Classic machines: The scrapers of Curtiss-Wright Classic Machines

Classic machines: The scrapers of Curtiss-Wright

A company far better known for its aircraft such as the legendary Jenny, Kittyhawk, Tomahawk and Helldiver, plus a very successful line of aircraft engines, Curtiss-Wright also briefly had an earthmoving division. By RICHARD CAMPBELL. Curtiss-Wright entered the earthmoving business through the acquisition of the Wooldridge Corporation,...
Classic Machines: Caterpillar's D7 tractor -'the early years' Classic Machines

Classic Machines: Caterpillar's D7 tractor -'the early years'

The iconic Caterpillar D7 has been in continuous production in various versions since 1935. They have fought in three major conflicts – WWII, Korea & Vietnam - and are a strong testament to a product that really was “built for it” By RICHARD CAMPBELL The D7 owes it’s origins to the Caterpillar Diesel Fifty which was...
Forgotten companies: Bucyrus-Erie Classic Machines

Forgotten companies: Bucyrus-Erie

The Bucyrus-Erie Company was world famous for it’s range of face shovels, draglines, cranes and other mining and quarry equipment. However, it also made a wide range of tractor equipment that was popular through the 1930s to the middle 1950s which is now largely forgotten. By RICHARD CAMPBELL. The Bucyrus Foundry Company of Bucyrus,...
A more modern look at the Allis-Chalmers TS200 Classic Machines

A more modern look at the Allis-Chalmers TS200

Although it was not an original Allis-Chalmers design, the model TS-200 motorscraper paved the way for a far more successful machine in Allis’ product line, the TS-260. By RICHARD CAMPBELL. We first took a look at the Allis-Chalmers TS-200 way back in 2003, and for the benefit of our newer subscribers and those who may have missed the...
Classic Machines: the LeTourneau Tournacranes Classic Machines

Classic Machines: the LeTourneau Tournacranes

While a great many of LeTourneau’s inventions were designed for earthmoving purposes, some of his creations had very practical applications elsewhere. By RICHARD CAMPBELL There is a very old saying “necessity is the mother of invention”. This is particularly relevant when describing the development of the Le Tourneau...
Classic machines: The Euclid S-12 scraper revisited Classic Machines

Classic machines: The Euclid S-12 scraper revisited

Intended as a larger version of the Euclid S-7 which had proved to be extremely popular, the Euclid S-12 never really fulfilled its obvious potential. By RICHARD CAMPBELL Back in the February 2006 issue of Contractor, we had a look at the Euclid S-12. The original article was quite short due to allocated space limitations and in the...
Classic machines: Caterpillar's No.12 motor grader Classic Machines

Classic machines: Caterpillar's No.12 motor grader

What makes a classic motor grader? Looks, ability, ease of operation and longevity are all pertinent factors as are resale value if you’re looking to buy another. Whatever the criteria, Caterpillar’s No.12 Motor Grader had them all. By RICHARD CAMPBELL Of the thousands of motor graders manufactured by Caterpillar since their...
The small scale contractor Classic Machines

The small scale contractor

Many of our on-line viewers and also our subscribers to the Contractor magazine collect scale models. Not a lot of New Zealand retailers exist that carry a range of earthmoving diecasts but there are a few. Unfortunately their range is often restricted to Norscot, Joal or Siku but some of the more exotic types are only available by...
Classic Machines: LeTourneau's Model C Tournatractor Classic Machines

Classic Machines: LeTourneau's Model C Tournatractor

Always the innovative thinker when it came to earthmoving equipment, Robert LeTourneau came up with the idea of the Tournatractor in 1946. By RICHARD CAMPBELL  We examined one of the smaller Australian-produced versions of the Tournatractor, the LW12, in the September 2010 issue of Contractor, but the Model C was the grandaddy of them...
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