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Scraper – large

Photographs courtesy TSA & HTSA This large scraper measuring 7.74 x 3.4 x 3 m was manufactured by Le Tourneau Australia Ltd of N.S.W. c1950. It is an example of the advances in technology of road plant since the little buck scoops at the turn of the century. Not all new technology worked well and this unit was hampered by its ungainly size.

This scraper was used by the Pinnaroo Council until 1985 and registered for travelling to construction sites. It was then bought by Eichler Earthmovers of Mannum, who donated it to the Highways Department in 1988.

This scraper was tractor drawn and cable operated and needed a large turnaround area. The unladen mass of the unit is substantial including six wheels, two axles, towbar, and cable operating mechanism, such that the payload is around only 30% of the total unladen mass.

This scraper could only carry small amounts of material in proportion to its total mass when the mass of the towing tractor was included. A scraper is generally only economical to use for hauls less than one km. Also a scraper can only raise relatively loose material or that which has already been broken up by other processes such as ripping or blasting. Machinery of this size was expensive to run and was put out of service as more efficient technology was developed. The drawn scraper was soon replaced by much more productive self-propelled units.

Le Torneau was a well-known name in road making equipment, part of the group better known later for Westinghouse and Email household goods.

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