Thomas Berry

Thomas Berry is an archivist with the Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA). HCEA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. With over 3,500 members in a dozen countries, its activities include operation of the National Construction Equipment Museum and archives in Bowling Green, Ohio; publication of a quarterly magazine, Equipment Echoes, from which this text is adapted, and hosting an annual working exhibition of restored construction equipment. Individual memberships are $45 within the U.S. and Canada, and $65 elsewhere. HCEA’s next International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition will be held in September in Bowling Green, Ohio. HCEA seeks to develop relationships in the equipment manufacturing industry, and offers a college scholarship for engineering students. Information is available at hcea.net, or by calling 419-352-5616 or emailing [email protected].

Engineering & Manufacturing

Behind the History of Holland Belt Loaders

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Holland belt loaders were built around increasing and streamlining the flow of material through the loader, adding greater power, elimination of the undercarriage, entirely new means of mounting it to the propelling tractors, and more efficient drive for the conveyor.

One of the four Holland loaders at Perris Dam makes quick work of loading a 110-ton capacity Euclid bottom dump. It’s equipped with a vertical cutting edge.

Market Analysis

The Role and Evolution of the Holland Belt Loaders

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Holland belt loaders were conceived as the next evolution and offered many benefits and advantages over previous models, marking a step forward for the technology.

Scan0008 Slider

The Evolution of Traveling Belt Loaders

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Traveling belt loaders were designed to solve the problem and weaknesses elevating graders had in loading bank material. While successful, they had their own limitations and challenges.

Figure 1: The 10BV was the largest BV loader offered to date when introduced in 1949. With the assistance of a push tractor and a load spotter on the lead tractor instead of the loader, this one is kicking the tonnage into Euclid bottom dumps. In material like this, a BV at full tilt could move a ton a second, and there was no cheaper way to do the job.

Hydraulic Motors

Turning a motor grader into five tools

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Elevating graders adapted to motor graders in the 1950s, excelling in excavation tasks and material handling with belt improvements.

Figure 1: One advantage of a motor grader/EGA outfit was that it required only one operator. But in some loading situations, a spotter rode out on the parent’s frame to direct hauler traffic, somewhat negating the labor savings. Courtesy: Ulrich Manufacturing Company Form 1231, n. d., HCEA Archives

Inside the Idea of Elevating Grader Attachments

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Learn how this machine experienced a mid-century revival as the concept was adapted to motor graders.

126 3 12 Ulrich Form 1231 Nd

Engineering & Manufacturing

Balance & Draft for Elevating Graders

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Studying the factors affecting Stroud's design, including weight capacity, frame flexibility and conveyor efficiency.

Hello, OSHA? Stroud demonstrated the superior balance of its graders by gathering 1,600 pounds worth of employees on the carrier. In operation, it would never have to bear that much weight. The grader also shows Stroud’s placement of the engine, opposite the carrier. (Stroud Road Machinery Company Bulletin 338, HCEA Archives)

Powering an Elevating Grader

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Explore the power prospects, sales strategies and expenses surrounding Stroud Road Machinery Company's 1930s grader offerings.

Stroud called its traction drive system for elevating graders Ground Drive. Cleats on the left rear wheel keep turning to power the conveyor. (Stroud Road Machinery Company Bulletin 319, HCEA Archives)

An Elevating Grader’s Conveyor

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Take a look inside Stroud Road Machinery Company's 1931 conveyor design components and complications.

121 1 1 Bulletin 319 Traction Edited

Get to Know the Industry's First Elevating Grader

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

The Historical Construction Equipment Association's Thomas Berry uncovers the 1854 origins of the machine that revolutionized excavation efficiency.

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Birth of the Modern Elevating Scraper

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

Exploring the history, power and patents behind the first models on the market.

A John Deere 840 tractor and Hancock elevating scraper on parade at an equipment “rally” in Jondaryan, Queensland, Australia, in 2008.

Engineering & Manufacturing

The First Self-Loading Haulers

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

The earliest known self-loading hauler was patented in 1866. Fifty-four years later, the more direct ancestor of today’s elevating scraper came to market — learn more about the benefits that helped it stand out from conventional competition in the 1920s.

The Improved Slusser Excavator, patented in 1866. Note the slat conveyor for loading.

Engineering & Manufacturing

Multiple Scrapers, One Operator

Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA)

During excavation of the San Luis Canal in California’s San Joaquin Valley in the mid-1960s, a combination of factors gave way to multiple motor scrapers, tractors and all, controlled from one machine.

Get a machine with so much play in it too close to the edge of a berm, and this is bound to happen. The bowls have found a stable position, with only the lead TS-14 fully on level ground. The gentlemen at the No. 4 bowl are Euclid engineers: Left to right, Ray Trumphour, Terry Cunningham and Bill Walker. They’re working on the hydraulic lines in the gooseneck – something not normally done from ground level!

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