From: Steve Grammont (islander@midmaine.com)
Date: Tue Jan 07 2003 - 21:08:06 PST
>Steve....tracks freezing to the ground is a big problem in really cold
>winters.
>How did they fight this? I have heard that this problem could strip gears in
>transmissions or differentials.
You are correct. Tracks feezing into the ground was a big problem during
the transition times between mud and frozen ground. It was also a
problem for anything wheeled too. Once the ground was frozen and the
weather decidedly below freezing, there generally weren't any problems
that I know of. Well, unless they got freezing rain, like we did on New
Year's eve (how it can rain at 5 deg F is beyond me <g>).
If they had time the best way to fix it was to park on top of something
other than muddy ground. Say, straw, tree limbs, harder ground, etc. If
this was not possible, or a change in weather took them by surprise, then
the crew generally spent a fun filled day with picks and shovels trying
to break enough of the ground away to get rolling again.
Bumping each other probably wasn't done too much. Tanks are generally
designed to be on the brink of breaking down due to their own weight.
Towing other vehicles was generally frowned upon, especially if it was
just as heavy. Remember, pulling something like a stuck 35 ton tank
means you are pulling like it was 70 tons (or something like that)
because of the initial resistance needing to be overcome.
Bottom line... I love the winter. I love the fact that I live somewhere
that doesn't get above freezing for at least two solid months. But I am
damned glad my Weasel has rubber coated tracks and stays indoors until I
use it :-)
Steve
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