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Was cruising on the information supertollbooth today and ran across a closed eBay ad from March 2011, of a rare bird. Looks like one of the first mechanical mule prototypes, looks like it was a no-sale at a high bid of less than $300. I'm not sure if the seller still has it.
Anyways, here's a blurb that the seller put in the ad:
"This is a prototype that was built by Willys to test the feasibility of what became the M274 Mule. Apparently there were several early prototypes and this may have been the first one....This Mule has a number of unique parts that I cannot identify, but I think the wheel hubs are Jeep parts. It is all-wheel drive and driven by as series of sprockets and chains. It has a gearbox and clutch, but the motor is missing. You can see by the motor mounts that it was some kind of stationary engine. I would think there might be several ways to go with that, and perhaps someone more knowledgeable might know exactly what the correct engine is.
I had intended to do a complete and accurate restoration, but just can’t get to it. I would rather see it go to someone who can do it correctly....
The M274 evolved from improvements to a vehicle designed at the end of World War Two by Willys-Overland as a medical evaluation 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 Elgin 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....
the transmission is from a 45 flathead harley 3 speed with reverse."
Sorry if the font is messed up, I was trying to correct the weird changes on the eBay webpage.
Anyways, some pics of it. Hopefully someone can fill in more details about this unit.
Anyways, here's a blurb that the seller put in the ad:
"This is a prototype that was built by Willys to test the feasibility of what became the M274 Mule. Apparently there were several early prototypes and this may have been the first one....This Mule has a number of unique parts that I cannot identify, but I think the wheel hubs are Jeep parts. It is all-wheel drive and driven by as series of sprockets and chains. It has a gearbox and clutch, but the motor is missing. You can see by the motor mounts that it was some kind of stationary engine. I would think there might be several ways to go with that, and perhaps someone more knowledgeable might know exactly what the correct engine is.
I had intended to do a complete and accurate restoration, but just can’t get to it. I would rather see it go to someone who can do it correctly....
The M274 evolved from improvements to a vehicle designed at the end of World War Two by Willys-Overland as a medical evaluation 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 Elgin 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....
the transmission is from a 45 flathead harley 3 speed with reverse."
Sorry if the font is messed up, I was trying to correct the weird changes on the eBay webpage.
Anyways, some pics of it. Hopefully someone can fill in more details about this unit.
![[thumbzup]](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumzup.gif "Thumbs Up [thumbzup]"){kind=icon}
it sure made me feel better after reading so many crazy things tonight , Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hamsters are coool 
