Dirt Scraper (Dirt Pan) / Towed Vs. Dirt Scoop / 3-Pt. - WHICH ROUTE ????

[jeff9366]

Dirt Scraper (Dirt Pan) / *Towed* Vs. Dirt Scoop / *3-Pt* - WHICH ROUTE ????

Of late T-B-N has hosted goodly number of new threads on Dirt Scrapers, AKA Dirt Pans; towed implements that scrape up dirt then transport it. The brand I have researched, Hoelscher, makes their 48" model DB-4 / .9 cubic yard, for 25-35 horsepower tractors.

Hoelscher dealer in Alachua, Florida, Alachua Tractor and Equipment, quoted me DB-4 $6000 (Apron +$1780),
DB-5 $6400 (Apron +$1810); expensive attachments new.

Dirt Scoops, which mount on the 3-Pt. Hitch and are pulled, or, less frequently, pushed, are made by Leinbach, King Kutter and are at my local TSC/ in stock. Dirt Scoops are $350-$400.

Capacity of DB-4 Hoelscher Pan is 24 cubic feet; for 30" Leinbach Scoop 10 cubic feet.

I like GOOD equipment. Equally I worship the KISS Principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Pans and Scoops both succeed in the market with disparate price points.

I have NO experience with either type. (I do move dirt with a Rollover Box Blade)

WHICH TYPE TO BUY, PAN OR SCOOP?

LINKS:

http://www.hoelscher.com/prod_dbscraper.htm#specs

http://www.hoelscherinc.com/movies/dbscraper.mpg

Scoop Pan Scoop pan [# 30] : Leinbach Machinery, Implements and attachments for agriculture and landscaping

 

[Piston]

Do you have a FEL?

What are you trying to do with it?

I think your needs will dictate which to buy. What would you be pulling it with, and how much does it weigh?

 

[jeff9366]

YES. I have a Kubota B3300SU tractor/loader package including Kubota LA504 FEL. (33-hp/4-WD/1,800 pounds/industrial tires)

I have been hauling dirt around 200 acre residential development in 1/2 ton dump trailer, for trail development and landscaping.

Too slow given my need. Dump trailer I have satisfies other trailer requirements.

Larger King Kutter XB Trailer, 1-1/2 tons, is $2900, delivered. Nice rig but not what I think I want AT THIS MOMENT.

 

[gabby]

You can do much more with the the towed pan but don't try to get by with the minimum horsepower because it won't be nearly enough.

 

[jeff9366]

I have sandy-loam here, no rocks, in Fanning Springs, Florida.

I rarely need rippers when pulling 60", 630 pound 'Bush Hog' Rollover Box Blade, it cuts fine until 3/4 full, then, I admit, tractor tires lose traction.

When soil is dry it is "fluffy" but that is only 4-5 months of the year, divided between two "dry" seasons.

The 48" Hoelscher Dirt Pan weighs 980 pounds but has gauge wheels. Will not gauge wheels control/decrease draft?


[ I do eat beef, often. Beef is whats for dinner.]

 

[texasjohn]

I used a dirt pan to scrape out and enlarge my dirt tanks...tough clay soil, 50 hp tractor...limiting factor was traction...even with extra weight on rear of tractor and FEL bucket full. Glory of dirt pan is that you can fill the pan then drive at reasonable speed to dump site, then spread reasonably evenly, turn and go back to the dig site.

So, as long as dump site is reasonably close to dig site, it's great...however, I cannot imagine carrying the dirt that way any more than a couple hundred yards before a different technique ...dump trailer...would be needed. I've not used a dirt scoop, but believe that for the application you have it would be more difficult to operate than the dirt pan...thus, the pan is simpler although more expensive by a lot...also, width of pan is likely a better match for what you are doing. Pan makes a nice, even cut of dirt most of the time about 1 inch deep for a pull until the bed is full, then hydraulically it is lifted to become a trailer behind the tractor. At dump site, hydraulics, again, initiate the dump which is somewhat controlled over the area...spread about 6 inches to 12 inches thick.

Recommendation....use each at a dealer and move several scoops back and forth. It will immediately become clear which one will be the best for what you are wanting to do. Their operation and capabilities and speed of operation are vastly different.

 

[Piston]

I think for your uses, considering that you have fairy easy soil to deal with, the towable dirt pan from Hoelcshler is by far the way to go. You have the FEL with bucket that will do a much better job scooping dirt than any 3 pt dirt scoop.
Typically it seems that people buy dirt scoops because they don't have a FEL, whereas people buy towable dirt pans to COMPLEMENT their FEL, when doing a job similar to what you are doing.
I would go with the towable dirt pan/scraper.

 

[jeff9366]

So, as long as dump site is reasonably close to dig site, it's great...however, I cannot imagine carrying the dirt that way any more than a couple hundred yards before a different technique ...dump trailer...would be needed.

Just 200 yards? In my ignorance it seems like a short transport distance for a wheeled pan. Please expand on distance perspective from your experience.

 

[texasjohn]

I was traveling over rough pasture, not any roads or smooth ground, thus transit time gets more significant as distance increases. I did not have to move the spoil very far anyway. I was paying rent by the day, thus aware of time required. I guess depending on resources available and needs the crossover distance/time between transport via pan vs load into dump trailer will vary. I have 200ish acres and it's a mile of travel from one side to the other....I just wanted to point out that in your case with 400 acres transit time from one side to the other could be significant.

 

[Jnasystems]

I have never used either, so I can't say what would be better, but according to the links you have above, the scoop only holds 10 cubic ft and the pan .9 yards (that is 24.3 cubic ft). Not sure how easy it is to load, but if similar, the pan would do a lot more work (probably better) than the scoop in a day.