Case IH Steiger Quadtrac headed to Antarctica
Three Steiger 500 Quadtrac tractors to be put to work in the world’s coldest continent later this yearThe natural home of the Case IH Steiger in Australia is a sun-baked paddock, but three very special Steigers will swap the heat and dust for the ice and snow of Antarctica.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) will take delivery this year of three 500 Steiger Quadtracs to be put to work in the challenging conditions of the world’s coldest continent.
The tractors will be used to support aviation operations at Wilkins Blue Ice Runway, 70km inland from Casey Station, and also at the Casey Ski Landing Area, 15km from the station.
The tractors will be used for a variety of tasks including pulling a 90-tonne proof roller used in the construction of the runway; fuel and cargo transport from Casey to Wilkins; and general sled towing and heavy vehicle recovery.
Case IH ANZ Steiger Product Manager, Jason Wood, said the Steigers were manufactured at Case IH’s plant in Fargo, North Dakota, before being sent to US-based farm equipment supplier Grouser for necessary modifications.
“They need to be heavily modified for the conditions in Antarctica, and the tasks they’ll be performing,” he said.
“To cope with the cold they’ll have the likes of arctic hoses installed in key areas and heaters added for the warming of the coolant and engine oil before you start them. Even the fuel tanks will be tripled in size to increase their versatility.”
The tractors are due in Australia later this year, where they’ll be taken to Hobart for some final testing before being craned onto the ship for the final leg of their journey to Antarctica.
Wood said it had been a great effort by the Case IH ANZ team and an exciting project to be involved with, getting the Steigers prepared for an environment very different to the one in which they usually operate.
“Seeing them against a white backdrop, rather than the usual rural backdrop we’re used to here will be something very different, and we’re proud they’ll be flying the Case IH flag for Australia’s critical research operations in Antarctica,” he said.
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