Any Litter Maid or Automatic Cat Box Users?

Anne-
I have never used one, but I have a coworker who I think has...if I can find out any info for you  I will get back to you.  I think this is a perfect idea for someone who is disabled.[8D]  

I understand they are a frequent return item....my local pet store won't even carry them anymore cause of the rate of return.
I know people who like them, but I know more (via cat boards) who hate them.
if the cat has soft stools at all the prongs on the machine get all gooped up and can be a mess to clean. Some cats develop a fear of the thing due to the noise. I know a man whose cat got his tail injured by leaving it in the vicinity of the prongs too long.
If this person has someone who comes in to help her scooping a box, for one cat, every other day wouldn't be bad.

My sister has had one for years and loves it. Her biggest complaint is that the tracks on the side can sometimes get clogged with litter - especially if you have a sloppy cat. It seems that the newer models are getting the most complaints. If you look on Amazon, there are some reviews that may be helpful.

As far as the refills go, she usually just dumps hers out and puts them back in.

I have to agree with marynh and say that automatic litter boxes are definitely not for every cat. In fact, I have never been able to convince a cat to use one. So, maybe you could find someone that already has an ALB and "test" the cat to see if it will use it, before its placed with a disabled person? Because I'm sure that it wouldn't be easy for that person to have to clean up cat mess because the cat doesn't like its litter box. But on a positive note, I think its really cool that this person is going to be able to have an animal, and that there is someone willing to assist with the upkeep. That's really nice of you guys to do this for this person.

Sorry, I'm not a cat person, but I have to ask: what's an automatic litter box?

I have two cats.  I have never bought an LM but was seriously considering it at one point and actually asked about it on the old forum and got tons of responses.  Of course I can't find the link to the old forum to even do a search now.  I think it was in anything and everything or general.  Most people steared me away from it.  I was looking into it b/c we are trying to start a family and DH is not the best cat box cleaner and I was trying to find another alternative for when I am pregnant.  It was suggested that I try a sifting litter box instead.  I bought one and HATED it and actually have one I will donate if you want it...we can work something out on the shipping.  In my opinion, it made a huge mess and one of my cats starting urinating elsewhere in my house until I brought the old one back.  She was the type of cat that would do that if her box wasn't just so, plus it was covered and she didn't like that.  In my opinion though, if it is a kitten and is taught to use it from a young age, it seems like it would work to me.  I think the issues where with cats being scared of the machine, or the machine going off to fast and that it didn't scoop well.  I can't remember though. 
 
I would also suggest going to your favorite search engine and putting in the cat box brand and consumer reviews b/c if I recall that is what I did and got the same type of feedback.  That is always one of my standard search procedures is to read consumer reviews before I buy something I am not sure about.
 
Good luck!

an automatic litterbox has rakes that scrape through the litter periodically and then pushes the clumps into a disposable area.

Anne - I have one LitterMaid Ultra and three good sized male cats.  The device is not perfect, but for me, the pluses outweigh the minuses.
 
For the record - all three of my middle aged to older cats took to it either immediately or within a couple of days - no issues.  This is not my only box - there are three conventional, hooded boxes in the basement, but the LM is on the main living floor and gets frequent use.  I have to empty or change the receptacle every 3 days - I'm guessing a single cat with just the one box would be about the same frequency.
 
Plus:
The cats like it and like a clean box.
Combined with World's Best Litter, the odor is pretty much non existent when regularly emptied.
I've had no issues with the motor - have had it for 15 months or so?
Pretty easy to keep reasonably clean with any overspray - I just have wipes nearby.
It's deep, so even though not covered, they don't kick any litter out - some tracking from their paws, but it is easy to sweep up on a hard wood floor.
 
Minus:
A looser BM will sometimes end up stuck in the tines of the rake - especially if the cat does not bury (some don't).
Wastes more litter then regular scooping - the clumps push along a fair amount of unused litter with it, so with expensive litter (clay litters are not good with this thing), it is somewhat costly.
 
That's it for me - I know others on this board (Marlania is one) have completely hated the thing - but Gina (RWBeagles) and I have both had better luck.

Thanks, everyone.  We are examining all alternatives, and may end up not placing a cat with this person if all of her needs, plus the cat's needs cannot be met, so no worries there.  We are also investigating the availability of volunteers who may help and will undoubtedly try to get a cat from a shelter that will have some control over things if she cannot care for it properly even with our help.  We've been this route before and are quite careful.  The last cat adoption we helped with is now two years old, and the person and cat are doing well together.  The main purpose of my question was to find out if this was an option in terms of scheduling help.  If we go with a traditional litter box, we would be providing enough assistance with volunteers for it to be maintained.  Thanks for all your help - much appreciated.

I have two cats, both males, who had no problems taking to an automatic box. In fact, they liked the Litter Maid so much that they went in it a zillion times a day (and actually went to the bathroom each time!), and that stupid box ran so much that the motor died out within a few months. We replaced it, but even the new one got to a point where the rake mechanism wasn't really raking, so we had to mess with the litter box everyday anyway. Finally, it died, and I have to say that my husband was pretty happy about that because he really hated that box. We now have a box you sift by hand, and it cut down on the trouble and the amout of times they actually go to the bathroom, which surprised me.
 
Now, when my husband's grandma decided to adopt a cat, I made sure she had an automatic box so it was less trouble to everyone who takes care of her. Mickey, her cat, is very dainty, and she's one of those cats who demands a clean box. She's actually the neatest cat I've ever met, but within a year, the motor on her LM died too, so we all gave up and got a regular litter box that's scooped regularly.

Thanks, everyone.
Does anyone have any experience with any other brands??