
AMilitary transport & logistics
M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck
1 ⁄ 2 ton (454kg) 4x4 platform truck
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 | Suzuki DR-Z400 |
|---|---|---|
| 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] | Suzuki[source] |
| Produced | 1956–1970 |
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]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
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| Variants | M274 A1, A2, A3, A4, A5[source] | — |
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| Transmission | 3 spd. x 2 range trf. case[source] | 5-speed manual , constant-mesh, chain-drive[source] |
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| Suspension | Low pressure tires only[source] | — |
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| Fuel capacity | 8 US gal (30 L)[source] | 10 L (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)[source] |
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| 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 | — |
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| Predecessor | — | DR350[source] |
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| Successor | — | DR-Z4S[source] |
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| Class | — | Dual-sport[source] |
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| Engine | — | 398 cc (24.3 cu in) 4-stroke single[source] |
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| Bore / stroke | — | 90.0 mm × 62.6 mm (3.54 in × 2.46 in)[source] |
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| Compression ratio | — | 11.3:1[source] |
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| Top speed | — | 94 mph (151 km/h)[source] |
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| Torque | — | 39.2 N⋅m (28.9 lb⋅ft) @ 6,600 rpm[source] |
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| Frame type | — | Diamond Block[source] |
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| Brakes | — | Disc[source] |
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| Seat height | — | E/S: 935 mm (36.8 in) SM: 890 mm (35.0 in)[source] |
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| Fuel consumption | — | 44.4 mpg ‑US (5.30 L/100 km; 53.3 mpg ‑imp )[source] |
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| Related | — | Suzuki DR-Z125[source] |
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| Country of origin | — | Japan[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 15, cell 2; revision 1374923116; retrieved 2026-09-30 |
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