Premium Content
Webinars
Videos
Podcast
Events
Advertise
Magazine
OEM Summit
Magazine
Newsletter
Search
Engines
Drivetrains
Fluid Power
Electronics
Operator Cab
Engineering & Manufacturing
Trends
Market Analysis
Directory
IRONPROS
Home
Thomas Berry
Thomas Berry is an Archivist for the
Historical Construction Equipment Association.
More from Thomas Berry
Expert Columns
Get to Know the Industry's First Elevating Grader
The Historical Construction Equipment Association's Thomas Berry uncovers the 1854 origins of the machine that revolutionized excavation efficiency.
Expert Columns
Birth of the Modern Elevating Scraper
Exploring the history, power and patents behind the first models on the market.
Engineering & Manufacturing
The First Self-Loading Haulers
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.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Multiple Scrapers, One Operator
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.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Multiple-Bowl Scrapers
When practical, multiple scrapers were used behind single tractors as far back as the mid-1920s.
Engineering & Manufacturing
A Brief History of CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Expansion beyond road construction inspired a name change to the Construction Equipment Exposition in 1960, finally ConExpo in 1975, the last to be held in Chicago.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Telescoping Bowl Scrapers
This technology was developed to eliminate needing the high power required to force the load down the entire length of the frame.
Engineering & Manufacturing
HCEA Convention Illustrates Equipment Evolution
The HCEA Museum will host the show again next year, September 22 to September 24.
Drivetrains
Euclid’s Twin-Power Concept
The basis of this concept was powering each drive axle of a truck or scraper with its own diesel engine and powertrain.
Fluid Power
Hydraulic Graders and Scrapers
The earliest graders and scrapers relied on manual or mechanical control to operate the blade or bowl, not hydraulics.
Electric Motors
The Electric Wheel
In 1950 when LeTourneau unveiled the technology, it was a breakthrough.
Trends
Tournapull Attachments
Robert G. LeTourneau made several advancements in attachment designs for construction equipment.
Trends
The First True Motor Scraper
The Model A Tournapull could be yoked to a single-axle scraper in such a way as to allow for extreme maneuverability, offering greater speed and productivity for earthmoving projects.
Trends
Pneumatic Tires for Scrapers
The invention of pneumatic tires improved maneuverability of scrapers and other construction equipment, particularly in soft ground conditions.
Trends
Cable Control for Tractor-Drawn Equipment
LeTourneau's Power Control Unit utilized wire rope and enabled control of two devices as a means of improving performance of dozers and other heavy machinery.
Trends
The First Self-Propelled Scraper
Although not as successful as other LeTourneau designs, the first self-propelled scraper featured technologies that would years later become industry standards.
Trends
The Mountain Mover
R. G. LeTourneau's development of a scraper with two bowls, one moving back and forth within the other in a telescoping motion, increased earthmoving capacity.
Trends
The First Tractor-Controlled Scraper
R. G. LeTourneau's remote-control system enabled a scraper to be controlled from a tractor, reducing labor costs.
Trends
The Great Innovator R. G. LeTourneau
Robert Gilmore LeTourneau had an unequalled impact on the earthmoving equipment industry, holding nearly 300 patents in equipment design and manufacturing processes.
Trends
The Fresno Scraper
The Fresno-type scraper offered a combination of width and shallow depth front to back to easily load and move large capacities of material.
Trends
The First Wheeled Scrapers
The wheeled scraper became a matter of necessity for the construction industry due to the need for improved earthmoving capabilities.
Trends
The First Scrapers
The scraper was invented as a manually-assisted self-loading and self-dumping device for increased earthmoving efficiency.
Trends
The First Articulated Motor Grader
Adding an articulated frame to motor graders helped to improve maneuverability in confined spaces and reduce rework.
Trends
The Austin-Western 99 Motor Grader
Improved steering capabilities and hydraulic blade control helped to advance motor grader designs.