M274 A5 Mules

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 1950s, 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 McLaughlin/York, then to Brunswick corporation, 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 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, and a 3-forward and 1-reverse speed transmission, giving it six forward speeds and two reverse. The A5 model is a 2-wheel steer variant, whereas the earlier models are 4-wheel steer. The engine is located at the rear, and it is protected by a steel cage. The shaft driven 4-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 seven 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 the 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, industrial applications, in construction, in the mining industry, by outdoor 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 makes it the ultimate rugged off-road “must have”.