Cool CATs in Antarctica

 
 A D6D (with the CAT Block-C trade dress) a.k.a "Angela" towing a sheepsfoot roller at the crosswind portion of
  Williams Field  with Mount Erebus in the background.
 
 A D6H (with the CAT Beltline trade dress) a.k.a "Tootz". 
 
 A 95E Challenger (with the CAT Beltline trade dress) that apparently lost a challenge... 
 
 Maybe next time...
 
 A Kress carrier (red!?) bringing in goods from Phoenix Airfield to McMurdo Station .  
 
 A 336E (with the CAT Power Edge trade dress) shown here being operated by one of my co-workers Eric Schweizer,
 who is excavating a portion of what's referred to as "the transition". This area is where the Ross Ice Shelf meets
 with the shoreline of Ross Island. The transition has an undulating surface due to the constant movement of nearby
 glaciers and needs to be routinely trimmed at the "rollers" or peaks. If not taken care of, the Kress carrier can get
 high-centered and create other towing related problems for other equipment as well. Currently, the transition is the 
 only designated point of entry/exit for vehicles and equipment (aside from helicopters) traveling to/from Ross Island
 in order to access NASA's long duration balloon facility, Willy Field, Phoenix Airfield, or the Amundsen-Scott South
 Pole Station via the South Pole Overland Traverse (SPOT), which delivers fuel and cargo yearly to the South Pole
 from McMurdo Station. 
 
 A 95E Challenger towing fuel to be delivered from Williams Airfield to Phoenix Airfield. 
 
 Pre-heating the engine of a D7E (with the CAT Power Edge trade dress) before startup. 
 
 A proofrolled rear view of the road that connects NASA's long duration balloon facility and Willy Field.  
 
 A 3630T Mobile Track Solutions (MTS) tractor with a groomer (drag) in tow. MTS tractors are powered by CAT
 ACERT C18 tier 4 engines that are paired to CAT TA22H 16 speed powershift transmissions. 
 
 The McMurdo Station sign with the USCGC Polar Star docked at the ice pier in the background. 
 
 A Boeing 757-2K2 owned and operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) taxiing from the apron
 towards the runway to takeoff at Phoenix Airfield with a 966G off to the left and the Royal Society Range
 in the background (obscured by clouds).
                     
 Former 42nd President of the United States William J. "Bill" Clinton seen here touring the United States Antarctic
 Program's (USAP) warehouse in Christchurch, New Zealand (where this is picture is hung up) before heading
 south. No pun intended.
   
 "Faith can move mountains". Matthew 17:20
 

                                                                            More to come...
 

 

Great photos from way far away.  Is the fuel tank towing Challenger the one that threw it's track?   It's nice to see an MTS machine down there.  

No, this was a different one. There are currently two MTS tractors down there right now. Other than a few issues that were solved, the MTS's are great machines!

Thank you, Daniel! My husband and I are going to Elkader, Iowa next month and will be touring the Mobile Track Solutions facility!

Absolutely! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Be sure to make plans to visit the Earthmoving Legacy Center as well (if you haven't already done so). Here's a link to their website: www.earthmovinglegacy.com

Tell us more about your experience in Antarctica!

What is the process to get down there?

How is it living there?

What is your schedule?

What equipment do you get to operate?

What do you do with your time off?

Did you pet any penguins?

Pete.