HD-11 in its majesty

  I worked for a company that had a real nice 66A, (cable D-9) there scrapers (636 cat scraper) broke down so I finally convience them to put a cable can behind that cat. It wasnt long that they saw how much money they were saving , and how fast it loaded and discharged. Next thing you know they had it ( the 66A )and the scraper in the shop new tracks new blades and beautiful paint job big decals. I run it non stop from then on. I had one boss a few years later showed me cat magazine with a D-10( new) with a (new) pull hydraulic scraper behind it . That is a big thing now. I have had my eye on a real nice HD-21 and a big Choate Laplante scraper to put behind it.  In short hauls it will kick butt on the 636 push pull for sure. These dang kids just dont know much about dirt moving, they may know how to run a machine, i've seen some good operators that are young, but they have no idea of the best ways to move it . I set and watched 3 trackhoes lift dirt out in stages in a deep hole. they could of put a 4 yrd dragline on top and pocketed the money no cost to them for the third hoe. We dug out big foundations that way . and the dragline loaded out the trucks after lifing it 2 stories high far faster than they were with the trackhoes . I dont know everything for sure but I love watching machines where they are cost effective. I miss watching the big HD-21 clear and level . They had a sound of there own then.

D9G and scoop is a fairly formidable hunk of earth extracting steel. Seen the odd example downunder; Gear drive D9D and 463 scoop was more common here; and was alot of D8Hs with 463 and 435 scoops around too.

Still a few people using TS14s down here; another mighty tool. They all paid for themselves 40 years ago, people just keep rebuilding them and using them.

You,d be 100% right about a big dragline, over 3 diggers. Biggest problem here would be to find someone who can operate a dragline ! That is a lost art; easpecially someone who can sidecast and 'throw' that bucket out; like casting a fishing line ! !

Cheers mate.

Bottom line is you can always sell them be it now or 10 years time. you won,t loose any money. But when there gone; there gone for good. And theres getting less and less each year to replace them with ! my 2 cents worth anyway. Besides we all gotta have at least 1 toy to take to these vintage machinery rallys !