Modifications of a Commercial Excavator for Rapid Runway Repair

The Air Force needed an excavator that could perform multiple tasks for repairing bomb craters in airfield runways. A cooperative development program with the Air Force resulted in modifications to an excavator to provide for digging, dozing, compacting, and breaking functions with quick attach components. High mobility was provided with a rubber tired undercarriage. The project conception, design, build, and testing are discussed.