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Plowing in the Arctic
- Thread starter Randy Krieg
- Start date
bear
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 541
- Location
- South Central Kentucky
- Occupation
- Math, Physics, keeping out of trouble and doing od
dang!
Randy Krieg
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2007
- Messages
- 260
- Location
- Arizona
- Occupation
- Test Pilot/Operator @ Caterpillar's Tucson Proving
Thanks for the great comments!
Gentlemen
I promise I will try and answer everyone of those questions as soon as this rig move is over. We just pulled a 26 hour straight and we have to be back on in 3 hours, so I get about 2 hours sleep. The rig lost a hydraulic drive motor tonight so while they repair it they told use to catch some sleep. The camp modules got on to the pad last night and at about the same time the drill rig started on to our iceroad 27 miles away. The mighty 14H had to help pull it up on to the rig mattes as we crossed the ice bridge over the Sag River. Awesome. Time to sleep
Gentlemen
I promise I will try and answer everyone of those questions as soon as this rig move is over. We just pulled a 26 hour straight and we have to be back on in 3 hours, so I get about 2 hours sleep. The rig lost a hydraulic drive motor tonight so while they repair it they told use to catch some sleep. The camp modules got on to the pad last night and at about the same time the drill rig started on to our iceroad 27 miles away. The mighty 14H had to help pull it up on to the rig mattes as we crossed the ice bridge over the Sag River. Awesome. Time to sleep
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milling_drum
Senior Member
That looks like a million things can go completely wrong in half a second!!!!
You folks must have nerves of steel that the cold cannot mess with or something...
You folks must have nerves of steel that the cold cannot mess with or something...
Big Iron
Well-Known Member
Which Doyon rig is that Randy, I don't recognize the camp module? I see the Peak boys are still using the old KOH prime movers. They have been around for a long time, a true case of takes a lickin and keeps on tickin! They are a horse! Crossing the Sag you must be E or S of Prudhoe somewhere. 2 years ago I was out on the Jacobs Ladder site moving the Canadian rig in for Exploratory work boy was that a cluster Anyway enjoy your 2 hrs rack time, that's one thing i don't miss, the only thing that made it OK is dreams of dollar bills floating in my head!!! Take care out there and keep a full ditty bag!:usa
Anyway enjoy your 2 hrs rack time, that's one thing i don't miss, the only thing that made it OK is dreams of dollar bills floating in my head!!! Take care out there and keep a full ditty bag!:usa
nedly05
Senior Member
What do you wear for clothing? What kind of boots?
JTL
Senior Member
My buddy sent me these yesterday. He said the rig is Doyon's #19. Is this the same one you helped move Randy?
The second pic is of thier bucket truck/snowmobile. Pretty sweet setup!
The second pic is of thier bucket truck/snowmobile. Pretty sweet setup!
Wolf
Senior Member
Those Arctic pictures are just amazing. Can't imagine what's it's like up there now. I have only been north of the Arctic circle in summer, and boy is it different than those pictures show. Wow! That's the real deal.
Randy Krieg
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2007
- Messages
- 260
- Location
- Arizona
- Occupation
- Test Pilot/Operator @ Caterpillar's Tucson Proving
The Rig is on the pad....
....Thank Goodness that's over. I read back through all the responses and here's my answers:
Digger Dan: Our Company built this iceroad under a subcontract to CH2MHILL who was general contractor for Savant Oil. To get out here we have to travel through BP’s security at the Prudhoe Bay Field. You have to have a BP Transit Badge, which I got at BP’s office in Anchorage. To get the BP Transit Badge requires a company sponsor/contract and an NSTC (North Slope Training Cooperative) Card. Though I don’t know all the details, we are on a BP Pad about 30 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. I also know most of the Savant Oil people are retired/ex BP personnel. In regards to traveling up the Dalton Hwy from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, it is open to the public in the spring and summer. It’s an awesome drive in a good pickup with Class E tires and spares. The tour company’s also run tours up here; they travel by bus or by 737 jets, which ever you prefer.
JTL & Big Iron: We moved Rig #15, 50 below wind chills is not uncommon up here. The second nights of the rig move we had 70 below wind chills, it was horrible. We have a new Ford Crew Van with Matte Tracks. Those things work great for the pioneering phase, but once the ice road is done they only use them during a blow when there’s lots of drifting.
Danial Doherty: that equipment in the picture is shut off. Any equipment that’s being used on a daily basis is left running at a higher than normal idle (1100 to 1500 rpm). If we shut something down and need to get it running again we put a parachute over it and put the ES700 heaters on it for about 2 to 4 hours, it lights right up. Some of the jobs run two shifts so it only gets shut down long enough for oil changes. Four days ago they stopped me right on the ice road at 36 below, suck out the oil, refilled, changed filters, took about 15 minutes and I was plowing again.
EGS & BIGD: That is a Case 275 Magnum with an Avalanche snow blower, we have two of them. Very Impressive unit for their size. We also have two Cat powered blowers, which we quick couple on the front of our 120E Volvo’s. We save those for emergencies.
W2bestoned: Right now its just 2 Water Tankers, 2 Water trucks, 1 blower and 1 blade (14H or 16M). We requested to run 2 blades and 2 blowers but the General said NO. That’s why last week I had 137 hours in 7 days. Oh boy here comes some new models! With the rig move done it has slowed down and we are now working 12 hours a day, but if another blow comes it will be long hours and more money again! Right On…….Cause I’m making plans to build another drag car.
nedly05: carhartt long-sleeved undershirt, carhartt heavy duty hooded sweatshirt, carhartt black lined arctic overalls, RefrigiWear stocking face mask, regular cotton tube socks and Cabela’s 8T-0616 insulated leather boots.
In the picture the grade doesn't look very steep, but 2 Kenworth Sows had to pull it up. It was awesome to watch!
....Thank Goodness that's over. I read back through all the responses and here's my answers:
Digger Dan: Our Company built this iceroad under a subcontract to CH2MHILL who was general contractor for Savant Oil. To get out here we have to travel through BP’s security at the Prudhoe Bay Field. You have to have a BP Transit Badge, which I got at BP’s office in Anchorage. To get the BP Transit Badge requires a company sponsor/contract and an NSTC (North Slope Training Cooperative) Card. Though I don’t know all the details, we are on a BP Pad about 30 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. I also know most of the Savant Oil people are retired/ex BP personnel. In regards to traveling up the Dalton Hwy from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, it is open to the public in the spring and summer. It’s an awesome drive in a good pickup with Class E tires and spares. The tour company’s also run tours up here; they travel by bus or by 737 jets, which ever you prefer.
JTL & Big Iron: We moved Rig #15, 50 below wind chills is not uncommon up here. The second nights of the rig move we had 70 below wind chills, it was horrible. We have a new Ford Crew Van with Matte Tracks. Those things work great for the pioneering phase, but once the ice road is done they only use them during a blow when there’s lots of drifting.
Danial Doherty: that equipment in the picture is shut off. Any equipment that’s being used on a daily basis is left running at a higher than normal idle (1100 to 1500 rpm). If we shut something down and need to get it running again we put a parachute over it and put the ES700 heaters on it for about 2 to 4 hours, it lights right up. Some of the jobs run two shifts so it only gets shut down long enough for oil changes. Four days ago they stopped me right on the ice road at 36 below, suck out the oil, refilled, changed filters, took about 15 minutes and I was plowing again.
EGS & BIGD: That is a Case 275 Magnum with an Avalanche snow blower, we have two of them. Very Impressive unit for their size. We also have two Cat powered blowers, which we quick couple on the front of our 120E Volvo’s. We save those for emergencies.
W2bestoned: Right now its just 2 Water Tankers, 2 Water trucks, 1 blower and 1 blade (14H or 16M). We requested to run 2 blades and 2 blowers but the General said NO. That’s why last week I had 137 hours in 7 days. Oh boy here comes some new models! With the rig move done it has slowed down and we are now working 12 hours a day, but if another blow comes it will be long hours and more money again! Right On…….Cause I’m making plans to build another drag car.
nedly05: carhartt long-sleeved undershirt, carhartt heavy duty hooded sweatshirt, carhartt black lined arctic overalls, RefrigiWear stocking face mask, regular cotton tube socks and Cabela’s 8T-0616 insulated leather boots.
In the picture the grade doesn't look very steep, but 2 Kenworth Sows had to pull it up. It was awesome to watch!
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JTL
Senior Member
Quite impressive Randy.:notworthy
After seeing all of your pictures, and the ones my bud sends me, I really need to get up there and see that place for myself!
He sent me a pic today of the first sunrise. Also said it was around 60 below, so him and two other guys were just out cruising around on the ice road.
Thanks again for the pictures and try to stay warm!!
After seeing all of your pictures, and the ones my bud sends me, I really need to get up there and see that place for myself!
He sent me a pic today of the first sunrise. Also said it was around 60 below, so him and two other guys were just out cruising around on the ice road.
Thanks again for the pictures and try to stay warm!!
Panhandler Bob
Well-Known Member
Randy, A.A.A.(awesome as always) rating on the pics & info. Thanks for sharing. Try ta stay warm. :drinkup Bob aka ZZ
Big Iron
Well-Known Member
Man your 16M sure is a lot pretter than my old 16G on the ice, looks alot more comfortable too.
and your right is doesn't take much of a grade when your dealing with a 800 to 1000 ton module!!!. How long of a hitch are they letting you guys working now? 137 hrs is a should help build a pretty good drag racer!! Keep the great photos and comentary coming.
. and your right is doesn't take much of a grade when your dealing with a 800 to 1000 ton module!!!. How long of a hitch are they letting you guys working now? 137 hrs is a should help build a pretty good drag racer!! Keep the great photos and comentary coming.
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t_dirt
Well-Known Member
Great pics!!!! Minus HOW MUCH???? Keep the pics coming!!!!
Randy Krieg
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2007
- Messages
- 260
- Location
- Arizona
- Occupation
- Test Pilot/Operator @ Caterpillar's Tucson Proving
44 Below 0
That was ambient temp a couple days ago. No wind-chill just damn cold. I personally would rather have 50 below ambient vs. 40 below chill. That wind-chill is horrible stuff. We did get to see the sunrise for the first time two days ago, that was Awesome! It peaked it's head over the Brooks Range for just a few minutes then disappeared again.
Big Iron: I spend several years in a 16G just like yours and I loved it. They’re still around up here and will be for a while. In regards to our work schedule, now that the rig move is done we are back on a normal 7-12s, three weeks on two weeks off rotation. I go home on Monday and can’t wait to spend that money!
That was ambient temp a couple days ago. No wind-chill just damn cold. I personally would rather have 50 below ambient vs. 40 below chill. That wind-chill is horrible stuff. We did get to see the sunrise for the first time two days ago, that was Awesome! It peaked it's head over the Brooks Range for just a few minutes then disappeared again.
Big Iron: I spend several years in a 16G just like yours and I loved it. They’re still around up here and will be for a while. In regards to our work schedule, now that the rig move is done we are back on a normal 7-12s, three weeks on two weeks off rotation. I go home on Monday and can’t wait to spend that money!
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Panhandler Bob
Well-Known Member
sunrise
Randy, The grader with sunrise very cool pic! Is that out on the iceroad? If so what about the lite plant? Are there lite plants along the road, or just certain spots? You mentioned BP's security, do youn's have to get TWIC card (transportation workers identification card)? The rumor down here is you're gonna have to get one to work pipeline because they fall in the transportation industry. Met a guy who had to go into the Harbor in Baltimore, said since he didn't have TWIC card he had to be escorted at all times while inside the gate. From what I've been able to find about one is it's a background check by the Feds that'll cost you 132.50. You can google TWIC for more info. What kinda car you buildin? Thanks for your time.:drinkup Bob aka ZZ
Randy, The grader with sunrise very cool pic! Is that out on the iceroad? If so what about the lite plant? Are there lite plants along the road, or just certain spots? You mentioned BP's security, do youn's have to get TWIC card (transportation workers identification card)? The rumor down here is you're gonna have to get one to work pipeline because they fall in the transportation industry. Met a guy who had to go into the Harbor in Baltimore, said since he didn't have TWIC card he had to be escorted at all times while inside the gate. From what I've been able to find about one is it's a background check by the Feds that'll cost you 132.50. You can google TWIC for more info. What kinda car you buildin? Thanks for your time.:drinkup Bob aka ZZTurbo21835
Senior Member
Randy, how do you like dealing with CH2MHill. I recently completed a project for them here in Michigan. Their site engineer tended to be a pain in the rear. Some of their thoughts on the project made no sense either. My favorite was a shoring system we installed. Typical H column, with wood lagging. Their site engineer approved the system, and the installation plan for it. When it came time to install the wood lagging, the engineer informed me that no one could go into the excavation in order to install the wood lagging as it was an "unshored" excavation.