There are a lot of options in the market for battery ride-on scrapers. National proudly manufactures 8 different models of ride-on scraper in battery, electric, and propane versions. Battery scrapers are the most common, so we are comparing two of National’s best sellers, the 5700 and 7700.
What’s the difference? On the surface, they don’t appear too different. Sure, the 7700 has bigger wheels and comes standard with dual-lift (the 5700 is available in manual and dual-lift). The real difference is under the hood and on the job. With bigger wheels, more weight, more powerful batteries, and stronger hydraulic pumps and wheel motors, the 7700 moves quicker than the 5700. The 7700 both travels faster and removes material faster. The added weight means that the added speed doesn’t cause the tooling to come out of the work like it may with lighter machines.
Is the 5700 or 7700 right for you?
At NFE, we think of the 5700 and 5700DL as the “F-150” of the scraper world. It’s reliable, has more than enough power for day-to-day work, and, for the price, will likely exceed your expectations. Even with an incredibly capable F-150, there will always be a need for the F-250 (and beyond). There are people out there who need that extra power the F-250 can provide, but it could be too much for others. Why spend the extra money if the “more” that you get just gets in your way?
The 7700 is the right fit for contractors who usually work on larger jobs. The increased travel speed, weight, and power increase your productivity and decrease your removal time. Why wouldn’t someone want those benefits? They come with a cost, not just being a more expensive machine, but when it comes to job accessibility. The heavier, wider 7700 makes it tougher to get on some job sites and even more difficult to maneuver in residential areas. If this is a majority of a contractor’s work, the 5700, 5700DL, or even the 5000DL is likely a better option.
No one tool is right for every job. Weigh the difference between these machines and the type of work that you do. Then decide, which one fits YOUR NEED better?