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u t i l i t y v e h i c l e s c o n t i n u e d cooled engine. The company noted that the high-torque hydrostatic drive and unique suspension principle with high ground clearance are all major benefits, guaranteeing maximum speeds even on extremely poor road surfaces or inclines. The MinCa is also available with all-wheel steering to enable it to operate in extreme- ly confined haulages, and the driver's cab is designed to hinge forward to provide better access for engine maintenance. Paus' second option for moving people underground is the 12-man personnel car- rier version of its Universa 40, which is available in either a fixed configuration structure or as a "quick-change" model. Center articulation gives it the vehicle even better maneuverability than the MinCa, being able to operate in haulages as little as 3.25 m wide. Paus said all of its vehicles have a spa- cious driver's position, from where the driv- er has an excellent view of the vehicle and all its controls. Cabs are ROPS/FOPS-tested and feature a display for analyzing key vehi- cle data or error messages. All its machines also feature an SAHR braking system. A MUTT With a Pedigree With its production facilities in Abingdon, Virginia, Damascus Corp. has been produc- ing people carriers for the mining industry since the 1980s. Its initial product range of three-wheel, battery-powered vehicles was soon supplemented by larger carriers with greater capacity, with the company then moving into diesel-powered vehicles as well. In 2013, it launched its most recent innovation, the diesel MUTT, which is designed to carry up to 12 people in coal roadways that are at least 1.8-m (6-ft) high. The Mining Underground Transport Truck (or MUTT for short) has 460 mm (18 in.) of ground clearance and an overall height of 1.77 m (69.5 in.). Power is provid- ed by an MSHA-approved, rear-mounted 115-kW (155-hp) Cummins QSB 4.5 engine, and a hydrostatic drive. This pro- vides easy access for maintenance and provides weight over the rear wheels to improve traction, Damascus pointed out. A big benefit is that the MUTT has automotive-style controls that make it easy for new operators to learn how to drive it. Rear cameras eliminate the need for mirrors, and the vehicle has hydrostat- ic braking, enclosed front and rear wet disc brakes and LED lighting. An enclosed cab with climate control is standard, with options including ROPS and FOPS protec- tion and four-wheel drive. Standard travel speed is 18.5 km/h (11.5 mph), although a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) is achievable. A manually actuated Ansul fire suppression system with engine shutoff is standard on the MUTT, with an automatic system also available. Small and Speedy According to Canadian company United Personnel Carriers (UPC), there has always been a need for small utility/personnel carriers underground; the company was founded in 2008 on the basis of building a lower operating-cost-per-hour vehicle than any other similar utility/personnel carrier on the market. UPC takes CubCadet Volunteer recre- ational utility vehicles and converts them into units suitable for mine supervisors and tradesmen to use. Both two- and four-seat versions are available, as well as a vehicle that can travel on both tires and rails. The conversion to the Shifter 4×4D involves upgrading the braking system to SAHR, installing a long-life CVT system, heavy-duty LED lights, fireproof wiring and sealed controls, amongst other modi- fications. The machine is powered by a Tier 4-compliant, 16 kW (22 hp) Yanmar diesel engine with permanent four-wheel drive. Its carrying capacity is 360 kg (800 lb), with the passenger compartment pro- tected by a rollover cage and by mesh pan- els around the rear seats. Despite its operating weight of just 750 kg (about 1,652 lb) for the two-seat version, or 890 kg (about 1,962 lb) for a four-seater, the vehicle still offers 280 mm (11 in.) of ground clearance for use on rough underground haul roads. And the top speed? 20 km/h (about 12 mph). This article was originally published in Engineering & Mining Journal. That ver- sion covered more units geared toward hard-rock mining. MSHA-approved for coal-industry use, Damascus Corp.'s MUTT can carry up to 12 people. With seating for four, the UPC Shifter is designed for supervisor and tradesman transport. November 2015 www.coalage.com 43