the repair shop I think I will post a video just to shock people by showing them how my Polaris can NOT lift things that most people would expect it to lift.

It is disappointing to hear this, but I do think he is being a little unreasonable in his expectations of the Brutus. Not sure what an "average weight pallet" is. You control the weight of the pallet by deciding how much you want to put on it, so I don't really get the complaint. Maybe it isn't as strong as you may like, but remember that this machine is very versatile so it can't be expected to do everything it does as well as a machine that is dedicated to just the one use.

It's too slow. I was told at the dealership that the Brutus could reach speeds of 40mph. Mine barely goes 25mph down a paved hill. When I go up a hill it drops to about 18mph. It's so slow it's painful. I took it to the dealership, and they did something that makes it go about 23mph down a hill and 20 up a hill. They also showed me this update bulletin from Polaris that states that the Brutus is only designed to go 20mph. After showing it to me he asked me to sign it. I told him I'm not signing it because I was told the Polaris goes 40mph which was a big deciding factor in my purchasing the unit. I expect and want my Brutus to go 40mph like I was told it would. Everyone who has rode in my Brutus has verbally commented about the slowness of the vehicle. It's about as fast as a riding lawn mower, literally.

I think this is pretty unreasonable. First of all, 18mph (which is about 30kph) is an acceptable speed I would say. This isn't supposed to be zooming around. It is a work vehicle, not an off-road or ATV vehicle. Perhaps a problem with the dealer who told you it would go 40mph. That is really fast for a vehicle like this. If you want something fast I think that you should go with a UTV or ATV that is a bit more for recreation.

 

[Jorts]

I don't know if there is a "litany" of problems. Forums are well known to be dumping grounds (justifiably so) for complaints and broken machines, whether brutus or any other item. Same goes for any car board. Hopefully Polaris listens.

1. My A/C works flawlessly-in fact I have to run the temp dial at 50% in the blue because it's too cold. If it doesn't work, it's a warranty item, simple as that.

2. The Yanmar is loud. There is no getting around that. It doesnt bother me, but can understand others complaints.

3. Pallets: the pallet forks JUST BARELY fit into the bed of my brutus that a bed dimension of 43.5x54 according to the online specs. The standard pallet is 40x48. That comment regarding pallets only being 2/3 the right size is simply inaccurate and misleading. As to the lifting capacity: if you want to lift at or near the 450 capacity, simply speed up the throttle lever to increase pump pressure. I have lifted well over the published capacity on numerous occasions, and only had to increase the throttle lever to do so. This is the same on every machine I've ever operated.

4. Speed. Very subjective to determine what is "fast enough". Many dealers incorrectly assumed the brutus would run the same as the Ranger diesel with the cvt transmission. They failed to account for hydrostatic transmission and hvac differences. These units will run 25-28 mph on a flat surface if dialed in correctly. Simple solution: ASK FOR A DEALER DEMONSTRATION! Run the machine on your property to see if it is right for you!

 

[polarisfan]

I don't know if there is a "litany" of problems. Forums are well known to be dumping grounds (justifiably so) for complaints and broken machines, whether brutus or any other item. Same goes for any car board. Hopefully Polaris listens.

1. My A/C works flawlessly-in fact I have to run the temp dial at 50% in the blue because it's too cold. If it doesn't work, it's a warranty item, simple as that.

2. The Yanmar is loud. There is no getting around that. It doesnt bother me, but can understand others complaints.

3. Pallets: the pallet forks JUST BARELY fit into the bed of my brutus that a bed dimension of 43.5x54 according to the online specs. The standard pallet is 40x48. That comment regarding pallets only being 2/3 the right size is simply inaccurate and misleading. As to the lifting capacity: if you want to lift at or near the 450 capacity, simply speed up the throttle lever to increase pump pressure. I have lifted well over the published capacity on numerous occasions, and only had to increase the throttle lever to do so. This is the same on every machine I've ever operated.

4. Speed. Very subjective to determine what is "fast enough". Many dealers incorrectly assumed the brutus would run the same as the Ranger diesel with the cvt transmission. They failed to account for hydrostatic transmission and hvac differences. These units will run 25-28 mph on a flat surface if dialed in correctly. Simple solution: ASK FOR A DEALER DEMONSTRATION! Run the machine on your property to see if it is right for you!

It's only natural that people would go online to talk about issues they have had, so chances are there are many owners out there with this that are completely happy with it.

 

[Ketchn]

I have had my Bobcat 3650 for 7 days now and have put a little over 300 miles on it.
My observations are if the temp is below 80 the A/C works great unless your running full speed (your foots got the pedal to the metal), then it will get very warm, and then cool back down after a while.
If the temp is mid 80's to low 90's the A/C is cooler than outside, but your still sweating.

Speed wise I drive mostly on old railroad beds (very mild grades), if the temp is below 75, then on the level or downhill it will go 30-32 mph, slight upgrades it will go 23-27 mph.
If the temp is above 75 then top speed without A/C is 26 mph and 24 with A/C.
Fuel mileage so far has been 15-17 mpg, I filled it at the same pump.
I have the bucket and snowblower, the mower will be here in a week or two, so the only thing I lifted was the 400 lb. snowblower and it had no issue with that.
About 50% of the time it won't shift out of the gear it's in unless you move the machine several feet and keep trying (yes I have my foot on the brake), other times it shifts great, kind of hit and miss.
When the mower gets here I will be mowing around 15-20 acres in 70-90 deg. Heat, hope the air works good as the Bobcat puts out tremendous heat, I think I'm going to add some insulation and/or sound proofing, doesn't seem to be much under the cab to cut the noise or heat from getting into the cab.

 

[Mikeh]

Does your Bobcat 3650 have lots of pulling power? Can it clime hills with out slowing to a crawl? I have a Brutus that can barely pull it's own weight up a hill, top speed is about 10-15mph. The Dealer and Polaris are telling me this is how it's suppose to work. If the Bobcat can pull loads and runs strong maybe a Bobcat dealer could get my Brutus working.

 

[polarisfan]

Does your Bobcat 3650 have lots of pulling power? Can it clime hills with out slowing to a crawl? I have a Brutus that can barely pull it's own weight up a hill, top speed is about 10-15mph. The Dealer and Polaris are telling me this is how it's suppose to work. If the Bobcat can pull loads and runs strong maybe a Bobcat dealer could get my Brutus working.

that's a good way to put it, i guess it's worth the try, but if this is how the brutus was intended to function it has to be for some good reason.

 

[Ketchn]

Mikeh,
Mine goes slow up hills also, I have climbed two very steep hills, one on a trail and the other getting into the Walmart parking lot. I could of walked past it, I used low range and all wheel drive, it didn't spin and I had it on the floor. Hydrostatic drive is a very big power hog, but it was made for going back and forth easily with the bucket, snow blower or other attachments that use the PTO. Hydrostatic drive works great for when you set the throttle for the PTO rpm, as you can still control the speed of the UTV easily.
Your Brutus should go 30mph on the level if the temps below 80, with the air off. If not it needs some adjusting. I found the service manual online @ http://www.egimotors.it/egimotorspa...-10-hydrostatic-drive&id=90:brutus&Itemid=104

 

[polarisfan]

seeing how widespread this is with the brutus i wonder if it's something polaris will address in a future year model or if they will just continue to keep it close to how it already is.

 

[Mikeh]

The dealer found the problem with my Brutus. Polaris was no help. The problem is a weak spring on the command arm. It's the spring that pushes on the lever that moves the swash plate. I put a couple bushings on the spring where it presses on the lever. Now it can goes up hills quickly and has a top speed of 30mph. Polaris has a new command arm for the Brutus, it has an adjustment on it to set the spring pressure, the dealer has one on order for me it's due in dec. Polaris must know about the problem if they have a new command arm, but you will never get they to say there is a problem.

 

[polarisfan]

that's great to hear.
i'm surprised the dealer was of more help usually i hear that the manufacture is of more help in most cases.

i wonder how common this problem is.

 

[Mikeh]

I believe Polaris name for the spring is the "hp control spring". The problem is common, dealer has multiple machines with the same problem. My Brutus require 1/8" bushings between the spring and the pinto level. 3/8" and the engine is lugging. The problem now is keeping the bushings from falling out while in reverse. The pinto lever pulls away from the spring in reverse so the spring force will not hold the bushings on. If you try this make sure to put a bushing on both ends of the spring where it pushes on the pinto lever, the bottom one is under the control arm. Also make sure the clearance between the control arm and pinto lever between the spring ends is clear or the engine will lug. I'm going to machine the control arm where it pulls on the spring and make it adjustable. It really needs to be fine tuned to get it right, a to much and the engine lugs and can't build RPMs, to little and you don't get full power from the engine. I'll post a photo of the mods when done.

 

[Jorts]

Glad to hear you have a fix.

 

[polarisfan]

I believe Polaris name for the spring is the "hp control spring". The problem is common, dealer has multiple machines with the same problem. My Brutus require 1/8" bushings between the spring and the pinto level. 3/8" and the engine is lugging. The problem now is keeping the bushings from falling out while in reverse. The pinto lever pulls away from the spring in reverse so the spring force will not hold the bushings on. If you try this make sure to put a bushing on both ends of the spring where it pushes on the pinto lever, the bottom one is under the control arm. Also make sure the clearance between the control arm and pinto lever between the spring ends is clear or the engine will lug. I'm going to machine the control arm where it pulls on the spring and make it adjustable. It really needs to be fine tuned to get it right, a to much and the engine lugs and can't build RPMs, to little and you don't get full power from the engine. I'll post a photo of the mods when done.

keep us posted on how that goes, interested in seeing what the final product is going to be like

 

[Jennings]

I didn't get the a/c cab unit so can't say much about that, but the reason I didn't was because of the loudness in the cab, and i don't like having to open and close the doors, oh and i don't wear a dress and require a specific temp (j/k, but funny huh?)

I'm going to have to say its not as loud as a tank, this individual has never been in a tank, its not the same. Theres no real way to fix that unless you want to dump money in a sound dampening system for the cab, but taking the doors off would make a significant difference. The polaris diesel i traded in, same engine, was not nearly as loud, but I think it had a lot to do with it was a completely open cab, and the seat was directly over engine, so it dampened it.

The pallet forks are a good size, they fit a basic pallet no problem. If you can keep the majority of your load close to the vehicle it will lift better and it lifts way more than 500 lbs, as stated, thats why there is a manual throttle. Its not a skid steer or a tractor. It can lift more than a third its weight, thats about right.

I feel like some people expect this machine to do everything awesome because of the price, but thats not the case. It does everything well. To spend over $30,000 on this machine with all the goodies, sounds crazy to the average person, and I absolutely understand the individual with complaints concern and feel he had unreal expectations, whether because of dealer, or not enough experience, and so on. I mean no disrespect to the individual, please take no offense.

I got my brutus to 30 mph. I'm sure most of you have found the adjustment that allows you to regulate your power between low gear, high gear, and reverse. 30 is gonna be about the top unless you do some serious upgrades, but a draft horse doesn't run in the kentucky derby.

For future buyers, don't look at a brutus as an all you need machine that can do everything perfectly. If it was, they wouldn't make skid steers, or backhoes, or dozers, or forklifts, or mowers, or can am outlanders 1000cc. Its good at a lot of different things, but not the best in any of them. It's built heavier than the diesel I had before, hydrostatic is a huge timesaver and 10x better than that belt i replaced every 3 months.

I will say, the ground clearance sucks, and i can only take one kid for a ride at a time. Those are my complaints. I am going to fab a seat for above the center console though and will post pics once its done.

 

[Jennings]

I didn't get the a/c cab unit so can't say much about that, but the reason I didn't was because of the loudness in the cab, and i don't like having to open and close the doors, oh and i don't wear a dress and require a specific temp (j/k, but funny huh?)

I'm going to have to say its not as loud as a tank, this individual has never been in a tank, its not the same. Theres no real way to fix that unless you want to dump money in a sound dampening system for the cab, but taking the doors off would make a significant difference. The polaris diesel i traded in, same engine, was not nearly as loud, but I think it had a lot to do with it was a completely open cab, and the seat was directly over engine, so it dampened it.

The pallet forks are a good size, they fit a basic pallet no problem. If you can keep the majority of your load close to the vehicle it will lift better and it lifts way more than 500 lbs, as stated, thats why there is a manual throttle. Its not a skid steer or a tractor. It can lift more than a third its weight, thats about right.

I feel like some people expect this machine to do everything awesome because of the price, but thats not the case. It does everything well. To spend over $30,000 on this machine with all the goodies, sounds crazy to the average person, and I absolutely understand the individual with complaints concern and feel he had unreal expectations, whether because of dealer, or not enough experience, and so on. I mean no disrespect to the individual, please take no offense.

I got my brutus to 30 mph. I'm sure most of you have found the adjustment that allows you to regulate your power between low gear, high gear, and reverse. 30 is gonna be about the top unless you do some serious upgrades, but a draft horse doesn't run in the kentucky derby.

For future buyers, don't look at a brutus as an all you need machine that can do everything perfectly. If it was, they wouldn't make skid steers, or backhoes, or dozers, or forklifts, or mowers, or can am outlanders 1000cc. Its good at a lot of different things, but not the best in any of them. It's built heavier than the diesel I had before, hydrostatic is a huge timesaver and 10x better than that belt i replaced every 3 months.

I will say, the ground clearance sucks, and i can only take one kid for a ride at a time. Those are my complaints. I am going to fab a seat for above the center console though and will post pics once its done.

 

[skatedoktor]

I own a bobcat 3650, the A/C is cold and rarely have to turn the dial past the first speed for it to cool to the cab and make it very comfortable. The yanmar is loud, I just cut the grass and do work with ear muffs with the radio built into them, cuts the sound down

I have had issues with the speed of the unit and going up hills while cutting grass in low gear, it does slow down considerably. My unit has warranty until next month and it is currently at the bobcat dealership getting checked over before the warranty is up. I mentioned to the service rep about a pintle lever issue that I learned about on this forum and he did in fact say there is a field report and fix for the issue. New parts were in stock at Bobcat plant and I will have it back friday. I will report back to let you know if speed issue has been fixed.

 

[skatedoktor]

I received my 3650 back from the bobcat dealer. They replaced a command lever cable under warranty, brand new pintle lever assembly. Needless to say its a brand new unit. The response from the treadle pedal is different from before the fix. The top speed in both low and high gear is faster and when going up hills in low when cutting grass there is no more slowing (bogging) down.

I am not sure about polaris but bobcat has a field report fix issued to its dealers and is repairable under warranty until April 2016, at least this is what my service rep told me

 

[Jorts]

Great to hear. Polaris has the same fix. I agree it makes a world of difference.

 

[Ketchn]

I just dropped my Bobcat 3650 off for the snail crawl speed up hill with the mower fix. Hope it gets fixed like the others on here.
It's also getting a block heater put in and the mower kit for the radiator, to keep grass out of it.
It also has other issues:

After sitting over night, it doesn't mater if it's in the 30's or the 70's it has a very hard time starting, it gets real bad if you let it sit 2 or 3 days. After several try's it will start, but then stumble and miss real bad as if it has air in the fuel lines.

The Hydrostatic drive twice suddenly stopped, the first time I was on a level trail doing around 20mph, and the second time was a couple of weeks later doing 25 down a hill. Both times I was at partial throttle and I heard and felt a small thump, and the foot pedal thumped right down on the floor as all back pressure on it went away. The machine coasted to a stop. I got out and looked at it and all seemed fine, it took off and drove fine after both incidents. I think it's a pressure relief valve popping, the first time I had been running it for about 6 hours mowing and on the trails, the next time I had only driven about 3 miles.

 

[KeviNH]

Anybody have the block heater and can report on how much, if any, it helps with cold starting problems?

About 50% of the time it won't shift out of the gear it's in unless you move the machine several feet and keep trying (yes I have my foot on the brake), other times it shifts great, kind of hit and miss.

I've noticed the same thing, but then I have the same problem with my old Honda TRX500 hydrostatic transmission. It's a lot more annoying on the Honda, because on that one you have to shift to get into reverse.

I think I'm going to add some insulation and/or sound proofing, doesn't seem to be much under the cab to cut the noise or heat from getting into the cab.

After this winter, I'm going to see how much Roxul Safe 'n' Sound I can fit in.