M274 military mule half scale home build

[dowies]

Here is a half scale M274 military mule that I've been engineering and building since April of 2010. I've always loved the full scale M274 military mules, but they are a little out of my price range. So I took all the dimensional specs I could find online, and engineered a half scale version. Attached is my build progress so far. I am using a 6.5HP electric start gas engine with a forward reverse gear box. I am also using a rear differential.

 

[dowies]

Here are some more development pictures right up to Feb 17th 2011.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

that is quite some skilled work. amazing outcome. id love to take it off roading!!

 

[r_chez_08]

Nice!!!!! that looks like an expensive gearbox! Is it comet?
Rob

 

[T-man]

this is cool . I have been trying to think of building something that I could use for filming and this is cool. I was wondering the way that the front end is set-up ... I know that the 4 point connection is set-up and how it handles the up and down movement but I cant see what handle the side to side stability.

 

[dowies]

Nice!!!!! that looks like an expensive gearbox! Is it comet?
Rob

Thanks. It is a comet gearbox. I bought a new old stock one on ebay for $150.00.

 

[dowies]

this is cool . I have been trying to think of building something that I could use for filming and this is cool. I was wondering the way that the front end is set-up ... I know that the 4 point connection is set-up and how it handles the up and down movement but I cant see what handle the side to side stability.

Hey T-man. I designed this mule with a seperate front and rear pan hard bar. You can kind of see it in some of the pictures. This pan hard bar takes the side to side load for the front and rear end in tension and compression.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

did you get a kit for electric start? looks like a 6.5 clone.

btw you got quite the decor on those shop walls!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

What an absolutely unique and well executed build! Bravo!
Couple quick questions- Why is it the steering wheel appears to be centered between the seats while the control pedals are off to one side?
Also- unless I have misinterpreted something, it appears you have your brake disc on one side of the differential, effectively braking only one wheel. Did I miss something?

Very nicely done. Cheers! Chris

 

[devino246]

That thing is amazing! Im jealous.

 

[Walter Keller]

The Mule

I have the real thing - the Mule that is - yours is cool - too bad you couldnt have used a surplus 2cylinder gen set engine. Only problem with those engine theres no recoil starter - just a rope.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Walter- would you mind posting a pic of the real thing? I've never seen one and I think it would be a kick to see it, as compared to Dowies' sweet little 1/2 scale build. I don't think he'd mind the pic here...

 

[devino246]

Walter- would you mind posting a pic of the real thing? I've never seen one and I think it would be a kick to see it, as compared to Dowies' sweet little 1/2 scale build. I don't think he'd mind the pic here...

Heres what you need to do:

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Wow! I betcha that cannon doubles as a propulsion system!!!

 

[redsox985]

This is beautiful! If only you had plans and a parts list... (wishful thinking )

 

[devino246]

This is beautiful! If only you had plans and a parts list... (wishful thinking )

Umm:

 

[CriticalMass]

The steering wheel made me turn my head sideways. Also was there no way to mount the front spindles on less of an angle? Seem like the tires would hop around being angled like that.

What a cool kart, you definatley need to make a 1/2 scale cannon now.

 

[dan]

look at the real mule, the steering wheel is also in the center tho it is tilted in towards the drivers seat, i also dont see them front shocks being very affective??

 

[redsox985]

Devino...I didn't miss that. That's measurements, which are great, but what size tube, what length tie rods, I could go on. There's a lot answered there, but there's even more that isn't.

Is there a power supply on board for the lights?

 

[T-man]

Ok D.... a build isn't finished till theres video ... go wip out that camera

Oh , by the way wasn't something like this in the movie " Maximum Overdrive " with an M60 mounted to it??