Built for the most extreme environments.
Valtra tractor assists scientists in Antarctica.
A Valtra T235 Active tractor has been delivered to the Norwegian polar institute research station at Troll in Antarctica. The research station is the starting point for scientific fieldwork and monitoring in the areas of biology, glaciology, atmosphere, pollution, and seismology. The Valtra tractor is supplied with a Meri Crusher to perform important ice crushing and road preparation work around the research station. Valtra was selected as the machine of choice due to reliability in cold conditions and ease of use.
On the 4th of December the Valtra T Series was loaded onto the Silver Arctic ship and departed the port of Tromsø, Norway to begin its long journey to the southern polar base. The 235-horsepower tractor was prepared for its long voyage by Valtra’s northern-most service station Sørkjos Storbil AS located in Arctic Norway and was delivered by Valtra dealer, Akershus Traktor AS. It comes supplied with additional service materials and a diagnostic computer to assist in routine maintenance in this remote location. The local team in Norway have already received the tractor’s first broadcast from the Antarctic via Valtra Connect, the tractor brand’s telemetry solution. Using the research station’s 4G cellular network connection, the team will be able to remotely monitor the tractor’s status and provide remote assistance, support, and training.
Valtra has a long history in serving operations at the South Pole. In 1988 a Valmet 505 tractor and a pair of generators were used at the Finnish Antarctic research station Aboa. The Finnish research station is situated in complete isolation in Queen Maud Land. The reliability of the machinery is absolutely vital for the researchers based at the station.
