Anyone familiar with m-274 Army Mule?

[4570Man]

Even steel toe boots wouldn't be much help as a bumper.

Neither would the basket. It's like 1" thin wall tubing with some decently heavy expanded metal on it.

 

[bcp]

"Super Mule"

Bruce

 

[Redneck in training]

You might also check Haflinger, Pinzgauer or Unimog. I think all are street legal.

 

[EddieWalker]

"Super Mule"

View attachment 522076

Bruce

This picture makes me think of those UTV's that Torro sells. I see them at commercial sites and if there was a dealer close by, I would have looked at one for sure before buying my Mule. The bed is much bigger, and for me, that's a huge selling point!!

This is one of many loads of branches, weeds and cuttings from over the weekend that my wife and I loaded up in our Mule. Just backing it up to the burn pile, pushing a button and the bed lefts, and dumping it, is something that once you do a few times, you will never want to to do it any other way. Almost as nice as a loader bucket!!!

 

[two_bit_score]

This picture makes me think of those UTV's that Torro sells. I see them at commercial sites and if there was a dealer close by, I would have looked at one for sure before buying my Mule. The bed is much bigger, and for me, that's a huge selling point!!

This is one of many loads of branches, weeds and cuttings from over the weekend that my wife and I loaded up in our Mule. Just backing it up to the burn pile, pushing a button and the bed lefts, and dumping it, is something that once you do a few times, you will never want to to do it any other way. Almost as nice as a loader bucket!!!

View attachment 522101

Good points on the size of the bed on these vehicles.

If they can lengthen the vehicle to add room for a second row of seats why not lengthen to make a bigger bed?


.

 

[EddieWalker]

My back seat folds down and my metal bed is big enough to hold a pallet. With the tail gate open, I can haul full sheets of plywood, with about 3 feet hanging out. Same with 8 foot boards. Longer then that and I'm either weighing them down, or using something else to haul it. T posts and corner posts are easy to haul around with it.

I have an 8 foot bed on my truck. If I could get a longer bed, I would. Might get a flat bed for my next truck, I always fill it up and doubt there is such a thing as too big. I just couldn't live with anything less.

 

[Flat Broke]

Finally something I can comment on!!

I have worked on many mules, restored a couple, and own a few.

They are great little work horses.
They are 1/2 ton and you can load them until they break as they have no suspension.

The 4 cyl is difficult to work on so if you plan to use it the 2cyl aircooled is the only way to go.
The 4 wheel steer is more desirable as the turning radius is about 20 feet versus the 40 feet of the 2 wheel steer.
The 4 wheel steer can be converted into a 2 wheel steer just by removing a pin and locking it into the mount on the frame.

The beds are aluminum or magnesium so welding is out of the question for most people and getting paint to stick typically requires a primer.

They are a 6 speed. 1-3 hi and low with two reverse speeds.

Definitely want to look out for mice nests in the air ducting as this is what kills most of the engines due to overheating.

No suspension at all except for putting less air in the tires to soften the ride.

Pros:
They look super cool!
They are pretty tough and very simple to maintain (unless you need to work on the planetary gears in the wheel housings.)
Parts are actually very available and not that expensive. (don't buy stuff of Ebay, there's a couple of guys who specialize in Mule parts)
Can climb a tree or just about anything since all 4 wheels are always turning no matter what. (no slipping at all, no differential)

Cons:
Hard to steer. No power steering, and if you think turning 2 wheels is hard under load try all 4!
Steering wheel is in an awkward position.
Did I mention no suspension? Bumpy as ****. Better take your teeth out before you start driving.
No electric system unless it has been converted to have an alternator and battery. Some only have a battery with no alternator retrofitted to it. (never had electric to begin with)
No driver protection. Better learn to bail out as a roll over will not be kind to you.
If you try to use 4 wheel steer going fast you will end up rolling it faster then you even realized what happened.

I love the little guys.
As a toy and sometimes work mule they are great.
As a replacement for a hard working side by side? I don't recommend it.

They will absolutely do what you want them to but not as comfortable, not as safe, and not as maintenance free as the newer Gator type toys.

 

[Spanner]

Great input FB and worth waiting 6 years for! :thumbsup:

Are you on SS site? I have an M1009 ex-USMC.

 

[Flat Broke]

Yeah, I've been around awhile and learned a huge amount from this site, just seems like there's no need for me to comment with all the super knowledgeable people here.

Yep, on Steel Soldiers and G503.com, both great sites.

 

[Spanner]

Super knowledgeable people on SS for sure. :salute:
I don't use G503. (yet).