The Terex S-23E elevating scraper was a direct development of that company’s TS-18 twin-powered conventional scraper and also used the same 33TOT series tractor unit (with some modifications). By Richard Campbell.
This machine filled a significant gap in Terex’s product line, which had been vacant up to that point, of a mid-sized elevating scraper, and joined the existing 11 cubic yard Terex S-11E and the larger 35 cubic yard Terex S-35E elevating scrapers in the range.
Field testing of S-23E prototypes began in 1970, the same year in which the conventional TS-18 was introduced, with the first production S-23E models released for sale in late 1971.
In the past, Terex (and its predecessor Euclid) had relied on one of Clark Equipment Company’s subsidiaries, Hancock, for the supply of elevating scraper bowls. The Euclid models S-7E, S-12E and Terex S-35E all used complete bowl assemblies manufactured by Hancock.
In the case of the S-11E scraper, the entire machine was manufactured by that company, (suitably re-badged and repainted of course).
The S-23E continued this tradition with Hancock providing a very cleanly designed elevating scraper bowl with smooth sides, which broke with normal Hancock design practice.
Visually, the new bowl had a strong resemblance to that fitted to Wabco’s model 222H elevating scraper, but the two were not related. Terex had high hopes for this new machine and promoted it heavily alongside the new twin-powered TS-18.
Not surprisingly, there was considerable competition in the 20 plus cubic yard marketplace for this size machine, which was not too small for bulk earthmoving and not too large for more restricted area job sites.
There was, of course, competition, and this came from several quarters. Caterpillar, Wabco, Fiat-Allis, and Clark-Michigan all offered elevating scrapers in this size class, and of these, Caterpillar and Wabco posed the most serious threat, as both held significant market shares in terms of sales.
Terex’s machine, which was a late entry into the mid-size elevating scraper arena, did not fare too well at first and suffered from low sales.
Terex undertook a review and upgrade of the machine in 1980, changing the profile of the upper bowl to improve load retention and increased the tyre options to suit customer needs better. Still, the other physical characteristics of the machine remained unchanged, but the writing was on the wall and the S-23E was discontinued in 1983.
It was during this period that Terex was sold to the IBH Corporation. Unfortunately, this period in Terex’s history was not a happy one as the IBH Corporation’s finances were not particularly sound and without the stability that the previous owner, General Motors, had provided, the company fell over in 1984.
Terex has had several new owners since.
The nuts and bolts of the S-23E
The official designation of the S-23E was the Model 33TOT-H-93SH (the “H” standing for Hancock, referring to the fact that the machine used a much larger-capacity hydraulic pump for powering the elevator motor and ancillary equipment).
Originally being a GM product, the engine was a General Motors 8V-71T, turbocharged V8 diesel producing 310 flywheel horsepower in this application
Attached to the 8V-71T was an Allison VCLT4465 6-speed powershift transmission.
This utilized a variable input torque converter which assisted during the machine’s loading cycle by reducing power to the drive train thereby helping to avoid wheel slippage.
In addition to this, an operator-controlled power locking differential was fitted as standard to prevent unwanted wheel spin when loading.
In operating trim, a Terex S-23E could attain a top speed of just under 25 mph and weighed just short of 26 tons empty.
Air-operated shoe-type brakes were employed on both tractor and scraper axles and Terex recommended 29.5×29 E3 tyres for the S-23E, but other types were available.
The steering system was identical to that used on the conventional bowl TS-18 and allowed turns of 90 degrees in each direction.
The elevator drive was fully hydraulic and powered by a self-adjusting vane-type motor.
A two-section hydraulic pump supplied hydraulic power for the two-speed vane-type motor.
Where does the dirt go?
The Hancock bowl was constructed from five oblong steel box sections and was an extremely strong fabrication.
The elevator mechanism featured 18 flights and had three speeds – low high and reverse. Ejection was in the usual Hancock manner with a sliding floor and drop-down strike-off plate. A bulldozer-type ejector pushed out the last remnants of the load through the floor opening.
Unlike most Terex scrapers that used a four-piece cutting edge, the S-23E used a three-piece cutting edge that could be fitted with six removable teeth to assist in breaking up tightly compacted material, making it easier for the elevator to load.
Other options
Normal optional accessories included either an open ROPS or a cab with external ROPS cover, air conditioning, heater, an upgrade from the standard Milsco suspension seat to a Bostrom air suspension seat, transmission downshift inhibitor, fenders for the scraper and four variations of tyres, not forgetting the aforementioned cutting-edge teeth.
Postscript
Despite some serious investigation, it appears that no Terex S-23Es ever made it to New Zealand, despite the best efforts of NZ Terex dealer Clyde Engineering.
There were S-23Es sold in Australia; however, a couple of them are still in operation. Due to the low overall sales of the type worldwide, very few remain, and they are now considered rare.
For the model collector
In general, models of Euclid/Terex scrapers are very few and far between at the best of times, so it should come as no great surprise to our readers that there are currently no models of the Terex S-23E elevating scraper in existence.
Why this should be so is a mystery to me, as the company built some of the most iconic scrapers in earthmoving history, and their omission in model form is nothing short of a crime.
Perhaps some inventive soul will address this shortcoming before too long, but I’m not holding my breath – are you listening, model manufacturers?
Don’t underestimate your knowledge