Hi Serv. I sent a message to my friend Claney, just to see if that machine was the same one, although I doubt it is. I'll let you know.
It's hard to recommend a scraper, until I know what you have in mind to do with it, and what kind of yardage you have to move.
If bigger is better, you could probably get a smoking deal on 657's, since the market is soft and California contractors are facing some stiff emissions standards. They either have to buy newer machines or spend some serious coin to put newer model engines in those old 657's. Shipping them from CA to Texas would probably cost some serious money! You need a BIG lowboy with lots of axles, or break them down then re-assemble them. And I'd imagine a machine that big will use a lot of fuel in a typical shift.
Scrapers in the 14-20 yard class, like a cat 621/627B or TS14, or moving up to the 26-30 yard class, like the cat 631/637 or S24/TS24, would probably be a better bet.
If you can use an elevating scraper, you'd be after the Cat 623 or 633. I'm not sure what the Terex equal is.
I'd think about standardizing on one brand, it would make parts inventory easier.
Cat has good parts availability even on older models, and a great dealer network. But then again, Terex scrapers use either Detroit Diesels or Cummins engines depending on age, and Allison automatics. I suppose it depends on where you are how good the product support is.
I tend to lean towards Cat, that's what I have experience with. Others may cheerlead for Euclid/Terex. I think you could probably do OK with either, just check them out very carefully.
You can check out what they sell for on Machinerytrader.com
As far as the other brands, IH(junk), Allis Chalmers or Fiat Allis, or Clark/Michigan scrapers, I think I'd steer clear of any of them, especially the larger models, because I don't think they have good product support anymore. You don't want an orphan for a production machine.
My vote would be
Twin engines, if they are going to load themselves. Push pull a plus.
1) Cat 621/627 B model, still decent parts availability, not as complicated as the later models. Less electronics. If you were tempted to get an A model, at least get a late serial number one with the cushion hitch, unless haul speed isn't important. 15S series on the B, all the better improvements.Try to get ones with the bigger 33.25X29 tires, over the 29.5X29, superior in most situations, imperative in mud. Might not be a biggee in Texas! Plus, they ride better with the taller rubber.
2) Terex TS14 or S24/TS24, preferably a B model like you pictured. The older models of those are really getting up there in age nowadays. If you can get a bunch cheap, pick the best to use and have a couple around to use for parts. The only big faults I've heard about these is, air shifted (plastic lines to break) no power down on the ejector, they have a hydraulic lift but still have a cable link. Deafness due to those 2 stroke Detroits!
) Maybe some more 290M or 830B's, they can be used for other things when not pulling scrapers. If you can find them close.
Keep me informed, I'd like to hear how it turns out.
The S24 you pictured, with the wierd tank on the back...I'll bet it used to be a twin engine, had it removed, and they mounted the fuel tank back there.Maybe an extra or larger one. A guy in Kansas City has a fleet of S24B's and converted TS24B's, and they did the same thing. I think they have also put bigger front engines inthem to make up for getting rid of the rear engines. They also use pushcats. If the rear wheels still have planetaries in them, it's been converted.
Alan627b
A bit of a step up from my 101F in every department 