173rd Airborne Brigade troops march along a road near Bien Hoa airbase, Vietnam, accompanied by the M274 Mechanical Mule 1965.
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173rd Airborne Brigade troops march along a road near Bien Hoa airbase, Vietnam, accompanied by the M274 Mechanical Mule 1965.
I remember those...you might find use for one on the ranch Frank.
And M14s :)
Was going to work one morning ( Spartanburg SC) last fall, stopped at traffic light, and a Suburban pulls up in the next lane with a Mule on trailer!
Did Jeep make them?
Ed
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._drawing-1.jpg
Manufacturer
Willys, Bowen-McLaughlin-York, Baitfield Industries, Brunswick
Produced
1956-1970
Variants
M274A1, A2, A3, A4
The M274 Mule was introduced in 1956 to supplement both the 1/4 ton trucks ("Jeeps") and 3/4 ton trucks (Weapons Carrier Series and M37 series) in airborne and infantry battalions. The M274 evolved from improvements to a vehicle designed at the end of World War Two by Willys-Overland as a medical evacuation litter carrier from areas and terrain that would even be a problem for its famous Jeep to access. Further tests by the US Army at Eglin Field, Florida proved it also useful as carrier for both supplies and men. In 1948 the US Army purchased a small number of these test vehicles with the designation the Jungle Burden Carrier for evaluation in jungle warfare and with airborne forces.[1] There were 11,240 Mules produced between their introduction and 1970, when production ceased. They were used throughout as platforms for various weapons systems and for carrying men, supplies, and weaponry/ammunition during the Vietnam War and in other U.S. military operations until the 1980s. As a completely open and exposed vehicle, they offered absolutely no protection to the driver, yet that was relatively unimportant as they were mainly used as cargo carriers and medium-range infantry support vehicles, rather than tactical vehicles. The driver's seat could be removed and the steering column moved forward and the vehicle driven in reverse to accommodate more cargo. If under fire the steering column could be moved farther forward and down, so the operator could operate the vehicle while crawling behind it. They were phased out from military usage in the 1980s with the introduction of the HMMWV series vehicles. The HMMWV was, however, unable to fulfill the role of the Mule, so the M-Gator, a military variant of the popular John Deere Gator vehicle, was introduced
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._in_AAFM-1.jpg
That bottom one would be perfect for Frank to hunt pics...nothing better than a 106 with the fleshette...
Here is a photo of one of those from my other thread:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Rochester
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....8&d=1457192490
The Gator was interesting, it ran on Diesel, and had no practical ground clearance. One of those cases where a proper military vehicle was replaced with a militarized off the shelf civilian product to lessor effect.
I think the original intent of the gator over there was just for a camp runaround and garbage hauler, all round taxi. Once the troops get hold of it things happen. I'm surprised you guys didn't have a quad mount C9 for it...Quote:
Originally Posted by Sentryduty
Jim, It would be cool to have one out there. I know I can use that Mule for many other projects on the Ranch. I had a friend build Racks for the Front and Rear on my 2 Quads to haul them nasty Pigs back to the hangers.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Like pulling a feeder back right side up...Quote:
Originally Posted by imntxs564
I was reading Civilian use of the M274 Mule and read that The California Forestry Services received several years back (70's maybe) free from the Government to help with Forest Fires probably came out of Camp Pendleton. I don't know the Speed of these, but I bet it was just to deliver men and supplies not too close to the line. Here's one that someone took a picture of and posted it. Now that would be just right to fix up for the Ranch, but the pic looks old.