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<blockquote data-quote="Anonymous" data-source="post: 16602"><p>Sounds very similar to my setup. Your design may work great. Just build it 2x stronger than you think it needs to be especially for that bull. Make sure headgate is mounted with heavy bolts that go all the way thru the 4x6. In my opinion, screws may work loose. Also, don't forget to add top cross-members to the 4x4's that hold up the sides. When done, it might be a good idea to get an old-timer, who's seen most of the tricks that cattle can do, to look at it. Then run the small ones thru first to break it in.</p><p></p><p>Here's a little about my experience: I first had Priefert #91 headgate on 6x6 CCA all tied into an existing oak wood chute. The oak chute seemed strong, but after working ~15 cows, things started to "move", which gives the cows incentive to struggle even more. To make it sturdy, I rebuilt adding heavy 5.5' tall, 12' long pipe panels (that all link together) to the inside of the wooden chute. [The old chute was too wide anyway.] Tied end of pipe panel sections to the 6x6 that holds headgate with heavy bolts that go thru the 6x6. This effectively, hangs the headgate on the pipe panel. This setup has worked well for a few years now, although the bull (3-year old angus) really makes it shake when he hits the headgate.</p><p></p><p>Building all this was great exercise, but if I had it to do again, I'd just spend the money to get the squeeze chute in the first place. I plan to have one (plus a sorting tub) before I work cattle in the fall. The thrill of working cattle on a shoe string budget wears off after a few close calls. If the extra equipment keeps one person from getting hurt, it is worth the cost. You might also look into renting a squeeze chute for the semi-annual round-ups instead of buying one.</p><p></p><p>One more thing - It seems like no matter how careful you are, headgates tend to get backed into. Mine took a hit from the vet and the automatic mode doesn't work anymore. My neighbor sunk a few heavy round steal posts about 1" in front of his headgate so that the driver gets "audio feedback" before hitting the headgate. Also, remember that (despite the guarantee) CCA lumber does sometimes rot after only a few years.</p><p></p><p>Good Luck!</p><p></p><p>Jerry</p><p></p><p>> I am building a working chute that</p><p>> leads to just a headgate (no</p><p>> squeeze), I put 2 4x6 (3.5 feet</p><p>> deep) posts at the end to mount</p><p>> the head gate, and 4x4s behind</p><p>> those to hold the panels up. I</p><p>> plan to brace the 4x6s about 5</p><p>> feet up back to the bottom of the</p><p>> 4x4s with 2x4s. Will this be</p><p>> strong enough? Most of the</p><p>> headgates I have seen have been</p><p>> mounted to metal pipes. We have an</p><p>> angus bull and cross bred cows.</p><p>> Thanks for any help.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anonymous, post: 16602"] Sounds very similar to my setup. Your design may work great. Just build it 2x stronger than you think it needs to be especially for that bull. Make sure headgate is mounted with heavy bolts that go all the way thru the 4x6. In my opinion, screws may work loose. Also, don't forget to add top cross-members to the 4x4's that hold up the sides. When done, it might be a good idea to get an old-timer, who's seen most of the tricks that cattle can do, to look at it. Then run the small ones thru first to break it in. Here's a little about my experience: I first had Priefert #91 headgate on 6x6 CCA all tied into an existing oak wood chute. The oak chute seemed strong, but after working ~15 cows, things started to "move", which gives the cows incentive to struggle even more. To make it sturdy, I rebuilt adding heavy 5.5' tall, 12’ long pipe panels (that all link together) to the inside of the wooden chute. [The old chute was too wide anyway.] Tied end of pipe panel sections to the 6x6 that holds headgate with heavy bolts that go thru the 6x6. This effectively, hangs the headgate on the pipe panel. This setup has worked well for a few years now, although the bull (3-year old angus) really makes it shake when he hits the headgate. Building all this was great exercise, but if I had it to do again, I'd just spend the money to get the squeeze chute in the first place. I plan to have one (plus a sorting tub) before I work cattle in the fall. The thrill of working cattle on a shoe string budget wears off after a few close calls. If the extra equipment keeps one person from getting hurt, it is worth the cost. You might also look into renting a squeeze chute for the semi-annual round-ups instead of buying one. One more thing - It seems like no matter how careful you are, headgates tend to get backed into. Mine took a hit from the vet and the automatic mode doesn't work anymore. My neighbor sunk a few heavy round steal posts about 1" in front of his headgate so that the driver gets "audio feedback" before hitting the headgate. Also, remember that (despite the guarantee) CCA lumber does sometimes rot after only a few years. Good Luck! Jerry > I am building a working chute that > leads to just a headgate (no > squeeze), I put 2 4x6 (3.5 feet > deep) posts at the end to mount > the head gate, and 4x4s behind > those to hold the panels up. I > plan to brace the 4x6s about 5 > feet up back to the bottom of the > 4x4s with 2x4s. Will this be > strong enough? Most of the > headgates I have seen have been > mounted to metal pipes. We have an > angus bull and cross bred cows. > Thanks for any help. [/QUOTE]
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