XM757 in the snow

[cranetruck]

It's been about ten years since we had a foot of snow here, so I just to get the 8x8 into it.
Aired down all tires to 10 psi and the low profile NDCCs now leave a good 16" wide track in the snow.
The truck had no problems on level ground and also made it up a 14% incline.
Obviously 8 or 10 inches of snow was not a problem as long as the there was no side slope.
Didn't want to drive back without trying the dreaded side slope, so I got off the road and started driving along side it, which was sloping about 17% at this spot (I measured the slopes with a 6' level and a tape measure later). The truck started sliding, regardless of the steering angle and I attempted to back it up to point the front of the truck straight uphill, but ran out of space and finally ended up in the brush with the "uphill" wheels spinning due to open differentials....

I have no chains for these tires, so I'll be practicing some winching next, need two people for that, so it'll be at least until tomorrow before we can try that.

Otherwise, the truck runs great.

 

[nk14zp]

Nice pics. Thanks.

 

[tm america]

im sure those tires dont do much for you but float in the snow it would be great on the snow caps probably float over anything .you just need some spikes on the tires you must have been freezing with that bikini top on there

 

[rebel_raider]

Great pics. Thanks for sharing for those of us in a not so snow inclined climate.

 

[roscoe]

How about a video? Be great to see the 8x8 in action.

 

[tm america]

video i'm waiting to see it in action at haspin this year

 

[saddamsnightmare]

December 22nd, 2009.

Cranetruck:

The dreaded 8 wheel sideways slide got you, always exciting when you are in a truck large enough to remove anything short of a redwood...... The last really good snows down your way should have been 1996 or so.... If you really want to try uncontrolability in snow, try a M422A1 Mighty Mite in 15 or 20" on NDT's, the pucker factors even greater because if you get stuck, the skid pan under the front bumper won't let you back out....
I had to chain all four wheels to get steering and traction... it'd knock your kidney stones out on clean pavement. I hope you get her out without too much scratching of the paint,as that is an exquisite truck, right up with the HEMTT the young fellow did a while back....


Merry Christmas and a safe New Year's..

Cheers,

Kyle F. McGrogan

 

[steelsoldiers]

Looks like fun, Bjorn! I wish I could have joined you! I did manage to kick up a little mud with my truck yesterday so that was fun

 

[srodocker]

dang...you ever tow a trailer with that?

 

[BKubu]

Your truck is really looking great, Bjorn! I hope you bring it to Aberdeen one of these years!

 

[Oldvw2]

The truck is looking great Bjorn - even if it is a little stuck right now. We you running the personnel heater?

That was a good article in MVM on fuel burning heaters too.
Chad

 

[cranetruck]

The truck is looking great Bjorn - even if it is a little stuck right now. We you running the personnel heater?

That was a good article in MVM on fuel burning heaters too.
Chad

Thanks!
The heater was not running, at 40 degrees it was just right climbing in and out and with the engine warming.
The key to driving here was not to break through the compacted snow, of course, sliding sideways took care of that in a hurry and all traction was lost. Got a good excuse now for testing the winch.

Glad you enjoyed the MVM article.

 

[cranetruck]

Started working with the winch a couple of hours ago and found the engage lever not working, PTO drive shaft turning, but couldn't get the drum engaged. We removed the 200 ft of wire rope to make things easier to work on later....

Plan B: Snow shovel.
After clearing away the snow in front of the tires for a few feet, I got enough speed to make it out and back on the level road. Truck is back home now.

 

[chgofiveo]

How does something that looks like that get stuck in a few inches of snow?

Looks like it would be a BLAST to drive!!!

 

[jfnemt1ff1]

Nice pic always nice to play in the snow.
John

 

[cranetruck]

How does something that looks like that get stuck in a few inches of snow?

Looks like it would be a BLAST to drive!!!

Well it did very well in 8 inches of snow (official 12 inches) as long as there was level ground, climbed a 14% incline even. Problem was the side slope and with no load in the rear. It's more slick than it looks, my son had trouble with his M37 in the same area and he has chains in the rear.
Here are a few images...and yes it's great fun to drive.

Edit: Added image of tracks

 

[tm america]

glad you got it out .that sucks the h=winch didnt work .it looks like a hard one to find parts for?hopefully you can fix it without needing parts maybe just something that needs freed up.or was froozen

 

[73m819]

Born, it might just be the pics but that winch and fairlead looks small for that truck, almost looks deuce size

 

[cranetruck]

No Ron, it's the 20,000 lb winch, just mounted upside down in this application.
The chain and hook is only rated 10,000 lb, I think to encourage the use of a snatch block, although it is easily replaced with a shackle of proper rating if need be...

 

[Capt Pat]

Even better pictures than the ones you sent us Bjorn. We will be working on ours this week to see what the engine wants to do. We're still looking for a windshield for one of these. Anybody have any ideas.....