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Home » Equipment Today » June 2007

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Cut Costs and Fill Profits

Pull Scraper Systems

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When you factor in the fuel consumption and support equipment requirements, a pull scraper used in the proper environment can yield substantial savings.

"We at Deere say half the labor, one-third the investment and $.30 to $.50/yd. savings when compared to other modes of moving material," says Mat Zeringue, Deere & Company. "The information, validated by customers, is that one operator can load, carry, fill and compact with one system. The difference in operating cost is the number of operators, the support equipment, the number of engines burning fuel and the increased carrying capacities of pull-type scrapers."

Depending on the configuration used, the difference in the amount of fuel burned can be sizable. "A 450- to 500-hp tractor can burn 15 to 16 gph," says League. A comparable self-propelled scraper may use 22 to 30 gph, depending on the model.

Technique Required
You cannot operate a pull scraper in the same manner as a self-propelled scraper. "It's a completely different way of operating," says Brad League, Bennington Equipment. "The biggest problem with tractors and pull scrapers is someone who has operated self-propelled scrapers will go out there and try to operate the same way they are used to. They are extremely disappointed because it doesn't do what they thought it would do."

Speed is critical when loading a pull scraper. "They load easier if you speed up," says Allan Clark, Clark Bros. Inc. "It pushes the dirt up faster and higher into the scraper than if you are just barely moving. Of course, when you are going slower, you can cut a little deeper, but you don't get loaded any faster."