Tel No: 00 44 (0)1464 820122 E-mail: aardmine@netcomuk.co.uk Fax No: 00 44 (0)1464 820985
A computerised control box fitted in the operators cab automatically controls digging depth with the optimum forward speed. The entire rotor and sidearm assembly is designed to ride up following detonation of a large mine, and then automatically return to its previous digging settings. Chain loss following explosion of anti tank mines may occur, but the chain arrangement ensures that adjacent chains are not lost on the same mine. Gaps in the beat pattern are minimal following chain loss owing to the high degree of chain overlap and built in redundancy. A new engine driven air compressor complete with air reservoirs and air tools, facilitates chain replacement and improves the ease of maintenance and cleaning of radiators, coolers and filters.
FLAIL ASSEMBLY
MAIN DESIGN FEATURES OF THE MK4
The rear mounted flail assembly is mounted 8 metres away from the crew compartment to ensure maximum safety and consists of a 3m wide rotor carrying 72 chains fitted with striker tips. The rotor is driven from the power train PTO via the support boom arms. The boom arms are raised and lowered hydraulically. There is also a large, blast resistant deflector plate, with additional armour, between the flail side arms and the prime mover to shield the cab from shrapnel, blast, and shaped charge detonation from a mine explosion.
The rotor rotates at approx 300 rpm, and with the design of the chains, 6 striker tips will be striking the ground at any one time, and every piece of ground will be struck at least twice. Clearing speeds can vary from 76 metres per hour to over 1 kph, but depend on the terrain, vegetation and the clearance depth required. In good conditions 24,000 square metres can be cleared in a day. The slower the forward speed the greater the depth to which the flail can dig, up to a maximum 580mm. The depth at which the flail will dig can be controlled by the operator, and no matter what terrain the vehicle is flailing across, the flail will automatically follow the contours of the ground.