Installing a cattle guard is a labor-intensive feat. It requires excavation, pouring of cement footings and the setting of the guard itself. There is now an easier way with pre-cast cattle guard foundations!

Barn World can now ship pre-cast concrete footings with the flat top rail cattle guards! We can deliver a complete set of cattle guard foundations that are designed specifically to bolt to the grid itself.

Cattle Guard Resting on Concrete Foundations

The importance of a solid foundation

The foundation is the most important aspect to any installation. Buildings, bridges and really any structure that requires transferring a large amount of weight to the ground needs solid footing.

It is especially critical that cattle guards are properly secured. The loads it carries can change and cars and trucks can create changing horizontal loads as the momentum of the vehicle changes. When a vehicle accelerates, brakes, or turns while on the crossing, a horizontal load is introduced. This requires tremendous support to effectively stabilize and transfer them to the ground.

The pre-cast concrete footings have bolts cast into them to match the mounting holes in the bottom of the steel grid. Cattle guards should be bolted directly to the foundation to prevent movement that can disturb and weaken an installation.

Taking Delivery

Pre-cast foundations are now delivered on the same vehicle as the cattle guards themselves. This means the entire crossing can be installed much more quickly. There’s no need to wait for cement to cure before setting the guards and this convenience means a faster project completion time.

As with anything made of concrete, they are very heavy. and cumbersome. They’re available in lengths of 8′, 10′, 12′ and 14′ to match the available sizes of the guards themselves and due to their large sizes and weights, the delivery vehicles do not have a means of unloading. They will usually arrive on a flat-bed truck and require that the receiver provide a mechanical means of unloading. A fork lift will be necessary to unload and providing access to both sides of the trailer is ideal. The more accessibility to the trailer in the delivery area, the better.

An area where a semi truck and trailer can park to unload should include easy access to each side if possible. Reaching across the width of an 8′ trailer to try and lift a 2,000 pound load can be challenging.

The shipper will contact the receiver in advance of arrival to coordinate the delivery. Barn World will also forward the shipper’s information to ensure smooth communication and a seamless unloading.

Cattle Guard Quotes

We do ship these large and heavy foundations and cattle crossings throughout the US and can provide free quotes for delivery upon request. If you’d like one emailed, please let us know by emailing the quantities, sizes and delivery zip code and we’ll be able to forward a quote for your review, usually the same day.

If you have any questions about cattle guard installations or deliveries, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Barn Word | Sales@BarnWorld.com | (720) 238-2190

Not all cattle guards are designed for cars and trucks. The new ATV Cattle Guard is a unique design that’s built specifically for your off road vehicle to cross. It’s a simple drop-and-go installation that doesn’t require any digging. Connect your fencing to the uprights and you’re done!

The drive-over surface area is 6′ in width and can accommodate Gators and Kubot’s. We are able to build custom crossings for four place ATVs if needed. The ramp is only 14″ tall, but for the (4) person machines, we make it a bit longer and not quite as tall to prevent bottoming out. The longer wheelbases require a ‘stretched’ ramp design.

The standard two place guard has an elevated ramp to deter animals from crossing. A word of warning though, animals should not be allowed to try and pick their way through the bars. It is possible the could get tangled up in the structure and have trouble getting out. The look of the design is usually all that is need to persuade them from going need the guard.

Construction and Design

This one-piece livestock barrier weighs 300 pounds and is 50″ high when measured from the ground to the top of the wings. The ramp itself offers a generous interior driving area of 75″ in width while measuring near 100″ wide overall.  The entire length from front to back is 91 inches.

The entire structure is over-built with SQUARE, 1-1/2″ tubing in 11 gauge steel. It’s finished in a gray enamel and is built to sit directly on the ground.

Cattle Guard Details:

• Length from outside to outside length is 91″
• Overall Width Measurements:- Interior (drive-able area) 75″, Outside 100″
• Height of ramp is 14″
• Top of wings on each side is 50″
• Constructed with 1 1/2″ x 11 gauge square tubing
• Standard finish is a gray enamel
• Weight is 300 lbs
• A larger, 4 seat size is available on request

Installation

This livestock barrier couldn’t be easier to install. To begin, find the section of fencing where you’d like to have drive-over access. Cut the fence line and level the ground as best you can. A bed of crushed gravel may help drainage and settling issues.

Move the guard into place and set it on the ground. Once stable, re-attach your fencing to the center upright posts and you’re done. You may now freely cross in your ATV without stopping for a gate!

Post Installation Suggestions

Some simple set up before setting the guard in place can provide long-term benefit down the road.

Surface Preparation

Make sure the area is as level as possible. The weight of the vehicle crossing over multiple times can cause it to ‘creep’ down a hill and out of position. A level site will help keep it in place as it won’t have a slope to pull it in that direction.

Placing a bed of crushed gravel beneath can assist with drainage. Standing water is not good for steel and can compromise the footing of the crossing. Mud will slowly absorb the supports and allow the guard to sink into the ground. The lower the barrier, the less effective if will be at deterring animals. Assisting the drainage of water is a great help in prevent both of these potential problems.

Weeds are another nuisance if left undisturbed. As with any pasture, the growth of high grasses can conceal the presence of the 14″ tall ramp. Even though it’s 91″ long, if covered by weeds, it’s much less of a deterrent and more of a trap.  Keep it clear of grasses and just the sight of the guard will keep livestock away.

 Pictures

The pictures below tell the whole story of how easy and straight forward this barrier is. Set in place, attach your fence line and enjoy unfettered access to your pastures on your ATV.

Barn World has heavy-duty cattle guards necessary for all road projects and now carries this simple and easily installed ATV Cattle Guard too.

Call Barn World today at (720) 238-2190 to get a quote with shipping directly to your door or email us at Sales@BarnWorld.com

A cattle guard requires a solid foundation for a long-lasting installation. There is more than one way to create a secure the crossing and each one is site specific. A qualified contractor who is familiar with the local site and soil conditions such as freezing levels, drainage etc. should be consulted to ensure it’s properly designed and installed.

Examples of Cattle Guard Installations

The cattle crossing itself is designed to be a livestock barrier that also allows vehicles to cross unimpeded. The weight, speed and changing momentum of traveling cars and trucks requires a solid installation.

A traditional foundation starts with a vaulted, or excavated area where the guard will be placed. The depth ensures debris won’t fill in between the top rails. It also provides an optical deterrent to crossing animals and allows for drainage beneath.

After the excavating process, cement footings are installed. They’re either poured on site or can be ordered and delivered with the flat, top rail grids.

Pre-cast Footings and Foundations

Below is a set of precast foundations with a flat rail cattle guard resting on top. You can see how they are ready to be lowered directly in the ground and are built to accommodate the cattle guard.

The precast footings have anchor bolts already poured in them. They’re ready to fit the pre-drilled holes on the bottom of the guard so they can be bolted down in the field.

Boxed Cattle Guards

Boxed cattle guards have a steel skirt welded around the perimeter. The skirt allows it to rest directly on the ground and prevents dirt from sliding into the area below the top rails. Dirt is typically built up and used as a ramp for vehicles on each end. They are very popular in driveways and low traffic or isolated areas that don’t have high-speed traffic.

A real advantage to the skirt is that there is no excavating or digging required. It lays directly on the ground. They are very popular for use in construction sites as wash racks or rumble strips and can be taken from job to job.

For a proper installation, a bed of crushed gravel should be use for proper drainage and to help prevent the guard from sinking into the ground over time. A lot of customers will bury railroad ties and anchor the grid directly to them. This can help prevent movement as vehicles cross and prevent ‘creeping’ over time.

Every Site is Different

Remember that these large, one-piece steel structures take a real beating from crossing vehicles. The weight and changes in momentum require a solid foundation not only for support, but to also prevent movement.

A knowledgeable contractor should be consulted as each site has different circumstances and requirements for a successful, long-lasting installation. Freezing levels change throughout the country, each site has unique drainage requirements and even local building codes can come into play.

Make sure you installation is done right and if you have any questions, would like a quote with delivery to your site, please let us know.

Barn World | Sales@BarnWorld.com | 720.238.2190

Barn World has a large selection of cattle guards to give you free vehicle access to your pastures while keeping your livestock contained. There are many different styles, sizes, ratings and options available and we detail some of them below.

  

Private Driveway Cattle Guards

As an option for use on private land such as driveways and ranch entrances, we offer an economical option called the private use cattle guard.

These are built with an estimated load-carrying capacity of 12 tons per axle, plenty for fully loaded semis and typical farm and ranch equipment.

They’re made with round top pipe welded to a steel c-channel below that transfers the weight of crossing vehicles to the ground below. They’re available with many options including:

• wings to tie the fence line to the guard
• removable box so it can be removed from the site or easy cleaning
• integral box, welded to the guard so it can rest directly on the ground
• available in 6′ or 8′ in the direction of travel and may be bolted together

When you need a gate-less entry for your ranch or driveway, this is the most common and economical way to go!

Rated Cattle Guards

An HS-20 rating is required when installing a crossing in a public roadway. This is a 16 ton per axle load-carrying engineered design. It’s a very common certification used throughout the US for highways and public roads

We offer the HS20 Rated Cattle Guards in both Round and Flat Top Rail designs.

Below are the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials load rating classifications. This organization represents the highway and transportation departments for all 50 states and creates a comprehensive industry standard for public road projects.

Click any one of the links above to be taken to the appropriately rated cattle guard on our site. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Cattle Guards Options

Not every site has the same needs. Some need to allow high speed traffic to cross and will want a ‘flat top rail’ design. Others are in very remote areas with low traffic and can use the boxed guard shown below. This design allows it to sit directly on the ground and have dirt ramps on either end for vehicle crossings.

The opposing option is the ‘removable box’. It’s not the best name for this feature as the box stays, but the guard is removed. This allows the box to preserve the surrounding site and keeps it from being disturbed. If you lift the guard out, cleaning underneath is a lot easier.

Snow plow strips

Plow strips are added as shown below for areas that use snow plows. The strips are welded to the top allow the plow to glide across without clipping across the top of the rails. The plow operator sure appreciates the smoother crossing and it can help minimize wear and tear on the plow and guard.

Whatever your particular need is, there’s a cattle crossing solution for you. Please let us know if you have any question or if we can help select a livestock guard for your site.

We can also email quotes with shipping right to your site.  Just email Sales@BarnWorld.com or call anytime: 720.238.2190.

There are many names for what we call a cattle guard. The traditional design is a steel grid of parallel bars set in the ground. They create unstable footing for hoofed animals like livestock and prevent them from crossing. The guards are installed instead of a gate to keep cattle from wandering off of your land.

Below are some of the various designs available that eliminate the need for a gate.

Concrete Cattle Guards

Not all of these barriers are made of steel. There are concrete cattle guards available as well. This type uses forms to allow them to be poured on site. This makes them more economical to ship than the steel guards.There’s even a reusable concrete cattle guard form that allows you to pour as many as you like! Simply set the re-bar in the holders and fill with cement. Wait for them to cure and remove the finished guard from the form.

  

Steel Cattle Guards

The most popular cattle guard design is made from steel. The top rails are welded so they run perpendicular to the road and are supported beneath by steel beams. The beams are set on concrete foundations to transfer the vehicle weight to the ground.

Round Top Rail Cattle Guards

This popular design uses pipe for the top rails. The rounded surface creates extremely unstable footing for a large flat hoof and a very effective deterrent to livestock. It doesn’t provide the smoothest ride for crossing vehicles but are generally more economical than the flat top rail design below. They’re a bit more aggressive as a deterrent as well.

The installation diagram below illustrates how a crossing is supported in the roadway. Notice the wings on each side that transition the vertical fence line barrier to the horizontal livestock barrier in the road itself.

Flat Top Rail Cattle Guards

The flat rail design uses a top rail shape of a hexagon. A flat top that the moves first outward than down like the profile of a barn. See the detail of the rail ends in the picture below.

This style is available in a load-carrying rating of 12 tons per axle all the way up to a massive 30 tons per axle. Note that the Department of Transportation requires only 16 tons per axle for public roadway projects.

Precast concrete foundations

The flat rail is able to have precast footings shipped with the guard. The manufacturing site also produces these specialized footings near the same facility. The footings and guards are loaded and delivered on the same vehicle. The concrete has re-bar pre-cast into the form so the metal grid can be bolted down directly in the field. It’s very convenient and saves pouring cement on-site.

Cattle Guard Delivery

All of the steel grid designs require that the receiver provide a mechanical means of unloading upon arrival. The large sizes and extremely heavy weights aren’t able to be unloaded by hand. The delivery driver also doesn’t have a way to unload the guards or foundations from the delivery vehicle and will rely on the customer to unload.

The cattle guard concrete forms are light enough to be delivery and managed by hand.

If you have any questions about your project or would like a quote with shipping to your site, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help!

Barn World – Sales@BarnWorld.com – 720.238.2190