Sterzing, Italy - PRINOTH AG., a crawler carriers manufacturer, massive Panther XL crawler carriers are proving their strength in one of the planet’s harshest environments, supporting year-round operations at the Norwegian Polar Institute’s Troll research station in Jutulsessen. The station conducts studies on meteorology, radiation, wildlife, glaciers, atmosphere, seismology, and environmental toxins, located about 146 miles inland from the coast.
Weighing 45,240 pounds with a 38,624-pound unloaded trailer, the Panther XL can haul payloads of up to 150 tons. Powered by an 800-horsepower Caterpillar engine, it is designed to operate in temperatures as low as -40°F and handle multi-day supply runs across frozen terrain.
Mr. Jody Beasley, Prinoth Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said, “These large machines allow them to move the large payloads they need to survive and operate effectively at the Polar Institute.”
The Panther XL was conceived in 2018 through collaboration between Prinoth and Polar Institute scientists, aiming to transport equipment, fuel, supplies, and parts more efficiently in extreme conditions. Objectives included reducing transport costs, lowering fuel consumption, minimizing operator requirements, and optimizing traction and weight distribution across varied surfaces.
The success of the design has led the institute to order 10 additional Panther XL units—three scheduled for delivery later this year and the remainder arriving within two years.
Ms. Camilla Brekke, Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, said, “The new tracked vehicles are essential to maintaining our schedule and ensuring long-term success in Antarctic research.”
The high horsepower and strong tractive effort, the Panthers can quickly get moving even when the sled trains they pull have frozen overnight, ensuring reliable transport in one of Earth’s most unforgiving climates.
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