Gmoose Adventures

[GMoose]

And another question for the Tucker experts.

On the track links the welds that hold the pins to the link appear to be made with a high nickel filler rod, is this correct? Any idea why?

This photo isn't that great, the weld are pretty dirty and a bit corroded, but these are the welds I am talking about.

 

[GMoose]

Mr. Moose. Another option for stuffing a Kitten in a pick up is to cut down the fenders in the bed. If you measure for clearance loaded with chains on and cut accordingly, you can usually drop the height by 6 inches give or take. A ply wood or weld in top piece makes for more room. Some rigs end up with a flat deck side to side which is nice for all kinds of loads. You have a good plan for loading.

That is a good idea but for now I think I will stick with the wood deck. It would be nice if the cat sat a few inches lower, but it does still sit lower than the Frandee does on the trailer behind it. I was concerned that it would be sticking up there quite a bit, but it does sit lower than my slide in camper, so I think I am okay. Also, I don't know if it would sit to low, with the bed side I am not sure if the door would open so I could get out after loading, might have to take a tape measure to it and figure that out if I ever decide to go the cut out wheel well idea. Thanks!

 

[Pontoon Princess]

And another question for the Tucker experts.

On the track links the welds that hold the pins to the link appear to be made with a high nickel filler rod, is this correct? Any idea why?

This photo isn't that great, the weld are pretty dirty and a bit corroded, but these are the welds I am talking about.
View attachment 131767

because the parts were hardened to Rockwell 44 before welding

 

[Sno-Surfer]

Great set up! I like the loading of the kitten over the trailer and into the truck.

 

[GMoose]

Finally built a track jack for the Frandee today, was extremely hard to get the tracks together using come-a-longs and chains, should be much easier now.

Here it is in use, still warm from welding:

Good use for an old bumper jack:

Beautiful after painting, might take a few days for it to dry, only 30 F out and getting colder:

 

[Pontoon Princess]

sure mrs moose would not mind very much if you put it in the dining room as it dries

nicely done and excellent solution to a common problem

 

[mikemikelle]

That jack is brilliant!

 

[GMoose]

Went to the annual Tetonia Idaho Snow Plane gathering last weekend. They only had a few planes show up this year, all local. No rides this year, maybe next. Here are a few photos.

 

[GMoose]

Also there is one for sale if anyone is interested, he (Greg) is asking $1500 OBO (includes trailer). However there is no engine or prop. He indicated it was set up for something like a Chevy 350. A prop costs about $1000 based on the price one of the other plane owners just paid to have one built.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

great event, have gone to it in the past, and truly enjoyed the folks and area, all great, pretty sure I do not need another snow plane, this one does look like a good starting point and at a reasonable price. they are a blast to drive, yes, you do need to be a bit adventurous (NuTz) to really enjoy it as it was meant to be used, FAST ---

 

[DAVENET]

A 350 on that?? I'll politely step back. Lots of different forces at work there than with an opposed 4/6 cyl aircraft engine.

 

[GMoose]

great event, have gone to it in the past, and truly enjoyed the folks and area, all great, pretty sure I do not need another snow plane, this one does look like a good starting point and at a reasonable price. they are a blast to drive, yes, you do need to be a bit adventurous (NuTz) to really enjoy it as it was meant to be used, FAST ---

I agree, in fact they have no brakes and I heard a couple of stories that were not to pleasant. One guy ran over his wife after she jumped out trying to stop the plane when it was sliding down a hill. Another guy said he just reaches out and drops a snowmobile belt over the ski if he need to stop. I guess this only works on one side because I only saw a door on one side. Looks fun though, I will try to ride in one next year.

 

[GMoose]

A 350 on that?? I'll politely step back. Lots of different forces at work there than with an opposed 4/6 cyl aircraft engine.

I am with you on that, I think I would try to find some other engine, maybe a small aircraft engine that is no longer air worthy.

 

[GMoose]

I told the guy if it had tracks and a reverse I would buy it, but it has neither. Not to practical for the kind of terrain I like to cover.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

no brakes? mmmm
the ones I have, all have brakes, think soap box derby/Fred Flintstone, and while are you laughing, they work and work quite well, the Kristi, has the brake/stop device built into the ski ---very kewl

 

[GMoose]

no brakes? mmmm
the ones I have, all have brakes, think soap box derby/Fred Flintstone, and when you laughing, they work and work quite well, the Kristi, has the brake/stop device built into the ski ---very kewl

They did say that some snow planes have brakes and some people add some on (Flintstone style). Sounds like you have the "safe" snow planes with brakes. That is nice, you won't have to toss your passenger out with a rope to act as an anchor. Remember safety first.

 

[1boringguy]

Ran across this. Pretty cool Gmoose ? Appreciate what you've done for our country.

INL engineer gives new life to vintage snowcat

For the last ten years, INL engineer David Stites has spent countless days and nights restoring a vintage snowcat to its former glory.

inl.gov

 

[230 Pilot]

Great article, thanks for posting. Nice job Gmoose !

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Very nice article and a great tribute to a truly wonderful guy!

 

[GMoose]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments on the INL article they wrote about me and my Frandee. This was written by an INL employee for the INL population (4000 - 5000 employees), but then they obviously published it outside the company, thanks 1BG. They recently started writing articles about employees and their hobbies plus doing some coverage of retirees, just so happens I hit both at the same time after 33 years of employment. Now anyone who read the article knows way to much about me. Once again, thanks for the great comments! Dave (Gmoose)

 

[DAVENET]

The section about your Turkish prison days really caught me off guard.

 

[GMoose]

The section about your Turkish prison days really caught me off guard.

Ya, that wasn't supposed to get out.

 

[GMoose]

Not a snowcat, but a future snowcat hauler. 1942 Dodge Power Wagon. Hauled it home this evening. Once again my wife said when are you going to stop buying this stuff and I obviously said when I die.

 

[Melensdad]

LOVE IT. Keep posting photos as you progress with your mods!

 

[wakeupcall]

LOVE IT. Keep posting photos as you progress with your mods!

Nice Rat Nose ! We also own one of those cool old trucks.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Got a 1953 GM M211 6X6 sitting here that needs a good home.
Has the factory 302 Cube inline six cyl with the 4 speed hydramatic....
Deep 2 speed reduction box
Has the military shallow pickup sort of bed on it.

 

[vintagebike]

Need a firetruck?

 

[GMoose]

Went to Yellowstone National Park to Old Faithful for a couple nights earlier this week. Here is what they use to transport people now, no more snowcats. The van with mat-tracks did very well in the deep snow and don't get stuck very often, the large wheeled vans do get stuck, luckily ours did not, when there is deep fresh snow. The roads are pretty packed from all the traffic, and they run a groomer over some of them. The vans move along at about 20ish MPH. The wheeled vans are very bouncy when a bump is hit. Our driver told me they had a mat track van get stuck and they could not pull it out with other mat track rigs, so they had to drive a caterpillar in at 3MPH to rescue it, probably 20 miles each way, man that had to be a long trip.

 

[GMoose]

We got dumped on the last few days so I took the Frandee out today and played in the powder. Also was seeing what else I have to fix before taking it to the Joseph Oregon Jamboree in a couple weeks. Good times, powder isn't just for skiers.

 

[GMoose]

Took the Frandee out for a test run today after the transfer case repair, all was good. Went with Bombi1 and his Snow Trac ST4, that little machine kicked some a$$ today. I was very impressed with its abilities. It was a great day for some catting around!!!!

Here are some photos from todays adventure. I will also get a video out in a day or two.