Andy: “When Sir Ranulph Fiennes first approached Finning for support on his attempt to cross Antarctica during the polar winter, we knew we were entering into a huge challenge. Over 10,000 man-hours, 780 technical drawings and 110 specialist modifications later, we had two Antarctic-ready Cat D6Ns equipped to tackle some of the harshest conditions on the planet.


“While we conducted as much analysis as we possibly could to try and test our developments in simulated conditions, there was always going to be an element of the unknown when the team started operating in Antarctica. What was fascinating for us, from an engineering perspective, was how well the modifications would perform and what we could learn for the future development of extreme cold weather units.


“Since Richmond and Spencer returned from the ice, we have had access to some incredibly in-depth insight that has helped us understand how the machines perform in temperatures below -50°C.


“The traverse has also broken dozer records, and thanks to the talents of Spencer and Richmond who were able to keep the machines running and operational in those conditions, we have seen the Cat D6Ns overcome a diverse range of challenges. As well as taking part in a 400-metre long recovery winch, the blades on the dozers were also used to construct ice bridges that could get the caboose train across sizable crevasses.


“THE “BOMB DOOR” STYLE MODIFICATION FINNING MADE TO THE BELLY GUARDS ON THE D6NS WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC WHEN IT CAME TO CLEARING SNOW. AN INDIVIDUAL COULD EASILY MANAGE TO OPEN AND CLOSE THEM ON HIS OWN WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT.”


RICHMOND DYKES


CONTENTS


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