Working on the principle that two engines are better than one, Clark-Michigan introduced their model 110H-T twin-powered elevating scraper in 1970, writes Richard Campbell.
The 110H-T was a logical modification of the company’s already successful model 110-11 elevating scraper, but the 110H-T featured a bigger bowl, larger tyres and of course, loads more power to handle grades and poor underfoot conditions.
The original Michigan model 110 scraper had been first introduced in 1957 as an open bowl scraper, and a variation, the model 110-H (featuring a 12-cubic-yard Hancock elevator) arrived on the scene in 1965. Apart from the tractor unit, which was all Clark-Michigan, the rest of the machine was designed and manufactured by Hancock.
Hancock, which was one of the originators of the elevating scraper, had become a subsidiary of Clark in 1966, and Clark had also purchased Michigan, thus keeping everything “in the family” so to speak.
Planning for a new scraper
Based on the success of other Clark-Michigan elevating scrapers, management decided that the market could use a twin-powered elevating scraper, so a model 110-15 was taken from the production line and modified with an extra engine and transmission to gauge the feasibility, productivity, and serviceability of the idea.
The experimental machine proved the concept was workable, and accordingly, the new machine, given the designation model 110H-T, was put into production in 1970. Somewhat confusingly, the 110H-T was also produced and sold under the Hancock brand name as the model 294!
This machine was almost identical in all respects to the Michigan 110H-T (with a few cosmetic differences) but was only offered for sale for three years; Clark ultimately deciding that it was just all too confusing for potential buyers. All these machines were manufactured at Clark-Michigan’s facility in Lubbock, Texas.
The nuts & bolts
Rated at 16-cubic-yards capacity, the 110H-T had no competition in its size class, the closest competitor being Wabco’s model 252FT which was a considerably larger and heavier machine. As a result, sales of the 110H-T were steady throughout the period when it was offered for sale.
Power for the 110H-T came from two 144 flywheel horsepower General Motors 4-71N naturally aspirated diesel engines. These were connected to identical Clark five-speed full powershift transmissions, which gave the 110H-T a top speed of approximately 28 miles per hour (45 kilometres per hour).
Clark planetary final drives front and rear completed the machine’s power train. Brakes were shoe type, air-operated S-cam on both axles. Standard tyres were 26.5 x 29, with a 26.5 x 25 size offered as an option for those customers who preferred this type.
Steering was via two identical hydraulic rams placed high up on the gooseneck, which permitted a full 90-degree turn in either direction. Due to the machine’s weight (29 tons empty), width, and axle loading, it was usually transported from job to job and was rarely roaded.
Business end, the bowl
The 110H-T’s bowl held 16 cubic yards, and was a typical Hancock product – strong, durable, and well designed. A single hydraulic motor powered the elevator assembly at 260 RPM. The elevator was reversible to help eject particularly sticky loads.
Ejection was by sliding floor and a bulldozer ejector with a strike-off blade which dropped down as the floor retracted to aid in trimming up the fill – typical Hancock. Four teeth could be bolted to the cutting edge to aid in breaking up tough soil.
For the operator
As far as creature comforts go, the operator of a Michigan 110H-T operator did not fare too badly. A Milsco air suspension seat was standard equipment, and a heater and cab were offered as options. Most of the machines I have seen were fitted with these options.
A comprehensive set of gauges was provided to monitor vital machine functions in both the tractor and scraper unit. Visibility was average to the right of the machine, but good to the cutting edge where it really mattered.
Post-1973, a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) was incorporated into the machine’s frame to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations regarding rollovers and this was also applied to those machines fitted with a cab.
A final overview
Although Clark-Michigan was never one of the “big three” in motor scraper production, (their sales of scrapers were dwarfed by those of Caterpillar, Euclid/Terex and Wabco), Clark-Michigan still turned out a very respectable and reliable product.
This fact can be evidenced by the number of Michigan scrapers still operating long after Clark ceased producing motor scrapers in 1983.
Total production of the Clark-Michigan 110H-T was approximately 1000 units, seven of which were imported into New Zealand by the Clark-Michigan franchise holder, Andrews & Beavan Ltd. These machines saw widespread service throughout New Zealand.
For the modeller
Regrettably, once again there are currently no models available in any scale of a Clark-Michigan 110H-T (or any other Michigan scraper for that matter), apart from a crude 1:130 scale model 310 which was made by Mercury Toys of Italy and originally issued in the late 1960s.
It is to be hoped that one of the model manufacturers out there will redress this situation before too long. Clark-Michigan deserve to have some of their machines reproduced in miniature.
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