By Tim Odell
Ever looked at a table and thought You know what this needs? An engine and 4×4 drivetrain! ? No? Well, back in the mid-50s someone in military planning did, and the M274 Mule was born. Significantly slower, but more awesome than the side-by-side UTVs that are all the rage these days, the Mule has a 1/2 ton capacity and a forward control driving position. And not much else.
The 2-cylinder drivetrain is backed up by a 3 speed transmission and 2 speed transfer case. High-gear in high range is good for 25mph, low-low is good for 1 mph. This is an “A5” model, meaning it’s without the 4 wheel steering previous generations benefited from, but it does have electronic ignition. No one wants to fiddle with points on the side of the bog.
It’s just been listed on eBay with a starting bid of $4,000, meaning it’s likely worth more than whatever you people would be towing it with.
Jeff Glucker
needs a roll cage and some chicken wire.
needs moar veneer
If Colin Chapman needed to go offroad, he'd have a Mule.
Didn't one of these appear in "Maximum Overdrive?"
Yes, with a machine gun turret.
Yep, shot the he77 out of the Dixie-Boy Truck stop too!
Now this is a proper sport utility vehicle. If I owned some land I would seriously consider bidding on it… Alas, my (rented) pocket sized yard does not qualify as "land"…
Hmmm, I never thought about motorising a table, but a six-wheeled sideboard that could tow a drinks cabinet has always been a dream of mine. Call me crazy….
Must Mule Now! http://tinyurl.com/2ergxho
I'd roll that thing in ten minutes. If I am going to kill myself I'll spend my $4K on hookers and blow.
Still cool as hell though. I just know I'd die driving it.
Too bad they didn't have one of these on hand for Firefly. The modern-day ATV messed with my suspension of disbelief almost as much as the randomly-disassembled Bobcat skid steer loaders seen in a few episodes.
Give me a lap belt and some bungee cords. I'll drive it to work.
"Work" is meant to be 16 miles away, but I get the feeling I could find a shorter route with this.
Back when I was in the Regular Army, the commo guys had these to string wire (yeah, I'm old, we had landlines) over all kinds of nasty terrain. Later, when I was in the Guard, we had a couple of these in the motor pool and we'd fool around with them. They're a hoot to drive, three speed tranny and the same opposed twin engine as the 5KW generators we had back then. Pull start, which was a pain, but they're full time four wheel drive and climb like hell. If you want to, you can unlock the steering column, put the thing in reverse, and walk behind it steering it while you walk. I'm not sure why you'd want to do that, but you could.
"I'm not sure why you'd want to do that, but you could."
I suspect that mode of operation is designed to be used with a skateboard…
yeah, just don't trip on your shoelaces.
I was in Viet Nam in 1969 and road on these alot .they were used to take the squad out on patrols and drop us off . I want one of these real bad,its hard to find one of these in good shape at a resonable price.
HERE IS YOUR CHANCE, I HAVE ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESTORED. MAKE OFFER 229-456-5775 GEORGIA
Do you still have M274 for sale?
you have a good sense of humour.
I HAVE ONE I WANT TO SALE OR TRADE FOR A MILITARY JEEP. IT NEEDS WORK . AND NOT RUNNING, I DONT WANT TO RESTORE IT. 229-456-5775 MOULTRIE GA 31788
If you are still looking to sale it please send me some pictures. ni*********@*tt.net
I dont see it on e-bay where is it located