Score: Tree stump (1), mule (0)

[bigmike]

Took the mule out for a spin last night with the wife. While flying thru the high grass, a tree stump jumped up and bit the front drive side completely off the mule. The only thing holding the wheel and drop axle on was the tie rod.

I popped off the tie rod, had the wife sit on the opposite corner and drove her back to the house.

I'll need a new housing if anyone has one...I'll also call Bill Watson later today.

 

[AaronW]

Ouch! Super cool that you were able to self recover.

 

[stumps]

How fast were you going?

My personal rule of thumb for off road and high grass is a little plus of walking speed. Even at that slow speed, gopher holes really give the steering wheel a hearty tug.

Glad you weren't hurt.

-Chuck

 

[clinto]

Holy moly! Was it loud?

How far in front of the mule did you land?

 

[bigmike]

How fast were you going?

My personal rule of thumb for off road and high grass is a little plus of walking speed. Even at that slow speed, gopher holes really give the steering wheel a hearty tug.

Glad you weren't hurt.

-Chuck

I was in third gear high range

 

[bigmike]

Holy moly! Was it loud?

How far in front of the mule did you land?

hard "THUMP" sound.

I did not land out front. the mule kept forward momentum and came to a hault as the front corner dipped down from my weight.

 

[hole]

Glad to hear you or the wife wasnt hurt ! Wish I could say the same about the mule

 

[yetti96]

Wow, I would have guess for more people carnage from the rapid deceleration, but sounds like it worked out in the best possible way, for crashing that is.

 

[M1075]

You are a brave man. I would never get away with asking my wife to be a counterweight, no matter what the situation was!

 

[skinnedknuckles]

You are a brave man. I would never get away with asking my wife to be a counterweight, no matter what the situation was!

Paul

 

[JAYHAWK 1962]

Bummer dude

 

[croftonaviation]

You are a brave man. I would never get away with asking my wife to be a counterweight, no matter what the situation was!

I did this once. Never again, now I just go get some tractor weights. way easier than ever using the word weight around your wife.

 

[armytruck63]

That's one wounded Mule. Hope the repairs will be easy.

On the good side, you applied that handy rust preventative solution called gear oil all over the underside of the Mule.

 

[5ton4ever]

WOW. I hate when that happens! Let me know if you need any help.

 

[OPCOM]

ouch.

 

[bugei]

was that a toyota mule? there could be a big money opportunity in there somewhere.

glad no one was hurt. those abrupt stops are always no fun

 

[greenjeepster]

Wow...

So much for that theory that they are tough enough to be pushed out of a copter, flipped onto their wheels and driven away.

 

[bigmike]

WOW. I hate when that happens! Let me know if you need any help.

Thanks bro...it looks like a pretty easy fix. You only have to throw money at it

update:
I contacted Bill Watson and have the drop housing, two seals and one needle bearing on the way. Everything else will be a swap out from one to the other. I'll post pics of the repair.

 

[powerhouseduece]

OUCH!! Looks like there a bite mark in the seat cushion too!

 

[crankshaft45]

I did the same thing here in Michigan, only took off the right side. I was able to drive it out of the woods and even drove it onto the trailer.

Bill Watson had everything to fix it. I even bent the axle and had to replace that too.

I was surprized it was only a little over $100. for the fix.