Yesterday, 09:50 PM
The Wabco 660B and Its Industrial Lineage
The Wabco 660B motor grader is a product of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company’s construction equipment division, which was active through the mid-20th century before being absorbed into Dresser Industries and eventually Komatsu. The 660B was designed for heavy-duty grading in mining, forestry, and infrastructure development, particularly in rugged terrain where reliability and mechanical simplicity were paramount.
Equipped with a Detroit Diesel engine—typically a 6V-71 two-stroke—the 660B delivered robust torque and high RPM performance, making it well-suited for long pulls and deep cuts. Its mechanical transmission and direct hydraulic controls gave operators tactile feedback and precise blade control, even in remote or cold environments.
Deployment in Northern Canada and Remote Regions
The 660B found a niche in northern Canadian communities, especially in areas like British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. These regions required machines that could operate without extensive dealer support, and the Wabco’s straightforward design made field repairs feasible with basic tools and mechanical knowledge.
In places like Toad River, BC, graders like the 660B were used for maintaining logging roads, clearing snow, and preparing gravel pads for seasonal construction. The Detroit Diesel engine’s reputation for cold-weather starting and parts availability made it a favorite among operators working far from urban centers.
Terminology Annotation
As of the 2020s, sourcing parts for the Wabco 660B has become increasingly difficult. While Detroit Diesel components remain available through aftermarket suppliers, proprietary Wabco parts—such as circle drive gears, hydraulic valves, and frame bushings—often require custom fabrication or salvage from retired units.
Operators restoring these machines should consider:
Operational Characteristics and Field Behavior
The 660B’s steering and blade controls are fully hydraulic, with manual levers linked to valve banks. This system offers durability but requires regular maintenance of seals, hoses, and fluid levels. The grader’s articulation joint is a known wear point, and operators should inspect it for play or cracking—especially on machines used for pushing snow or pulling trailers.
The Detroit Diesel engine, while powerful, demands attention to fuel quality and air filtration. Its two-stroke design means it consumes oil as part of combustion, and improper maintenance can lead to excessive smoke or fouled injectors.
Recommendations for field operation include:
One grader operator in the Yukon recalled using a 660B to clear a remote airstrip after a spring thaw. The machine’s weight and blade power allowed him to cut through frost-heaved gravel, while the Detroit engine roared steadily despite the altitude and cold. He noted that the grader’s simplicity was its strength—no electronics to fail, no sensors to misread.
Another technician in Saskatchewan shared that his crew used a 660B to build firebreaks during a wildfire season. The machine’s ability to cut wide swaths and push debris made it invaluable, even though it required daily attention to hydraulic leaks and fuel filters.
Conclusion
The Wabco 660B motor grader remains a symbol of rugged engineering and field-serviceable design. Though parts are scarce and documentation limited, its legacy endures in remote Canadian operations where reliability trumps sophistication. For those willing to invest in restoration and maintenance, the 660B offers a powerful, tactile grading experience that modern machines often lack. Whether clearing snow in Toad River or carving gravel in the Yukon, this grader continues to earn its place in the history of northern infrastructure.
The Wabco 660B motor grader is a product of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company’s construction equipment division, which was active through the mid-20th century before being absorbed into Dresser Industries and eventually Komatsu. The 660B was designed for heavy-duty grading in mining, forestry, and infrastructure development, particularly in rugged terrain where reliability and mechanical simplicity were paramount.
Equipped with a Detroit Diesel engine—typically a 6V-71 two-stroke—the 660B delivered robust torque and high RPM performance, making it well-suited for long pulls and deep cuts. Its mechanical transmission and direct hydraulic controls gave operators tactile feedback and precise blade control, even in remote or cold environments.
Deployment in Northern Canada and Remote Regions
The 660B found a niche in northern Canadian communities, especially in areas like British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. These regions required machines that could operate without extensive dealer support, and the Wabco’s straightforward design made field repairs feasible with basic tools and mechanical knowledge.
In places like Toad River, BC, graders like the 660B were used for maintaining logging roads, clearing snow, and preparing gravel pads for seasonal construction. The Detroit Diesel engine’s reputation for cold-weather starting and parts availability made it a favorite among operators working far from urban centers.
Terminology Annotation
- Articulated Frame: A chassis design that allows the front and rear halves of the grader to pivot, improving maneuverability
- Circle Drive: The mechanism that rotates the moldboard (blade) horizontally for angled grading
- Tandem Axle: A dual-wheel rear axle configuration that improves traction and load distribution
- Scarifier: A front-mounted tool used to break up compacted soil or ice before grading
As of the 2020s, sourcing parts for the Wabco 660B has become increasingly difficult. While Detroit Diesel components remain available through aftermarket suppliers, proprietary Wabco parts—such as circle drive gears, hydraulic valves, and frame bushings—often require custom fabrication or salvage from retired units.
Operators restoring these machines should consider:
- Joining regional equipment forums or vintage machinery groups
- Contacting legacy dealers who may have NOS (new old stock) inventory
- Using reverse engineering to replicate worn components
- Documenting serial numbers and casting codes for accurate cross-referencing
Operational Characteristics and Field Behavior
The 660B’s steering and blade controls are fully hydraulic, with manual levers linked to valve banks. This system offers durability but requires regular maintenance of seals, hoses, and fluid levels. The grader’s articulation joint is a known wear point, and operators should inspect it for play or cracking—especially on machines used for pushing snow or pulling trailers.
The Detroit Diesel engine, while powerful, demands attention to fuel quality and air filtration. Its two-stroke design means it consumes oil as part of combustion, and improper maintenance can lead to excessive smoke or fouled injectors.
Recommendations for field operation include:
- Preheating the engine block in sub-zero conditions
- Using high-detergent oil rated for two-stroke diesels
- Checking blade wear strips and circle drive backlash monthly
- Greasing all pivot points and tandem axle bearings regularly
One grader operator in the Yukon recalled using a 660B to clear a remote airstrip after a spring thaw. The machine’s weight and blade power allowed him to cut through frost-heaved gravel, while the Detroit engine roared steadily despite the altitude and cold. He noted that the grader’s simplicity was its strength—no electronics to fail, no sensors to misread.
Another technician in Saskatchewan shared that his crew used a 660B to build firebreaks during a wildfire season. The machine’s ability to cut wide swaths and push debris made it invaluable, even though it required daily attention to hydraulic leaks and fuel filters.
Conclusion
The Wabco 660B motor grader remains a symbol of rugged engineering and field-serviceable design. Though parts are scarce and documentation limited, its legacy endures in remote Canadian operations where reliability trumps sophistication. For those willing to invest in restoration and maintenance, the 660B offers a powerful, tactile grading experience that modern machines often lack. Whether clearing snow in Toad River or carving gravel in the Yukon, this grader continues to earn its place in the history of northern infrastructure.
We sell 3 types：
1. Brand-new excavators.
2. Refurbished excavators for rental business, in bulk.
3. Excavators sold by original owners
https://www.facebook.com/ExcavatorSalesman
https://www.youtube.com/@ExcavatorSalesman
Whatsapp/Line: +66989793448 Wechat: waji8243
1. Brand-new excavators.
2. Refurbished excavators for rental business, in bulk.
3. Excavators sold by original owners
https://www.facebook.com/ExcavatorSalesman
https://www.youtube.com/@ExcavatorSalesman
Whatsapp/Line: +66989793448 Wechat: waji8243
