Automatic Litterbox Central

I like my ScoopFree. The only issue I have is that the rake takes too much litter when it is going back to the starting point. The litter piles up behind the rake and gets in the cracks out of the cartridge so it's all over the floor when I move it the swap the cartridge.

I think it would be better if the rake was not pushing litter on its way back to the starting point. I could smooth out the litter, but theproblem is way in the back and I'm not sure how to get to it under the hood. Also, that removes the whole point of a maintenance free litter box!

jfs1234 wrote:I like my ScoopFree. The only issue I have is that the rake takes too much litter when it is going back to the starting point. The litter piles up behind the rake and gets in the cracks out of the cartridge so it's all over the floor when I move it the swap the cartridge.

Come on. ALL over the floor? I can see a few crystals escaping, but not a major mess. I'd rather sweep than scoop! Mine rakes the litter out fairly even across the box.

I think it would be better if the rake was not pushing litter on its way back to the starting point. I could smooth out the litter, but theproblem is way in the back and I'm not sure how to get to it under the hood. Also, that removes the whole point of a maintenance free litter box!

What are you talking about? You aren't sure how to get 'it' under the hood.....what? the poops? The rake pushes them under the flap. Do you want the rake to go under the flap? Why? that would bring the poops back out to the field. Am I not understanding what the problem is?

I don't mean the poop. I'm talking about the other end of the cartridge. I mean the buildup of crystals behind the rake resting place, between the end of the cardboard cartridge and the plastic frame of the machine. Also between the end of the cartridge and the cover of the cartridge which I put under the tray as instructed.

Like Abbeytoo, I don't quite understand the gripe here. I have noticed a few crystals under the box when changing it. I'll try to count them next time, but I am guessing that the last time was under a dozen crystals, probably half that. Compare that to the gigantic mess made by Littermaid and Purrforma, and the ScoopFree seems flawless. Not to mention that these half dozen crystals have no smell at all unlike the clay products. At most a minor quibble after 30 days of doing no maintenance to the ScoopFree litter box to bring out a broom.

jfs1234 wrote:I don't mean the poop. I'm talking about the other end of the cartridge. I mean the buildup of crystals behind the rake resting place, between the end of the cardboard cartridge and the plastic frame of the machine. Also between the end of the cartridge and the cover of the cartridge which I put under the tray as instructed.

Oh wow. I don't think you are going to find anything that requires less 'work' than the Scoop free. The amount of crystals that fall out is so minimal, they don't even count! Do you live in a hermetically sealed bubble? No? I thought not. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say we probably drag more debris in the house on the bottom of our shoes every time we come in from outside than the amount of crystals that get pushed out in a whole month! Sorry, I just don't see this as a flaw or problem at all. Is this your first cat? Have you never had a 'regular' litter box? Maybe you should put the Scoop Free away for a while and go back to the conventional litter box to refresh your memory about the daily drudgery of that! After that is firmly planted in your mind, pull the Scoop Free out and start using it again. You will be overjoyed to see the couple of crystals that have been pushed out instead of a bunch of the other kind of litter scattered all around the area. Perhaps fish would be a better pet for you. Sorry jfs, I'm not trying to be rude here, I just don't think this is a problem, certainly not when compared to the messes other automatic units can create.

It's amazing how when someone comes here asking for help, everyone flames them for it. Give the person a break.

Kind of like how "Troll" appears under my name, yet I have no idea why. Doesn't seem to be a friendly board at all.

Walter's Owner wrote:

I could use something like that. What brand would you suggest? I'd prefer something that works well but is inexpensive.

Picture is of a Dirt Devil but I bought my Black and Decker last year when I got Walt. The charger and unit sits right on top of a pice of carpet which is on top of the Scoopfree cover. Its handy for those errant crystals.

The battery life of the B&D is amazing. I also simply use the full size vacum hose from my big vacum to vacum out the filter every month instead of replacing it. Its maybe $25 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

So I guess I am risking attack too. Do you guys all work for Scoop Free or something? I have crystal all over my floor too. And not just a crystal or two. We're talking enough to make the lanai a place we completely avoid except when we have to do the weekly sweeping of the crystal, mopping up the cat urine that has seeped through the CARDBOARD litter tray and of course, changing the tray. That's right, it may last up to 15 days for 2 cats. That's if each cat is 5 pounds or less, and denied proper food and water. Anyway, you're right, I no longer have to scoop, but all that mopping and stepping on cat litter is just as annoying.

I think this product uses a great concept, but I would prefer if the cartridge were plastic (I know, then it would cost even more than the outrageous price now) and if the refills were reasonable and easier to find at stores.

Anyway, does anyone else have problems with this product or am I the only one?

No need to accuse those that are happy with the product with some ulterior motive like - "WE WORK FOR THEM".

I dont work for them. It works for me. Its not for every cat but I certainly dont see where there is some conspiracy theory or any bashing here. Just a lot of defensive people.

I get plenty of crystals that get dragged out by my cat - caught between his toes, etc. I trim his paws and his hind quarters and it helps a lot. I would gladly trade the daily 12 second worth of vacumming with the Dustbuster than the hell of scooping waste twice daily.

stacyinhi wrote:Do you guys all work for Scoop Free or something? I have crystal all over my floor too. And not just a crystal or two.

No, I am in the movie business, and have nothing to do with ScoopFree or any other cat products. I have been a former owner of Litter Robot, Littermaid, and Purrforma, and I purchased at least one of those based on reviews on this website. I am defending the product because this is the first one that I have experienced that i believe is well thought out.

I am sorry you are experiencing crystals all over your floor, but that has certainly not been the case for me. Like I mentioned, I had a tiny few (under a dozen) that were under the machine when I changed the cartridge. Todd, the cat, does throw crystals out of the box when he scratches it, but I recently purchased the top for the ScoopFree and now, no crystals when he scratches the litter.

My cats walk litter everywhere so I purchased a mat that looks like the old fake turf door mats. I cut a piece and glued it to the purple flap cover and then created a crystal catcher out of some cardboard so that when the flap opens the crystals don't go all over the floor. This has certainly helped.