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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1977-78: VUWAE 22

(a) Toboggans Event 13

(a) Toboggans Event 13

Three OMC 2 stroke toboggans (NZARP Nos. 22, 24 and 25) were used. Number 25 was used on the Taylor Glacier, the other two on the coastal trip to Cape Royds. Only minor problems were encountered, which were not sufficient to cause any delays. Pull start chords were replaced after breaking on all three machines. Also none of the machines idled satisfactorily. Starting difficulties were experienced particularly with Nos. 22 and 25 until the temperaments of the individual machines had been determined. A new throttle cable was fitted to No. 22 after breaking at Cape Evans. No. 25 proved particularly difficult to start on a number of occasions, the problem being a faulty primer pump which necessitated detaching the primer hose and sealing with a finger until sufficient suction to draw fuel was established. This machine was also used without neutral lockout after failure of a lock washer and subsequent clutch failure while Event 12 had the machine. The non-availability of spare clutch parts when we went into the field meant this fault could not be repaired.

Fortunately no track and suspension problems were experienced, no springs were broken. This was probably due to good advice we received on loading the sledges and not the toboggans. In general only the driver travelled on the toboggan. Oh smooth glacier ice travelling page 13 up inclines where more traction was needed, an extra person travelled on the toboggan. Because very low speeds were used on the Taylor Glacier, spark-plugs oiled up rapidly and needed regular cleaning/replacement. Because of this and the poor idling characteristics it was difficult to maintain a slow regular speed, which could only be achieved by constantly working the throttle. The entire trip was downhill from Depot Nunatak to the snout apart from short excursions to the Beacon and Pearse tongues of the glacier. Thus it was possible to haul two sledges with a total load of up to 1400 lb. Control was improved considerably by shortening the tow lines between sledges and between the toboggan and sledges to minimise fish-tailing. Ice clots were very necessary in these conditions.

A petrol allowance of 8 mpg proved more than adequate particularly on the Taylor where most of the travel was slow and downhill. A toboggan cover was used on the Taylor Glacier to keep snow etc. out of the stationary toboggan. This performed satisfactorily although only moderate winds and light snow falls were experienced. Covers were not available for the Cape Royds trip. One modification which proved useful was the fitting of a rear-vision mirror to No. 24. This avoided the problem of turning to check on the load being towed when wearing heavy down gear.

The toboggans we used performed satisfactorily with no major difficulties, a large factor in this was probably the thorough checking and tuning they received at Scott Base before departure from Jos Lang and Barry Hiscock.