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When one pictures the Antarctic, the image is generally made up of ice, snow and maybe a colony of penguins.
What doesn’t come to mind in this landscape, though, is the bright red of Case IH tractors, but that doesn’t mean they’re not present on the southernmost continent of the globe.
Far from the Australian paddocks in which they're usually seen, three Case IH Steiger Quadtracs 500 are now hard at work in the unique climate.
It’s a journey that was two years in the making, beginning with the Steigers being manufactured at Case IH's plant in Fargo, North Dakota, before undergoing some necessary modifications required to cope with the challenging conditions of Antarctica.
Case IH ANZ Steiger product manager Jason Wood said it was a process that took several years because it wasn’t simply a case of delivering three of the regulation Steiger models.
“To withstand the unforgiving environment they're located in, and carry out the work they're required to do to the very highest standard, they needed some critical modifications," Mr Wood said.
"They've had the likes of arctic hoses installed in key areas and heaters added for the warming of the coolant and engine oil before they're started each time.
“They’ve got full belly shields underneath, and radars had to be relocated from underneath to the front of the machines.”
Above: the CASE IH Steiger Quadtracs 500 bound for the Antarctic.
To increase their versatility, the fuel tanks have even been tripled in size.
The machines are being used to support the Australian Antarctic Division's (AAD) aviation operations at Wilkins Blue Ice Runway, 70km inland from Casey Station, and also at the Casey Ski Landing Area, 15km from the station.
There, they are involved in the likes of runway maintenance, fuel and cargo transport from Casey to Wilkins, and general sled towing and heavy vehicle recovery.
From the United States, the machines were transported to the Port of Melbourne late last year, then made the trip across Bass Strait to Tasmania, where they travelled by road to Case IH dealership TTMI at Longford, just south of Launceston, in preparation for their journey by ship to Antarctica.
Above: see the journey of the CASE IH tractors in action.
In Tasmania, the tractors underwent final updates and testing, and the Antarctica-based operating team was trained to use them.
TTMI dealer principal Jason Henry said having the tractors at his dealership had many people buzzing.
"We sell tractors every day, but to see something a little bit out of the normal was actually quite exciting,” he said.
Above: TTMI dealership staff.
It was a rewarding project for all Case IH staff involved in the process, with Case IH Australia/New Zealand general manager Aaron Bett saying the request had been a completely unique one for his team, who'd enjoyed preparing the Steigers for something so far removed from their usual farming environment.
"It was a proud moment when they were finally loaded onto the ship in Hobart for their new home and their new job on the frontline of the important scientific work being undertaken in Antarctica,” he said.
“This project was an amazing testament to the design, innovation and versatility of the machines and the people behind the Steiger brand.”
