My top 10 - Contractor Magazine

Image: One of Dryden Construction’s two Euclid 16TDTs photographed at the building of Wellington Airport in the mid-1950s. These austere-looking beasts are the reason that I became captivated with earthmoving machinery. I can still hear the sound of their twin unmuffled GM 6-71 diesels!

Richard Campbell shares his top ten favourite machines in a special article to celebrate Contractor magazine’s golden anniversary. One of them caught his eye as a child, encouraging him to join the industry.

After a 49-year career in earthmoving, both operating and in sales, not to mention a life-long interest in the subject, one does get to have a few favourite machines. I apologize in advance that this feature is a little scraper heavy, but that is what I spent the majority of my career operating.

These are my favourite 10, in no particular order. You may disagree with me (and that’s okay too).

Number one – the Euclid 16TDT scraper

I first saw one of these motor scrapers at the creation of what is now Wellington Airport in Rongotai. I was very little, only around four years old, but that machine was the catalyst that shaped my future career.

While only seven of these machines were ever imported into New Zealand, they were very visible (and audible), working from one end of the country to the other on all the major jobs of the time. They earned a reputation for ruggedness and reliability. If there is beauty in ugliness, this machine is a strong contender!

Number two – the earlier Caterpillar D8 track-type tractors

A Caterpillar D8-1H series machine fitted with LeTourneau WCK8 angle blade, frame, and model N rear cable control, photographed in the USA prior to World War II. Over the years, the D8 has gone from strength to strength over many versions. The very early machines have heaps of character with their petrol start donkey engines (no two ever started the same way), and simple cable controls. A great many manufacturers built attachments for these machines prior to 1946 until Caterpillar started building their own.

The backbone of track-type tractors from the moment they were first released in 1935 until the present day, the Caterpillar D8 has seen many changes over the last 90 years, and is still a stalwart in earthmoving, quarrying, forestry and mining.

My personal favourites are the earlier D13000-powered variety with the manual transmission. What is of particular interest with these earlier machines is the many different blade combinations that were fitted, prior to Caterpillar manufacturing their own attachments. The Caterpillar D8 is truly a great earthmoving machine.

Number three – the International TD-24 and TD-25 track type tractors

An International TD-24 track-type tractor is seen here push loading an Allis-Chalmers TS-300 motor scraper in the USA. The TD-24 (and later TD-25) were the backbone of International’s track-type tractor fleet during the 1950s and 1960s and a great many were imported into New Zealand. The TD-24 had engine issues, which caused the company some concerns, but these were addressed with the later TD-25 which gained a solid reputation.

Never sold in as great quantities as the Caterpillar D8, the International’s TD-24 and TD-25 track-type tractors nevertheless filled an important spot in this country’s earthmoving and were well regarded by operators and owners alike.

While the earlier TD-24 was somewhat problematic engine-wise, the later TD-25 forged a strong reputation, particularly with their models TD-25B and TD-25C until the company was sold to Dresser. Things were never quite the same again.

Number four – the LeTourneau Model C Tournapull scraper

A 1940s-era LeTourneau model Super C Tournapull with model LP cable scraper. This restored example is seen here in the USA at a machine show. About as basic as a motor scraper can get, the model C was the world’s first true mass-produced motor scraper and sold in large quantities. Many were used in the Allies’ Pacific island-hopping campaigns during WWII for rapidly constructing airfields. Sold off following the conflict, these machines helped many a contractor get into the earthmoving business.

No list of favourite machines should exclude this one, the foundation of the modern motor scraper. Introduced just before World War II, the model C Tournapull was manufactured in the thousands and used worldwide by the United States armed forces during the war.

Subsequently, large numbers of war surplus machines made their way into private ownership following the conflict, sold through Government Stores Board auctions, helping many budding contractors get a head start in the industry.

It unfortunately garnered a bit of a reputation as a “widow maker” due to its touchy lever steering, but that should never diminish its importance as a great earthmover.

Number five – the Allis-Chalmers HD-5 track-type tractor

Don’t be fooled by the cute looks of this little tractor. It was a baby powerhouse and at home on the job, in the woods or helping on the farm pulling a plough. Powered by a two-cylinder GM 2-71 diesel, examples are sought today as collector’s items, as is this example. The HD-5 also spawned the later model HD-6 with a slightly higher horsepower engine built by Allis-Chalmers, which also garnered a similar reputation.

At home on an earthmoving site, in the forest, or pulling a plough on a farm, this unassuming little tractor went about its business with little fuss, day in and day out. Over 29,000 were manufactured, an indication of its popularity. Its successor, the model HD-6, continued the tradition. Second-hand examples are still sought by collectors and restorers and can fetch high prices.

Number six – the Euclid TS-14 scraper

Responsible for reshaping vast tracts of New Zealand’s landscape, the Euclid (later Terex) TS-14 was, during the 60s and 70s, the backbone of many contractors’ and owner-operators’ bulk earthmoving fleets. This example, owned by Oldfield Earthworks of Masterton, is a model 7UOT. The somewhat rough-riding TS-14 evolved over the years into several different versions, but it’s the oldies that really get my attention. Another great machine.

Since it first made an appearance in 1960, the Euclid (later Terex) TS-14 has been a stalwart of New Zealand earthmoving. Over 200 of its various versions have been sold here and it has been used from North Cape to the Bluff. Despite their rather rough riding characteristics (compared to a Caterpillar 627), they have been a favourite of fleet users and owner operators alike, making the machine a natural for my top 10. (It was a toss-up between the TS-14 and TS-24).

Number seven – the Wooldridge TCS scraper

The Wooldridge TCS had a face only a mother could love – and therein lies its appeal! With its front panelling removed, this photo clearly shows the unique roller chain steering system (just in front and below of the operator’s feet). Mack Wooldridge was a contemporary of R.G. LeTourneau and designed and built a lot of motor scrapers before selling his company to Curtiss-Wright. But his designs were not widely popular. The Wooldridge TCS held 18 cubic yards and was normally powered by a Cummins diesel engine. Revving this monstrosity with a cable must have been a nightmare.

While none of these machines were ever imported into New Zealand, I saw a restored example at work in the USA some years ago. It was really ugly, but, had a charm all of its own. Even more dangerous to operate than the lever-steered LeTourneau C Tournapull, the Wooldridge TCS (and later model TCY) were steered by a length of roller chain around the scraper kingpin. You can only imagine what happened if the chain gave way at speed. Even so, there is something about them…

Number eight – the Caterpillar 14G motor grader

One of the nicest motor graders I have had the pleasure of operating was the Caterpillar 14G. Such smooth controls and great visibility made it worlds apart from the machines I learnt on. Caterpillar introduced the 14G in 1973, powered by the bulletproof model 3306T engine. It was manufactured up until 1995.

I was fortunate to be working for the Caterpillar dealer when this machine was introduced to the New Zealand market and had the privilege of delivering several of them by road. Driving Wellington to Rotorua and Auckland to Wellington, never with a pilot vehicle, was an awesome experience and one I will not forget in a hurry. On the job they were so smooth to operate, and worlds away from the older No.12 and Wabco 555 motor graders that I learnt on. Another great machine.

Number nine – the Liebherr R984 excavator

At home in any mine or quarry operation, the Liebherr model R984 was the backbone of Liebherr’s mid-range heavy duty excavators for some 26 years and three different versions. Examples have been used in New Zealand operations since the 1990s. They are a very impressive machine to see working and a fine example of ‘German engineering’.

The Liebherr R984 was a big excavator by this country’s standards when it was first introduced here. At around 100 tons operating weight, it was also very impressive to watch in the coal fields of the Waikato.

There were three versions of the machine, the 984A (introduced 1986), the R984B (introduced 1996), and the final version, the R984C, which appeared in 2002. Only the R984B and R984C were used here and the type was discontinued in 2016. If you enjoyed watching a big excavator fill an off-highway hauler in three passes, the R984 was the machine to see.

Number 10 – the Wabco 111A scraper

Of all the small elevating scrapers that I have operated, the Wabco 111A is undoubtedly my “favourite ride”. As well as a good bulk earthmoving tool, it is a great finishing machine as well. Despite a somewhat colourful reputation regarding its electric steering system, I’ve had no troubles with any of the various versions of the machine, and that’s why it makes my top 10.

Number 10 on my top 10 list of favourite machines is the Wabco 111A elevating scraper, which, coincidentally, is also the subject of our vintage machine feature in the next issue.

I have spent a lot of time on various versions of this machine, in Wellington, Porirua, Wainuiomata, Kapiti and Auckland, and despite quite a few folks passing derogatory comments about them regarding their steering, I never experienced any trouble, preferring the 111A to the also numerous Caterpillar 613. Optimum engine RPM and strict weekly maintenance were the key with 111As, and they never let me down.

Richard Campbell shares his top ten favourite machines in a special article to celebrate Contractor magazine’s golden anniversary. One of them caught his eye as a child, encouraging him to join the industry.

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