The S-12 scraper

The 78FOT series Euclid S-12 was a ‘scaled up’ version of the already successful S-7. It was a good seller in the US – quite manoeuvrable for its size, and came with not only a windshield, but a wiper as well!   BY RICHARD CAMPBELL.

First introduced in 1955, the S-12 was destined to be the last two-axle Euclid scraper with a direct drive transmission. For reasons known only to Euclid, it was also its only production two-axle scraper never to be offered with a powershift transmission.

Bearing a strong family resemblance to other machines in the Euclid scraper range, the S-12 was rated at 12 cubic yards struck and 16 cubic yards heaped. During its production life there were two variations of open bowl scraper manufactured for the S-12 but these were not distinguished by a change in designation. There are certain spotting features which allow one to be discerned from the other and I have presented both in the accompanying photos.

Easton Manufacturing made a useful attachment for the machine in the form of the model TS1622, a rear dump wagon. Euclid produced a prototype bottom dump for the S-12 but it was not put into series production. Hancock offered the model 218, a 16 cubic yard elevating scraper to suit the machine.

Keeping well within the General Motors family, the S-12 was powered by a GM 6-71 series 6-cylinder inline diesel rated at 218 flywheel horsepower at 2100 rpm.

This was attached to a Fuller 5F1220 five-speed manual transmission with one reverse gear, the power being transmitted through a 15.5 inch Lipe-Rollway clutch with air-operated booster.

On the standard 26.5 x 25 tyre this gave the S-12 a top speed in the region of 22 miles per hour.

Steering was accomplished by the standard Euclid twin double-acting reversible hydraulic cylinder system and made the S-12 quite manoeuvrable for its size. Air operated cam shoe brakes acting on all four wheels were used for stopping.

Operator comforts were few – but in keeping with the time period when the machine was manufactured – and consisted of an air suspension seat and a windshield with wiper!

An optional cab was available, as was a heater. There was also a vent by the operator’s right leg which, when opened, allowed warm engine air into the operators area (along with the classic GM engine smell).

Configuration of the bowl was the same as for larger Euclid scrapers of the period with two single acting cylinders attached to the bowl’s spreader bar by lever and link for raising and lowering the bowl.

The apron was controlled by a solitary single acting cylinder attached to the apron via lever and a length of cable while the ejector employed the usual roll out method via another single acting cylinder attached to a cam lever and roller. And all of this worked very effectively.

During its short production life of only seven years, the S-12 was a good seller on the US domestic market, selling mainly to small and medium sized contractors for subdivisional and roading work. Very few were exported.

The machine was discontinued sometime during 1962, probably reflecting the trend towards larger machines, such as Euclid’s S-24.

It is interesting to speculate what may have happened had the machine been offered with an optional powershift transmission. Perhaps it would have appealed to a wider customer segment or maybe it was just too small in the eyes of the contracting world.

Total production of the S-12 was approximately 741 machines.

The NZ Connection.

New Zealand agents Clyde Engineering sold one Euclid S-12 into the NZ marketplace.

This was to Burnetts Motors of Ashburton who used it for a variety of jobs before it was sold to J.C.Anderson of Invercargill who utilised it widely throughout the region.

When imported, the machine was fitted with a factory-installed cab, but by the time Andersons took over the machine, it had reverted to a standard open cab configuration with a windshield.

The machine still exists today in the South Island and is a rare piece of equipment indeed.

Brief Specifications – Euclid S-12

Engine:                           General Motors 6-71, 6-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel rated at 218 fwhp

Clutch:                            Lipe-Rollway 15½” single plate, air assisted

Transmission:                 Fuller 5A1220, 5 speed with 1 reverse gear.

Standard Tyre:                26.5 x 25

Brakes:                           Air operated shoe type.

Steering:                         Full hydraulic, 90° each way

Capacity:                        12 yd³ struck, 16 yd³ heaped

Overall Length:               35’ 3”

Width:                            11’ 1”

Height:                           9’ 6½”

Turning Circle:               31’ 2”

Operating Weight:          20.5 tons