1973 Terex 150-ton truck

Posted by Chris Graham on 2nd March 2023

Keith Haddock reports on the assembly of a 1973 Terex 150-ton truck which was a star attraction at last year’s HCEA’s convention.

1973 Terex 150-ton truck: The kit of parts arrives in Ohio and re-assembly begins. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

The assembly of a 1973 Terex 150-ton truck was a star attraction at last year’s Historical Construction Equipment Association’s 36th Annual International Convention & Old Equipment Exposition, which took place at Bowling Green, in Ohio, USA, on September 23rd-25th.

The cab goes on using two cranes, with the Peterbilt-chassised Link-Belt Schaedler crane on the right. Peterbilt started in 1939, after the acquisition of Fageol Truck & Motor Company. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

The truck was moved in seven loads from Oklahoma to Bowling Green, Ohio, and its final assembly took place in front of a large audience during two days at the show. The truck measures just under 42 feet long, 20 feet 5 inches wide and weighs 117 tons empty. Its tyres are 10 feet 6 inches in diameter.

Using the Grove crane, made in Pennsylvania, the electrics are placed on the dump truck. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

In early 2021, the truck was purchased from a scrap dealer by HCEA director Larry Kotkowski, owner of Lakeside Sand & Gravel Co at Mantua, Ohio. Larry then donated the truck to the HCEA, along with a working crew that joined volunteers from other companies to help dismantle, transport and re-assemble the truck at its new home.

The dump body wasn’t easy to handle and involved the rough-terrain forklift on the left and the two cranes making sure the body didn’t swing out, causing mayhem in the process. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

The intricate project was headed by 32-year-old Sam Paterek, employee of Lakeside, who visited the machine at its original location, worked out a plan to acquire necessary cranes, dismantle and transport the truck across several states, and finally put the hauler back together at Bowling Green.

With all things straight, the body is carefully placed on the dump chassis. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

As usual for a hauler of this size, the truck body had to be cut in half, moved in separate loads and then re-welded together at the new location. The GM 16V149T1 engine and main frame were taken to Lakeside’s repair facility at Mantua, where they were serviced and overhauled before their final trip to Bowling Green.

The crowd just loved what was going on, and the re-assembly was the highlight of the HCEA show in 2022. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

The project was a huge co-operative effort by volunteer HCEA members, company-donated equipment and manpower, as well as trailers and low-loaders for the seven loads required. Participants included the local Caterpillar dealer Ohio Cat, Jim and Rob Gangle, Dean and Jay Wack, Junior and Rob Casturo and Dave Geis.

Nearly there, with the vehicle still jacked-up. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

At the dismantling site, two truck cranes – a 110-ton Grove and a 120-ton Demag – were supplied by Bennet Steel Crane Rentals. At the erection site a 100-ton Link-Belt 86100 and an 80-ton Grove RT880E performed the lifting. They were provided at no cost by the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship (Union).

Looking great but two rear tyres are still needed to finish the job. (Pic: Keith Haddock)

While actually of minimal cost to the HCEA, a rough estimate puts this project’s theoretical cost at at least $150,000 had manpower, equipment and transportation not been donated. So a big thank you to all involved in bringing this project to fruition.