Vehicles - Tractor with tracked trailer used to haul snow away from station
Alan Light
- 2007-2008 - Antarcticans Database Project -
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Tractor with tracked trailer used to haul snow away from station. These are used as part of the operations to keep the station clear of accumulating snow, or simply when needing to move snow out of the way for a time.
Talking to the mechanics, I was told that these tractors work fine until the temperature drops to about -40 degrees, but once the temperature has dropped below -40 they start tearing up. However, the mechanics all agree that the newer tractors do not handle the cold as well as the older tractors, especially those built in the 1950's, 1960's, and sometimes into the 1970's. Apparently, a number of newer technologies which improve efficiency in normal climates, simply cannot stand the cold and need to be replaced frequently.
During the winter, vehicles venturing outside (such as leaving the arches to go to the berms) are restricted to operating for about one hour, before they need to be warmed up again.
Photo; © Alan Light - This Picture is in the public domain
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