Looking for opinions Regarding working pens and chutes

[Bigfoot]

I know this is an old topic but I'm a pretty small time operation and the Rural King near me has the Tarter squeeze chutes with auto head gate for under $2k and the cheapest Prefert is close to $4k. Has anyone used the Tarter chutes? I would be running 10 head through the chute twice a year probably. Comments welcome!

I have stood by them a time or two, but never owned one. I saw enough to know that I don't believe I would want one. I've got a saloon door head catcher I bought at an auction, when I was just a teenager. It was ancient then, and it's certainly old now. Good heavy wooden alley running to it. Wish I knew how many head have went through it in the 30 years I've owned it.

 

[Blb515]

I have about 20 head of tigerstripe and use the priefert premier panels, sweep and chute. So far it has held just fine. I think a lot depends on how you work the cows. If you are hard on them they will be hard on you and your equipment. B