Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: StuCorpe on July 08, 2023, 01:50:55 PM
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Saw this on facebook and thought I would share.
(https://i.ibb.co/r3B6v2G/MG-Tank.png) (https://ibb.co/r3B6v2G)
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No armor, so not a tank. Not even a half track. Just a 3 wheeled, 3 wheel drive military transport vehicle, with tracks that can be installed for difficult terrain.
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:thumb:
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The Mule, quite unique thing they made. Some say the motor is the predecessor of the V7 90* but I don't speculate.
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I'd love to see one in person just to see how much it has in common with a Guzzi motorcycle.
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From "Moto Guzzi Big Twins" by Greg Field:
Neither the Fiat 500 engine nor the Mule engine was used as the basis for the V700 engine, however, and it's somewhat puzzling how the whole misconception got started, given the fact that the Mule engine was designed by Micucci, rather than Carcano. The fact is, all the V700 engine and the other two share in common is a 90-degree V-angle. "Comparing the head design and structure, the distribution, the displacement, lube and fuel systems, and engine crankcases is enough to demonstrate that the engines are totally different and come from different ideas" asserted Todero. Said Carcano of the issue: "The [Mule] engine has nothing in common with the V7. It had forced cooling system and was a 90 degree V, but it's cylinders, heads, and engine casing, etc., differed completely."
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Guzzi did build a very small 3 wheel tank.
(https://www.tm-img.com/images/2018/03/07/Guzzi3w_3.jpg)
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I understand that the regular army hated that Mechanical Mule. It was slow and loud so you weren't going to escape. It had dozens of strange controls. On the plus side, it was 3-wheel drive with a complex shaft and u-joints feeding the front wheel. Also, the two rear wheels were on articulated trailing swing arms. The wheels could be pulled in narrow for driving between trees or in narrow footpaths and then spread out wider for more stability on side hills.
Attend one of the annual events at the factory in September. There is usually someone riding around town with one.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA