Cooold weather Cat operation

Steve,

I enjoyed those pictures...but do you have any idea what that device is in front of the blade? The huge hoop so to speak. Is it like a forward looking ground penetrating radar to help see huge openings under the ice before you cross over them?

The one comment I read was that they were specially prepared to run in extreme cold weather. I'm curious as to what was done to accomplish that. Pretty extreme conditions!

Thanks for posting those!

Pat

Pat

The first link is a general link, the second gets into more detail re the D6n and the modifications, I have been following progress for about 6 months, before they loaded the boat to take all the equipment to Antarctica, the info is a bit spotty but still very interesting.


http://www.thecoldestjourney.org/home/expedition/



http://www.thecoldestjourney.org/home/expedition/equipment/mobile-vehicle-landtrain/modifying-the-caterpillar-d6ns/

The device on the blade is a combined crane and crevasse arm attachment.

I find it interesting to read the challenges of the design to make the tractor function in the cold weather.
Having spent alot of time working in the cold, its interesting to see the challenges of working in the EXTREME cold!
Looks like a nice place to visit but I am not willing to work there for any long time period!
👋

Steve,

Thanks for that second link...it explains everything!

Amazing stuff!

Pat

i still have my application form somewhere when i applied to be one of the engineers driving and maintaining these on the expedition. they had problems at -40 degrees Celsius on machine trails in sweden. i wouldn't like to be out there with them!

How many applied for the job Jon?, I know one other guy who I believe was a reserve but I've no idea how many wanted to become involved, it must have been a full time job for the engineers in Cannock just to develop the machines.