Are Scrapers Becoming Obsolete?

[alan627b]

The new stadium is on the north side of highway 370 around 132nd street. Omaha extends at least to 214th street, since they annexed Elkhorn a couple of years ago.
To the disgust of most Elkhorn residents.
I went out to the stadium site and they had 10 627's and 4 or 5 621G's and the support equipment already there, they already had been stripping, but the rain has put a hold on work for a day or two.
One way or another, I'll get pics.

[maldenbrookfarm]

Does anyone have any idea of what a military Clark 290M rubber tired scraper would be worth? It's about 30 years old and has been kept inside a building for the last 25 years or so. I know someone who has one that may be interested in selling it.

[AmerIndependent]

Originally Posted by maldenbrookfarm

Does anyone have any idea of what a military Clark 290M rubber tired scraper would be worth? It's about 30 years old and has been kept inside a building for the last 25 years or so. I know someone who has one that may be interested in selling it.

I see one sold in an auction 3/7/2008 - 3/8/2008 In Elk City, Oklahoma for $6,500. I think it was just for the tractor though and probably didn't include the scraper.

[maldenbrookfarm]

Thanks for the quick reply on pricing of the Clark 290M. He doesn't have the scraper. I am seeing around the same price as you $6,500 - $10,000

However I just found this listing and it's just for the engine on EBAY. Can this be correct?
Enlarge




Big Cam 400hp Cummins for Clark 290M Tractor, rebuilt
We can help arrange freight

Item condition: Used

Time left: 27 days 3 hours (Dec 02, 200915:05:11 PST)


Price: US $13,950.00 Buy It NowBuy It NowBuy It Now

[AmerIndependent]

Originally Posted by maldenbrookfarm

Thanks for the quick reply on pricing of the Clark 290M. He doesn't have the scraper. I am seeing around the same price as you $6,500 - $10,000

However I just found this listing and it's just for the engine on EBAY. Can this be correct?
Enlarge




Big Cam 400hp Cummins for Clark 290M Tractor, rebuilt
We can help arrange freight

Item condition: Used

Time left: 27 days 3 hours (Dec 02, 200915:05:11 PST)


Price: US $13,950.00 Buy It NowBuy It NowBuy It Now

I can't say for certain but I don't see that selling anytime soon. I'm a Cat man though so I could be wrong. It's not my area of expertise.

[Trakwork]

Even if an excavator and truck combo can move more material than a scraper, (which depends on many soil/weather conditions)....the problem... you are employing two operators and using two pieces of machinery to do what one scraper and operator could do. How is that cost effective? The mining industry will be growing alot in the coming years , at least there will be more mines in operation , I think the Scraper has a good future.

[Gavin84w]

The simple fact is there are certain times when nothing can move dirt as cheap as scoops, so while contractors still do the same as they did 30 years ago and bid dirt work it will be the same in 30 years time when they still go and bid dirt work and there will be a certain tool right for each task. The scrapers future is solid, sure the heydays of big dams, interstates, airports etc would seem to be behind us but along come other jobs, heck look at a housing subdivision in California, some of the scraper fleets and earthwork volumes for those jobs are incredible.

I have just assembled the first commercially available Cat scraper simulator for a customer in Australia and it is incredible the realism it has and will be a fantastic tool for training operators and goes to show the faith put in the scraper by this particular customer and what part they will continue to play in the future.

Go to https://www.catsimulators.com/p-130-...simulator.aspx to see the unit.

The features of this unit are absolutely 100% accurate without the bounce!!!

[RANDY ROME]

not even think the scraper will be unique in its kind

[J_Deere]

I was really shocked years ago when John Deere stopped building scrapers. I was told that John Deere was betting on the 6 wheel drive dump trucks and excavators becoming the next big thing. In a lot of applications they do work great. But for precise grading, nothing beats a good scraper!

[Greg]

Deere was never a big factor in the scraper market anyway in my opinion. The small paddle wheel machine is comparable to the CAt 613 series and is limited in where it can go with the chains and paddles. In other words don't put them in the rock.

As long as there is money to be made with scrapers around here they won't be obsolete with me.

[bigrus]

Originally Posted by Greg

Deere was never a big factor in the scraper market anyway in my opinion. The small paddle wheel machine is comparable to the CAt 613 series and is limited in where it can go with the chains and paddles. In other words don't put them in the rock.

As long as there is money to be made with scrapers around here they won't be obsolete with me.

They will be far from obsolete. Most of the irrigation development earthworks done around here throughout the 70's and 80's (northern NSW Australia) were done with scrapers. Elevating types were preferred and their use grew from 11yd3 up to 23 and 33yd3 machines as the seasons became drier, enabling the 'black soil' to carry larger capacity machinery.
Similarly, in city subdivisions, as areas developed became drier, the use of 6 wheel drive dump trucks were replaced by scrapers. One machine doing the job of four, load carry spread and compact
In the optimum conditions, nothing will out do a scraper, whether it be a twin power, single engine OB or elevator

Cheers Russ
Dresser A450E
Wabco 101F