Points To Consider When Purchasing Cattleyards

• Stockyards should be built to avoid having to continually ‘force’ stock between pens and into races. If races and gates are positioned to provide an ‘exit’ option for stock they do not need to be forced but will willingly enter as they think they are escaping.
• Stock should take a common route every time they enter the yards. They become familiar with this route and it makes handling stock more predictable and efficient.
• Angles less than 90 degrees should be avoided in forcing areas. There are a lot of ‘yard designs’ that use standard size portable panels, the result is corners less than 90 degrees in force areas. This is a recipe for injury as operators try and move cattle jammed in these areas.
• Cattle should be released from the yards through different gates to which they entered. This will make filling holding yards easier.
• Accidents occur when stock become agitated at being forced into an unfamiliar area or separated from the mob. For example cattle do not like entering a cattlerace that appears as a dead end. Well designed stockyards avoid this by providing a familiar circular path through the yards and separating handler and beast in forcing areas.
• Your design should include provision for weigh scales, classing or scanning boxes, EID readers. Roofs should be considered over these areas to provide protection to operators.
• Sheeting on cattle races can improve stock movement and also prevents injuries from cattle getting their legs or heads out between rails. A vee race with safety release gates also prevents young cattle turning around.
• A walkway beside a cattlerace allows operators to access cattle without the need to put their arms between rails and risk injury. Cattle races should avoid having overhead bracing which can provide an obstruction for operators.
• The yards should be built from materials that require no maintenance and provide a visual barrier to stock and have no sharp edges such as oval rail and pipe posts.

ProWay Permanent Cattleyards

Features

Cattlerail

Cattlerail has been developed for use in cattleyards. It is made from high tensile (grade 450) galvanised steel. The rail has an oval profile, making it more visible and it minimises bruising. All ends of the cattlerail are notched (not squashed) and welded to round posts (80NB galvanised pipe with outside diameter or 89mm and 4mm wall thickness) giving it strength and a smooth finish.

Cattleyard Panels

Cattleyard panels are made from five 97 x 42 cattleyard rails and stand 1.75m. All panels are made from the particular yard system. This enables us to make the panels to fit the design rather than making the design fit the panels. Pipe panels are made from 6 x 32NB (42mm OD) galvanised pipe and stand at 1.75m.

Sliding Gates

Two style sliding gates are available. The conventional type features no overhanging track on the operators side. The gates are reversible and can be used from either side. They open towards the operator.

An alternative style is designed for use with walkways. The gate opens away from the operator, so the walkway is not blocked by the open gate. It is operated by a level type handle which drops down out of the road. It also features no overhead gear on the operators side.

Both styles run between four 80NB posts with cattlerail in-fills. There is no track at the bottom of the gate that can become clocked with manure. The frames on sliding gates in the vee race are tapered.

Spring loaded bolt catches

These catches are standard on all gates. For safety the catch is fully contained within the line of the gate, not welded onto the side of the gate which is a bruise point. The catch can be locked open in one movement, so that no part of the bolt is exposed. This eliminates the chance of injury to cattle particularly when drafting with a gate.

Fully Sheeted Calf Race

The ProWay calf race is 1.1m high to stop bigger calves jumping out. It has slam shut gates at both ends for quick closing and a sliding gate positioned to hold one calf before the cradle. The race length is determined by the size of the operation.

Gate Hinges

Cattlerail yard gate hinges are fully welded to the gate post. Nyoprene cones are positioned inside the gate post to prevent steel on steel wear. The gate is removable by sliding out the pin.

Round yards with cap rails

Most larger ProWay cattleyard designs include a round yards. This yard has eight sides; each side can be either a panel or gate. A round yard is effective for drafting in or into but it also provides an effective way to move cattle between pens. These round yards have removable overhead cap rails to give added strength. Depending on the cattle and the design; the roundyards are either 6m or 7m across. Other sizes can also be incorporated.

Options

• Drafting handles to give operator improved control.
• High slam catches. Catches are above the bruising zone.
• Gates hit on posts. Some operators prefer this system compared to catches on gates.

Step through Manways

These spring loaded manways provide quick and safe access around your yards, particularly in the force areas.

Post sizes

Post size is usually robust 90mm OD, 4.0mm wall galvanised pipe. Some operators, particularly those with less quiet cattle opt for the larger 115mm OD, 4.5mm wall post upgrades.

Catch holes

Catch holes are sealed to prevent water entering the post.

Vee Race

• The vee race profile minimises the chance of small stock turning around in the race.
• The curve gives better draw up the race, with stock circling past the operator.
• Races are;
• Fully sheeted outer arc (prevents legs and heads getting out, and improved stock flow)
• Sheeted to 1150mm high on the inner arc (prevents legs getting out, bit allows visibility)
• Outer arc sections are made as safety release gates.
• They can be quickly opened to free animals which get over on their back. They gates have two bolt catches (one high, one low) so gate sections have no flex.
• Races are available with a walkway for the operator.
• Sliding gates come supplied as conventional push in types, or as push out type. Push out sliding gates does not interfere with walkways.
• Races are made without overhead bracing. This eliminates the danger of an operator getting his arm caught between yard and beast.
• Strength is given by a combination of the curved nature of the yards, and underground bracing.
• Races are heavily built featuring
• 80NB medium wall galvanised posts braced underneath to ensure your race does not move.
• 97 x 42 cattle rails for strength.
• 1.6mm galvanised sheet for durability.
  • Races are available to any length and to a suitable arc.
  • Adjustable sections are also available.
  • Silicon is put behind the sheeting to minimise noise.

Sheep Proof Option

In cattlerail yards an extra cattlerail rail is added to make the yards sheep proof. in pipe yards an extra two rails are added.

Rotary Force Yard

• Gate follows cattle around rolled panels reducing the area which encourages cattle to enter the race.
• The paddle brake drags around rolled panels and locks in position.
• Braced overhead for strength and durability.
• Sheeted panels to aid stock movement and operator safety.
• Separates the handler and stock in the forcing pen, therefore eliminating the risk of injury.
• Silicon is behind sheeting to minimise noise.
• Centre post is 165mm OD for maximum strength.
• The gate has two large collars with grease nipples to ensure it swings easily.

Options

• Feedlot range.
• Queensland range
• Upgrade in post and rail size.

S Races