Favorite generation of Cat scraper?

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

D7e with a Birtley cable scoop.

MOTMF said: Out with the old, in with the new gramps. Click to expand... That's "Mr Gramps" to you sonny, and note in my post I said operators - not drivers or lever pullers.

Oxbow said: 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. Click to expand... I started my heavy equipment career working on DW20s .

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

See this thread for a few scraper stories........ https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/overload-of-the-day.87146/page-111#post-1112931

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.

skyking1 said: I'm pretty sure it stopped there. Pretty sure. Click to expand... I take it you didn't go down to check.?

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

Cliffy said: 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. Click to expand... 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, **** 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.

Shimmy1 said: I have never heard any man sing praises of a 631 scraper. Click to expand... 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.

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

Shimmy1 said: I really can't think of a good place for one except in a scrap yard. Click to expand... Here was a good place for them! Of course, I got paid for movin em in & out.......Sometimes the brakes even worked.

Brakes? That's what the can is for.

skyking1 said: Brakes? That's what the can is for. Click to expand... But not when you're driving one on asphalt......!!

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