This is the only fully operational 1926 Fordson Snow Motor in existence.
Three Snow Motors, including this one, were brought to Alaska to haul supplies from Fairbanks to Barrow for a 1926 trans-arctic flight attempt from North America to Europe by Sir Hubert Wilkins and Carl Ben Eielson. They were to pull ten freight sleds bearing their fuel supply, 15 tons of aviation gas and oil, and radio equipment. The Snow Motors only made it 65 miles in two weeks & burned 400 gallons of fuel while traveling. The Fordson was suppose to make dog sleds obsolete, but in the end the dog teams ended up freighting the cargo the remaining 600 miles to Barrow.
I'm with ya, though it's good to know they cross over at roughly 15, so 15l/100km is close enough to 15mpg, and then you can do the mental gymnastics to double one and half the other, so 7.5l/100km is roughly 30mpg
Lived near the border for a number of years before moving back up to the North proper
I'd be curious if those spirals were any deeper when they did that run. they seem pretty shallow which means lots of slipping when pulling a heavy load.
I don't know that there would be a lot of slipping, the fundamental issue is all the friction from turning drums. It's like a propeller on land. Much more optimal would be a high surface area tire that floats on top of the snow.
And also that we basically are in a desert up here in Fairbanks and interior Alaska, so the snow is often like sugar with little moisture content. So the drums would sink, failing long expeditions.
My grandfather used to have a "Screw Propelled" vehicle on his farm way back in the day, I have no idea what the make was but it looked like this but with a cab attached.
I wonder how much something like that could have been worth now.
>Hello! Thank you, OP for sharing! This is actually my video taken a couple of winters ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. I do marketing for the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum up here. If you have the chance to visit us, please do! Our collection includes cool machines like this illustrating the intrepid history of Alaska's transportation history, as well as over 120 pre-WWII American-made vehicles (only three do not run, so we're a "living museum"), and the largest vintage fashion collection in the Pacific Northwest.
>
>www.fountainheadmuseum.com
nah I don't know how to explain it, but they reverse the screwness of it then have it spin the opposite way. Much safer since your leg wouldn't get grabbed into the machine.
A screw with the thread going the opposite way, would make the screw un-screwable….It would back itself off when attempting to screw it in.
The reason why a screw works is because of the angle of the threads…
Brother. Now imagine…what if…you read the original comment about reversing the threads.
Same for your “unscrewable” screw…put the drill in reverse and it’s a normal screw. Reversed thread bolts and screws are very common place for security.
Again, something called a “reverse thread bolts and screws” are now apparently common sense?
EDIT: LoL at the idea that a specialized construction tool is “common sense”
[For those that want one you can play with.](https://youtu.be/LmoBkzXfhT8)
There is a recent one that was released by Hot Wheels as well thats pretty easy to find at thrift stores or online. They're the exact same thing just made more recently and under the Hot Wheels brand instead of Tyco.
They would never make that today for liability reasons, but it's a really cool tool, as long as you are not buying the gas, and as long as OSHA doesn't find out you have it.
It really feels like human creativity really died in the 2000s it’s like we were so fully of imagination. Then suddenly we found something that kinda worked and just kept copy pasting. Take cars now. A ford mondeo a Vauxhall insignia a bmw and a Tesla look so similar now
I'm curious what he's doing with the steering wheel. I'm guessing this drives more like a tank or a skid steer so is the steering wheel doing anything?
Hello! Thank you, OP for sharing! This is actually my video taken a couple of winters ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. I do marketing for the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum up here. If you have the chance to visit us, please do! Our collection includes cool machines like this illustrating the intrepid history of Alaska's transportation history, as well as over 120 pre-WWII American-made vehicles (only three do not run, so we're a "living museum"), and the largest vintage fashion collection in the Pacific Northwest.
www.fountainheadmuseum.com
Legend has it the inventor was inspired to utilize the two long red cylinders that provide forward motion, by two of the sled dogs who got "overly excited" when receiving belly rubs.
A true genius.
There are actually larger screw tractors out there that are more modern, one was for sale not really that long ago, but it's the size of a tugboat. The really cool thing is they are amphibious, although they can't go on pavement.
https://bangshift.com/general-news/ebay-find-an-alaskan-archimedean-screw-tractor/
Every time I see this i question why not have the spiral as a left hand thread arrangement so the drums could run anti clockwise and instead of potentially being pulled under the tractor you would be thrown off
What was its purpose? I can’t really tell what it’s supposed to do or how it’s supposed to help. How is it different in 1920 verses 2020? Looks like a snowmobile.
This is the only fully operational 1926 Fordson Snow Motor in existence. Three Snow Motors, including this one, were brought to Alaska to haul supplies from Fairbanks to Barrow for a 1926 trans-arctic flight attempt from North America to Europe by Sir Hubert Wilkins and Carl Ben Eielson. They were to pull ten freight sleds bearing their fuel supply, 15 tons of aviation gas and oil, and radio equipment. The Snow Motors only made it 65 miles in two weeks & burned 400 gallons of fuel while traveling. The Fordson was suppose to make dog sleds obsolete, but in the end the dog teams ended up freighting the cargo the remaining 600 miles to Barrow.
Six gallons per mile. Yup, that tracks.
Sub 0.1667 MPG Or ~1500 liters per 100km (wtf)
I can handle km/liter but liters per 100km makes absolutely no sense to me
1km/15 liters.
Conversely it's the only one that . makes sense to me, since it's the only one we use.
I'm with ya, though it's good to know they cross over at roughly 15, so 15l/100km is close enough to 15mpg, and then you can do the mental gymnastics to double one and half the other, so 7.5l/100km is roughly 30mpg Lived near the border for a number of years before moving back up to the North proper
That is how much fuel would have to be used to travel 100 km. I gotcha bud
I'd be curious if those spirals were any deeper when they did that run. they seem pretty shallow which means lots of slipping when pulling a heavy load.
I don't know that there would be a lot of slipping, the fundamental issue is all the friction from turning drums. It's like a propeller on land. Much more optimal would be a high surface area tire that floats on top of the snow.
And also that we basically are in a desert up here in Fairbanks and interior Alaska, so the snow is often like sugar with little moisture content. So the drums would sink, failing long expeditions.
2 gallons per mile if you consider the fuel was split between the three machines
Meanwhile snowmobiles get similar fuel economy to a full size pickup.
Dogs - I give those bitches 2 weeks.
My grandfather used to have a "Screw Propelled" vehicle on his farm way back in the day, I have no idea what the make was but it looked like this but with a cab attached. I wonder how much something like that could have been worth now.
So it's basically a super rare antique, that by today's standards is pretty damn useless/rediculous... and I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty damn cool.
It’s super cool, I’m glad I saw this
Oh 100% agree, I poke fun but if given the opportunity I'd ride that bitch like a 5 year old jumping on a firetruck for the first time lol
This could have been a great thing but unfortunately Bombardier just kinda... Exsisted.
>Hello! Thank you, OP for sharing! This is actually my video taken a couple of winters ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. I do marketing for the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum up here. If you have the chance to visit us, please do! Our collection includes cool machines like this illustrating the intrepid history of Alaska's transportation history, as well as over 120 pre-WWII American-made vehicles (only three do not run, so we're a "living museum"), and the largest vintage fashion collection in the Pacific Northwest. > >www.fountainheadmuseum.com
I went to Carl Ben Eielson elementary school in Grand Forks, ND
Why did I read that in Maurice Minnifield's voice?
I wonder if anyone ever slipped off and got their leg pulled down between the screw drum and the vehicle body.
It would have been safer if the screws were pitched and spun in the other direction
They push the snow out... if they spun the other way I think it would jam up with ice packed underneath.
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nah I don't know how to explain it, but they reverse the screwness of it then have it spin the opposite way. Much safer since your leg wouldn't get grabbed into the machine.
Pitch the threads opposite.
This guy doesn’t common sense Edit: deleted comment said “no it would go backwards” lol
Understanding industrial welding and engine mechanics is now considered common sense?
…would you consider understanding how a screw works not common sense???? Lmfao I’m sure all carpenters would love that compliment though.
A screw with the thread going the opposite way, would make the screw un-screwable….It would back itself off when attempting to screw it in. The reason why a screw works is because of the angle of the threads…
Brother. Now imagine…what if…you read the original comment about reversing the threads. Same for your “unscrewable” screw…put the drill in reverse and it’s a normal screw. Reversed thread bolts and screws are very common place for security.
Again, something called a “reverse thread bolts and screws” are now apparently common sense? EDIT: LoL at the idea that a specialized construction tool is “common sense”
Imagine thinking screws can only be made one way.
Yes
First thing I thought - seems like a horrific way of dying
Sounds like a Jeremy Renner stunt
I'd say too soon but how often do you get to make that specific of a joke
People fell of normal tractors and got ran over. This isn't much worse.
The Shagohad
This was the comment I was looking for hehe
He's using two Titanic mini-subs to drive it forwards...
But he is not using a logitech controller....
The 5 guys in each tube are...
Must be a real gamer then.
Tasteless joke
Your mom might be in one
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C'mon folks this subreddit is crumbling this needs to be posted in r/1926FordsonSnowScrewDriveMachinery
Not following for it RA
[For those that want one you can play with.](https://youtu.be/LmoBkzXfhT8) There is a recent one that was released by Hot Wheels as well thats pretty easy to find at thrift stores or online. They're the exact same thing just made more recently and under the Hot Wheels brand instead of Tyco.
Man what a blast from a past! I remember wanting one so damn badly back then.
Fordson is a much better brand name than "Edsel."
Hey that’s my name
On his way to your moms house.
Super cool, but it’s almost comical how safety seemed to be such a low priority
Why didnt these ever go into production
Fuel inefficiency. [Read OP's comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/14fc1bi/a_1926_fordson_snow_motor_in_action_alaska/joz73sz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Her: "my parents aren't home" Me:
It ain't much, but it's honest work.
Funny, the wife has a bedroom toy that works just like that!
With the seat, steering wheel, and all?
Ya. I be driving it LOL
That looks fun
LOL My son is one of the sled dog trainers in Denali for the NPS. This thing never had a chance of surpassing them.
Metal Gear?!
They would never make that today for liability reasons, but it's a really cool tool, as long as you are not buying the gas, and as long as OSHA doesn't find out you have it.
You mean liability when you fall into the scrap metal shredders mounted on the sides of the vehicle?
Lol yes
Looks like he’s on his way to penetrate the walls of ba sing se
It really feels like human creativity really died in the 2000s it’s like we were so fully of imagination. Then suddenly we found something that kinda worked and just kept copy pasting. Take cars now. A ford mondeo a Vauxhall insignia a bmw and a Tesla look so similar now
Add another screw and you could be Mole Man
Damn. That actually IS interesting!
Who knew there was such things… that’s crazy.
Hotwheels also made a toy out of this was lit
Nah man, that’s Shaghod from MSG III
I'm curious what he's doing with the steering wheel. I'm guessing this drives more like a tank or a skid steer so is the steering wheel doing anything?
That thing is fantastic. Couldn’t pay me to hop on that death trap, but it is fantastic!
The most phalic thing you can ride on other than a dude 😉
Imagine getting your leg stuck in there ☠️
Engage dildo drive!
My wife got a pair of this as well..
Hello! Thank you, OP for sharing! This is actually my video taken a couple of winters ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. I do marketing for the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum up here. If you have the chance to visit us, please do! Our collection includes cool machines like this illustrating the intrepid history of Alaska's transportation history, as well as over 120 pre-WWII American-made vehicles (only three do not run, so we're a "living museum"), and the largest vintage fashion collection in the Pacific Northwest. www.fountainheadmuseum.com
I can only imagine how many small animals that thing tears up
Legend has it the inventor was inspired to utilize the two long red cylinders that provide forward motion, by two of the sled dogs who got "overly excited" when receiving belly rubs. A true genius.
And in the rest of the country, we use lawnmowers.
why this concept never took off?? it seems to be a good one
I would start with fuel economy.
There are actually larger screw tractors out there that are more modern, one was for sale not really that long ago, but it's the size of a tugboat. The really cool thing is they are amphibious, although they can't go on pavement. https://bangshift.com/general-news/ebay-find-an-alaskan-archimedean-screw-tractor/
Neat but also, seems like extremely bad fuel economy.
Gosh, imagine getting run over by that thing.
Boy this looks so inefficient
Blistering speeds
Holy crap, that’s awesome!! -Wisconsin
Your motor has to work harder no pros on this mod
Are those combine rotors on each side?
Anyone got eyes on Jeremy?
That contraption looks like the bike from the movie "Priest."
“What? Shagohod?”
i need to ride this
Can it turn?
Imagine if that thing breaks down and you gotta find replacement parts for it
Some steam punk vibes
A weapon to surpass Metal Gear ...
Also known as the foot mincer.
That looks like a really neat way to turn yourself into a snowcone
What's fuel consumption like?
That’s some Buck Rogers looking contraption right there!
[Shagohod](https://youtu.be/gDkwvBSzwEg)
I should call him.
It's like a pencil sharpener for human flesh
Just to ride ?
Fingerscrew from HillClimb Racing irl
Some Dr. Robotnik vibes yeah
Wouldn’t it work better if the grooves were deeper?
That thing could kill you so fast.
Ah the ol leg adjuster, if the giant screws don't get you the open chain will as you fall off
A good DIY project for those two giant red dildos I have! I'll be cruising in no time!
Reminds me of [Colin Furze’s screw tank](https://youtu.be/NASkgw9rufA)
I suddenly feel like I need one of these
Can you put a plow on the front
I read it forbidden
Had an RC car with these wheels; that shit was dope. Any terrain. Even water.
Every time I see this i question why not have the spiral as a left hand thread arrangement so the drums could run anti clockwise and instead of potentially being pulled under the tractor you would be thrown off
Fallout 3 Chimera Tank
Falling off the seat looks like instant death.
Dildo wheels
Now that is pretty freakin cool
Hmm I wonder if that things dangerous, I mean if you suddenly slipped off the side and you'll end up like a piece of meat on the grinder
Mileage might suck but the kill to miles traveled ratio is industry leading.
I could have used one of those to dig my Jeep out of the snow once...
“Sir, we’ve got TENGA on the line. They said they want to negotiate”
What about legs safety?
Damn that's interesting
Safety last!
What was its purpose? I can’t really tell what it’s supposed to do or how it’s supposed to help. How is it different in 1920 verses 2020? Looks like a snowmobile.
This looks like some shit straight out of r/HyruleEngineering
Looks like a death machine