Dynamic Duo C - Georgia Krause Home Page

MACHINE MATTERS 

by Georgia Krause 

--COVER STORY-- 

Dynamic Duo 

Correctly match your scraper hauler 

with a pull-behind scraper unit 

26 

Equipment World • July 2008 • EquipmentWorld.com

Pairing a pull-behind scraper and scraper hauler – 

specifically designed for the task – is teamwork 

at its best. Pull-behind scrapers work well in light 

stripping applications with no severe grades or where 

the material weighs less than 3,000 pounds per bank 

cubic foot and has no rocks or debris. According to Scott 

Knoblauch, senior consultant with Caterpillar, if you are 

working in soft or very poor underfoot conditions, pullbehind 

scrapers have much higher flotation than selfpropelled 

scrapers. 

The haul distance on a job has been a factor in 

determining whether to use a self-propelled scraper 

or a pull-behind scraper. Generally, the self-propelled 

scrapers could travel faster over long distances (usually 

over a mile) but could carry only one load. Pullbehind 

scrapers could be linked up to three to a train 

and carry a greater total of material, but their less 

powerful towing tractors were slower than the self-propelled 

machines. Today, purpose-built scraper haulers 

are combining more pull power and faster speeds to 

let contractors move more cubic yards of material at 

efficient speeds. 

Since fuel consumption has become a machine decision 

factor, one advantage of pull-behind scrapers is that 

they usually require only one diesel-powered engine to 

move them. Robin Pett, president of UED, which distributes 

Bell scraper tractors in North America, says the 

Bell unit uses a scant 13 gallons per hour of fuel, making 

it less expensive to run than similar capacity self-propelled 

scrapers that can burn approximately 25 gallons 

per hour. Keep in mind, however, that you still need to 

take the cost per yard of material moved. This cost-peryard 

figure takes into account operating, maintenance 

and purchase costs. 

(continued on page 36) 

EquipmentWorld.com • July 2008 • Equipment World 27


Bell Equipment/Universal Equipment Distributors 

In January, Bell Equipment of South Africa appointed 

Universal Equipment Distributors as the North 

American distributor of Bell scraper haulers. The Bell 

4206D is coupled with the Makco M3338 gooseneck 

pull-behind scraper and the combined unit is now 

called the Bell 4206D motorized scraper. 

The scraper hauler portion of the Bell 4206D 

motorized scraper is also designed with a nod toward 

an articulated haul truck. The 4206D’s front suspension 

is a semi-independent A-frame configuration, 

with a solid mounted rear axle and is powered by a 

420-horsepower Mercedes OM501LA V-6 engine with 

a six-speed Allison HD 4060 automatic transmission 

featuring a torque converter and lock-up in all gears. 

The hauler disconnects from the pull-behind scraper 

and can be used to tow a water wagon or 50-ton 

side-dump wagon. 

The Makco M3338 gooseneck pullbehind 

ejector scraper on the Bell motorized 

scraper features a gooseneck ball 

hitch design that allows the complete unit 

– tractor and scraper – to be transported 

on one 50-foot low-boy trailer, eliminating 

the costs for two separate hauling trailers. 

The gooseneck also creates a 50/50 weight 

distribution from the scraper to the tractor, 

taking stress off the rear axle. The M3338 

scraper has a heavy-duty push block for 

dozer push loading. The pull-behind scraper 

has a heaped capacity of 38 cubic yards 

and struck capacity of 33 cubic yards. 

Caterpillar 

Challenger tractors, manufactured by AGCO and sold 

and serviced by North American Cat dealers, offer 

the new Challenger MT800 Series tracked scraper 

tractors. 

The five Challenger MT800 rubber-tracked scraper 

haulers are powered by Cat ACERT C15/C18 six-cylinder 

engines with horsepower ratings ranging from 

350 to 570 horsepower. Cat’s 16-speed push-button, 

powershift transmission propels the MT800 to a 

maximum speed of 24 mph. 

Challenger’s Mobil-Trac system, combined with 

the Opti-Ride suspension system, improves balance 

and traction and reduces 

compaction. The special 

application belts on the 

adjustable undercarriage 

are designed for dirt 

scraper operations and 

feature 2.5-inch-tall tread 

bars to improve cleaning 

and reduce tread bar 

flexing. Real-time track 

tension is monitored 

and changes on the left 

or right belts are displayed individually on the tractor 

management center console. All MT800 series 

scraper models have a standard scraper hitch plate 

that will withstand up to 20,000 pounds of vertical 

loads from semi-mounted units. 

In January, Caterpillar acquired E-Ject Systems in 

Elkader, Iowa, and Cat dealers in North America are 

the exclusive suppliers of four pull-behind scrapers 

models now with the Cat brand. 

The two wheel E-17 and E-22 scrapers and E-17XW 

and E-22XW four-wheel scrapers have load capacities 

of 17 and 22 cubic yards and feature high-strength 

construction. The fourwheel 

configuration 

features a walking beam 

suspension that reduces 

side-to-side sway and 

smoothes the ride in 

the cut and on the haul 

road. All four models are 

designed to be pulled 

by AGCO’s MT800 

and MT900 Series 

Challenger tractors. 

28 



John Deere 

Deere’s system mates the new Deere 9030 Series 

Special Tractors with the Deere fixed-blade ejector or 

carry-all pull-type scrapers. The Deere 9430, 9530 and 

9630 scraper haulers, introduced last fall, are attractive 

to contractors who need a high-horsepower, rugged 

pull unit for pull-behind scrapers but also have applications 

that require features found on an ag tractor. The 

9030 Series, based on Deere’s 9000 Series ag tractors, 

is powered by the John Deere PowerTech Plus 

13.5-liter engine that produces up to 530 horsepower. 

An 18-speed PowerShift transmission is standard 

on all 9030 series scraper tractors. Deere’s 

Volvo 

Richard Iddins, product marketing manager for Volvo 

Construction Equipment, says the T450D is a direct 

result of Volvo customers asking for more pull power, 

flexibility, durability and speed. 

Volvo’s T450D scraper hauler draws from the 

DNA of their articulated hauler family. The T450D’s 

12-liter, six-cylinder, 419-horsepower Volvo D12D 

engine provides the muscle required to pull up to three 

scrapers depending on the scraper configuration and 

total weight. 

The Volvo T450D scraper-hauler’s three-point 

A-frame independent suspension system on the front 

and rear axles allows each wheel to move independently 

over uneven or rocky terrain, increasing stability 

and reducing stress on the hauler’s frame. Dual circuit, 

wet-disc, oil-cooled service brakes on all wheels and a 

variable hydraulic transmission retarder safely slow the 

scraper-hauler and its attachments. 

The T450D’s drivetrain is designed specifically for 

the jolting operations found on a construction project. 

Equipped with Volvo’s own automatic planetary transmission, 

the T450D has a four-by-four drive with five 

operating modes to match operating conditions and can 

operate at a smart clip of 32 mph for faster cycle times. 

Operator controls include the scraper mode that 

automatically controls the speed of the scraper hauler 

AutoLoad option is new to their 9030 Series this year. 

AutoLoad automates the scraper’s hydraulic lift functions 

for faster repetitive loading and shorter cycle 

times. For additional support, Deere’s scraper-special 

tractors have front frame/axle reinforcement to accommodate 

high loads on the front end of the machine. 

Reinforced rear axles are standard on the 9530 and 

9630 models. 

Deere has added two more pull-behind scrapers 

to its lineup and says their new heavyweight 

18-cubic-yard 1810C carry-all scraper and 21-cubicyard 

2112E ejector scraper feature side frames that 

are 43 percent stronger than previous models and 

the overall width of the side arm is narrower for 

closer cuts to grade stakes. A more robust gate tower 

and heavy-duty gate arm increases pinch force by 

25 percent. Deere also says the upgraded blade support 

is 50 percent thicker and 100 percent stronger 

than current models. A new steeper-angled overflow 

guard makes top-loading easier. The cut width on the 

2112C is 12 feet and 10 feet on the 1810C model. 

for efficient loading. A vehicle information system monitors 

all fluid levels and displays the machine’s status in 

the instrument panel, minimizing service times. 

In May, Volvo and Ashland Industries entered into 

an agreement that will allow Volvo dealerships to 

sell Ashland I-180TS2 scrapers. Ashland’s I-180TS2 

heavy-duty 18-cubic-yard capacity ejector scraper 

features a 15-inch two-part pushbar extension system 

that protects the quick hitch and assists in loading 

in short distances. The scraper’s 126-inch cutting 

width allows fast loading and the 56-inch apron 

opening eliminates the need for double or triple ejecting 

in heavy soils. The heavy-duty hold-down roller in 

the sidewalls makes for easier ejection. 

30 



Icon 

Icon’s front lowering, eject style scrapers are 

available in a two-wheel 819 model and the 

four-wheel 821 model. The Icon’s electronic 

Operators Reference Gauge system, a standard 

feature on the 819 and 821, gives the 

operator precise feedback information on the 

height and depth of the cutting bit and front 

load gate. Both models have heavy cast 360 

swivel Quickhitch couplers and hydraulically 

operated disc brakes on each axle. The 819 

has a heaped capacity of 19 cubic yards and 

the 821 will carry 21 cubic yards. Each model 

has standard double wall construction on the 

sides. A push block is standard on the 821. 

Icon highlights the narrow transport width 

of these scrapers, the 819 being only 10 feet 

11 inches wide and the 821 just 1 foot wider. 

Recommended maximum horsepower for a 

wheeled or track tow unit is 600 horsepower. 

K-Tec 

K-Tec’s new 9.525 scraper is designed for narrow 

applications with a cutting width of just 11.6 inches. 

The 9.525’s heaped capacity is 25 cubic yards and 

fitted with LGP tires. Also new for 2008 is the K-Tec 

1453 scraper that features a 53-cubic-yard heaped 

capacity, the largest available according to the company. 

The 9.525 scraper requires 300 horsepower 

and the 1453 needs 500 horsepower. 

32 



Leon 

The Leon 1700 17-cubic-yard capacity scraper features 

heavy duty ball-type steering for rough or difficult pulling 

conditions. The front hydraulic push ejection system works 

with the tractor’s hydraulics to eject wet or sticky material in 

one pass. Side extensions are standard on the M1700. The 

scraper requires a maximum of 425 horsepower. 

Double D Manufacturing 

The Grade King Series leveling scrapers, built by Double 

D Manufacturing, are designed to work with extreme-duty 

wheeled or track pull units with maximum of up to 525 

horsepower. To increase the scraper’s flexibility, the Grade 

King can tow addition implements behind itself like compacting 

rollers, smooth drum rollers and Double D’s own 

Roll-N-Go sheepsfoot compactor. Options include a scarifier, 

a hydraulically lifted smooth drum roller, rear hydraulics 

and an aggression bar for grading gravel roads. 

Miskin 

Miskin’s new E Series 20-cubic-yard scraper, Model E-20, features a 

‘push-off ejector’ bowl that handles sticky material neatly. “The E-20 

cleans its own floor and sides each time it ejects, leaving no place 

for dirt to hang up,” says Mark Miskin, president of Miskin Scraper 

Works. The E-20 also features Miskin’s CushionRide suspension that 

protects the scraper at high travel speeds and in rough terrain. Disc 

brakes are available for applications involving steep grades. 

Reynolds 

Reynolds LGP high flotation special application scrapers are self-loading, applicable 

for excavating, transporting and spreading sand and wet materials. The 43-inch-wide 

super flotation tires eliminate mud buildup between side walls and reduces tire rutting 

for better ground speed. The RoughOut scrapers, Models 16CS10 and 17CS12, feature 

three piece reversible cutting blades with a permanently protruding center section that 

will not cut flat. Reynolds high flotation special scrapers can train up to three units for 

large scale applications. Suggested horsepower range is from 250 horsepower for the 

14CS10LGP model to 400 horsepower for the 17CS12LGP model. 

34 


Caution: 

Respect 

your transfer 

weight 

Ashland Industries CEO, 

Randy Rust, stresses 

that no matter 

which manufacturers’ 

scrapers 

or scraper haulers 

you prefer, it is imperative 

you understand and 

abide by the hauler’s transfer 

weight restrictions. You 

have to match your scraper’s capacity 

to your scraper hauler’s transfer weight. 

Here’s why: 

According to Rust, each scraper hauler 

has a specific weight limitation and/ 

or yardage capacity. Pull-behind scraper 

manufacturers are working with the 

scraper hauler makers to make sure their 

scrapers are designed to work within 

the scraper hauler’s specifications, but 

you should still ask your dealer what the 

‘transfer weight’ is for your machine. 

The dealer may give you a percentage 

figure (based on the number of cubic 

yards multiplied by the material density), 

a cubic yard capacity number or a specific 

pound limit. 

It is just as important to know your 

pull-behind scraper’s tongue weight. 

When you hook a fully loaded pullbehind 

scraper to your scraper hauler or 

tractor, the scraper’s weight distribution 

changes. Some of the pull-behind scraper’s 

weight transfers – rolls on – to the 

hauler. By staying within the weight limits 

set by your scraper hauler manufacturer, 

you can avoid significant damage 

to your scraper hauler during operations. 

Overloading the scraper hauler’s static 

weight limits can result in such things 

as rear axle deflection, bent wheels, lost 

lubrication seals and cracked frames. 

Understand your scraper hauler manufacturer’s 

warranty specifications so that 

you do not violate your warranty. Rust 

says this caution is especially important 

for scraper haulers towing only one 

scraper. Scraper haulers pulling multiple 

scrapers will disburse some of the 

transfer weight stress between the scrapers 

but on a single scraper hauler/pullbehind 

scraper pairing, the hauler takes 

most of the weight. 

Another thing to consider is how 

your scraper-hauler combination will 

stop. The International Organization 

for Standardization regulation ISO3450 

has established a minimum performance 

for brake systems on earth 

moving machinery. Your hauler may 

have the strength to pull your scraper 

and material, but it needs the ability 

to safely come to a halt. Additionally, 

each scraper should have brakes that 

allow it to stop by itself. If either your 

scraper or your hauler isn’t rated to 

work with the other, you risk damaging 

your equipment and putting your operator 

in danger. Consider the hefty fines 

OSHA or MSHA can levy if they find the 

scraper and hauler are mismatched. An 

example of a scraper/hauler combination 

that meets the ISO3450 requirements 

is Volvo’s T450D hauler and the 

Ashland I-180TS2 scraper. 

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EquipmentWorld.com • July 2008 • Equipment World 35


The K-Tec 9.525 scraper can self-load or 

be push loaded or top loaded. 

(continued from page 27) 

The powers that be 

While pull-behind scraper manufacturers 

strive to design scraper equipment 

that works well with most haulers, 

and scraper hauler manufacturers 

build construction-grade haulers, 

Randy Rust at Ashland Industries 

says both machines must work well 

together. Matching the scraper hauler 

to the scraper will maximize production, 

decrease down time and provide 

the lowest cost per yard over 

the long run. 

Regular-duty ag tractors with 

enough horsepower can be used to 

tow a pull-behind scraper but they 

aren’t built to pull heavy material or 

multiple scrapers through rocky or 

wet conditions, “A standard ag tractor 

doesn’t have the proper gear mechanisms,” 

says Danny Dumey, president 

of Double D Manufacturing. “If 

they get into soft conditions, they run 

out of power and can’t get the job 

done.” So equipment manufacturers 

are building construction-grade 

scraper haulers that take the best 

from the manufacturers’ power unit 

lineups. 

Scraper haulers such as Cat’s 

Challenger MT800 Series scraper tractor 

and Deere’s 9030 Series scraper 

36 

Equipment World • July 2008 • EquipmentWorld.com 

special tractors are enhanced with 

stronger frames, reinforced suspensions, 

autoload systems and more 

powerful drivetrains. 

Volvo’s T450D and Bell’s 4206 

scraper hauler models are designed 

with a nod to the strengths found in 

an articulated truck like four-wheeldrive, 

all-wheel ground contact and 

equal weight distribution during 

loading and transport. 

Both style scraper haulers give 

you the flexibility to use them to pull 

other heavy attachments like water 

tanks, rollers, compactors and rippers. 

Scraper haulers designed to 

do multiple tasks give you a better 

return on your initial investment and 

will hold their value when it comes 

time to sell. 

In fact, James Hausner, vice president 

of marketing for Reynolds 

International, says a key consideration 

when buying a scraper hauler 

is the unit’s resale value. “A hauler 

should be able to be used for several 

applications. A contractor limits 

his equipment’s resale value if he 

buys a machine that only does one 

thing. The hauler’s versatility increases 

the contractor’s return on his initial 

investment.” EW 

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