Image: A South Island-based 101F belonging to New Brighton Contractors of Christchurch, engaged in some subdivisional work. The post behind the operator is for a Laserplane terrain-levelling device. This machine has the optional windscreen and is fitted with ROPS mounts (but no ROPS structure) making it a post-1974 model.
The Wabco model 101 would have to be one of the most unusual looking elevating scrapers around, writes Richard Campbell.
Instead of replacing the company’s existing model 111A elevating scraper, the slightly smaller model 101 complemented it, and both machines were offered for sale concurrently. Making its first appearance in 1970, the initial production machine was known as the model 101F.
The 101F was an entirely new design for Wabco, bearing no family resemblance to any other scraper in its elevating scraper range of past of present, and was entirely hydraulically (rather than electrically) controlled – another first for Wabco.
Initial design studies on the 101F were undertaken in 1968 with the first pre-production prototypes put into test later that same year. All went relatively smoothly, and the type was put into series production early in 1970.
Conceived as an all-round earthmover for industrial, agricultural and local body use, the Wabco 101F was remarkably simple in design and featured outstanding visibility for operators.
At only eight feet wide (2.4m) and 27,900lbs (12,600kg) tare weight, a 101F could be legally driven from job to job under its own power on most roads without permits, making it a very flexible and versatile tool.
Initially, due to the machine’s rather radical appearance, there was some market resistance to the 101F. However, it soon became apparent that after a demonstration any initial doubts from customers were swept aside by the machine’s versatility (not to mention high operator popularity), and the machine began to sell in quantity. It was especially popular with land development, irrigation, landscaping and utility contractors.
Powering the Wabco 101F was a 162-flywheel horsepower Cummins V-504, non-turbocharged V8 diesel engine.
The V-504 was an industrial version of Cummins’ V-555 automotive diesel engine and had quite a high horsepower-to-weight ratio (similar to the Caterpillar 3208).
Using Cummins as prime power was a bit of a breakaway move by Wabco. Although it traditionally offered Cummins diesel engines as options in its machines (for those who preferred Cummins), the usual ‘go-to’ engine was normally supplied by General Motors.
In yet a further departure from normal practice, a Clark (rather than Allison) powershift transmission was selected, featuring an eight forward and one reverse speed range. This allowed the 101F a top speed of about 28mph in top gear. A Wabco differential and final drives completed the power train.
Air operated, hydraulically actuated shoe-type brakes were used on both axles and the ‘standard’ tires were listed as being 18.00×25 E3s. However, most users of the type preferred the optional wide base 23.5×25 E3 tyre, which gave them better flotation.
Steering was accomplished by twin, double acting hydraulic cylinders attached quite low down on the scraper’s universal hitch. As well as maintaining a low centre of gravity this also made them more readily accessible for service if need be.
In yet another move away from normal practice, Wabco designed and built the entire bowl and elevator assembly (rather than outsource the supply of this to Hancock).
The bowl was rated at a nine-cubic-yard capacity and featured a 15-flight hydraulically powered, two-speed elevator.
Contrary to usual Wabco practice, the cutting edge was not fixed on the model 101F and retracted with the floor, doing away with the normal drop down strike off levelling plate, an item which Wabco had formerly promoted heavily in its advertising literature for previous elevating scrapers.
Four bolt-on cutting edge teeth could be fitted to aid in penetrating hard to load materials.
The operator enjoyed control tower visibility with the entire operators’ station mounted above the engine, transmission and radiator assemblies. They were provided with a Milsco air-suspension seat to soak up the bumps.
All instrumentation was located on a small panel directly in front of the operator on a tubular frame that also supported the steering column.
To the operator’s right was the bowl, elevator, ejector and transmission operation levers, all closely grouped and within easy reach. These levers had a relatively short throw and required little physical effort to use; a definite plus throughout a long day’s work.
Optional extras offered for the 101F included a front surround and windscreen, sun canopy, full cab, heater, and air-conditioning. An open ROPS structure became available after 1973.
As time passed and Wabco accumulated experience with the 101F, the company undertook an upgrade of the machine that resulted in a new model – the 101G, introduced in 1976.
The engine remained the same: a Cummins V-504 with the same output as the previous 101F and the same Clark powershift transmission was employed.
The principal change was the bowl, which was an all-new design with a smooth exterior that now held 11 cubic yards, or two more than the previous version.
Introduction of the model 101G allowed Wabco to discontinue the long-running model 111A elevating scraper that had really reached the end of its ‘use by date’ by this point, having been in continuous production in various guises (D/10E2, D111A, 111A) since the early 1960s.
As a point of note, the model 111A was the last of the all-electric controlled Wabco elevating scrapers.
Initially, the 101G was delivered in ‘Hi-way Yellow’ paint, but a change was made around 1980 with subsequent machines appearing in an all-white paint job with red trim, which made an unusual looking machine even more striking.
The 101G remained in production up until mid-1984 when Wabco sold its construction equipment division to Dresser Industries.
Regrettably, Dresser did not reintroduce the 101G (or any other of the Wabco scraper line for that matter) under its own brand, and the machine sadly disappeared into history.
NZ connection
A contemporary of the Caterpillar 613, International E211 and 412, Michigan 110-9 and John Deere 760, the Wabco model 101 was popular with Kiwi contractors, with about 15 being imported during the machine’s lifespan, the majority being sold to North Island contractors.
For the modeller
Regrettably, there are no models available of the Wabco 101F or the later 101G in any scale. If you would like to add one to your collection it will have to be scratch built.