Cattle Handling Systems Brochure

“Designed for cattlemen by cattlemen”Built by Pearson Livestock Equipment in Nebraska, USABelly trimming made saferThe UK spec. Squeeze Crush is designed to give unrivalled access for belly trimming.The squeeze mechanism dramatically restricts the ability of the animal to kick, making it safer and less stressful for man and beast.The stable door design gives easy access to the top and bottom half of the animal, in order to facilitate a number of different tasks.The UK spec. Squeeze CrushThe UK spec. Squeeze CrushBuilt for PurposeBuilt for PurposeTop right: fully open to 30 inches.Middle right: fully closed to 9 inches.Right: belly-trimming made safer and easier through the combination of the squeeze mechanism, which restricts hip movements and the fact that the bottom gate can be opened completely out of the way. Every Pearson Squeeze Crush has reversible controls (left or right) and non-slip chequer plate fl ooring, overlaid with welded reinforcing bars.The stable-door style gates come with heavy latches and a chain and hook safety feature.Right: Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado University is a major proponent of Squeeze Crushes. Pictured here at Beef Expo, she regularly uses a full Pearson cattle handling system with a UK spec. crush to explain how a good set-up can dramatically improve the handling process for both man and beast. 2Calf fostering made easyThe squeeze mechanism restricts the mother’s ability to kick off her calf, especially in the case of fi rst calved heifers with over-sensitive teets.The lower stable-door style gate of the UK spec. Squeeze Crush gives unequalled access to the mother’s udder by opening completely out of the way. Left: the heifer can be squeezed, preventing her kicking as the calf is introduced. Top right and centre right: a UK spec. Squeeze Crush with manual head gate and Sloped Bottom Crash Gate, with the bottom and top gates open respectively. Opening the top gate is particularly handy for performing a caesarian safely: once a heavily pregnant animal is in the Squeeze Crush, open the top gates on both sides and then pull the squeeze handle, so that her lower hip and rib cage are supported by the top of the lower gates and the anti drop-down bar. Bottom right: Dr. Temple Grandin extolling the virtues of a well thought-out handling system.3Automatic head gateThe automatic head gate works well with all types of cattle but is particularly well suited to farms where cattle are relatively feisty, or for fi nishing units where individual beasts only pass through the Squeeze Crush a few times.Both sides are spring loaded, removing the need to adjust the width of the head gate for different neck sizes.Two levers give the operator the choice of releasing the beast forwards through the head gate or backwards and out of the side exit. Optional extras include: Head tables in two sizes (p.7) and a head scoop for rapid restraint of an animal’s head.Manual head gateThe manual head gate is ideal for farms with cattle of mixed temperaments. It works well where the cattle are not feisty enough to lock a self-catch head gate every time. Large bulls and fully horned cattle are also best handled using this typeof head gate. The use of a manual head gate is found to be benefi cial in keeping cattle calm as it does not require the animal to hitthe head gate with force.Optional extras include: a Sloped Bottom Crash Gate (p.6 - prevents cattle escaping uncaught, i.e. horned or highly-strung cattle), Head tables in two sizes (p.7) and a Head scoop.Above: an ingenious system allows quick adjustment to enable a large bull or horned beast to enter and lock the fully opened head gate (left).Re-set and ready for beast (left), locked shut (middle) and released (right)Manual head gate open (left) and closed (right). In both photos, the crash gate is open.Head gate choicesHead gate choices4Vertical-lifting aluminium tailgateThis guillotine-style tailgate is usually operated from the front of the Squeeze Crush but can be operated right along the full length of the crush. Lay it on top of the beast’s tailhead as she passes through, and it drops, locking out the beast behind. It can be locked in the up position. The advantage of this system, as opposed to a sliding gate, is that one person can operate the tailgate, head gate and squeeze mechanism without leaving the front of the Squeeze Crush. The aluminium tailgate is to high tensile aerospace specifi cation, which is 35% of the weight of steel.Click-out top barsOn the top half of each Squeeze Crush, the vertical bar sections (horizontal on the Highland/Longhorn model) can be opened and also removed, to give easy access to all areas as an alternative to opening the entire top side gate. This is useful for grooming or branding.T.B. testing gatesThese gates open to give easy and safe access for neck vaccinations. The brisket area is also easily reached through these gates. Left: locked closed. Centre: locked open.Right: the locking mechanism close-up.On all Squeeze Crushes, the vertical bars click open (above left) and can be removed (above right).Near right: the cow being T.B. tested here is shown in a UK spec. Squeeze Crush with a manual head gate and a Sloped Bottom Crash Gate. Far right: brisket trimming made more accessible through the T.B. testing gates.Standard features on everyStandard features on everySqueeze CrushSqueeze Crush5Optional accessoriesOptional accessoriesAnti Drop-Down BarThe Anti Drop-Down Bar stops cattle of all sizes from kneeling, such as heifers during P.D. / A.I. work, or calves during de-horning.Captive nuts are welded to the base, so that the bar can be removed if desired.By squeezing in the sides of the crush, smaller beasts will always be centralised as they enter, guiding them to straddle the bar every time. Sloped Bottom Crash GateThis eliminates the possibility of an animal passing through the manual head gate (p.4) without being caught.It is essential for fully horned beasts.The controls can be changed to enable the gate to swing off the left or the right hand side. Vet gatesThe vet gates are solid sheeted and close back against the front of the alley, completely obscuring the beast waiting behind. This keeps the cattle calm, as well as giving the vet / technician peace of mind.The position of the aluminium tailgate (p.5) can be changed as desired, either behind the vet gates or the Squeeze Crush itself. A cow (left) and a 3-month old stirk (right) straddling the bar.Above left: crash gate closed (see p.4 for an open crash gate) Above right: a UK spec. Squeeze Crush with manual head gate and crash gate.Above left: the vet gates locked back against the re-positioned aluminium tailgate. Above right: a UK spec. Squeeze Crush with automatic head gates and vet gates. 6Weigh SystemsDue to the heavy weight of the Squeeze Crushes, Pearson manufacture a heavy-duty scale base and chute mounts, to protect a weigh system. These are available together with heavy-duty load bars and a choice of weigh monitors. The scale base lifts the load bars clear of the ground, keeping them dry and out of the dirt.It is simple to bolt down the weigh crush or lay it temporarily on hard core, giving accurate weights every time. Head tablesThere are two sizes of head table: one for small calves, and the other to fi t all beasts from 6 months upwards.A steel chain head collar fi ts in front of and behind the horns, which is tightened using a crank handle. This then holds the head completely immobile, making a number of tasks safer and easier, such as de-horning/de-budding, eye jabbing, inserting nose rings for bulls and re-tagging diffi cult beasts.Highland / Longhorn SidesOn all Squeeze Crushes, the top half of the crush sides contain vertical bars, which are removable (p.5). On the Highland / Longhorn version, however, these bars are horizontal, to enable easy passage of large horns through the Squeeze Crush. Above: components of the weigh system: long scale base (includes section for vet gates), chute mounts, heavy-duty load bars, monitor). Left: 11-month old stirk in Pearson head table.Above right: closed; Below right: open; Far right: a handsome fellow in a UK spec. crush with Highland sides, and using a manual head gate with a Sloped Bottom Crash Gate, making the perfect combination for fully horned cattle. 7Main Image: sliding gate open (left) and closed (right).Inset: detail of the handle to slide the gate.Left: Components of a hoof trimming kit. Right: With the hoof block fi tting to the squeezing side, no matter what size the beast is, the hoof block is always in the right place. Optional accessoriesOptional accessoriesSolid sheeted sidesIf cattle are distracted prior to entering, the addition of solid-sheeted sides on the working side of the Squeeze Crush will draw them straight ahead.Horizontal sliding gateA horizontal sliding gate is an alternative to the vertical lifting aluminium tailgate (the latter comes as standard with each Squeeze Crush, p.5). It weighs 116kg and is commonly used in conjunction with the hydraulic Squeeze Crush or with bison.Hoof trimming kitsThe squeeze mechanism holds the beast upright and securely in the crush, giving the operator a more stable hoof on which to work.These are available for the UK spec. version of the Squeeze Crush only.Standard US modelA cheaper alternative to the UK spec. is the Standard US model. The difference is that there are no stable-door style double split gates, so this model is adequate for farms where belly-trimming, fostering, hoof trimming and caesarians are not commonplace. Single side exits (left, right or both sides) are an optional extra on this model. The hoof trimming kit does not fi t this model.Above left: a UK spec. Squeeze Crush with automatic head gates, solid sheeted sides and vet gates. Above right: a beast entering the Squeeze Crush is drawn towards the light at the headgate.8Above left: a hydraulic head gate with head sweep.Above right: a full system with a hydraulic Squeeze Crush.Near right: ear tagging made simpler with the hydraulic head sweep.Far right: each hydraulic Squeeze Crush comes with one half of the working side solid sheeted (here shown open).Hydraulic UK spec.Hydraulic UK spec.Squeeze CrushSqueeze CrushFulfi lling the needs of the larger producerThe operating features give this Squeeze Crush an unequalled inviting exit for a beast. The animal thinks there is no head gate because the two head gate sides fold back completely, giving it the appearance of a race with no head gate at all.Operation is so effi cient that throughput is restricted only by the volume of cattle feeding into to the Squeeze Crush.The hydraulics can work off 240V single-phase, 3-phase electricity, tractor hydraulics or a diesel or petrol mounted power pack.Pressure relief valves are set at the factory to prevent injury to cattle.A hydraulic head sweep makes ear tag reading and many other processes quick and easy.The fi rst customer to purchase a hydraulic crush informed us that he processed 782 head of cattle in one day, the limiting factor being the speed at which cattle were fed to the crush.9Above left: a tear-drop style set-up, based on a design by Dr. Temple Grandin, leading round to a full Pearson system. The outer sides are sold sheeted; the inner ones see-through, to help pull the followers through. Above centre: a full Pearson system with UK spec. crush with manual head gates and Sloped Bottom Crash Gate. Above right: the screw jack for adjusting the alley width from 16 to 30 inches.Far left: fully closed (16 inches). Near left: fully open (30 inches). Right: sideways on (weighing 758kg, over 15 feet long). 10Full Cattle Handling SystemsFull Cattle Handling SystemsAdjustable Alley (16-30”)The alley width can be adjusted using a screw jack to stop calves turning round. A no-back bar prevents cattle from backing out. Its height can be adjusted and is best set to 6 inches below the top of the tail head of the beasts being handled. An additional aluminium tailgate (like that on the Squeeze Crush) is also available for the back of the alley, to control the fl ow of cattle entering, which can be operated from the front of the Squeeze Crush. Forcing PenThe forcing pen weighs almost a ton (steel sheets, not tin; welded, not pop riveted) and can be set up with the sweep gate swinging off the left or right hand side.The solid sides keep the cattle calm and catwalks are available to make viewing easier. 90 degree out-gates come as standard, for use by personnel or for loading straight into a trailer. All pieces can be fl at-packed inside the alley for easy transportationTop right: open. Centre right: closed Bottom right: catwalks available all round. Vertical spars at 500mm (20”) intervals on the inside surfaces of all side panels allow the gate to be pushed forwards, but prevent the cattle from forcing it back. Left: slide the pallet forks between the base and the squeeze sides. Above: with in-built pallet fork sleeves.Top: ready for action - a trailed system (UK spec. crush with manual head gates, crash gate, alley, portable panels). Bottom: on the move - a trailed system (UK spec. crush with automatic head gates, alley, forcing pen inside).11Portable SolutionsPortable Solutions3. Hydraulic linear trailer with removable drawbarFor a full cattle handling system (Squeeze Crush, vet gates, alley, forcing pen or portable panels), hydraulic trailers are available to make transportation easy.The forcing pen (or portable panels) can be packed inside the alley or hung off the sides. Tractor hydraulics lower the trailer down when in position, and the drawbar is removed. Once used, the entire system can be moved to another location.2. Yoke trailerAn ingenious design enables the Squeeze Crush to be removed from the yoke trailer and placed down absolutely fl ush up against the front of the alley, or whatever handling facility is behind the Squeeze Crush. The Squeeze Crush should ideally be loaded and unloaded by two people for better safety. It is tractor-drawn only (for 4x4 use, brakes, mud guards and lights must be fi tted).1. Forklift / loaderThe simplest and most cost-effective way to move the Squeeze Crush around is using a loader, with the pallet forks above the base, but below the squeeze sides. If you intend to move the Squeeze Crush frequently, for a small extra charge, pallet fork sleeves can be manufactured into the base (see far right photo).For more information, or to receive a price list or DVD by post, please contact:Edward & Catriona Pentywww.squeezecrush.cominfo@squeezecrush.com07770 457 453 / 05601 150 511Note: weights are approximate. Measurements indicate outer extremities, for the purposes of site / shed layout planning. UK spec.,no headgate699kg2.67m1.20m2.21mWeightLength Max.WidthMax. HeightMan.headgate139kg-1.07m+ handle1.85mAuto.headgate94kg-1.02m1.70mCrashgate104kg0.61m1.02mn/aVetgates138kg1m0.89m1.93mUK spec.(man.),crash gate,vet gates1080kg4.28m1.20m2.21mWeighsystem192kgTo fi tundercrush0.10mHydr. UKspec.,h’ sweep1,134kg3m1.20m2.21mAdj.alley758kg4.70m1.40m2.29m3-sect.forc. penw/ catw.1,084kg6.91m3.45m2.21mEquipment Specifi cation