Having read all this talk about dangerous mules, I'd say they are not
anymore dangerous that other things. All total over the years I've had or
had in my control ( at one time or another as many as 15 - 20), I've got
more mule hours than I have on my riding lawnmower and lazyboy. I've
operated mules through places you would have difficulty walking (thickets,
swamps, etc.). Accidents can and will happen, FREAK ACCIDENTS!! When I
rolled mine over I was rolling it to start it , ran over a small stump
hidden in some weeds. I saw the stump just as the right front wheel hit it.
I've drove over things larger and in rougher places that what threw me. At
the time I believe I had flooded the engine. After laying on it's side for
several hrs. it started with just a few pulls.
I could go on and on about what they will do and the places they will go.
Those of you that have them know what they will do. They are no more
dangerous than anything else, unless misused. I've been hurt more times (but
not worse) working on mine, than riding it. The most dangerous equipment I
own is a boat/outboard motor (3 of them).
If anyone is afraid of their mule, I'll take it off your hands.
Everyone that responded is exactly right in what you have said. However, I
believe Steve (islander) summed up the safety aspects best of all. The TM
outlines the operating precautions, but sometimes things just happen (You've
all seen the bumper stickers). I realize that rolling to start is not as
safe as other methods, but how many times have we all done it? I don't
anymore (electric start/lots of batteries).
Every cowboy knows (and a few hillbillies): If it throws you, GET BACK ON!
Thanks,
Keith
(registered Hillbilly)
----- Original Message -----
From: <DKelone@aol.com>
To: Military Vehicles Mailing List <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 10:38 AM
Subject: [MV] DANGEROUS MULES ??????
> I FIND ALL OF THESE POSTS BERATING THE MULE AS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO BE
> RIDICULOUS. HAVING OPERATED ALL MODELS OF THESE
> MACHINES FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN ALL SORTS OF TERRAIN WITHOUT ANY MISHAPS
LEADS
> ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE MACHINE BUT WITH THE
OPERATOR.
> EARL MONTIETH(MONTY OF MONTY'S MULES) HAS TAKEN MULES INTO THE UPPER
> ELEVATIONS OF THE ROCKIES FOR YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. DECLARING THE
> MACHINE UNSAFE FOLLOWING ACCIDENTS WHILE DOING WHEELIES, SPINS, DOWN HILL
> SLIDES AND THE LIKE IS NOT A FAIR EVALUATION ON THE MACHINE'S SAFETY. WHEN
> OPERATED IN A REASONABLE MANNER, EXERCISING GOOD JUDGEMENT, AND MAKING
SAFETY
> A CONCERN THE MULE IS PRETTY MUCH A GO ANYWHERE DO ANYTHING VALUABLE TOOL.
IT
> COMES EQUIPPED WITH AN ON/OFF SWITCH, A BRAKE THAT WILL STALL THE ENGINE,
AND
> A FAIRLY DIRECT OPERATORS MANUAL OUTLING SAFE OPERATION AND MACHINE
> CAPABLILITIES. A MATURE SAFE OPERATOR IS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.
>
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>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Feb 06 2002 - 11:49:24 PST