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"The elevator scrapers are used in applications where we need to pick up dirt that has either been moved or handled by another machine, or to clean up an area and move the dirt," says David Valadez. "The elevator scrapers are very high maintenance in comparison and the annual expenditures are quite a bit more vs. the pull scrapers."

This is reflected in the usage. "We probably run between 300 to 500 hours a year on each of our elevated scrapers, where we run 1,500 to 2,500 hours with each of our tractors [with scrapers]," says Valadez.

The pull scrapers have proven to be high-production tools. Soil conditions on jobsites vary from heavy clays to sandy soils, and most cuts are done at between 3.5 and 4.5 mph. Given a 300-yd. haul distance, Valadez reports he can move 2,000 yds. a day with the 12-yd. tandem pull scraper rigs, and 3,000 yds. a day with the tandem 17-yd. scraper rigs.

The rigs have all proven reliable. "It is not that we don't have any problems at all, but they are very durable, and they can be rebuilt and will work just as good as a brand new one," says Valadez.

Conditions dictate choice
No pull scraper system is right for every application. "Tractors and scrapers can be configured differently to adapt to the various soil types," says Mat Zeringue, product consultant, Deere & Company. "While ejector scrapers perform better in heavier clays, carry-alls are the choice for sand. Both models can perform well in mixed soils."