Solutions from Ukraine: Mykolaiv region engineers unveil remote-controlled tractor for mine removal

In the Mykolaiv region, JV Southern Agricultural Export Company engineers have developed and launched a remote-controlled tractor that safely clears agricultural land of landmines.

Ukrinform reports this.

What is the problem?

The agrarians of the Mykolaiv region continue to fight for every piece of land.

For more than a year, the company JV Southern Agricultural Export Company LLC has been involved in the demining process. After all, the company's fields are located on the territory that was occupied or where hostilities continued. But this is a long-term, painstaking, risky process requiring significant resources.

"A year ago, I, together with engineers, the head of one of the enterprises, and a machine operator, were blown up by an anti-tank mine. As a result, many of us had to recover for a long time. Therefore, to increase safety measures in demining and land cultivation, the engineers of our company developed a remote-controlled demining tractor," the company owner said.

^{Photo: Southern Agricultural Export Company}

What is the solution?

As stated by JV "Southern Agricultural Export Company" LLC, the area beside Snihurivka that was recently freed of occupation is currently being cleared of explosive objects using their own demining invention. According to their press release, the machine, called a "mine remover," was created based on the MTZ–80 tractor.

How does it work?

The company's engineers produced a hydraulic drive on a drum with fixed chains, which hit the ground with great force during the movement of the equipment. The tractor works remotely; control is carried out using a remote control at a distance of 300 meters.

"We have been looking for an engineering solution for the steering for a long time to carry out the speed control evenly. The entire technology was developed and created independently precisely for their own needs and conditions of work performance," the Southern Agricultural Export Company engineering department added.

^{Photo: Southern Agricultural Export Company}Currently, the tractor is in test mode and can carry out demining at a speed of one kilometer per hour.