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The Rise of Austin-Western and the Super 300
Austin-Western was founded in the late 1800s and became one of the most respected names in road machinery by the mid-20th century. Known for its graders, street sweepers, and railroad maintenance equipment, the company helped shape the infrastructure boom across North America. By the 1960s, Austin-Western was producing some of the most mechanically refined graders of its time, including the Super 300—a model that embodied the peak of pre-electronic road building technology.
The Super 300 was introduced in the early 1960s as a heavy-duty motor grader designed for highway construction, municipal road maintenance, and rural grading. Built with a mechanical transmission, hydraulic blade controls, and a robust frame, it was engineered to last decades under demanding conditions. While exact production numbers are hard to trace, thousands were sold across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with many still operating today in private fleets and restoration circles.
Mechanical Layout and Core Specifications
The 1966 Austin-Western Super 300 features a mid-mounted moldboard and a tandem drive axle configuration. It was typically powered by a Cummins NH series diesel engine, although some units came equipped with Detroit Diesel 6-71 powerplants depending on customer preference.
Key specifications include:
The Super 300 was known for its raw mechanical feel and responsive blade control. Operators relied on a series of levers and foot pedals to manipulate the moldboard angle, pitch, and lift. Unlike modern graders with joystick controls and GPS automation, the Super 300 demanded skill and intuition.
One retired highway foreman in Nebraska recalled grading flood-damaged roads in 1972 with a Super 300. He described the machine as “a beast with finesse”—able to cut through packed gravel while maintaining a smooth crown. The grader’s weight and blade geometry allowed it to reshape washouts without bouncing or chatter.
Restoration Challenges and Solutions
Restoring a 1966 Super 300 requires patience and mechanical know-how. Common issues include:
Preservation and Operational Tips
To keep a Super 300 in working condition:
Cultural Impact and Collector Appeal
The Austin-Western Super 300 represents a bygone era of American road building. Its mechanical simplicity and industrial styling evoke a time when infrastructure was built by hand, with machines that demanded respect. Collectors value the Super 300 not just for its utility, but for its role in shaping rural and urban landscapes.
In 2023, a museum in Iowa added a fully restored Super 300 to its permanent exhibit on mid-century highway construction. The grader is displayed alongside original blueprints, operator manuals, and oral histories from road crews who ran them during the interstate expansion.
Final Reflections
The 1966 Austin-Western Super 300 is more than a machine—it’s a piece of living history. Its survival into the modern era speaks to the durability of its design and the dedication of those who maintain it. Whether grading gravel roads or standing proudly at a heritage show, the Super 300 continues to remind us of the craftsmanship and grit that built the roads we travel today.
Austin-Western was founded in the late 1800s and became one of the most respected names in road machinery by the mid-20th century. Known for its graders, street sweepers, and railroad maintenance equipment, the company helped shape the infrastructure boom across North America. By the 1960s, Austin-Western was producing some of the most mechanically refined graders of its time, including the Super 300—a model that embodied the peak of pre-electronic road building technology.
The Super 300 was introduced in the early 1960s as a heavy-duty motor grader designed for highway construction, municipal road maintenance, and rural grading. Built with a mechanical transmission, hydraulic blade controls, and a robust frame, it was engineered to last decades under demanding conditions. While exact production numbers are hard to trace, thousands were sold across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with many still operating today in private fleets and restoration circles.
Mechanical Layout and Core Specifications
The 1966 Austin-Western Super 300 features a mid-mounted moldboard and a tandem drive axle configuration. It was typically powered by a Cummins NH series diesel engine, although some units came equipped with Detroit Diesel 6-71 powerplants depending on customer preference.
Key specifications include:
- Engine: Cummins NH-220 or Detroit Diesel 6-71
- Horsepower: 190–220 hp
- Transmission: 8-speed manual with torque converter assist
- Blade length: 14 feet
- Operating weight: Approximately 32,000 lbs
- Steering: Hydraulic assist with mechanical linkage
- Tires: 14.00x24 bias-ply or radial upgrade
- Moldboard: The curved blade used for cutting, spreading, and shaping material.
- Tandem drive axle: A dual rear axle configuration that improves traction and load distribution.
- Torque converter assist: A fluid coupling that multiplies torque and smooths gear transitions.
The Super 300 was known for its raw mechanical feel and responsive blade control. Operators relied on a series of levers and foot pedals to manipulate the moldboard angle, pitch, and lift. Unlike modern graders with joystick controls and GPS automation, the Super 300 demanded skill and intuition.
One retired highway foreman in Nebraska recalled grading flood-damaged roads in 1972 with a Super 300. He described the machine as “a beast with finesse”—able to cut through packed gravel while maintaining a smooth crown. The grader’s weight and blade geometry allowed it to reshape washouts without bouncing or chatter.
Restoration Challenges and Solutions
Restoring a 1966 Super 300 requires patience and mechanical know-how. Common issues include:
- Hydraulic seal degradation: Replace with modern Viton or polyurethane seals for longevity.
- Transmission wear: Rebuild gear clusters and inspect synchronizers. Use high-zinc gear oil for protection.
- Electrical system corrosion: Rewire with marine-grade cable and install weatherproof connectors.
- Blade pin wear: Machine new bushings and pins from hardened steel or bronze alloys.
- Disassemble and inspect all hydraulic cylinders
- Flush fuel system and replace filters with modern equivalents
- Rebuild steering linkage and verify toe alignment
- Sandblast and repaint frame with epoxy primer and enamel topcoat
- Replace tires with radial equivalents for improved ride and traction
Preservation and Operational Tips
To keep a Super 300 in working condition:
- Grease all pivot points monthly
- Change engine oil every 150 hours
- Inspect blade wear edges quarterly
- Monitor hydraulic fluid for contamination
- Store under cover to prevent UV and moisture damage
Cultural Impact and Collector Appeal
The Austin-Western Super 300 represents a bygone era of American road building. Its mechanical simplicity and industrial styling evoke a time when infrastructure was built by hand, with machines that demanded respect. Collectors value the Super 300 not just for its utility, but for its role in shaping rural and urban landscapes.
In 2023, a museum in Iowa added a fully restored Super 300 to its permanent exhibit on mid-century highway construction. The grader is displayed alongside original blueprints, operator manuals, and oral histories from road crews who ran them during the interstate expansion.
Final Reflections
The 1966 Austin-Western Super 300 is more than a machine—it’s a piece of living history. Its survival into the modern era speaks to the durability of its design and the dedication of those who maintain it. Whether grading gravel roads or standing proudly at a heritage show, the Super 300 continues to remind us of the craftsmanship and grit that built the roads we travel today.
