My new mule is also my first mule

M274 Mechanical Mule Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
Chuck W.
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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Chuck W. » Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:44 pm

The cover on the left is for the M274 only.
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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:27 pm

Chuck W. wrote:
Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:47 pm
Only the JBC's had the sloped foot basket.
That's what I thought too, but check out this video of an early mule, it has the sloped footbasket and an unusual steering column. What do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0D8NRJdTok

Chuck W.
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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Chuck W. » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:56 pm

The machine in that video is in fact the 1953 XM274 shown below. This was a slightly updated version of the JBC, so I guess you could say there were two mule versions that had the sloped foot basket!

Image

BTW, there is one surviving JBC:
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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Sat Sep 09, 2017 5:36 am

WOW, never saw one before. Do you know if the XM274 had the 4 cyl engine, as the mule in the old newsreel seemed to have a lot of power. I would assume that those large crates on the mule were probably empty.

It appears that the steering column had a gear reduction unit by the steering wheel, and think that could be the reason the footbasket is sloped downward for more leg clearance as I would hate to knock my knees against that thing.

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by dogtags » Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:20 pm

Chuck W. wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:35 pm
Let me add that the "235045" registration number does not fit into my database anywhere. I have no "23" prefix registration numbers listed for any of the models.
I hear some people bashing 4-cyls but I have no experience with them. Are they really that much worse than a 2-cyl?
In a word...yes.
Chuck -

Looking back through some old posts, Jason Green (Austringer) had a mule for sale back in 2012. It was USMC Reg Number 232937 with Serial Number M-274-10657

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I'll check with him to see if that was an original reg. number.

~Robert

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by muleman7 » Thu Nov 23, 2017 3:41 pm

I have a M274 Mule that is close to Jason's and it is:

Reg NO 2B3309
Ser NO M274 10530 The 0 is not as deep as the 1053 but is visible.
Del Date 3-58

ChuckW has it listed as Richard Grace [Sold] I got it from Ken Clark

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Below are pics of 2ea M274 Mules in service

Reg NO 2B3104 with a USMC lettering with a 228537 number

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Reg NO 2B2906 with no other markings on the passenger side

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The Data Plates do not list the six digit number found on some of the M274 mules and someone out there may know how thoes numbers were issued? They do not appear to be the Reg NO on the Data Plate.
Mules are my passion
www.m274armymules.com

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by dogtags » Sun Nov 26, 2017 11:27 am

dogtags wrote:
Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:20 pm
Chuck W. wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:35 pm
Let me add that the "235045" registration number does not fit into my database anywhere. I have no "23" prefix registration numbers listed for any of the models.
I hear some people bashing 4-cyls but I have no experience with them. Are they really that much worse than a 2-cyl?
In a word...yes.
Chuck -

Looking back through some old posts, Jason Green (Austringer) had a mule for sale back in 2012. It was USMC Reg Number 232937 with Serial Number M-274-10657

Image

Image

I'll check with him to see if that was an original reg. number.

~Robert
Jason says that the 232937 registration number was original to his that mule. He's going to try and find some of the pre-restoration photos of the mule to show us.

~Robert

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Chuck W. » Sun Nov 26, 2017 7:33 pm

When Jason sent me the original information on M274-10657, he said the registration number was 2B2937. All of the M274's that I have in my database have a registration number with a "2B" prefix. I suspect that the 232937 number, and your 235045 number is NOT a registration number but some type of USMC ID number. I have photos of M274 mules with both a 23#### number and a 2B#### painted on the side of the deck. I don't know what else I can tell you.

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Chuck W. » Mon Nov 27, 2017 5:59 pm

I would like to thank everyone who me the serial numbers and registration numbers on their mules. I am still in need of early M274 data, I have very little at this time. A photo of the dataplate would be great, too. Thanks again.

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Conibear » Mon Dec 04, 2017 11:09 am

Congratulations on finding a mostly complete 1st series M274! I have one, as well (I wish i knew how to post pictures). I would post pics of how the previous owners of mine installed a generator-starter that is belt driven without having to move the muffler and engine guard!

Charles Witt and John Emery are both good suppliers of parts and knowledge. The helicoil on my #4 cylinder head is mostly missing, so yea, be very careful changing spark plugs!
M274 with 4 cyl first series engine

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Conibear » Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:05 pm

Image

Trying to post a pic for first time...
M274 with 4 cyl first series engine

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Conibear » Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:12 pm

Image
M274 with 4 cyl first series engine

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Conibear » Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:25 pm

M274 with 4 cyl first series engine

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by Conibear » Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:27 pm

Does anybody use flickr as web based picture host? If so, how the heck do you get pictures to post here?
M274 with 4 cyl first series engine

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Re: My new mule is also my first mule

Post by abbylind » Thu Dec 14, 2017 3:38 pm

I like the "GI" steering wheel knob spinner!
Remember the word "expert".....An "EX" is a has been.... and a "SPERT" is a little drip...


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