On the 25th of this june, /seven Tucker Snow Cats are to be auctioned off in Fairbanks. Having worked for Alyeska, the Trans Alaska Pipeline authority, I have ridden in some of these machines. Alyeska takes quite good care of it's equipment. They have well paid mechanics, in top of the line shops, with nothing better to do. Originally the Pipeline ran Snow Trac's, then in 82 they sold off the snow trac's and snow masters, and purchased 44 Tuckers. Most were the 4 door, a smaller number were the big freighter with a 9 passenger cab. As far as I know all were built in 82 and 83. Rather than have the standard Chrysler/Didge engine and trans, Alyeska had Detroit Diesels, and Allison Transmissions. they were not quite as fast as normal stock Tuckers, but they had inordinately large fuel tanks that they could operate off for several days of 24/7 operation. Most had winches. The pipeline has right at 800 River and stream crossings along it's 800 mile course. 800 Bridges! The number one use of these machines was for bridge inspections which were done in the dead of winter. I saw one getting a complete rebuild and new tracks at a Pump station in 2000. Some units also had 4 sets of headphones that were lincked to each other and to the (2) radio trancievers so that the occupants could talk to each other, and on the radio's. The auction company has a website, do a search for Alyeska Auction, Fairbanks. Whish I could afford one!
In almost every snow condition they outperformed the Bombardiere Ski Dozer's that the pipeline owned by a significant margin. Nice machines, well maintained. They probably won't go cheap.
In almost every snow condition they outperformed the Bombardiere Ski Dozer's that the pipeline owned by a significant margin. Nice machines, well maintained. They probably won't go cheap.
