what is this?

[corax]

what is this big piece on the front of the bumper and how is it used? I've only seen this on the Arctic Trucks (http://www.arctictrucks.com/?PageID=1281) or similar . . . to keep the front from falling into a crevasse? It doesn't look like it would support much weight + it looks like it's hinged and I've also seen it in the "up" position, but never saw how it's used

http://www.arctictrucks.com/lisalib/getfile.aspx?proc=12&itemid=1693
http://www.arctictrucks.com/lisalib/getfile.aspx?proc=12&itemid=1703
http://www.arctictrucks.com/lisalib/getfile.aspx?proc=12&itemid=1705

[CJM]

Ice pusher?

[corax]

in the top 2 pics it looks like the extension would stop up against the bumper, when lowered, with the end at about ground level . . .

[X-Tool Pimp]

It could be a mount for a thing that measures the thickness of the ice/snow :headscratch:

[DHC6twinotter]

Beat me to it Tony. That exactly what I was about to post if I hadn't been timed out.

Pretty interesting.

[corax]

I sent an email to the Arctic Trucks crew asking them, but who knows if they'll answer such a "newb" question from someone that lives in a temperate zone . . . some good ideas so far, any others?

I also entertained the thought of it as a "boom" for the winch - attach a pulley/snatch block to it and get a different angle of pull up/down. Or use the winch to pull the boom into the down position and lift the front end of the truck up (if the front end is in a ditch/crevasse)

[corax]

found this on IH8

"For serious glacier crossing they mount a ladder-like structure in the front, which juts out forward to prevent them from beeing "swallowed" by a (snowfilled) crack. This structure is hinged, and can be raised to a vertical position for on-road driving."

I guess that makes the most sense, but it just doesn't look strong/secure enough to hold the front weight of a loaded truck

[Robinhood4x4]

Duh, it's for storing your beer. :shake: Newbs.
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/UY/arctic1.jpg

And for when you need a crane.
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/UY/arctic2.jpg

:D

The crevasse thing has my vote.

[Good Times]

When the tubing is dropped down to the level (horizontal) position, it just helps to prevent the truck from falling nose first if they encounter an area where the ground gives out. By having the front tubing down it acts like an extended arm that keeps the truck from sliding down into a deep crevasse.

Of course there is a limitation on this design. If the extension is too short and the crevasse is too large then you're sol. So the bottom line is the driver really needs to be very vigil on what lines/routes they proceed.

There's a few videos online that show how it's used and how effective it is. The first time I saw it, I was very skeptical about the design but after looking at how effective it was I was pretty impressed :)