Moto Guzzi - Mulo Meccanico 3x3 - 750 cc - 1960

1960 Moto Guzzi Autoveicolo da montagna 3x3 Mulo meccanico End of the fifties, Moto Guzzi received a request from the Italian Department of Defense to develop a completely new means of transportation. This new machine was meant for the Italian mountain troops (Alpini) . At that time the troops transported their equipment with donkeys. There were several demands for the design to meet: load bearing capacity 500 kgs, all terrain specs focussed on mountain slopes and very narrow paths. The result was a particular machine, three wheel drive and both variable track width and and wheel base. The engine has 6 speeds forward and 1 reverse. Equipped with a central differential, dividing the drive in 20% to the front and 80% the the rear. Track width varies between 850 and 1300mm, which can be altered while driving (25 meters only) or in stand still in case of emergency. Rear brakes are hydraulic, frontbrake mechanical with a cable. Handling this mechanical mule by means of levers and pedals, similar with driving a car; also the steering wheel is simular to that from a car. The rear wheels are equipped with pulleys in order to mount tracks (caterpillars) . The space between front fender and front wheel is sufficient to assembel a snowchain. However the mulo mecanico is an unique design, the machine did not meet the expectations of the Department of Defense. Although any slope could be vanquished, while driving in a straight line, taking short turns, the chance of tipping over and any big rocks could stop the mechanical mule. This is the main reason that the production stopped in early 1963. Only 420 pcs of the Moto Guzzi 3x3 Mulo meccanico were built, divided in 3 series. Maiden serie of 20 pcs for testing purposes and 2x a production serie of 200 pcs. Technical specifications: Matching numbers Year: 1960 Production: 420 pcs Three wheel drive Gears: 6 speed forward, 1 speed reverse V-twin Moto Guzzi engine 754cc OHV Carburettor: Weber 26 IMB Power 20HP at 4000 rpm Top speed 50 km/hr Weight 1000 kg Load capacity 570 kg