Resource World Magazine

72 www.resourceworld.com F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 7 MININGWORLD JOHN MCCLINTIC developed his skills and interests in precision machining in the early 1960's. Opening his own business in early 1974, he started to machine, assem- ble, develop and test high performance racing engines for customers all over the United States. His racing operation set numerous national records, and held divi- sional championships within the National Hot Rod Association. McClintic began working with mining companies in the late 1970s redesigning and engineering application specific prod - ucts, cylinders, and industrial mining components. The company built long- standing relationships within the mining industry, and they have been working with some companies for almost 30 years. In the 1980s, McClintic Research Design and Manufacturing based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, adopted computer numerical control technology (CNC) which is a manufacturing process that utilizes computers to control machin - ing centers such as lathes and mills. These machines perform tasks with a much higher degree of accuracy than manual machines. McClintic said, a few years ago, "One of our customers came to us with a con - cern and a question. They had reached a point of pure frustration with their under- ground service vehicles. They asked us if we would be interested in designing a vehicle that could withstand such an envi- ronment." That customer wanted to start from scratch. "No modifications to existing chassis, or vehicles. We accepted and began the process of designing the McClintic Underground Mining Vehicle (MUMV)." The design of the MUMV started with the chassis. McClintic says, "Each of the four main chassis rails is CNC mandrel bent from a single length of tubing. Without seems or joining of tubes to produce a chassis rai. Strength analysis tests and FEA stress software testing, has proved this design is tremendously strong." The engine carriage system (ECS) really sets the MUMV apart from other mining vehicles. The MUMV utilizes a Cummins B3.3 tier 4 interim diesel engine. McClintic said, "We decided to take the engine, transmission, cooling system (radiator, fan), electrical system (battery, firewall, dashboard, gauge cluster, fuses, switches, master power cutoff), hydraulic system (filter, fluid reservoir), and place them into a removable carriage." Should any one of the above engine components fail repairs are easily done as the engine carriage can be easily removed and swapped out in less than two hours. Repairs can be made on a stand where the mechanic can start and run the engine. The MUMV's entire body is steel mak - ing even the hood and fenders strong enough to hold the weight of a man. Each spring in the suspension system is rated to 3,400 pounds. McClintic designed a unique braking system as well where a four piston, hydraulically assisted caliper is used on all four wheels. The MUMV also features a rugged drive train design which utilizes a custom designed, 9 inch ford rear end housing. The MUMV comes in two designs. The J1000 is a service utility vehicle that car - ries the driver and one passenger. It has a heavy gauge flat bed deck plate and a car- rying capacity of 3,000 lbs The J5000 is a driver plus five passen- ger personnel carrier designed so that the heads of those in the rear seating area are no taller than the persons in the front of the vehicle. McClintic says, "We are always work - ing on improvements and options for the MUMV. Upcoming designs and options will certainly benefit a much broader customer base. We are always interested in working with a company and their specific needs." In the future, McClintic says four wheel drive is probably the biggest priority. "Many companies are in an environment that makes this an absolute necessity. We are working on that feature now." n The McClintic underground mining vehicle by Kathrine Moore The J1000 is a service utility vehicle that has a heavy gauge flat bed deck plate. Photo courtesy of McClintic Research Design and Manufacturing.

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