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NEW EQUIPMENT - GCI CAT D6R SERIES 2 LGP REPLACES 30 YEAR VETERAN IN “THE ICY CONTINENT” ! A NEW CAT D6R2 LGP WAS DELIVERED IN EARLY 2016 TO THE CASEY STATION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION (AAD). THE MACHINE IS USED FOR SCIENTIFIC TRAVERSE (UP TO 100KM) AND GENERAL DUTIES AROUND THE STATION, INCLUDING SNOW CLEARING. “The cooperation from Caterpillar® to provide a machine to our Hobart branch quickly was greatly appreciated by both William Adams and AAD explained Peter Fewkes, William Adams’ Polar Territory Manager. We had an extremely tight order window to work within prior to the vessel sailing, given the additional work required in Hobart to modify the machine before delivery. There are a number of modifications that are unique to this environment that Peter advised to be completed before the sailing. “These include cold weather sealing, fluids and guards along with directing air flow from the radiator fan (suction type) directing warm air under the cab and over the transmission”. As you can imagine, tracks on ice have limited traction and the machine was modified by the William Adams’ team with scarifying pockets on the back of the blade as well as adding “ice-studs” to the track. “For traversing over glacial ice, we added “ice stud holders” to every third track shoe that have two Cat Paving profiler tips to improve traction” added Peter. 24 PLUS Winter 2016 “We even added vandal guards to the windows of the cab to prevent debris (that can be picked up with winds that exceed 200 kph) from grit blasting or breaking the glass” explained Peter. “William Adams commenced its association with Antarctica back in 1957 with the delivery of two D4 tractors. The company is now recognised for its cold climate expertise with more than 100 Caterpillar machines modified and delivered to various national programs across the icy continent.” “The D6R has a recognised record of reliability and mechanical availability in an isolated, remote area is a paramount requirement” explained Peter. “It is a machine that meets the demands of the severe environment and replaces a 30 year old D7G DD LGP (45W) machine that has had two rebuilds in its life time in Antarctica”. “What was special about this delivery was the tight order to delivery schedule to meet the single annual sailing of the Ice Breaker supply vessel to the station” explained Peter Witte, Track Type Tractor Product & Application Specialist for Caterpillar. “The team at our Rayong manufacturing facility in Thailand should be proud of their support in meeting William Adams requirements to deliver on time”, added Peter.