How do you choose the right manure scraper for your dairy barn?
A manure scraper that is well suited to your dairy barn not only helps maintain a clean environment, but also contributes to cow comfort, safety and efficient farm management. In addition, removing manure quickly and regularly can help reduce ammonia emissions.
This article explains why regular manure removal is important, which manure scraper is suitable for your barn floor, how frequently the scraper should operate and how the system can be combined with calm, undisturbed feeding behaviour.
Why is effective manure removal important?
When manure is removed from a barn regularly, the walkways remain cleaner and easier for the cows to navigate. This offers several benefits:
Automatic manure removal with a manure scraper
An automatic manure removal system, such as a manure scraper, can be used to clean the walkways at regular intervals.
A scraper is installed in each manure alley and moves through the alley at preset times. Different types of manure scrapers are available for different floor types and barn layouts.
Why choose a manure scraper for your dairy barn?
A manure scraper is a relatively straightforward system. It is pulled backwards and forwards through a fixed manure alley and does not need to negotiate corners or follow complicated routes. This simple operating principle makes the system reliable and easy to maintain.
Our manure scraper system consists of two drive stations with drum drives, several plastic corner wheels and one or more scrapers driven by Spinder PE rope. It is a highly animal-friendly, low-maintenance system that helps keep barn floors clean and dry.
What are the advantages of a rope-driven manure scraper?
A rope is thinner and more flexible than a chain, for example. It therefore causes minimal obstruction to cows stepping over it. The material is also relatively easy to repair or replace when necessary.
But is a rope strong enough to drive a manure scraper? And will it not stretch too much over time?
Spinder PE rope is a 10 mm synthetic rope with a tensile strength of 9,000 kg and minimal stretch of approximately 3–4%. This allows the scraper to move smoothly and quietly. The rope has a long service life and, most importantly, is highly hoof-friendly.
Which manure scraper should you choose?
The most suitable manure scraper primarily depends on the type of barn floor. We offer manure scrapers for a range of surfaces, including:
Every floor type has different requirements. The shape and design of the scraper must therefore be properly matched to the floor surface. Only then can the manure be removed as completely as possible without damaging the floor.
We offer a suitable solution for every barn, including barns with manure alleys of different lengths. View our product catalogue to see which manure scrapers are available, or contact us for advice on the most appropriate configuration.
How frequently should a manure scraper operate?
The required scraping frequency varies from one dairy barn to another. As a general guideline, the scraper can be activated approximately once every 90 minutes. However, the ideal frequency depends on several factors, including:
Manure accumulates more quickly in areas where many cows gather, such as near the feed barrier, milking robot or passageways between different sections of the barn. These areas may need to be scraped more frequently than quieter parts of the barn.
Regularly check whether the floor remains sufficiently clean and easy to walk on between scraping cycles. If a large amount of manure remains on the floor, the scraping frequency may need to be increased or the scraper may require maintenance.
How can a manure scraper be combined with good feeding behaviour?
It is important for dairy cows to be able to eat calmly and without obstruction. A manure scraper moving along the feed barrier can affect their feeding behaviour. Ideally, cows should be able to continue eating without being disturbed.
A raised feeding platform can provide a solution. While feeding, the cows stand with their feet on the raised platform, allowing the manure scraper to pass behind them. This means that the cows do not have to lift their feet and prevents manure from being pushed onto their legs and hooves.
Feed-barrier brackets can be installed to prevent cows from using the feeding platform as a walkway. When the platform is wide enough for cows to stand on it with all four feet, the brackets encourage them to defecate in the manure alley. This reduces the contaminated floor area and may therefore help lower emissions within the barn.
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