Tennessee 20 Mule Team - Hauling Logs

[@ricardofranco9946]

I think this video deserve to be keeped in the library of congress, necessary for the new generations can value the effort and will to build a great country. In other hand, it's is so hard this job, maybe the labor day began at 3am. Just to learn the name of the 20 mules it's almost impossible. Great great video

[@BitterDemo]

MAKES ME WISH i COULD GO BACK HOME AND FORGET THE LAST SIXTY YEARS. i LOVED LIVING THEN, NOW I PRAY TO LEAVE LIFE. THIS REALLY MADE MY SAY.

[@ChrisKnobbs]

That first name.in the special thanks Bill jones is a good friend of mine and one of the best mule skinners whoever lived. . He told this guy in 2019 how hed hitch a 20 mule team and this guy went and did it lol. And did a great job!

[@jeffreycoulter4095]

This is the way life ought to be . Not driving yourself into debt, protesting some thing you know nothing about , looting for the sake of stealing. Rural living means work. You do 3 times the work and wear many hats. I hope some day we return to a life worth living, such as this. Thank you for your presentation

[@lazygardens]

"Not driving yourself into debt" 20 mules? In my grandfather's day, buying a mule was as expensive as buying a car. They were a capital investment. Raising your own meant you had to be able to buy the mares and pay the jack's stud fees, and feed them until they were old enough to work and then train them. He bought mules and hired farmhands.

[@582tird]

Wondering how much it would cost to feed and stable 20 mules compared to the cost of a truck or tractor. That's the reason it all changed.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

If you understand debt it can work in your favor.

[@twistedpixel2558]

While I appreciate the sentiment, that's about $200,000 worth of mules, if you could get them five grand under market price. 20 of them working every day are going to eat 400 lbs or so of high protein feed per month at least, plus hay. Not cheap weed/grass hay either. Actual hay, like an alfalfa/timothy grass mix. If they're being worked, the cheap garbage will starve them to death. So while it may be simpler in many ways, it isn't necessarily much if any cheaper.

[@dinebonte4014]

This muleskinner is a master engineer! It takes a lot of knowledge and skill to harness and pilot 20 mules! I am amazed!

[@zaybug3073]

Way to go mule Skinner 😉😉😉

[@nancyallen641]

Incredible! How great to see this American Heritage!

[@George_Ren]

Thanks for sharing, I'd probably never see this in real life. I hope he manages to pass on his knowledge so it doesn't get lost.

[@gailtaylor6488]

They are beautiful, it's great that you are keeping this skill going with mules

[@JDSFLA]

The logistics of hauling with this many mules is huge - tacking up each individual mule, laying out the harnesses, moving each mule into place and hitching up, not to mention the feeding, watering and other care needed for the mules. No one said if mules were always put in the same place or not. I think usually a horse/mule is either a lefty or righty (what about middle?) and the front four are dedicated to that position (maybe the smartest and fastest learning). Anyone chime in please. I found this really interesting, and wonderful to see that this knowledge is still with us, if only known by few.

[@lazygardens]

You are right - they have assigned places like a football team's lineup. And the pairs are matched for size and stride length if possible. The wheelers, closest to the load, are usually the biggest and best pullers. The leaders are voice-commanded to go left or right, and as you see here, have reins. The ones in the middle just follow the butt in front of them, and pull or stop. They also have to sidestep when needed on some turns, but don't have to be as well trained. A childhood neighbor had Shire draft horses for logging and mowing fields unsuitable for machines. The loggers would tow a single log down to the collection area unattended, get a treat and some petting, then go back up unattended for another one. If I was REALLY, REALLY good, he would let me sit on the horse as it worked. (total bliss for a horse-crazy child).

[@JDSFLA]

@@lazygardens Thank you for the information. Also, more evidence that the carrot is mightier than the stick!

[@hughvane]

@@lazygardens Your explanation has helped my understanding a lot. One feature missing from this wonderful video was the skinner actually hitching up the mules and explaining what he was doing, and why. I live in a country whose history is in its infancy compared with the US, I cannot recall any 'country folk', post-WWII (for example) using mules, just horses, and occasionally oxen.

[@jimmie200]

They're all well-cared for and beautiful, too.

[@RexStewartoriginals]

I truly appreciate this video... It gives a great perspective on rural life and helps my research as I continue building my Twenty Mule Team Borax Wagons. This couldn't have come at a better time. THANKS!

[@tinataylor2464]

Absolutely beautiful. Lots of skill there. Thanks for sharing. Love your videos. Audio sync has been fixed.

[@deniseallen3379]

This is so amazing. Wow. I love this kind of history. I live among the old order Amish. They do this kind of work but they only use up to 4 big clydesdale horses to get their heavy duty work done. I don't know if they could do 20 mules but then again they probably could. I Love this kind of stuff.

[@phillipjones3342]

Fantastic great to see someone still knows what they’re doing and why thanks for the vid

[@lindaowens2657]

Most beautiful sight that i have seen lately, those are some fine looking mules,and he knows what he is doing,thanks for a great show,yee haw,

[@klauskarbaumer6302]

How come we had not seen this gem before?

[@maupinmaupin1472]

I am glad that this skill is in practice. I hope it is passed on to the next generation.

[@BitterDemo]

Man I am 82 years young and if I knew and thought I could visit this place I would consider driving from Redding, Califotnia to enjoy just being there and seeing the Mules work.

[@barberton3695]

Great demonstration, and great skills

[@tomcody2768]

That is one of the most "BEAUTIFUL" thang's I believe ever seen ! Would LOVE to work "MULE'S" ! Don't know WHY, but I just fellin LOVE with "MULE'S" ! AWESOME work animal.

[@lonecoyote4012]

Now thats the way its done I enjoyed the Hell out of that So proud of all you good mules

[@GlobalistJuice]

This just made it into my short-list of the best things I've seen on the intranet!

[@dededenver9560]

Beautiful mules. Loved this video!

[@dennisbergmann1722]

This takes a well disciplined team and most important is the person in charge to control the lead animals.

[@denr.p.4054]

Great stuff, my grandfather had. A few mules & uncle. Very power animals for there size. Great respect for these gentlemen. I really like how he makes sure each mule is pulling even not to overwork. Man loves his animals & knows them. Mules cleared lots of farm land in America. They eat less than horses & much stronger. Country folks be eating when cities are starving.

[@webbcrafts5736]

This is so interesting, that's a lot of mules working together! Great work

[@BoonOrBust]

❤loved it Josh Brolin as you! And much History to learn. 23:54

[@jeanjones7486]

Very entertaining. 👏👏👏 Rural Heritage, your the best!

[@truthseeker9688]

Skills and hard work!

[@jcrows6627]

A simple...Beautiful way of life!!

[@annesoper911]

Teamwork coupled with intelligence, guidance and the need to accomplish a goal.

[@Gixzer04]

Every bit of a quarter million dollars walking across that field with timber in tow. Awesome video

[@tonandmarc]

looks like leads are pulling little more of the load. The kids now have know Idea what it took to make things happen. thank you for sharing.

[@christophersmith2871]

People born before you have said the same thing for thousands of years. Big deal.

[@eaterofclams]

@@christophersmith2871 ...thank you for your input Karen. Your contribution to this discussion is important and will be given all the consideration that they deserve. *clic* [sound of paper shredder]

[@christophersmith2871]

@@eaterofclams I'm glad I found your soft spot Karen. Are you saying my comment isn't true?

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Christopher Smith I doubt it has been happening for thousands of years, but I see your point. Technology didn't advance as quickly in the past as it has now.

[@BaruchHaShem777]

Hi Jimmy! This brings back fond memories of rides on your mule drawn wagon on Mutton Hollow Road. That's a great sled you built! You guys make this look easy! :)

[@robertberryhill4033]

Amazing l really like this stuff. The mules are well trained

[@fleetfoot27]

Love this man. He is living fossil....

[@randybutler4772]

Thank you for sharing.🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴

[@johnnykR9]

Love those mules. Love ya mules!

[@michaelwarlow4398]

Great ! Thanks from Wales :-)

[@Badgersj]

I've done a bit of carriage driving, but that needs a degree in knitting to put together!

[@susantatro329]

Loved watching how well you do your job. I couldn't figure out what keeps the sled from running over your team when you go downhill.

[@haroldyoung6276]

What a beautiful site

[@gottagoat]

This is an art form, he a artist

[@lindamclennan8645]

Love this video

[@babyMule]

Imagine if the body of Christ could come together like these mules how happy that would make King JESUS..

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Wonderful !

[@kaycox5555]

Awesome to watch!

[@kiloton1920]

20 mule power right here

[@kevindouglas8768]

I grew up with lots of Amish around us. We'd be fixing old tractors whilst they were almost done. They also didn't pay for gallons of gas. It was a "horse a piece".

[@sfdint]

We had Amish neighbors as well. I was always grateful that we could plow a field in a few hours that took them a few days.

[@Iz0pen]

BENEFITS!?!? Look at them mules with their ears back concentrating on their work! Good mules!!!

[@loreleihebdon6595]

Wow!! That very EMPRESSIVE!! 🇺🇸

[@brucecullum398]

Mule man Joe knows what he doing old timer

[@AlanLaBar]

Fantastic !

[@49lucky]

Wow that is interesting mules are hard workers but when they r done they r done.

[@jamessheehan2694]

AMAZING!

[@barberton3695]

I wonder what tonnage a 20 mule team can haul, the wood on this sled looked easy for this team

[@BillB23]

You might want to check out Engels Coach Shop YT channel. Dave Engels built an exact copy of the 20 Mule Team Borax wagons and has a playlist including a parade in DC. He mentions the weight of the wagons and, if I recall correctly, the cargo they hauled 100+ miles in desert heat. The rear wheels of the 2 freight wagons weigh 1080 lbs. each. I don't recall the weight of the front wheels, the wagons, or any stats on the water wagon.

[@jeffreycoulter4095]

Depends on surface type, rolling resistance, drag, grade and friction. On rails, I suspect a team could pull a loaded freight train over level grade

[@clayboist]

A 4 mule team could pull that exact sled.

[@shanegillespie6014]

@@clayboist True, but surely not as far.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

I believe the weight of the borax, wagons, and water hauled was in the 70,000-75,000 lb range. The wagons alone are about 4 tons each. 17 miles per day. 11 days to the railhead, 9 days back.

[@davidsonlankford1168]

That’s why we have skid loaders today.

[@kevindouglas8768]

Which work great until they don't.

[@s.leemccauley7302]

@@kevindouglas8768 exactly. Horse logging is still strong in places here in the US and In North and east Europe.

[@deepwoodguy2]

reminds me of the old TV show hosted by Ronald Reagan "Borax 20 mule team"

[@BitterDemo]

I remember back in 1945 when a big old American La France Fire Truck got stuck in the Mud on Chellew Road in Buchanan County Mo. ane it took Four Mules owned bt Frank Welter to drag it out. They never said Pull. They always drug anything out of the mud or creek. Captain Speck Wallas refused to walk in the Mud and caught Charles Tayler to go get help. It is funny how you can remember things Mules was a part of somanyyears ago.

[@suewhitmore5742]

Love this!

[@davidross7304]

My Grandfather used mules in the oil fields in Oklahoma before and during the depr

[@ScottAlexander-k4j]

Damn guy u sure know your shit about them horses and leads very impressive damn

[@marcyking461]

I love the fact that this man mentioned our heritage as a reason to use mules rather than trucks to take the logs to the mill, giving credit to our ancestors who worked the land to build this nation. In my view, using mules is a lot healthier for the environment, overall. I imagine it is a hard job, though. God Bless our farmers, either way.

[@zaildarkuldeep8451]

Very nice good job.

[@MrSheepherder88]

Joe Long Jr. “The Mule Man” age 67, of Dutch Valley of Clinton, TN passed away at his home on Monday, October 28, 2019. He was born December 31, 1951 in Oliver Springs, TN to the late Joseph Bradford Long Sr. and Hazel Irene Lindsay Long. He was a member of First Dutch Valley Missionary Baptist Church. Joe was a member of the East Tennessee Draft Horse and Mule Association and was one of the organizers of the State Bicentennial Wagon Trail. In 1990 Joe was invited with his mule team to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to his parents, Joe is preceded in death by, son in law, Rowdy Brandon; nephew, Bryan Alan White.

[@user-ok5]

You mean this guy in the video who died

[@kurtballard1450]

Ain't that America? She still has natural horsepower.

[@luisPerez-ev3lb]

great skills

[@matifilm8065]

Piękny Widok Pozdrawiam PL

[@sergiogomezgarcia8651]

what breeds are the parents of these mules?

[@steemerxaxon1643]

When I was a kid I thought the SINGLE TREE was called a SWANGLE TREE like he was calling it... but only the Good Ole True Farmers would say SWANGLE TREE....

[@mishap00]

I know they built a replica of the twenty mule team borax wagon and toured with a team and I wonder if the people involved in this video are the same group.

[@pjmrees]

Wondering why they don't put wheels under the load?

[@zevituriano7308]

Boa noite pessoal

[@richardrodgers2430]

How can I find a team of mules

[@a.canada1174]

BASED

[@kiloton1920]

Same way Wells Fargo hauled around all that gold

[@mikedoingmikethings702]

Must be nice to have a 20 mule power 4x20 with active traction control 😅😂🤣 I bet a 100k 4x4 truck won’t move it a foot😅😂🤣

[@MrKeymosabe]

Wasn't the wheel invented then?

[@nathanhornaday3114]

DAMM*****👍

[@lindalakota38]

They never try it with horse and never youse wheels and makes sense they dont need breaks

[@川上弘-m9w]

ソリ式なんですね。頭数が必要な理由が分かりました。

[@willow9530]

kissy kissy

[@ryanishkonk3446]

I know this is just for demonstration purposes but 4 mules could pull this weight eAsy peasy

[@outdoordoug8588]

20 mules or 2 shires. 😂

[@dylanlathrop9837]

423 forevet

[@malestrong]

that is 20 horsepower

[@veeeforvendetta]

I hope you gave them all a carrot

[@martientegelaers6522]

try wheels

[@SAMCARMAN]

Negative Nancy checking in .... I could have avoided all that work with my tractor and trailer without all the drama.

[@TubbyLadyDallas]

Amazing! I agree with @ricardofranco9946, this video should be preserved at the Library of Congress.