Early Mule, new to me

[major519]

Recently cruising the local online buy and sell, I discovered a mule for sale. Normally not unusual but what is, is the fact that it was only a couple hours away and in Canada to boot. Normally up here the few mules that are here belong to guys in the MV collector community. This one was in the hands of the general public.
Many questions without answers as to where or how this mule came about to be found here.
It is by the evidence, an early mule;
-no lifting lugs on hubs
-holes for 4cyl twin mufflers
-magnesium deck
-single hole driver seat, no adjustment
-early foot basket
-4WS
After speaking with Chuck, it should be a M274A3 conversion as it does now have a 2cyl engine. Odd that the original early hubs are still in place.
One of my thoughts is that this may have been re-engined outside of the retrofit program or even done into civilian life by the previous owner(s).
The original data plate is there but I am going to have to do some investigation when I get back home to try and uncover the details. It is like waiting for Christmas as I bought it just before I left (hours before) and am not back home for a couple weeks The data plate is covered by many layers of grime, paint etc but hopefully will clean up revealing some truth!
Will try to get a couple pics posted here
Forgot to mention, it has also been fitted with electric start, runs and drives. Now if my M274A5 was in the same state.....

[major519]

Just a teaser pic

[major519]

I believe that I have seen a photo elsewhere of a mule carrying numbering in this same location. Perhaps one of our gurus can enlighten me some more? I have circled the area near the bubba basket on the passenger side

[Chuck W.]

good find! That is the spot where you will usually find unit markings. Some careful sanding may reveal the full markings.

[major519]

Thanks Chuck
I really look forward to poking around this machine to see what I can figure out. For me the history of a vehicle is the interesting part.
I am thinking that this was a USMC machine as evidenced by the paint that remains. Of course it has been hit with other coats but the underlying colour appears to be USMC semi gloss. Another weird thing for whatever reason, is that someone previously spray a bunch of spray foam on the underside of the deck. Why, know knows. Hopefully not to hide a badly corroded deck. Here's hoping.
It is missing the engine cover and the square steering change over access cover. The guy I bought it from claims he has the round gun mount cover somewhere.
It is also missing the engine guard.
On the upside, the PO installed the electric start with a battery and that is housed inside the pickup tool box on the deck. Guess I can sell of the toolbox, tractor seats and solar panel charger that's on it and recoup a couple bucks to buy parts!

[Chuck W.]

That's a really interesting mule, does it have the spacer blocks between the frame tubes and the bed supports? Would be interesting to know if the 2-cylinder kit was used. I'd almost say....coff...coff....choke....choke....put a 4-cylinder back in it....no, wait, I didn't really mean that!

[major519]

Well Chuck, we will have to wait a bit for me to investigate these questions. My first thought was a 4cyl rebirth.

[major519]

Well, the new to me mule made its way home today.
Upon closer inspection, I am disappointed to say that I only have a partial data plate. Of course the important part is the missing part. The unusual thing is that the serial number/mfr end of the plate was carefully cut away at some point. The plate has original rivets as far as I can tell. What remains is the part that does clearly identify this as a M274. No retro fit plate was ever attached.
It is wearing several coats of paint including US Army and USMC green.
A bit of careful sanding has revealed what appears to be US ARMY lettering and remnants of the original serial number. Hoping I am lucky enough to lift it and find out the identity of this machine. That is for another day, all I had today was a scrap of scotch brite pad but really need some extra fine wet sandpaper and a couple hours to work on it.
This mule has been fitted with a 2cyl but only has spacers on the rear tubes and not on the front. I am thinking this was a civvy cobble job, perhaps starting off as a crapped out M274 with the 4cyl.
Good news is that I already put it to work hauling firewood this afternoon and the engine runs well, no clutch noises.
Will keep you posted.

[major519]

Some sanding today. Looks like I have US ARMY 2B3379 on my hands. Thats as close as I can make of the little bit of registration number that is left and my data plate is partially gone. It is for sure a M274 as that end of the nomenclature plate is still visible.
On the front frame rail, he is wearing number MR 52. Can anyone make anything out of this designation? Was this simply a vehicle identifier or is this a unit number?

[major519]

Numbering on front frame cross member