EOD-UKRAINE SITUATION UPDATE
The last week of April operations came to a grinding halt when we blew the engine on our beloved Soviet tractor. The farmer we were working for towed the tractor to his house and agreed to oversee tearing the tractor down and rebuilding the engine. We are not certain the cost that it will take to get the tractor operating. This setback not only affects our team, but also the farmers who were counting on us to clear their land in order to get a crop of sunflowers planted this year. Unless we can have the tractor repaired very quickly, the farmers will have to wait yet another year to get their crops in the ground. In the meantime, while we wait for the tractor to be repaired, we will look for other ways in which we can serve the many hurting farmers who have lost almost all of their farm equipment and buildings due to the war.
EOD-UKRAINE PROJECT GOALS
Along with getting our tractor repaired, we are also proposing a new system altogether. Our current setup uses an older tractor that has been rigged with an automation system that was built by a local Ukrainian man. The system has many bugs and quirks and seems to always be on the brink of collapse. Outlined below is an alternative equipment setup that could drastically speed up the land clearing process. The equipment would include a larger tractor that has an integrated GPS system. This would allow us to integrate a fully autonomous and remote control system. The increased horse power would allow us to pull a larger disc which would increase our productivity. The tractor would be protected from landmines by an Armtrac front mount mine roller (or similar demining roller). This certified demining roller system would roll in front of the tractor and detonate any mines that may be in the path of the tractor.
FUNDING
$75,000 - Used tractor (150+/- hp)
$10,000 - Trailer disc harrow
$5,000 - Autonomous System (AG Open GPS)
$155,000 - Front Mount Armtrac Roller (or similiar demining roller)
To contribute towards these costs:
Donate online or send a check earmarked “EOD Equipment” to:
Kingdom Channels
2044 W Main St.
Ephrata, PA 17522
Please note: In the event that sufficient funds are not raised to purchase the new equipment listed above, the funds raised will be used to further the work of the EOD project, whether it be used to support the EOD work in Ukraine, or used for future EOD projects in the 10/40 Window.