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12-15-2009, 03:01 PM | #1 |
Dreadnok Forefather
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hiding out in the Jersey Swamps
Posts: 1,668
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The Mechanical Mule, also called "Army Mule" is basically a four wheel, 1/2 ton vehicle with a 48" x 95" long platform mounted on two axles. It was designed for combat use by Willys in the early 1950's, exclusively for the US Army. Being able to carry a load of 1,000 lbs, it became the first cargo carrier able to carry more than its own weight and it was quickly accepted as a valuable tool. The practicality and sturdiness of the Mechanical Mule were quickly recognized, and four years later, the Mechanical Mule was introduced in airborne, infantry and marine units as well. The production was later awarded to Bowen Mc Laughlin/York, then to Brunswick Corp., and finally to Baifield Industries which manufactured the last mules at the end of 1970. The Mechanical Mule was broadly used during the Vietnam War to transport ammunition, cargo, personnel, and weapons (a 106 mm recoilless rifle with missiles was mounted on it). The seat and the foot basket can be detached and stored underneath the platform. Each wheel is provided with lifting shackles to facilitate lifting by helicopter or dropping by parachute. It was designed to be a very rugged vehicle which could land on its wheels or even upside down when dropped, and still be able to be driven away. The M274 and the M274 A1 were the first models and were equipped with a 4 cylinder, air cooled Willys gasoline engine. This engine was troublesome and was later replaced in the models A2, A3, A4 and A5 with an air cooled 2 cylinder horizontally opposed 4 cycle Continental Hercules engine which proved to be an outstanding performer. All models are equipped with full time four wheel drive, two speed transfer case and a three forward and one reverse speed transmission, giving it six forward speeds and two reverse. The A5 model is a two wheel steer variant, whereas the earlier models are four wheel steer. The engine is located under the platform at the rear and it is protected by a steel cage. The shaft driven four wheel drive system gives the Mechanical Mule amazing traction. All four wheels are completely locked at all times so that the mule continues moving as long as any wheel has traction. The huge 4' x 8' 1,000 lb capacity bed provides a large useful cargo area. The mule can be equipped with a tow bar which connects to the steering geometry so that the mule wheels are steered by the tow vehicle. This also allows the mule to be an effective trailer which can be steered around obstacles. The steering wheel can be adjusted to several positions, which allows driving from a riding, walking, kneeling or crawling position. The bed is surrounded by a handrail which was designed to easily secure a load. The Mechanical Mule was never designed to be fast. At a top speed of 25 mph, the main goal was to keep pace with foot soldiers. Neither was it built to be comfortable. The low pressure tires were to absorb the shocks. Instead, it was built for sturdiness and durability, and it served its purpose as long as it was being used. Today, the Mechanical Mule meets many needs. Its merits are highly praised by ranchers and farmers, orchards and wineries, by forestry, in industrial applications, in construction, in the mining industry, by outdoors fans (hunting, fishing, back-country camping, etc), and by each inquirer who almost every day finds a new use for it. In fact, there seems to be no limit to the multiple applications of the Mechanical Mule, which make it the ultimate rugged off road "must have".
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When the grape soda and chocolate donuts are gone, then you better get out of my way. "There is no such thing as a Dreadnok for awhile, the only 'Nok is a 'Nok for life." |
12-15-2009, 03:03 PM | #2 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Location
Posts: 5,005
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Not bad. Be nice to have one of those on the shelf.
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Konigstiger |
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12-15-2009, 03:38 PM | #3 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2007
Location: blasdell, ny near buffalo
Posts: 8,433
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very cool.
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12-15-2009, 03:48 PM | #4 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
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Did you make that?
The Mule would be great to have as a vehicle for playsets and dios.
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12-15-2009, 03:53 PM | #5 |
Artillery Gunner
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,401
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That's cool! I can tell you used the wheels from the Coastal Defender. Is that what you used for the body as well? If so this is an awesome idea!
I actually got to ride on one of these when I was a kid. My Brother-in-Law knew a guy that collected military vehicles and had one. He let us take it for a spin. Good times. lol! |
12-15-2009, 03:56 PM | #6 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
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A friend had an old Willys jeep that we'd tool around in the sand pit in, take 4 wheeling. That was fun until he had to fix the floor boards and forgot to bolt the rear seat down again and we were going up a steep enough hill and the seat decided it wanted to fall off with me on it....
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12-15-2009, 05:53 PM | #7 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
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Nice. I see part of Ripper's backpack (I think) on there, as well as what looks like the Coastal Defender's wheels. Creative use of parts.
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12-15-2009, 06:26 PM | #8 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 1,384
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Cool. I was toying around with building one also, the one seat variant, and this looks great!
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12-15-2009, 06:34 PM | #9 |
Mad Scientist at Large
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 14,793
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I wouldn't mind the fully autonamous one they're making now, but that has a classic feel that would fit in with the ARAH greenshirts.
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12-15-2009, 06:48 PM | #10 |
Dreadnok Forefather
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Hiding out in the Jersey Swamps
Posts: 1,668
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Quote:
The Military mule is known about by only a few people. This little work horse of the army was profiled by Gunnery Sergeant R.L. Ermie on Mail Call and Locked n Loaded. Any one who has seen the movie Maximum Overdrive saw the Mule with a M60 heavy machine gun attached to it. I may be incorrect, but I believe that this custom is the first small scale version of the M274 Military Mule ever made. If not, I would like to know.
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When the grape soda and chocolate donuts are gone, then you better get out of my way. "There is no such thing as a Dreadnok for awhile, the only 'Nok is a 'Nok for life." |
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