Model 320 Alley Scraper Success Story
Skid Steer is No Match!
Dura Family Dairy is located in Peshtigo, Wisconsin along busy Highway 41. Leonard and Tom Dura, brothers, along with their wives and family, run this dairy. Both Leonard and Tom have sons who will be continuing the family farm. In preparation, the Dura Family Dairy went through an extensive expansion project in 2000. The herd was increased from about 180 to 300 milking cows. They are now milking 320 cows. The Duras raise all heifer calves and presently have around 700 head of cattle, including the dry cows and young stock.
"There are no cons, only pros."
Drive unit can be installed either inside or outside the barn.
Patz Dealer, Cover-All of Wisconsin, LLC of Stratford, Wisconsin, completed construction of their new barn and installed two Patz Model 320 Alley Scrapers. For two weeks, prior to the installation of the Patz Alley Scrapers, the Duras had to scrape the alleys using a skid steer.
When Leonard Dura was asked about the pros and cons of an alley scraper, he replied, "There are no cons, only pros." He explained, "With the skid steer, you could only clean the alley when the cows were gone to the parlor for milking; that was twice a day. The cows and alleys were dirty for most of the day."
The alley scrapers are timed to run every three hours, except in extreme cold when the Duras run them on a continuous cycle. The cows adapted to the scrapers right away and according to Leonard, they are not disrupted by them at all.
"Many times they will be eating when the scraper comes through; they just step over and never even lift their head from feeding," says Leonard. "The cows are much cleaner using less sawdust bedding."
Scraper keeps the cows clean, with less bedding.
Compare the cost - Patz Alley Scrapers win every time!
The Duras replace the 3/8" galvanized cable every year and the scrapers after four years of service. Leonard says the cost of installing and maintaining the alley scrapers is cheaper than using a skid steer:
"When you look at the cost of the alley scraper and compare it to the cost of wearing out a skid steer and the added labor for a driver, the alley scraper will win out every time."
The Patz Model 6000 Vertical Pit Pump can agitate and pump out to the storage area or pump directly into a manure tanker.
The Duras rely on Patz!
The Duras also have several other pieces of Patz equipment such as a Patz Model 6000 PTO Driven Vertical Pit Pump. This pump can either agitate and pump out the 2 1/2 week capacity reception pit directly into a waiting manure tanker, or it can pump into a larger storage area, which can accommodate a three month supply of manure. Cleaner cows are healthier cows. Healthy cows increase profits through lower vet bills and higher milk production.
Patz salutes another generation continuing the tradition of the family farm!