Terex S24 Scraper Donated to Enhance Upper Waitaki Display

A Terex S24 scraper has been added to the display of earthmoving machinery at the Upper Waitaki Power Development, thanks to a donation from philanthropist and director of the Rooney Group, Gary Rooney. The S24 joins an array of machines that played crucial roles in the excavation and material placement for the canals linking Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki, and Ohau, as well as various dam and powerhouse sites in the region.

The S24 scraper was transported to Temuka last month by the Rooney Group, where it underwent sandblasting and painting. According to Rick Ramsay, convener of the Heritage Group, the addition of the S24 is significant. “There are a lot of operators who will fondly recall the distinctive roar of these machines, and to again see one in the Mackenzie Basin on display is a big addition,” he stated. Ramsay also expressed gratitude for Rooney’s generosity in donating and transporting the machine.

The Terex S24 is powered by a V12 General Motors two-stroke diesel engine, paired with an Allison CLBT-5865 six-speed powershift transmission, achieving a top speed of 50 kph. The transmission features a hydraulic retarder that enhances braking performance. Its bowl capacity is substantial, with an 18 cubic meter struck capacity and a 24 cubic meter heaped capacity. Despite boasting over 400 horsepower and a differential lock to prevent wheelspin, the scrapers were primarily push-loaded by bulldozers during the Upper Waitaki project due to the dense glacial moraine deposits predominant in the area.

Clyde Engineering sold a total of 32 S24 scrapers in New Zealand, mainly for use in hydroelectric projects. Fleet operators included prominent companies such as Higgins Earthmoving, Earthmovers Waikato, McBreen-Jenkins, Burnetts Motors, and Doug Hood Ltd. Rooney acquired the construction arm of Doug Hood Ltd around 1998, which included the S24 scrapers.

The robust design and ease of maintenance have allowed many of these machines to be rebuilt and continue operating in various capacities. Some S24 scrapers were repurposed as “dump trucks,” with modifications that allowed for easy loading by diggers and effective distribution of materials, while their wheels offered a degree of compaction.

The unit donated to the Twizel 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 with a cost exceeding $130 million. These scrapers were exclusively used for this initiative and were stored at the company’s depot in Ashburton when not in operation.

The addition of the Terex S24 scraper not only enriches the historical narrative of the Upper Waitaki Power Development but also serves as a tribute to the engineering achievements of the past, showcasing the machinery that played a critical role in shaping the region’s infrastructure.