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Mine Clearing Cultivator

Mine Cultivator


Objective
Provide a capability to rapidly clear AT and large AP mines from soil in urban and rural areas.


Description
The Mine Clearing Cultivator (MCC) is a large tine array designed to uncover buried AT mines without destroying the soil's ability to support agriculture. The tine array lifts the mines to the surface without creating a berm or spoil. A hydraulically powered auger casts the mines to both sides of the vehicle for neutralization. The MCC is a kit designed for installation on 150 kw (200 hp)-class dozers. The kit contains a tine array, auger assembly, hydraulic power unit, linkage assembly, and an ultrasonic depth control system for the tine. The current system is mounted onto a Liebherr 742B dozer. The kit can be integrated onto a Caterpillar D7R dozer and other tractors as well.

 

Contractor/Developer
U.S. Army CECOM Night Vision
and Electronic Sensors Directorate
10221 Burbeck Road, Ste. 430
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5806
ATTN: Beverly Briggs
Phone: (703) 704-1073
Fax: (703) 704-3001
Email: mike.collins@nvl.army.mil

Performance
The MCC demonstrated a capability of lifting and casting aside AT and large AP mines at a sustainable clearance rate of 4000 m2/hour in light-to-moderate vegetated and denuded areas to a depth of 25 cm (10 in.). In light soils, the MCC reached mines as deep as 38 cm (15 in.). The survivability of the system was tested by exposing the tine arrangement to live mine blasts equivalent to 6 kg (13.4 lbs.). Damage was to the tine and tine pockets, which are field repairable with parts in the support package. When AT mines equivalent to 1.85 kg (4 lbs.) were detonated directly on a tine, damage was limited to the tine and shear pins which are easily replaced. To date, no fuzed AT mine has been initiated during operations.
 Close up of Cultivator
Result of a 12 lb. TNT
equivalent detonation. The
sheared tine can be quickly
replaced in the field.

Limitations

  • Small mines pass through the auger assembly.
  • Small mines pass through the auger assembly.
  • Remote control operation tends to slow clearance rate.
  • Terrain limited.
  • Total system weight exceeds 32 metric tons.
  • In desert sand, the mines tend to stall in auger.
Close up of Cultivator
Close-up view of MCC tine
arrangement and the rear-
mounted auger mechanism
that deposits mines to the
side.
Status

The MCC has undergone field trials in the minefields of El Alamein and Hurghada in Egypt. To discuss the possibility of obtaining this item for field testing through the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program, contact the DoD point of contact listed on page 65 of this catalog.

 
Specifications
Weight:
MCC Assembly:                        7,420 kg (16,324 lbs.)
Hydraulic Power Unit:                1,889 kg (4,156 lbs.)
Liebherr 742B:                           22,636 kg (49,800 lbs.)

General:
Clearance Width:                       3.66 m (144 in.)
Clearance Depth:                       20-38 cm (8-15 in.) depending on vegetation
Tine Array:                                23 tines spaced @ 14.3 cm (5-5/8 in.)
Auger Operation:                       25 rpm
Hydraulic Power Unit Output:     132 kw (177 hp)

Adapted commercially available Ultrasonic Depth Control System 

Humanitarian Demining Developmental Technologies 2000 - 2001