3 Advantages of Alley Scraper Systems vs. Skid Steers
Dairy farmers face a daily challenge that’s as constant as the sunrise: manure management. Thankfully, advancements in technology and engineering have provided other options besides the shovel. Improving efficiency and reducing costs are at the core of most decisions. Let’s explore some advantages of the alley scraper system and how it can impact your operation:
- Labor Savings That Add Up
Farmers face many challenges, labor-related issues being near the top. They run up against:
- Labor Expense
- Finding reliable workers
Alley scraper systems can help solve both problems. Utilizing a single 1-to 2- horsepower electric motor, alley scraper systems can be programmed on custom clea
ning cycles, without operator’s constant attention. This automat
ion frees up farm managers and employees to focus on other tasks or frees up necessary
manpower in order to increase the herd size.
Skid steers require driver-operators. In addition to labor needed to drive the skid steer, labor is needed for maintenance, cleaning, and changing out attachments.
Alley scrapers offer quick cost savings benefits with less manpower. Perhaps the most immediately felt benefit of an alley scraper is in reduced manpower requirements and the reduction in labor expense.
Herd Health & Cow Comfort
Keeping the herd comfortable and healthy is the goal. There’s a direct correlation between herd health and the quantity and quality of milk production. Here are some items that factor in to optimizing your herd’s health:
Cleanliness
Cleanliness directly impacts herd health and comfort. Dedicated alley scrapers provide a significant advantage in this area over skid steers.
Alley scrapers clean continuously. Skid steers are oftentimes used for multiple purposes and in multiple barns. When the same piece of equipment is used to feed and clean, the chance of disease spreading increases. The same holds true for equipment that travels among barns. A disease in one barn has a greater chance of spreading to the other barns through that piece of equipment. There’s more labor involved with multi-purpose equipment too. The equipment needs to be cleaned, and attachments changed out between the different tasks.
Alley scrapers clean on a consistent and timely basis, according to your operation’s needs. These frequent and regular cleaning intervals help maintain drier, cleaner walking surfaces for cattle compared to the typical once or twice daily cleaning schedule feasible with skid steer operations. Alley scrapers are designed to provide thorough cleaning with each pass, effectively removing manure with minimal residue. This helps reduce ammonia levels in barns and creates a healthier environment for both animals and workers.
Cows are laying down 12 – 14 hours per day. When they lay down, their legs contact their udders. Frequent and consistent cleaning promotes better leg hygiene, resulting in lower somatic cell count, reduced risk of mastitis, foot warts, and other diseases. Leg hygiene is important for optimizing health herd and the quality of milk production.
Cleanliness also improves milking efficiency. Robot milkers work better, and milking parlor workers spend less time cleaning and prepping cows for machine attachment. Cleaner cows make it easier to keep labor.
Safety & Stress
Alley scrapers are safer and less stressful for cows. They have little disturbance to the herd and the noise level is minimal. How the herd benefits from alley scrapers:
- Adapt to scrapers cleaning the alley by stepping over or around them
- Trains cows to spend their time laying in their stalls and out of the alley
- Reduces livestock handing – livestock does not need to be moved, and their routine is not interrupted
- Safety of animals, workers and guests – some alley scrapers sense objects and will ‘bump’ and/or stop when encountering an object. Skid steers are manually driven. Accidents are more apt to happen on skid steers due to limited range of view and by unexpected movements from people or animals.
- Long-Term Cost Efficiency
Alley scrapers systems are an economical solution for manure removal. In addition to labor, farmers should consider several other cost-saving factors of alley scrapers:
- Fuel costs are substantially lower with electric-powered scraper systems compared to diesel or gas-powered skid steers
- Due to fewer moving parts, alley scraper maintenance and servicing requirements are less frequent. With skid steers, replacement of tires, rims, and other parts are common.
- Unplanned repairs increase with the use of skid steers. Stalls, gates, posts, doors, and other building features are oftentimes hit by equipment. These can be costly repairs. Even cows are not exempt from potential injury.
- The extended operational lifespan of quality scraper systems can span decades with proper maintenance.
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Operation
While skid steers have their place on a dairy farm, alley scrapers offer distinct advantages in terms of labor, herd health, and cost efficiency. By automating the manure removal process, alley scrapers can save you time, reduce labor costs, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for your cows. Consider the benefits of an alley scraper system for your dairy operation and discover how it can improve the quality and quantity of milk production and your bottom line.
To learn how Patz Corporation’s manure handling equipment can improve efficiency on your dairy operation, visit patzcorp.com (https://patzcorp.com) or call 920-897-2251.
