Terex S24 Scraper Donated to Upper Waitaki Power Development Display

A Terex S24 scraper, generously donated by philanthropist and Rooney Group director Gary Rooney, has been added to the display of earthmoving machinery at the Upper Waitaki Power Development. This addition highlights the significant role that the S24 scrapers, alongside other models like the Caterpillar 631 and International 295, played in shaping the canals that connect Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki, and Ohau, as well as the Pukaki High Dam and various powerhouse sites.

The S24 scraper was transported to Temuka last month, where it underwent sandblasting and painting before joining the existing collection. Rick Ramsay, convener of the Heritage Group, expressed enthusiasm about the addition, noting the nostalgia many operators feel for the distinctive sound of these machines. “To again see one in the Mackenzie Basin on display is a significant addition,” Ramsay said. He emphasized the generosity of Rooney, stating that transporting the machine was a considerable contribution to the display.

The Terex S24 scraper features a robust V12 General Motors two-stroke diesel engine, paired with an Allison CLBT-5865 six-speed powershift transmission. It can reach a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour. The transmission is equipped with a hydraulic retarder to assist the shoe brakes, enhancing its operational efficiency. With a bowl capacity of 18 cubic meters struck or 24 cubic meters heaped, the S24 was designed for heavy-duty earthmoving tasks.

Despite its impressive power output of over 400 horsepower and a differential lock to prevent wheel spin, the scrapers were typically push-loaded by bulldozers on the Upper Waitaki project. This practice was necessary due to the dense nature of the glacial moraine deposits that made up much of the earthworks involved in the project.

Clyde Engineering sold a total of 32 S24 scrapers in New Zealand, with most of them utilized for hydroelectric schemes. Notable fleet operators included Higgins Earthmoving, Earthmovers Waikato, McBreen-Jenkins, Burnetts Motors, and Doug Hood Ltd. In 1998, Gary Rooney acquired the construction arm of Doug Hood Ltd, which included several S24 units.

These scrapers are known for their durable construction and ease of maintenance, leading many to be rebuilt for continued use in various projects. Some units were repurposed as “dump trucks,” allowing for easy loading by diggers, while the bowls facilitated smooth material distribution and provided a degree of compaction.

The specific unit donated to the display was one of three purchased by the Rooney Group from the North Island for the company’s Rangitata South irrigation Scheme, a private project that cost over $130 million. These scrapers were exclusively used for this scheme and have since been stored at the company’s depot in Ashburton.

The addition of the Terex S24 scraper to the Upper Waitaki Power Development display serves not only as a tribute to the machinery’s historical significance but also as a reminder of the extensive efforts that went into the hydroelectric projects that have shaped the region’s landscape.