AMilitary transport & logistics
M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck
1 ⁄ 2 ton (454kg) 4x4 platform truck
FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
AMilitary transport & logistics
1 ⁄ 2 ton (454kg) 4x4 platform truck
BMilitary transport & logistics
Measured figures
Configuration
| Specification | M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck | Mercedes-Benz short-bonnet trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 1 ⁄ 2 ton (454kg) 4x4 platform truck[source] | — |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | — |
| Designer | Willys[source] | — |
| Manufacturer | Willys, Bowen Mc Laughlin York, Baifield Industries, Brunswick[source] | Daimler-Benz (1959–1995) Freightliner (1975–1991) Iran Khodro Diesel Company (1979–present)[source] |
Width
Single source50 in (1.27 m)[source]
Maximum; Maximum speed
Single source25 mph (40 km/h)[source]
Operational; Operational range
Single source108 mi (173.8 km)[source]
Willys AO4-4-53
Single sourceWillys AO4-4-53 16 hp (12 kW)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Produced | 1956–1970[source] | — |
|---|
| Variants | M274 A1, A2, A3, A4, A5[source] | — |
|---|
| Transmission | 3 spd. x 2 range trf. case[source] | — |
|---|
| Suspension | Low pressure tires only[source] | — |
|---|
| Fuel capacity | 8 US gal (30 L)[source] | — |
|---|
| Source measurement | The U.S. Military M274 Truck, Platform, Utility, 1 ⁄ 2 Ton, 4X4 or "Carrier, Light Weapons, Infantry, 1 ⁄ 2 ton, 4x4", also known as the " Mule ", " Military Mule ", or " Mechanical Mule ", is a 4-wheel drive, gasoline-powered truck/tractor type vehicle that can carry up to 1 ⁄ 2 short ton (0.45 tonnes) off-road. It was introduced in 1956 and used until the 1980s.[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The M274 Mule was introduced in 1956 to supplement both the 1 ⁄ 4 -short-ton (0.23-tonne) trucks (" Jeeps ") and 3 ⁄ 4 -short-ton (0.68-tonne) trucks (Weapons Carrier Series and M37 series) in airborne and infantry battalions. The M274 evolved from improvements to a vehicle designed at the end of World War Two by Willys-Overland as a medical evacuation litter carrier from areas and terrain that would be a problem for the standard light vehicle of the period, the Jeep, to access.[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Background; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage M60 7.62mm NATO light machine guns[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage M40 106 mm recoilless rifles[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Armament; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The lower speeds and high power (14 hp or 10 kW) of the Mule made it a versatile off-road vehicle. It could climb over logs, go up steep slopes, and cross rivers in first gear.[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Powerplant, drivetrain, and speeds; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Low range First – 1 mph (1.6 km/h) Second – 4 mph (6.4 km/h) Third – 9 mph (14 km/h)[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Powerplant, drivetrain, and speeds; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage High range First – 7 mph (11 km/h) Second – 18 mph (29 km/h) Third – 25 mph (40 km/h)[source]M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck · Powerplant, drivetrain, and speeds; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
|---|
| Production | — | 1959–present[source] |
|---|
| Assembly | — | West Germany: Mannheim (medium-weight trucks) West Germany: Gaggenau (heavy trucks) Brazil: São Bernardo do Campo Iran: Tehran South Africa: East London[source] |
|---|
| Class | — | Truck[source] |
|---|
| Layout | — | FR layout[source] |
|---|
| Successor | — | Freightliner FL-Series (in-direct)[source] |
|---|
| Country of origin | — | West Germany[source]Inventory Origin column; table 9, row 8, cell 4; revision 1375919249; retrieved 2026-10-01 |
|---|