Self-Catch Head Gate vs Manual Sweeze Chute

[WCR]

We are looking to purchase a new squeeze chute to help work our Braford cattle. Given they are relatively large-framed cows, I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to the relative benefits/concerns of buying one with a self-catch head gate or if we should stay with a manual? :roll: Any help, suggestions, or experience you can offer is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Beefy]

you can set an automatic to manual but not a manual to automatic.

 

[certherfbeef]

I have found that the self catch isn't worth a hoot. It seems to take a pretty good sized, or wild animal to hit that catch hard enough to get it to latch. And the calves couldn't latch it at all.

But the unit I used was a Big Valley. And a real piece of junk.

 

[Beefy]

autos arent all they are cracked up to be. can be nice if you have to work a cow by yourself but a manual and some patience will get the job done too.

 

[ChrisB]

I have a Foremost automatic and it works good. As was mentioned before, if there is ever a chance that you will have to work a sick animal or something by yourself you should go with the auto. Ours is adjustable for many different sizes with just 1 pin and we don't have problems with cows or calves catching.

 

[dun]

We have a Priefert auto and wouldn;'t be without it. I've used other autos and didn;t really like any of them. We catch everything from big cows to little calves and haven;t had a problem. The only problem we've had is a couple of the cows just walk up and stick their heads through and stop. On those I have to trip the auto catch myself, but it's just amatter of flipping a little lever so no big deal.

dun

 

[flaboy]

I used a manual head catch (only) for years. I finally broke down and bought a WW squeeze with automatic catch. I will never go back to a manual although I do have the manual head catch setup in my small replacement pen for shots and such but that's just a few head at a time. I don't ask the squeeze to catch calves automatically because they usually can squeeze through if I have it open at all. I only reset the position for the bulls if required. I usually just run the bulls in and work them without actually head catching them anyway. I can give shots and worm them most of the time with no problems without catching their head and nicing them off by catching their heads.

 

[HatCreekFan]

On our Priefert headgate/chute, the automatic is fine if we're dealing with cows... I just like to make sure that everything has been WD-40'd real well. With calves, though, it seems like they don't bump it quite hard enough, so I usually catch them manually.

 

[jt]

dont know the name brand of the one i use, but it works fine unless the cow has horns of any size... sometimes they catch the door with a horn and set it before the head goes thru.

there are times that i like the manual one better and times when i like the auto better.


jt

 

[rwtherefords]

I have a powder river squeeze chute that has an auto head catch. Works great with polled cattle! I only use the auto mode. Like someone else said, "Auto's can be set to manual, but manuals cannot be set to auto."

 

[George]

Manual headgates work fine,if you have someone to help you.I do a lot of work with the cattle by myself,and i sure wouldn't want to be without my auto headgate.