Hey snowmobilers!!!

[Jerry]

Screw-driven tractor spotted in Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska: Our reader Jason Kray took pictures of this fascinating mechanical dinosaur (maybe an aged Decepticon):

(images courtesy Jason Kray)

Detroit Arctic Expedition
"January 1926: Three snow motor tractors were brought to Alaska for towing sleds filled with aviation fuel and oil, radio equipment and gas... This was to support the Wilkins-Eielson's first attempt of a Transpolar flight North America to Europe.

The tractors proved to be unsatisfactory... they were basically modified Fordson tractors with the spiral threaded cylinders that provided the propulsion. They were built by Snow Motor Co. of Detroit." (info Pioneer Air Museum, watch video of one in action)

Photos at
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009...off-earth.html
Scroll down the page a bit to see them.

This site has other strange photos and links, including a page of old airplanes that have been converted to boats or houses. Some are quite interesting.

[slow mo]

thanks jerry

that is a great site,, kinda makes you think of innovation and problem solving,,take care ,,ride safe ,slow mo!

[Erik the Red]

There's one of those on display at the World Museum of Mines located on the Montana Tech University campus in Butte, MT. FWIW, it's a cool museum for anyone who likes mining history. I was out there this summer, and thought it was pretty neat to see, but seeing it in action is way cooler. Thanks for posting the link.