I want a Mule

[Blacksmoke]

Saw a Mule at the Vietnam base mockup at Patriots Point, SC. Had a full day checking out the USS Yorktown. Don't know too much about the mules. Are they hard to find?

 

[gunboy1656]

Not hard to find. But figure your budget before buying. They are not cheap to operate.

 

[txdodge43man]

they are out there mostly on the east and west coast. There is a company that deals with military mules only and I belive they are on the east coast I just can think of their name.

 

[gunboy1656]

There are 2 primary companies that deal with mules:

Mechanical Mules of America- be prepared to drop a LOT of money out of your wallet

and Mechanical Mules.com (David Kelone)- Got a good deal upfront had to do a bunch of work to make it good again, but it was fun to work on. had to redo the needle bearings, the tie rods, boots, correct farmer bills updates.

 

[clinto]

Mules are out there, in various places like eBay, classifieds sections on MV sites (like this one!), occasionally on Craigslist and through word of mouth.

They are pretty expensive to purchase and certain parts can be expensive. The best source of parts is Bill Watson. (Home)

I think since you are reasonably close by, you should contact SS member "charlie", he's in Alabama and is really in touch with the mule community. Ask him if he knows where any are for sale.

Definitely educate yourself about the mules, they are available in several flavors (2cyl, 4cyl, 2 wheel steer, 4 wheel steer, etc.).

Prices can go anywhere from $2K for a basketcase to $10K for a gorgeous show mule.

 

[gunboy1656]

Not to mention you have to figure out what options you want....

 

[doghead]

Mules rule.

 

[bigmike]

Mules are out there, in various places like eBay, classifieds sections on MV sites (like this one!), occasionally on Craigslist and through word of mouth.

They are pretty expensive to purchase and certain parts can be expensive. The best source of parts is Bill Watson. (Home)

I think since you are reasonably close by, you should contact SS member "charlie", he's in Alabama and is really in touch with the mule community. Ask him if he knows where any are for sale.

Definitely educate yourself about the mules, they are available in several flavors (2cyl, 4cyl, 2 wheel steer, 4 wheel steer, etc.).

Prices can go anywhere from $2K for a basketcase to $10K for a gorgeous show mule.

Hey Clinto,

I didn't think the mule would fit in the back of the M105 without taking off the front basket. Does it fit in and you can close the tailgate without removing items?

 

[gunboy1656]

Hey Clinto,

I didn't think the mule would fit in the back of the M105 without taking off the front basket. Does it fit in and you can close the tailgate without removing items?

Here is mine in a 105. All I did was remove the front rack.

 

[doghead]

I have transported mine in an M101, backed in, with a block of wood under the front tires so the basket is above the tailgate. It is far from ideal(the fenders are too narrow so you have to try to hit both and go over them as you back in, while going up a ramp). I do the same thing when I haul it in my pickup truck(to close the tailgate)

You can use a bottle jack to lift the front tires up and place a wood bock under them to get more height under the basket.


An M105 is much easier.

 

[gunboy1656]

An M105 is much easier. You can use a bottle jack to lift the front tires up and place a wood bock under them to get more height under the basket.

You needed to get more height? Mine had enough clearance whether it was pulled in or backed in. I have to pick up my trailer and mule tonight so I will measure the height difference.

There is also this pic from NickD.

 

[doghead]

Sorry, I edited that post to be more clear.

 

[gunboy1656]

That makes more sense.

 

[clinto]

Hey Clinto,

I didn't think the mule would fit in the back of the M105 without taking off the front basket. Does it fit in and you can close the tailgate without removing items?

I always back mine into the trailer, so the foot baskets are at the rear. This is easier to load and unload and also allows me to leave the front rack in. I leave the rear rack off, as the foot basket(s) protrude about 6" past the tailgate.

You can see in one of these pictures GoldComet6 took of us as we were leaving the Kennesaw MVPA rally last year the way the foot baskets are pushing the rear cover flap out a bit.

It is a somewhat tight fit between the M105 wheelwells, but it is manageble.

 

[73m819]

Someone here on site (think RECOVRY4X4) said that mules are the most EXPENSIVE MV pound for pound

 

[hndrsonj]

Someone here on site (think RECOVRY4X4) said that mules are the most EXPENSIVE MV pound for pound

There are 2 primary companies that deal with mules:

Mechanical Mules of America- be prepared to drop a LOT of money out of your wallet

and Mechanical Mules.com (David Kelone)- Got a good deal upfront had to do a bunch of work to make it good again, but it was fun to work on. had to redo the needle bearings, the tie rods, boots, correct farmer bills updates.

You forgot Bill Watson, who is one of the best MV/parts dealers out there and truely a GREAT guy. Mules are VERY expensive pound for pound.

 

[gunboy1656]

Didn't forget about him, just did not know he sold whole vehicles. Like the OP is looking for.

 

[Makincold]

I had no trouble hauling mine with the basket installed. Hauled both basket forward and basket rear. Tailgate closed, no problem.

 

[Blacksmoke]

Thanks for the replies. A mule sure would look cool in the 105, & would be handy around the farm. Time to do a lot of research & get educated on these.

 

[gunboy1656]

The first couple times driving it around, is a very interesting experience.