For me, a Cat D9H or a D9L wins the top spot.
The D9H being big, lethargic, with absolutely no visibility out the front or rear.
The D9L having a shorter u/c and weighing slightly less than a D10N still put down more ground psi.
Even with less HP, I could easily take an L equipped with a single shank and out rip 10N's and R's and not have to beat myself to death doing it.
For me, both are still the easiest machines as far as being able to "feel" your work.
Many times, being able to feel the machine react to your commands is just as, if not more important than being able to see it react.
With no cab, no rattling doors, no plastic, no fancy electronics, no frills, bells or whistles.
The D9H and D9L were direct and to the point.
They responded to the operators controls without any of todays electronic enhancers, fine tuners and operator settings.
Skill was required to run the older machines.
Dont get me wrong.
It still takes a skilled operator to figure out how to set up and fine tune the hydraulic reaction time, blade and ripper position memory position thingy, auto shift, climate control and lumbar support settings. :stirthepot
I just dont understand why the tractor needs to remember where to position the rippers or how fast to drop the blade :beatsme
Seriously, remembering to position my rippers for me?:idontgetit
Will I forget or am I just too damned busy?
And the bade/hydraulic/ reaction/speed/fine grade setting.
A skilled operator does this by grabbing the hydraulic controls with his right hand and working the decelerator with his right foot.:stirthepot
I guess in a way todays fancy electronics (auto bubble) make up for the skill that was once required to get the same job done.:my2c