ASHLAND SCRAPERS
Instruction: Operation and Maintenance
APRON OPENING GUIDELINES:
You will need to determine the ideal opening for your soil condition. It is important to have the apron
opened prior to loading To receive the highest production possible, it is important to know the general
characteristics of the material that you will be loading. In heavier soils like clay or gumbo, the soil will
slab up and and remain together after being cut by the blades. In lighter soils, like sand or dry loose top
soil, the matieral will pile up or push after being cut by the blade. Use the suggestions listed below:
Topsoil with heavy vegetation (12” to 24” opening):
When cutting undisturbed soils, you will need to open the apron high enough to allow debris to easily
enter the scraper bowl. If the apron is opened too high, the rolling up sod will fall out past the apron
and hinder the incoming material. If the apron is not adjusted quick enough, the material will bunch or
push ahead of the machine. If this happens, you should close the apron and pull out the cut quickly. If
you wait too long, you may develop too large a pile to clear the scraper while rising out of the cut. This
can cause the power unit to lose traction and possibly cause you to get stuck.
Clay or loamy material (6” to 12” opening):
To cut clay or loam soils, lower the apron to approximately 6” to 12” between the blades and the bottom
of the apron. When you first lower the bowl, you’ll see the material being cut by the blades and
entering the bowl. As you continue to move forward, small clumps will fall past the apron and develop a
small pile ahead of the apron. By limiting this apron opening, the small pile will “blade off” any loose
material ahead of the machine. Adjustments should be made if large objects such as rocks or deep
gouges are within the cut.
Sand or loose top soil (15” to 30” opening):
Loading sand or loose top soil is the most difficult type of soil to load. In combination with the larger
apron opening, you’ll want to operate at a faster ground speed. By traveling faster and lowering the
blade deeper than normal, it forces the material into the scraper bowl.
We encourage you to experiment with different apron openings to determine the best condition for your
jobsite.
The Apron is designed to capture material inside of the scraper bowl and should not be used as a large
blade. Obstructions like large rocks or dense piles may cause the apron to bend inward after prolonged
exposure to these conditions.
PHONE : 715-682-4622 Fax: 715-682-9717
P.O. Box 717
1115 Rail Dr
Ashland , WI 54806
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