A cubicle bedding spreader that turns a yard scraper into a two-in-one device is a welcome labour- and time-saver, say early users.

The Scrapenser, from fledgling manufacturer Ian Cleasby Agricultural, is a side-dispensing belt hopper with versions that fit box-type and flip-over scrapers to spread sawdust and other cubicle bedding material while scraping the muck channel.

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Ian Cleasby conceived the idea while living and working on a 70-cow dairy farm near Penrith, Cumbria, but it remained just an idea for several years, until his nephew started working on the farm.

“I told him about my alternative to bedding the cubicles with a barrow and shovel and he was enthusiastic,” Mr Cleasby explains.

“I got a local company to fabricate the first prototype to fit our Browns box scraper and it worked perfectly.

“In fact, that first prototype is still working almost five years later without being touched apart from greasing the four bearings on the drive and idler rollers.”

For box-type scrapers, the bedding dispenser’s hopper is built to a low profile to maintain visibility to the rear and is constructed in two sections, with the rear half tipping forwards to feed the hydraulically driven rubber belt.

The more basic fixed hopper version is for flip-over scrapers, and there is a simple pull-rope-operated agitator option designed to stop finely shredded paper from bridging over the discharge belt.

Sizes from 1.5m to 2.4m wide have been built and, in addition to inviting farmers to suggest bespoke builds to suit particular requirements, Mr Cleasby is considering a higher-capacity flip-scraper model for larger dairy operations, and also a self-loading variant of the patented device.

The Scrapenser is now available through Rickerby branches covering the north of England, and while dealers in other areas are sought it is available direct on a two-week “buy and try” basis.

Prices start at £2,900 for the 1.5m flip-over scraper version, while the 1.8m box scraper model costs £3,900.