Grading vehicle prototype

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As Kassbohrer graders proved to be fragile machines requiring complex maintenance, research was conducted into the optimum reliability / robustness ratio for this machine dedicated to track opening. The solution adopted was the fruit of the first ten years experiencing and understanding the terrain, and consisted of transforming a Challenger into a leveling machine to increase stability and visibility. A precondition was finding a track on the market of 405 inches’ circumference, which would allow the length of track in contact with the ground to be extended by one pair of bogies, but which would not jeopardize the project by being too thick. The resulting machine has the following characteristics:

 

• The cabin moved to the front
• The undercarriage was lengthened and an additional pair of bogies installed
• The tension wheels moved to the very front
• The original rubber track was replaced by a longer one
• The engine, cooling radiator and 10 + 2 transmission were moved towards the rear, the engine was placed above the transmission
• An articulated blade was installed to the front
• The machine was fitted with all the navigation aids used currently on the convoys