HYDREMA 910MCV2 - MINE CLEARING

Simple but extremely efficient clearing methodology

The concept of using a rotating shaft with chains for mine clearing was already put into use during World War II, and it still works today. However, due to the addition of constantly updated modern technology the HYDREMA 910MCV2 continues the good reputation and top quality of the first 910MCV by being one of the most successful and most modern mine-clearing vehicles available on the market today.

Largely speaking the 910MCV2 consists of a flail unit and a deflector shield, which are both attached to the rear chassis, and a cabin, which is placed on the front chassis. The front and rear chassis are connected with a pivot steering.

During mine clearing, the 910MCV2 drives in the opposite direction to normal road travel with the flail unit in front and the cabin furthest away from the clearing area. The flail unit consists of a shaft with 72 chains attached, each with a hammer at the end, and during clearing the flail rotates at a speed of up to 440 rpm causing the hammers to dig into the ground where they either detonate the mines or tear them apart in a 3.5 m wide clearing path.

The 910MCV2 is constructed and tested for up to 10 kg TNT, and it clears both AP and AT mines whether placed on the surface or dug into the ground. The operating depth is controlled automatically or manually from inside the cabin and can be up to 40 cm in sandy soil conditions. By reversing the direction of rotation and “sweeping” the ground, the 910MCV2 is able to clear roads, landing strips and other hard surfaces with minimum damage to the surface.

Pivot steering – part of the “secret” behind our success

A pivot joint is placed right between the two axles, meaning that the wheels always run in the same track. This results in a better passage and minimizes the ground damage. Furthermore, should a mine be missed by the flail, it will be detonated by the first set of wheels it comes into contact with, i.e. the one furthest away from the cabin. 

 
In addition, the pivot steering increases the stability of the vehicle with Hydrema’s patented anti-roll system, whether driving on rough terrain with holes or on slopes. The pivot steering is also an essential part of Hydrema’s special “YAW control” which the series 2 machines are equipped with. The YAW control means that the flail does not leave piles where mines can hide, and it secures that the entire path is cleared even though some of the chains are lost.