4 vehicles custom built for Antarctica

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  • Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
  • So I was hired as a large vehicle operator at McMurdo Station, and due to the extreme conditions of the Antarctica. Their are very specific vehicles, machines, custom built, and strange. Built for polar and remote regions.
    Thumbnail Photo By: / cullen_welch
    ‪@aidanalfonso‬

КОМЕНТАРІ • 135

  • @Rosy_87
    @Rosy_87 Місяць тому +34

    Sounds like you guys could use a mechanic. Lol. That override switch can be easily re-wired, so you don't have to rely on duct tape. In my opinion the older equipment is far superior to modern equipment anyways. Better built, more mechanical control and less electronics which is probably better for your climate anyways. Budget aside there's probably a good reason most of the equipment is older. Keep on top of the maintenance and those vehicles will last a long time. Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +11

      Yeah, I think fixing ivan is on the list of things to do. I think the mechanics are just overloaded. Thanks for watching 🙏

  • @_autoverse
    @_autoverse 28 днів тому +4

    Thanks for providing this insight, it’s neat to see these specialised vehicles.

  • @nullc0ntext
    @nullc0ntext 29 днів тому +6

    You had me at Ivan the Terribus man, bravo.

    • @brianb-p6586
      @brianb-p6586 10 днів тому

      But it's *Ivan the TerraBus* It's a pun on _Ivan the Terrible_ of course, but the name is really TerraBus. Those are Terra tires on it.

  • @thesybarite1
    @thesybarite1 Місяць тому +21

    Don't pay attention tion to all the stalking keyboard critics. You did a fine job and 99% of us enjoyed it. Those cretins just like to stroke their own egos because they know they are incapable of producing anything at all. Thanks for sharing your experiences and giving us a glimpse of life at MacMurdo.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +2

      Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video 🙏

  • @arapahoetactical7749
    @arapahoetactical7749 Місяць тому +8

    I worked for the USAP from 98 through 2012. Good to see the Delta and Ivan still on the iceroads. The Nodwell was another fun one we used often for Snow School. The Crest must have come along after I left the program and I have to say, it's pretty cool. Thanks for posting.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      Ahhhh nice! Yeah, they are still holding on. New vehicles is definitely a rarity down in McMurdo.

  • @PistonAvatarGuy
    @PistonAvatarGuy Місяць тому +5

    I've been obsessed with vehicles my whole life, but have never heard of Kress until just yesterday (coal haulers), and now I'm hearing the name again. Weird.

  • @ceedaddy
    @ceedaddy Місяць тому +3

    Great Video...!!! Seems like you've got the coolest job in the World. Would love to drive those unique vehicles !!!

  • @brettensmith7305
    @brettensmith7305 16 днів тому

    Those are some badass vehicles

  • @BillyBigRiggah
    @BillyBigRiggah Місяць тому +2

    Really cool machinery and equipment!

  • @bellofbelmont
    @bellofbelmont Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Jim Bell (Australia)

  • @Chris_at_Home
    @Chris_at_Home 16 днів тому

    Many of these vehicles have been used in the Alaska oil field for over 45 years. I drove Delta 2s &3s back in 1980.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  15 днів тому

      Makes sense, seems like it could be good use for all sorts of industrial fields.

  • @FerreneMachine
    @FerreneMachine Місяць тому +4

    Sweet video dude! Good to see you're getting after it!!

  • @a-fl-man640
    @a-fl-man640 16 днів тому

    sounds like a unique work environment. well, as long as "the thing" doesn't get you.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  15 днів тому

      I swear everyone watches that once down here haha

  • @zyeborm
    @zyeborm Місяць тому +7

    I appreciate that you have the subtitles done properly not just automatic, but having them baked into the video is a negative for me. Put them in as captions for youtube then I can turn them on and off as needed. It'll also translate for people in other languages better too. Either way thanks for the video, some cool vehicles there.

    • @mfrsr
      @mfrsr Місяць тому +3

      yep, me too. even by the end of the vid I couldn't help but get irked by the mistakes in them. you don't realise how much you appreciate the default till you don't have the option to turn them off 👍
      neat video otherwise, Its rare to see anything indepth on the these vehicles.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +2

      Definitely get it.

    • @brianb-p6586
      @brianb-p6586 10 днів тому

      But they're not done properly. They're full of errors, and presumably auto-generated.

  • @UASteamFitter
    @UASteamFitter Місяць тому +4

    Very informative and interesting video!

  • @nicknellany2336
    @nicknellany2336 Місяць тому +1

    With all your equipment, yet you have no Unimogs !??? Unstoppable, go anywhere!

  • @maxygloob
    @maxygloob Місяць тому +2

    This is soo cool! thanks for making this

  • @freqonnaleash5288
    @freqonnaleash5288 26 днів тому

    Was down there with the Navy in the 90s, got qualified on the Deltas and several loaders. My favorite was the Delta-3 named Flipper that used to be a fire rig (might be the box now?). It had a double cab that could seat 7 if you were friendly, and a *much* beefier drive train. I took an aircrew out to a lane that had to divert to Pegasus from Willy after a 3 day Herbie dumped about 2 feet of loose snow on the road. It was tearing along at top speed like it was nothing with snow flying around us making our own blizzard.
    Those Econoliner PAX vans were old when I was there, the Deltas were older, I think Ivan was on it's 3rd season and the DV8 (Deviate) Cat was the newest rig there my last trip down.
    Want to go back as a Heavy Op, even a shuttle driver would be nice. I miss it, along with the stopovers in Christchurch, still get restless in October like I should by flying South for the winter.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  24 дні тому

      I never drove flipper. But if its a fuel delta, I would never have drove it. Could still be here. Pegasus is no longer used. Still have Willy and now we have phoenix. I'm sure you could get in if you wanted to. Most of the hiring is done for this year, but probably could next year!

  • @CheetoCannon
    @CheetoCannon Місяць тому +1

    That was cool. Thank you.

  • @ErukanuSenpai
    @ErukanuSenpai Місяць тому +1

    Excellent Video Quality !
    You deserve more subs :D

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      Much appreciated! I'm slowly making my way haha

  • @biffteutsch3402
    @biffteutsch3402 Місяць тому +1

    Great Info👍😎

  • @orest395
    @orest395 23 дні тому

    The delta truck looks like one of those land trains

  • @Junkboy888
    @Junkboy888 29 днів тому

    Kool video. I got to ride on that Van and take a tour around while on a supply run to McMurdo Station. Hard to believe C-5 air craft can land out on the ice.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  28 днів тому

      I heard that C5's sometimes landed there, but never got to see it. Crazy cool.

  • @Matt-re3or
    @Matt-re3or 25 днів тому +1

    Ok, I NEED a set of Delta tires for my square body. Those gotta be cheaper than the 44" swampers

  • @ml9867
    @ml9867 Місяць тому +3

    I just discovered your channel. Can you do an entire video about the Antarctic Fire Department? Id love you to interview them and show their station & vehicles. Thanks

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks for watching!Definitely an interesting idea, I will look into the idea.

  • @stevemaher7863
    @stevemaher7863 Місяць тому +3

    Turn off the subtitles!

  • @othoapproto9603
    @othoapproto9603 27 днів тому

    I saw "Machines of McMurdo" back in 1971 at Madison Square Gardens. I think "Witches Tit" Opened. it was a great show, I did molly?

  • @dfgndfghdfghdfgh
    @dfgndfghdfghdfgh Місяць тому

    Hugely interesting video, must be pricey getting such big vehicles all the way down there

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      Absolutely. Their are not a lot of new vehicles there haha

  • @glencsiro
    @glencsiro 27 днів тому

    I’ve been in the delta with one of the worse hangovers of my life when we were evacuated from Davis in 2016.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  27 днів тому +1

      Deltas only make hangovers worse hahahah

    • @glencsiro
      @glencsiro 27 днів тому

      @@aidanalfonsois the signed Aussie flag still in the darts area in one of the bars there?

  • @zapfanzapfan
    @zapfanzapfan Місяць тому

    Fun to see Hägglunds down there.

  • @teamidris
    @teamidris Місяць тому

    “The Boss” is reasonably common by comparison, they move oil rigs. Basically they move the last bits when the site is four foot deep in mud. Further north are the rollagons ( I think I have that right) They are a different breed altogether :D

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      Very cool. Yeah, I know very little about "the boss" but I believe you 😆 rollagons look pretty sweet 👌

    • @teamidris
      @teamidris Місяць тому +1

      @@aidanalfonso Marcep Intruder :) Marcep being the special vehicles manufacturer. They have a big winch to load and offload. Short distances the half-load empty sludge tanks li’e a tipper with it’s bed up :D

  • @janshaw2132
    @janshaw2132 Місяць тому

    Great vid, great quality. I think you should have at least mentioned those two generators that provide heat and electricity. My father in law flew there many times. Several stories with supply runs and plane recovery misions.
    👍👍

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      For sure. Yeah, flying down here just seems to be hazardous no matter what 😆

  • @s.porter8646
    @s.porter8646 21 день тому

    Awesome vid

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  21 день тому +1

      Thank you 🙏

    • @s.porter8646
      @s.porter8646 21 день тому

      @@aidanalfonso I was deployed down there, great tour

  • @jesseayers7933
    @jesseayers7933 Місяць тому

    those big tire on the delta will float . 1977 crash crew leader in crash truck coming back from runway duty we busted through the ice just before land ramp . front bumper was what kept us from busting all of the way through the ice .

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      That would have a crazy experience. Instills more trust in Deltas haha

  • @Ltblitzful
    @Ltblitzful Місяць тому

    worth pointing out that for those 4x4 vans the 4x4 is something that was added because you can only get those in 2wd

    • @Jodah175
      @Jodah175 Місяць тому

      older E-series Ford Vans could be ordered as 4x4.

  • @OLH3rd
    @OLH3rd 23 дні тому

    Thanks for sharing!! Is there a website that showcases what you all do down-under-down-under?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  22 дні тому +1

      For sure! The only site that may tell a bit of info about the research is this. www.usap.gov/

  • @spencerjhog4429
    @spencerjhog4429 Місяць тому

    Outstanding presentation, technically pretty solid (but then you drive them), specs and performance are most interesting. I'm surprised the Kress is overloaded. Those folks now how to build REALLY big rigs. A Cat articulated dump with a trailer and those get converted to scrapers quite often. Really enjoy the weird ad unusual hardware. Just for grins and giggles take photos of every vehicle and have folks "guess" what it started life as. Is the Ford bus a gasser or a diesel? Nerdy car nuts love those sort of details. A bet Heavy "D" would do a frame up rebuild of Ivan for free. New engine, new trans, big turbo and it would be a riot> I spent 30 plus year in Minnesota so block heaters, radiator blankets etc are no surprise but you could several episodes on the trials and tribulations of operating vehicles in an extreme environment. BTW: You cover airfare and I'll wrench on ANYTHING for a hot meal and place to lay my head.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/search?page=1&country_codes%5B%5D=AQ&query=Antarctica

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      That is the link to Antarctica jobs with the company amentum, which is who I work for. I'm not sure if their are mechanic positions available currently, but that is where it would be. The Ford van is gas, but everything else is diesel. And yeah, it's definitely strange that it is overloaded, but I assume that it wasn't originally built for the large passenger cabin 🤷🏼‍♂️

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      I think know much more than I haha

  • @lifeinthefishbowl
    @lifeinthefishbowl Місяць тому

    When you started Ivan at 4:56 it had 300psi of oil pressure 😮 Might be something going on there as to why the override button needs to be held down.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      Their 100% has to be something wrong haha

  • @ryansheppard21
    @ryansheppard21 Місяць тому +2

    Why the subtitles?? Knock it off please.

  • @brianb-p6586
    @brianb-p6586 10 днів тому

    Thanks... but the auto-generated captions are so bad (with at least dozens of errors) that they're useless; it would be better to leave them out, and let people turn on UA-cam's auto-generated captions if they want them.

  • @bdhaliwal24
    @bdhaliwal24 19 днів тому

    Do you keep the engines of the vehicles on engine block holders all the time or just warm them up ahead of time when needed? Just wondering how you keep the machinery from completely seizing up and getting damaged.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  18 днів тому

      Yeah, all of the vehicles are pretty consistently plugged in between running times.

  • @orest395
    @orest395 23 дні тому

    Also I didn’t think cat would color their vehicles in anything but yellow

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  22 дні тому

      Yeah, maybe just different time periods.

  • @brianpayne8721
    @brianpayne8721 Місяць тому

    Sick!

  • @BigDipper79
    @BigDipper79 28 днів тому

    You can’t have air brakes there because moisture will build up and then it will freeze. Just fyi

    • @Ulfhednar-o9t
      @Ulfhednar-o9t 12 днів тому

      Is there moisture? I would argue everything water in the enviroment would freeze

    • @user-xg7pd6bd7j
      @user-xg7pd6bd7j 3 дні тому

      True, we used Bendix air dryers or methyl hydrate to solve that problem in the Arctic

  • @Shcaso
    @Shcaso 19 днів тому

    did you see the photo of one of the kress tires sunk into a hole in the transition from a couple years ago?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  18 днів тому

      I did 😆 crazy that thing can get stuck

  • @devinholland2189
    @devinholland2189 20 днів тому

    Could you do a video on the weird cat tractor TT195 with the giant cab. You show it at 7:25 pulling some sort of sled.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  15 днів тому

      We will see what I can do, but here is what I know. It is used as the "fire truck" on the airfields by the fire fighters. I think the sled is to smooth out its tracks on the runway, so it doesn't disrupt the air strip.

  • @Cancun771
    @Cancun771 Місяць тому

    There should be something like a Sand Crawler. You know? With living quarters and a galley.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      They do have all these little container buildings with a kitchen, sleeping quarters, and bathroom on the SPOT Traverse. Which is a heavy equipment traverse from McMurdo Station to the South Pole to bring necessary supplies. But that is the closest thing hahaha

    • @Cancun771
      @Cancun771 Місяць тому

      @@aidanalfonso The Russians used to have a tracked thing called "Kharkovchanka", basically on a tank chassis. Although it turned out not overly practical, apparently.

  • @gnd4767
    @gnd4767 28 днів тому

    Great video, but i think it can be longer...... I think?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  27 днів тому

      I'm sure it could be way longer haha but this is what I got for now.

  • @kamel6915
    @kamel6915 29 днів тому

    Do you have bikes or trikes, quads HPVs too? Do you want any. I've once seen a trike a cyclist used to ride to the south pole. I think I would have fun designing that stuff. For now I make suspension forks for normal and some very special bikes.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  28 днів тому

      I'm probably not the one who has any control on new machines coming in. But I haven't seen much of that sort. Mostly a lot of snow mobiles.

  • @joshandicoechea6770
    @joshandicoechea6770 Місяць тому

    Love the video but why the big 60 person the last one you showed does not have air brakes is because air brakes freeze and you would have no air brakes unless you put alcohol and sometimes that’s not even enough so that’s why they have no air brakes

    • @leejohnson6173
      @leejohnson6173 Місяць тому +2

      No it's because it's a cat machine and has wet brakes just like rock trucks and loaders and everything else..they don't have overheating issues and last way longer that's why they are used on heavy equipment.

  • @adamfrbs9259
    @adamfrbs9259 Місяць тому

    I have a picture of me standing next to a working Rolligon.........in Alaska though.

  • @billyhighfill
    @billyhighfill Місяць тому +1

    Cool video. Thanks for sharing!! Also. Jesus loves you 💪💪

  • @Visionery1
    @Visionery1 Місяць тому

    6:59, those tyres are pretty close together, how do they deal with mud build-up?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому +1

      So crazy enough, we never have had an issue while I was there. But I think it helps that we mostly are just driving across the sea ice. The only other surface we drove on, was volcanic rock.

  • @jeffmech600
    @jeffmech600 Місяць тому

    All those science people and engineers and no one can jump out the override switch or put a toggle? Duct tape? Huh

  • @DIGGER19860
    @DIGGER19860 26 днів тому

    What kinda balloonsyou talking about? sateloons???

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  26 днів тому

      The NASA facility down here launches these huge Long Duration Air Balloons that carry a telescope that looks into space. It can sometimes be in the air for 2 months straight, circling around Antarctica.

  • @angieandretti
    @angieandretti Місяць тому

    So what do I need to do to get a job down there? 🙂

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  29 днів тому

      This is the site with the companies that hire down there :)
      www.usap.gov/jobsandopportunities/?m=1
      I also put a video together on the general steps!
      ua-cam.com/video/0uqbZr4GBkY/v-deo.html

  • @danielson101
    @danielson101 Місяць тому

    only 2 wires going to button just join wires?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      You could be right, I just think making the fix is low priority.

  • @ppswond7839
    @ppswond7839 10 днів тому

    How do you get a job like this?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  8 днів тому

      www.usap.gov/jobsandopportunities/?m=1
      That's the site with the contractors that hire down there. Most of the hiring for the upcoming season might be done, but you can always check!

  • @Will-lo8fu
    @Will-lo8fu Місяць тому

    is the van a 7.3L?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      I'm not sure, I will have to get back to you.

    • @Will-lo8fu
      @Will-lo8fu Місяць тому

      @aidanalfonso would be very interested to have you redo this video with the mechanics to chime in. Super fascinated with the performance of the vehicles in such a cold unforgiving place. Must be a mechanical nightmare!

    • @BrokeWrench
      @BrokeWrench 29 днів тому

      He said gas so either the 5.4 V8 or possibly the V10

  • @62davelee
    @62davelee 29 днів тому

    Are they hiring?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  28 днів тому

      www.usap.gov/jobsandopportunities/?m=1 that link shows all the companies that operate down there. It is a bit late to apply, but you never know. Could be some random positions left to fill!

  • @COMANCHE3
    @COMANCHE3 Місяць тому

    Air brakes will freeze

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      Good to know 👌

    • @carlthor91
      @carlthor91 Місяць тому +2

      Hmmm then I shouldn't be able to move.🤦‍♂ Ever heard of an air dryer, Bendix or the much more expensive WABCO, in the old days we used alcohol sniffers on the air compressor intakes.
      Best wishes from 55.75° North.

    • @BrokeWrench
      @BrokeWrench 29 днів тому

      They can freeze, but if you keep them dry they dont

  • @fredericauerbach2227
    @fredericauerbach2227 Місяць тому +2

    Not your fault, but you have classic Vocal Fry- look it up if you're unfamiliar. It makes(for many) more difficult to listen to your spoken voice.

  • @jhoncho4x4
    @jhoncho4x4 Місяць тому +1

    Try again with actual specs; reuse footage, narrate, and only show footage. "Beefy tires" and "Terra Tires" are not specs and useless.
    Give info not easily available from a simple google search.
    Tire and wheel sizes? Printed on sidewalls.
    Axle models? If you don't know, then film them so they can be identified.
    Engine specs?
    Emissions equipment required?
    There is no need to stand in front of the camera and talk; NOBODY is that interesting.

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      Thanks for watching. And I will take the critiques 👌

  • @simonburnby1997
    @simonburnby1997 Місяць тому

    It’s scary how little you know about machinery to be operating these machines

  • @yougear100
    @yougear100 Місяць тому +1

    Vocal Fry. Cringe.

  • @secpac58chichi
    @secpac58chichi 29 днів тому

    Is everyone trained on it ? LOL Get over yourself

  • @dadygee
    @dadygee Місяць тому

    30 year old car here in Sweden´s west coast is more would be a record i think :) cars in the northen parts (Norrland - north land.=) will go on forever.. but if you live near the coast or the south, salt will eat that car before it is 15 years. Salt salt and more salt in the air :) I think that a car from 2024 will not see 2034 before it is recycled. And dont get me started on them fancy pants teslas. Awesome vid bruh! I would really like to see this place you are working on one day. And the Hägglund´s band wagon 206 is pretty sweet.. I would like to have one of those.. And a snow trac would be pretty sweet. :)

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  Місяць тому

      Thanks for watching! And damn. I bet Sweden has some pretty crazy vehicles up in those remote spaces. And yes Hagglund's are soooooooo sweet!

  • @Captainkirk88410
    @Captainkirk88410 27 днів тому

    Just out of curiosity. Does the van actually reach normal operating temperature engine wise , in subarctic conditions?

    • @aidanalfonso
      @aidanalfonso  26 днів тому +2

      Everything temperature wise seemed in the normal range. It would be similar to using vehicles in northern states or Canada, really.