Development of an Ice Excavation Machine.

A review of operational requirements indicates a continuing need for equipment to excavate ice to facilitate polar construction. A 30-hp ladder-type trencher was selected and purchased for its low ground pressure and versatility. The chain was outfitted with specially designed conical ice teeth, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Vaudrey,K. D.
Other Authors: CIVIL ENGINEERING LAB (NAVY) PORT HUENEME CALIF
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1975
Subjects:
Snow
Ice and Permafrost
Construction Equipment
Materials & Supplies
*Ice
*Machines
Cold weather operations
Trenching
Cutters
Modification
Excavation
*Excavating equipment
*Trenching machines
Antarctic
Antarc*
Ice
permafrost
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA018956
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA018956
Description
Summary:A review of operational requirements indicates a continuing need for equipment to excavate ice to facilitate polar construction. A 30-hp ladder-type trencher was selected and purchased for its low ground pressure and versatility. The chain was outfitted with specially designed conical ice teeth, and a rotating ice chipper drum was designed and fabricated for the backhoe arm. Both modifications were tested in a laboratory situation for performance and suitability for field operation. A similar, but larger machine with identical teeth, procured under a separate task, was observed during and extended Antarctic ice-trenching operation. Laboratory tests and field observations showed that the ice excavation machine was easy to operate and provided maintenance-free performance during all of its trials.

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