The Wabco 333 elevating scraper: as described by Richard
Campbell
Powered by a 500 horsepower turbocharged GM Detroit Diesel 12V-71T engine in the tractor unit and a turbocharged 465 horsepower GM Detroit Diesel 12V-71T in the scraper, the 333FT was not underpowered by any stretch of the imagination.
Matching six-speed Allison VCLBT5965 transmissions were attached to the 12V-71s and these featured a hydraulic retarder as part of the transmission package along with a variable input torque converter to better apply the machines immense power when loading
Use of the retarder extended the life of the air operated expanding shoe brakes.
The Wabco 333FT was probably the last motor scraper to utilise a bull gear and pinion final drive although strangely the scraper power train employed planetary drives, a most unusual arrangement.
A no spin differential element was standard equipment on both tractor and scraper.
Standard tyres were 33.5×39 E3 on the tractor and 37.5×39 E3 on the scraper, but several options were available to suit varying job requirements.
A top speed of almost 33 miles per hour (52 kph) was attainable, and a fully loaded 333FT at speed was truly an impressive sight.
Twin, dual acting hydraulic cylinders provided the steering. These were quite low mounted on the hitch to keep the weight down low and reduce stress on the scraper gooseneck.
Although manufactured by Wabco, the scraper assembly showed its obvious Hancock heritage in both its design and operation.
Rated at 34 cubic yards, the bowl featured a fixed three-section cutting with sliding floor and bulldozer combination ejection. Five removable teeth could be attached to the centre cutting edge to assist in breaking up hard packed material.
Twin electric motors and reduction gearbox operated the elevator, which had 20 flights. (It should be noted here that the generator which powered these electric motors was mounted to the flywheel of the tractor engine, hence its higher horsepower rating, required to operate the generator.) Bowl lift and ejection were accomplished hydraulically.
The operator had quite a comfortable operating environment with air suspension seat standard. A comprehensive instrument panel bisected the steering column with the machine’s operating controls mounted on a separate panel just to the right of the instrument panel. These all featured short throw levers.
On the floor were the two throttles, brake pedal and the retarder pedal, while the transmission shifter occupied its own special spot just off to the operator’s right hand.
It has to be said that visibility was not as good on this machine as others in the Wabco family but it more than made up for this by its general operating and riding qualities.
Options included a sun canopy, full cab with external ROPS, or ROPS cab with all the trimmings.
Most 333FTs I have seen were fitted with a cab (and with two 12V-71s doing their thing around you this was probably the best option!)
As the machine evolved over its production life there were many different configurations of exhaust pipe and air cleaners trialled and used. By comparing photos to brochures issued by Wabco, one can accurately date when a machine came out of the factory.
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