Shown here in the 1960s is a WABCO Haulpak Model 35 rock truck with a 32-tonne capacity, being loaded by a Bucyrus Erie cable shovel featuring a 7-cubic-metre bucket. This operation took place at the Bethlehem Copper Company’s open-pit mine near Highland Valley, British Columbia.
The mine’s fleet of 15 WABCO trucks managed not only ore hauling but also moved an impressive 680,000 tonnes of overburden and abrasive ore on average each month, demonstrating the durability and efficiency of these machines in demanding mining environments.
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Powered typically by either Cummins or Detroit diesel engine in the 261-kW range, these rock trucks encountered close to a 10 per cent cut in effective horsepower due to the 1,525-metre elevation of the mine site.
In the mid-1950s WABCO (Westinghouse Air Brake Company) had purchased the R.G. LeTourneau construction equipment lines and soon after were producing large rear dump quarry trucks. Canadian-built WABCO rock trucks were manufactured at the former Adams grader plant in Paris, Ontario into the early 1970s. A decade later Haulpak had transitioned to Dresser Industries.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) Canada’s 2024 events include Wheels & Tracks in June and the Last Blast on Oct. 19. Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum, near Barrie.
To see more than 60 pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend. HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. Visit hceacanada.org for more information
