While this product's rake uses metal tongs, the axles and wheels which guide it down tracks on either end are made of plastic. As a consequence, the wheels snap off the rake and you have yourself a very expensive standard scoop-it-yourself cat box.I suffered this same failure twice within a year or so of purchase and had to scold customer support before they'd send a warranty replacement the first time around -- They tried to blame their product's failure on my being overseas and seemed unimpressed with the fact that the power supply continued to work just fine, thank you.This was the second Littermaid automatic cat box I purchased (two separate models), and the first failed during the warranty period as well. In my defense, I thought the "upgrade" to the "Elite Mega" meant less of a chance of premature failure.Needless to say, this last Littermaid purchase was really my LAST Littermaid purchase.Caveat emptor.