What's the device fitted to the front of this NG-31 Charger It reminds me of the kind of blower used to treat pines against processionnary caterpillars...(from Smugmug.com)


Larger picture

TIA
Frenchy

The pulley and belt looks like it is used to aim the blower. I'm guessing it would be for blowing loose dirt/debris away from a suspected IED.

A device to give prostate exams to elephants ?

I have no clue but now I'm very curious to find out.
Glenn

That makes sense ! Thanks for your input.

EDIT: it's one of the industrial leaf blowers made by Buffalo Turbine ."Buffalo Turbine, a Springville, New York firm, produces a vehicle-mounted blower (aptly named the Cyclone) that can direct a powerful blast of air at roadside trash piles and other suspicious debris. Powered by Kohler engines (built in Wisconsin), the Cyclone can generate a hurricane-force torrent of air, reaching speeds of 180 mph. That force is more than sufficient to blow away trash or debris hiding IEDs, and sometimes, actually detonate the device. According to the manufacturer, the Cyclone has uncovered "dozens" of IEDs in Iraq. The military has over 100 of the blowers in service and more are on the way. Countless lives have been saved by the Cyclone, and no soldiers have been injured while using the device. In fact, the vehicle-mounted blower has been so effective that Cyclones now lead many convoys in Iraq."

Just found another picture :



Frenchy

Another hypothesis (nonsense): a devicde used to tame rebellions and demonstrations by blowing air,

That makes the most sense, but I'm still stumped about the small wheel with belt on the front. The belt runs down under the actual blower schute and I can't figure its purpose.
Glenn

Maybe there is a turbine or simething like that?
If this is connected to the engine, it might be a fording device perhaps... but there is not much water in the desert!

I've just read that "The company, which usually sells its equipment to golf courses, worked with the Army to make the blower's rotating nozzle more durable."....

Frenchy

Giacomo, I mean the small black pully wheel just above the blower shute. It has a belt [ like a fan belt in a car } running under the shute. The only thing I can think of is for it to aim the blower shute. A chain on a cogged gear I can see but a fan belt type of set up ?
Still got me stumped.
Glenn

If you take a look at the enlarged picture you'll see it's indeed a notched belt.

Maybe that's what they were talking about ?

Frenchy

Frenchy - gotcha now it makes sense.
Glenn