No, not a meerkat-based system (though....).
I'm sure there are lots of ideas out there for mineclearers based on local technology. So, feel free to M this FD. Anyway.
Just a long (10ft) horizontal wooden pole, with a couple of wheelbarrow wheels and a few rocks (for weight) on one end and a handle on the other. A sheet of corrugated iron is mounted on the pole near the handle, and acts as a shield.
Push the device along in front of you. The landmines used in many areas will not cause damage to someone a few feet away behind a sheet of corrugated iron. All you lose is a couple of wheels if you find a land mine.
No, it's not very effective (it would take several passes to be sure you'd not missed any mines on a footpath), and not very safe, and it would be impractical for use across fields. But it's better than some local community developing an epidemic of monopedal children whilst waiting for professional help to arrive.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 06 2009 comparethemeerkat.com http://www.comparethemeerkat.com/It was amusing when it began ... [8th of 7, Dec 06 2009] http://en.wikipedia...evision_evangelists A list of fine people whose lofty connections would serve any army minesweeping team very very well indeed. In the avante garde, these individuals would serve the noble dual purpose of either identifying honest, selfless, men and women of God, or eliminating all otherwise...and taking care of a landmine or two in the process. Heck, there's no telling what I, for one, would ante up to watch a pay per view segment with Benny Hinn. [outloud, Dec 06 2009, last modified Dec 08 2009] Mines vs. Flowers http://www.wired.co.../news/2004/01/62066 [MisterQED, Dec 07 2009] // simples and meerkats //
The horror, the horror ....
<link>-- 8th of 7, Dec 06 2009 The meerkat was a red herring. We're talking about an entirely different kettle of fish here - sorry to send you on a wild goose chase after the horse has bolted.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 06 2009 //The meerkat was a red herring// GM magic [m-f-d]-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Dec 06 2009 I was thinking about this on reading about the Iranian suicide mineclearing kids who marched into mine fields singing songs. Why not have them roll barrells of rocks in front with long sticks? Either it didnt work, they didnt think of it, or the suicide piece was essential to the spirit of the thing.-- bungston, Dec 07 2009 Something like this would probably work against anti- personnel mines (with a heavy chain mail brush at the bottom to block low angle shrapnel). It would do nothing against anti-armor mines.-- MechE, Dec 07 2009 In a side note that is only slightly related to the idea but unbelievably cool, did any one hear that they developed a flower that altered its bloom when exposed to trace amounts of nitrogen compounds? The basic idea is to plant a field of flowers from the air and red blooms would appear around the explosives. (link)
As for the idea, it's kind of baked, though I thought the active member was a water filled 55 gallon drum. I think I saw a movie where drums were rolled down a hill that had mines and the drum set them off. Tires would be expensive and in any case you'd need to individually suspend each of the tires, or a rock placed next to a mine would block its detection till the unlucky guy pushing the system stepped on it. I'd think a better plan would use something pulled by long cables or chains so that shear distance would protect the operators. My choice would act a little like a scaled up push lawnmower except the side wheels would be spiked discs made from steel plate and the blades replaced by flailing chains.-- MisterQED, Dec 07 2009 //water filled 55 gallon drum//
Yep - that makes much more sense and is a better idea.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 07 2009 Of course, there remains the problem of rocks and bits of wheelbarrow descending from altitude to be addressed.-- coprocephalous, Dec 07 2009 //use something pulled by long cables or chains// [MisterQED], how does the operator get into such a position to pull said apparatus without causing permanent damage to the area surrounding his knickers? Levitation?
I vote for releasing a bunch of yippy dogs and then throwing a handful of kibble into the suspected area...-- bdag, Dec 07 2009 It would be quite good (probably magic) to get the shrapnel of the exploding mine to set off mines further infield. Trajectory angled heavy weights?-- wjt, Dec 07 2009 /to get the shrapnel of the exploding mine to set off mines further infield/
If the mines were laid down contiguously this might take place.-- bungston, Dec 07 2009 //I vote for releasing a bunch of yippy dogs and then throwing a handful of kibble into the suspected area..//
And to think they said Ubie could never be replaced....-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 07 2009 random, halfbakery