Favorite generation of Cat scraper?

[MOTMF]

We have Cat 637 D models, E models, G models and K models. I've personally been inside each one and a 627 B at a different employer. The common consensus out here among a strong majority of the employees is the Cat 637 E is the far superior machine, and I agree.

I'm curious how the rest of you views caterpillars line up and what is your favorite generation of scraper?

 

[Nige]

Any model prior to the intrduction of the cushion hitch when real men operated scrapers.........

 

[MOTMF]

Any models prior to the introduction of the engine, when REAL men carried it in buckets?

Out with the old, in with the new gramps.

 

[Cliffy]

Had a bit to do with 623 and 631 B, D and E’s a while back.
All where problematic, but the 631e with hungry boards was a sweet machine. (Alot newer at the time) i do love the sound of a 3408.

 

[Oxbow]

What, no votes for the DW20? I actually enjoyed them but I was young at the time. A fella got a lot better with the clutches after pulling new cable through a time or two.

 

[Tones]

D7e with a Birtley cable scoop.

 

[Nige]

Out with the old, in with the new gramps.

That's "Mr Gramps" to you sonny, and note in my post I said operators - not drivers or lever pullers.

 

[Old Doug]

What, no votes for the DW20? I actually enjoyed them but I was young at the time. A fella got a lot better with the clutches after pulling new cable through a time or two.

I started my heavy equipment career working on DW20s .

 

[skyking1]

I've spent some time in the 931s and self elevators of Cat and Johnny.
I only have one scraper story to tell and I was running the cobbled out 225 on that job.
Scarsella had 6 -B's on the highway 3 job by Bangor sub base and Poulsbo.
6 to run 4.
One day I showed up, 4 hoods were open and the scraper guys and dozer guy were going home.
He was too cheap to move the 6 idle -D's down there to finish the job

 

[Nige]

See this thread for a few scraper stories........

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/overload-of-the-day.87146/page-111#post-1112931

 

[skyking1]

0k, I have one more
We were stripping at Lakeland Hills by Lake Tapps, and making this insane ridge spine of stuff at the back of the property.
Picture dumping a scraper going higher and higher and barely widening enough to sit up there on top. It had a lot of pucker to it.
I remember one time looking back in that fisheye mirror that was still attached to the right side and I watched my cutting edge stand up this 20-in truck tire and wheel. It stood it up perfectly, and then off it shot down the grade picking up speed and bouncing 10-15 ft in the air. Oh crap!
There were houses down there!!
Luckily there was a fringe of trees about 100 ft deep and it bounced off into those trees and then I saw one of them take a mighty hit, way way over and then stand back up. I'm pretty sure it stopped there.
Pretty sure.

 

[Nige]

I'm pretty sure it stopped there.
Pretty sure.

I take it you didn't go down to check.?

 

[skyking1]

I kept my mouth shut. I figured I'd hear about it if something happened lol.

 

[Shimmy1]

All where problematic, but the 631e with hungry boards was a sweet machine. (Alot newer at the time) i do love the sound of a 3408.

I have never heard any man sing praises of a 631 scraper. To each their own, but virtually the top of my useless machine list. Can't get a full load unless going down a 20% slope, pi$$ under one of the tires and you're stuck, I really can't think of a good place for one except in a scrap yard. Sorry for the dissenting opinion.

 

[Nige]

I have never heard any man sing praises of a 631 scraper.

I reckon the same comment could be made about any single-engined scraper unless it has some serious pushing HP from a tractor behind it in the cut.

 

[skyking1]

On that same vein, I have one more story lol.
I got dispatched out of the Union Hall my very first time to go run dozer. I get there and the guy says wait, we don't have any dozer for you to run right now, but we would like you to run this scraper. I said mister I've never even stood next to a scraper. He said that's okay. This apprentice lady has never pushed one before either and you guys will have fun. She had a six

 

[Pops52]

I really can't think of a good place for one except in a scrap yard.

Here was a good place for them! Of course, I got paid for movin em in & out.......Sometimes the brakes even worked.

 

[skyking1]

Brakes? That's what the can is for.

 

[Nige]

Brakes? That's what the can is for.

But not when you're driving one on asphalt......!!

 

[skyking1]

Too bad. So sad. Shouldn't have paved that road in the first place!!