6x6 for Mine Clearing

The Halo Trust who have operated Multidrive 4x4 tractors in Angola since 2003 in Angola, asked Multidrive to develop a vehicle specifically for their operations. The vehicles are used in the clearance of mines from roads. A loop detector is mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect anti-tank mines, it sets off an alarm so that the de-miners can remove them. A twenty-two tonne trailer is towed behind the vehicle to ensure that no mines have been undetected. The requirement is therefore for a highly manoeuvrable vehicle with minimal ground pressure and maximised traction.

Based on the Multidrive 6185 the 6 x 6 version has been designed with three equally spaced axles and a mid mounted cab. The cab with under belly armour plate protection is mid mounted over the central axle. The suspension travel has been extended and cross articulation maximised to maintain tyre contact over rough and undulating terrain. The weight is distributed so as to minimise ground pressure on any one tyre to prevent setting off a mine, while the trailer with its high ground pressure will do just the opposite.

Armoured Multidrive for US Army

Another variant of the armoured Multidrive has been developed for the Halo Trust and the American army for mine clearing operations in Afghanistan and Angola. The two machines supplied in 2009 will be fitted with a front mounted ground penetrating radar system linked to an automatic braking system. The cab has been re-arranged to seat 2 men in comfort (driver & radar operator). Cruise control enables a constant working speed of 5kmh to be easily acheived.