HEAVY, PUSHER-TYPE, MINE-CLEARING EXCAVATOR

Abstract

A development program for a mobile V-type plow excavator to be used for minefield clearance is reported. The heavy, pusher-type, mine-clearing excavator is a huge and complex device designed to perform the gigantic job of continuously excavating all land-mines and soil to a depth of 3 feet from a path 14 feet wide at a speed of 3 mph. This amounted to excavating soil at a rate of approximately 30,000 cubic yards per hour. The most serious technical deficiency and cause of trouble centered around the electric wheel drive system. Although the general size of the excavator and the concept of furnishing needed power by means of fighting tank vehicles pushing in tandem were well known and acceptable to the Combat Arms at the initiation of development, changes in the world situation and military thinking combined to cause cancellation of the program on a basis of cost, complexity, and tactical employment. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 22, 1962
Accession Number
AD0287124

Entities

People

  • L.e. Folk

Organizations

  • United States Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cancellation
  • Clearances
  • Deficiencies
  • Employment
  • Land Mines
  • Mine Warfare
  • Minefields
  • Mines (Ordnance)
  • Thinking
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design