[169noob]

"It sounds like you have the wrong mule drive/hanger assembly"
I considered that possibility, but based on pics etc, it seems correct. This is a wide frame 169 - I don't know how many mule drives were made but it seems there are only a few variants for the wide frame and this one looks correct to me. That is why I included pictures.

"my dumb question is; did you have this mounted and running at one point or are you putting this together now for the first time "
All of this was purchased as a whole package, however it was essentially a basket of parts. I concentrated on the tractor first and am now trying the attachments for the first time. Haven't got to the snowblower yet, I wanted to get a mowing in before season end and I have a project for the tiller, so started there.