Kopuku Express

[d4c24a]

do you mind me asking where you saw the pics of the D8?

amazing restoration job !! defines the word "dedication" !!

click here mate https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...tion-Cat-D8-2U&p=323035&highlight=#post323035

 

[catken]

630b

That is really a fantastic job of restoring that 630. I use to own 2 of them and I really appreciate looking at that. Tks for posting that.

 

[EarthwurmJurm]

what a legend !!

 

[RayC]

Updated Photos

Heres some updated photos that I took to show how truly impressive this machine really is

 

[RayC]

And a few more

 

[RayC]

And a few more..and it sounds sweet.....thanks Vic much appreciated::notworthy

 

[RDG]

Just about as good as the day it came out of its box when new, awesome job and good to see. RDG.

 

[terexkerry]

Great photos again Ray,Did you happen to get any of the 16TDT for the TEREX thread.Kerry

 

[Gavin84w]

630B Resto

And a few more..and it sounds sweet.....thanks Vic much appreciated::notworthy

Thanks for posting some more Ray, i reckon it is worthy of an article in the Antique Caterpillar Machiner Owners Club magazine, pretty sure there is a chapter in New Zealand too so maybe that wouldn,t be to hard to arrange.

 

[lpnt65]

Well that is bloody impressive; great to see some of kopukus fantastic history preserved. Stevies had 2 630Bs as well as 2 630As as well as all the other scrapers including those classic repowered DW20s. Anyone know if any of there other scrapers had been saved ? Bloke Toomey had a 1693 powered DW20 converted to a sheepsfoot roller that was quite tidy, only other machine I knew of. Although I do know of where stevies No16 grader is that could be bought to go to a decent home. Machine is complete plus transmission of its wrecked sister.
In Ken Andersons book about kopuku it had a great shot of a DW20 being pushloaded by there new D9L in 1986. Bit like the spaceshuttle pushing the ark. But living proof these old girls can still move dirt

Ken Anderson in his book did not get a lot of his facts Quite straight. So it does need to be read with that in mind

 

[RDG]

A while back I did see some blokes posting some pics i think it might have been on the Acmoc site of a D9 or two they had got a hold of, Ds& Es they were, they had one on a float and were taking it somewhere but any way they were some of Stevies first D9s into NZ, any one over there know any more on those machines, they would be good restoration projects no doubt.Cheers RDG.

 

[Showpony]

A while back I did see some blokes posting some pics i think it might have been on the Acmoc site of a D9 or two they had got a hold of, Ds& Es they were, they had one on a float and were taking it somewhere but any way they were some of Stevies first D9s into NZ, any one over there know any more on those machines, they would be good restoration projects no doubt.Cheers RDG.

hi RDG
A couple of Stevensons original D9s and carryalls where in Rex Wilkinsons yard near Helensville when we purchased our 333ft from him, 18 months ago. I beleive he would sell them, they are in good nick for their age, and they wouldnt be too hard to restore, or put into work if you like fresh air.

 

[RDG]

That sounds like them, lets hope they dont get the gas torch through them and some one gives them a good home.

 

[68M]

Rex had 6 maybe more early D9D's in his yard at one stage mainly ex Stevie's but also one that is ex Winstone's. Two were being parted out, One sold to someone in Wanganui, with 3 possible runners remaining including Stevies first one. (18a's & 19a's)

 

[catken]

630b

Still can't get over how nice that 630 looks! That should go in about all the mags. ACMOC for sure. Just a super nice job of resto. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[X Quad Operator]

Good Morrning RayC, What neat photos of the 630B before it was painted, the photo you took standing on the right front is that a DW20 in the back ground? You need to take some photos of it two, and let us old timers drewl over that one to. I take it you don't live to far W.Stevenson & Sons LTD? and make sure you tell them for me that they did one fine resteration on that 630B. Do they still use the old girl every once in a while? Remember Ray we need more photos. Mike Nebergall

 

[D6 Merv]

Hi 68M and RDG.
Paul Watson [motat] on here is the guy who got the D9D, stevies no 81. He has also got one other of Rex,s D9Ds but has yet to pick it up; don,t know which one; as well as what was originally Duck bros D9D 18A1044 as a parts machine.
pic hopefully Merv

 

[D6 Merv]

Another pic
Rex also had in that collection No 41. 18A488 the very first D9 sold in NZ

 

[Gavin84w]

I am lead to believe there will be another nice resto job of a Cat scraper coming out of Drapers soon too.

 

[wayne.d7]

Thats a awesome resto job on the 630 congratulations
I worked for Stevensons at Kopuku about 1971-72
I have some photos i will find and try to post on here
I have one of the 630B No 348 parked outside the workshop after a repaint
It was a great place to work. I think they were the only hydraulic scrapers onsite when I started work there
They could not hold off the DW 20s repowered with the 1693 truck motors, on a run to the tip head and back to the cut
The DW 20s could do about 50 mph if I remember rightly The sound of those 1693s roaring through strait pipes, 3 feet in front of you is unforgetable,the main reason I am half deaf now I reckon Cheers Wayne