Cattle guards are the best solution for safely containing livestock without the use of gates. A properly installed cattle guard allows easy access through fence lines while keeping livestock secure.
We offer both flat top rails which is more comfortable for high speed areas, as well as the round top rails for maximum determinant. For heavy loads, we carry AASHTO ratings of H15, H20, U54 and U80. There’s also the more economical designs for private driveway use.
Please let us know the needs of your project and we’ll be more than happy to forward a quote for your review.
We have a large selection of hay feeders, hog feeders, mineral feeders and everything from creep feeders to feed bunks. Making sure your animals have the necessary nutrients for healthy weight gains is essential and a proper feeder will keep them growing.
Farm and Ranch Supplies
We have a large selection of grain bins, sheepskin settle pads, farrier supplies and livestock working equipment. Please take a look at all of that we have the offer and let us know if we can answer any questions or forward a quote for your review.
Promotional Video
Below is a short promotional video that we’re working on. It’s a test of a new production system that we’ll use in the future.
As we’ve stated in previous posts, cattle guards are not designed as a deterrent for all animals or even all livestock. The rounded surface of the top rails prevents the flat hoof of large animals from being able to balance while standing on it. The instability prevents them from putting weight on their hooves and the uncomfortable balancing act prevents them from crossing.
Some smaller flat-hoofed animals such as goats and even some sheep can get their smaller hooves to balance on the top ridge and can ‘tiptoe’ across just the tops of the rails. The same holds for soft pads on crossing feet. Dogs can learn to conquer the barrier and cats have no problems at all.
Can Horses Cross Cattle Guards?
A lot of people use cattle guards to deter horses but we don’t recommend it. A horse typically won’t both with unstable footing and will usually shy away from the unusual and unstable footing.
HOWEVER, if the proper incentive or more commonly they get scared or confused, they could accidentally stumble onto the barrier. Their smaller hoofs can sometimes slide down between the top rails until they hit the bottom of the vault. This exposes their legs to the steel rails and in a struggle to get out, they could break their leg. Exposing a horse to this possible catastrophe is not recommended.
While they can be an effective barrier for many animals, they are designed for cattle and work best with livestock. Other animals can be too sure-footed, clever, or use their soft pads without too much trouble.
Humans are not as well adapted to crossing as you might think. It can become second nature to cross round top rails but sometimes it takes a bit of practice.
Goats, sheep, and other smaller hoofed or even sure-footed animals are also able to make their way across. A metal swing gate is the best way to keep horses, small hooves, and soft-padded creatures from crossing.
Cattle Guard Designs
The traditional construction uses round top rails for the most effective deterrent however, this also creates the roughest ride for crossing vehicles. The most prominent design for high-speed highway traffic is the flat top rail.
This configuration uses an almost square railing welded to the beams below to create a smoother crossing for vehicles. The gap between the rails is slightly larger than the round and it is still a very effective barrier.
They’re available in higher load carrying ratings than what’s required for public roadways (16 tons per axle) as shown below:
Cattle Guard Load Ratings
H-15 (12 tons per axle)
H-20 (16 tons per axle)
U-54 (25 tons per axle)
U-80 (30 tons per axle)
They’re also available to ship with pre-cast concrete footing and wings. These deliveries are very heavy and require that the receiver provide a mechanical means of unloading as the delivery drivers don’t have a way of removing them for a trailer.
It is extremely convenient to have the foundations arrive with the cattle guards. You won’t have to pour your own footings on site! The concrete has j-bolts already embedded to fit the grid when set on top so if your site is already prepared, they can be set in place, bolted down, and back-filled all in one day!
Please be sure to consult a local contractor who is familiar with the site conditions like freezing levels, drainage, building codes, etc. for a long-lasting installation.
If we can help answer any questions or provide any guidance for your particular project, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and prepare a quote with shipping right to your site.
Don’t forget Barn World has a large selection of products for all your livestock supplies including everything from hay feeders to grain bins.
Contact us any time at (720) 23-2190 or Sales@BarnWorld.com!
Cattle Guards allow easy access to farm and ranch land by eliminating the need for gates. They give free and open access through fence lines but keep livestock contained inside. All of our cattle guards are constructed with heavy wall steel pipe and extra thick steel channel supports. The ends are capped to prevent rust and wings and boxes are available with all sizes.
Cattle Guard Types
There are two main categories to compare: round and flat top rail. The round rails are the most aggressive animal deterrent as they have round tops to prevent flat hooves from balancing. The drawback is that they create a rougher ride for high-speed vehicles.
The flat-top rails guards have slightly smaller rails spaced a bit further apart and are still very effective with cattle. They also provide a smoother vehicle crossing but are a bit more expensive.
Either is a great option for containing cattle and we’ve reviewed some more details between the two below.
This is probably the most common for private property use such as driveways, pastures, and even remote areas such as cell phone towers and oil wells. They’re more economical than the flat and provide a strong cattle barrier.
They’re available in a boxed and removable box design. These two features allow it to be placed directly on the ground without digging a vault or pouring cement footings! The steel skirt, or box, goes around the perimeter to keep dirt from creeping in beneath the top rails.
The removable design allows the center grid of rails and channels to be removed without disturbing the surrounding site Very handy in high debris areas where frequent cleanings are needed.
Boxed style cattle guard Options
Boxed styles are designed to lay directly on flat ground with a gravel under-lament recommended for drainage from the site. The box is a great option and is very popular for areas that don’t require foundations or vaults. These include lower traffic and remote or private uses. In all cases, be sure to consult with a contractor who is familiar with soil conditions including drainage, freezing levels, and any local building codes.
The flat style is designed to be mounted on cement footings and is the most popular in high traffic, high-speed areas such as public roadways. They are bolted directly to the concrete footings which come with pre-embedded j-bolts for anchoring. This setup is extremely convenient for those who don’t want to pour their own foundations or can’t get cement to a remote area economically. You can unload them from the truck and put them directly in place.
The flat-top rail guards have an optional hinged area that allows the center section to be tilted up and away. This allows for easy access beneath the rails for cleaning out debris underneath. It’s not available on all guards, but may be included with the flat top rail designs.
General Cattle Guard Notes
Here are some general notes and guidelines to help with the selection of the right type for your installation.
Load Ratings
All of our cattle guards can withstand the weight of full tractor-trailer loads. The private use of round rails is the most economical and popular for private property such as driveways and farm entrances.
The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provides guidelines for cattle guards with maximum load ratings. The load ratings are suitable for all types of applications including heavy-duty logging roads. (See the table at the bottom of this article for more details on load ratings.)
AASHTO Design Specifications
H-15 (12 tons per axle)
H-20 (16 tons per axle)
U-54 (25 tons per axle)
U-80 (30 tons per axle)
Rated cattle guards will meet the specifications needed for state and federal requirements such as DOT, BLM, USFS, NP, and US Military installations. They are also used in commercial applications such as mining, forestry, agriculture, and petroleum production. Rated cattle guards are the product of choice for residential usage where city, county, or state regulations require the HS-20 rating. Certified structural steel is used in the manufacture of HS-20-rated cattle guards.
HS-20 cattle guards will be certified by an independent engineering firm to meet commercial standards and are intended for government bids. For use on private land, buying standard cattle guards will save you thousands of dollars, are identical in size, and are made out of the same materials. They just do not come with the certifications and paperwork back to the steel mill that government agencies require. If a non-rated guard for a private drive is needed, use a standard cattle guard.
Cattle guards may be constructed with 3″, 3-1/2″ or 4″-1/2″ pipes. The 4″ pipe allows for an approximate gap of 4″ between each pipe and is built with 9 pieces. The 3-1/2″ outside diameter pipe guards have 11 pieces and are approximately 12-1/2″ tall.
There is no difference in strength between the boxed cattle guard and the flat styles of cattle guards. These cattle guards are designed to accommodate full semi-loads at 10 tons per axle. All cattle guards weigh about 100 Lbs. per foot (a 10′ cattle guard weighs about 1,000 Lbs.). Add approximately 8 Lbs. per foot for boxed cattle guards and about another 200 Lbs. total for winged cattle guards.
Using Cattle Guards with Deer
To use with deer, you may need to place two cattle guards in tandem so you have 16 feet of protection. Cattle guards are easily bolted together to achieve greater distances in the direction of travel and create a larger deterrent for any animal wishing to attempt a jump. Please note that we recommend standard gates be used when containing horses, goats, all small hoofed and sure-footed animals, and animals with paws.
Ordering your cattle guard:
For a shipping quote, please send us an email with your destination zip code and quantity, or feel free to call the telephone number at the bottom of this page with any questions you may have about our cattle guards.
Delivery: Due to their large sizes and weights, you will need to have unloading equipment available upon delivery. The driver won’t be able to remove the guards or foundations from the trailer.
Dimensions: Private use cattle guards are NOT built to exact dimensions. Sizes may vary slightly and adding the removable box option will add about 7″ to the overall length and width.
If you have any questions, would like a quote with shipping or if we can help with anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be glad to assist in any way we can.
Cattle Guards offer livestock containment and peace of mind
Owning and running a ranch is a full-time job. It’s a 24-hour labor of love to raise and care for many animals at a time. Moving around to feed and attend to your livestock requires access to pastures that must be able to contain and protect while allowing ease of access for equipment and vehicles. A cattle guard is the perfect solution and they come in many different shapes and sizes to allow for most any type of use.
We do not recommend a cattle guard be used for all types of animals.
Horses and Small Hoofed Animals:
For some animals, these barriers just don’t work and can sometimes put them in harm’s way. Goats and other small, sure-footed creatures, can trot right across the top of the rails. Some larger animals like horses have slender hoofs that can present danger with possible dire consequences.
It is possible that some horses can slide their hoof between the top rails and into the vaulted area beneath. This can expose the most delicate and fragile part of the leg to the steel rails on each side. Once in the guard, it is extremely, if not impossible for them to get out. They will most likely try, become full of panic, and can break their leg in the struggle.
We strongly recommend only using a gate to contain horses.
Cattle Guards and Deer Deer are agile creatures with small hoofs and incredible athleticism. The installation requires a modification to be an effective deterrent.
Their ability to effortlessly jump large distances means that distance needs to be increased to be effective. We typically install at least a 12-foot barrier, with 16 feet being an ideal distance to discourage them from jumping across. To get that kind of depth, two guards are bolted together, side-by-side to double the width of the ‘Texas Gate’. Seeing the larger distance will persuade them to find another direction to travel.
Cattle Guards and Non-hoofed Animals
The working mechanism of the grid is the curved surface of the top rails. The hoof is flat on the bottom and when placed on a curved surface, it acts like a teeter-totter and doesn’t allow the animal to balance. This uncomfortable and physically challenging surface means they can’t put any weight on their leg. That, along with the limited depth perception in cows, provides a strong and seemingly impossible barrier to hoofed animals.
Those with padded feet, however, can balance on the rounded pipe as their point of contact is flexible. The ability to stand on a small curved surface allows them to balance and walk on the very tops of the rails
This means the guards are not very effective in keeping out dogs, cats, coyotes, and other ‘soft-footed’ four-legged friends. They’re able to walk across and only a gate would be able to stop them.
Types of Cattle Guards
Barn World offers several types of cattle guards for both private and public use.
Private use cattle guards are perfect for farm and ranch use and for access areas where the total axle weight is up to 10 tons. Semi-trailers, tractors, and large farming equipment are perfect for this type of guard.
They’re more economical than the flat top guards and provide a more aggressive livestock deterrent.
The round rail is very popular across the US and especially for private land use. It’s more economical and can be easy to install. Concrete foundations are always recommended as is a flat but well-drained site. They’re available with a few different options depending on the type of installation desired.
These include the skirted grid for installation directly on the ground (Boxed) as well as wings and even a removable box design.
Not all installations require a foundation for the grid to rest on. This skirted style can be set directly on the ground and the welded on perimeter box keeps dirt from coming in below the top rails. Most private users will dig a hole with a gravel base for drainage so the 12″ tall guard is about 2″ above the road surface.
For more stability, especially if the site is not perfectly flat, burying a couple of railroad ties to bolt to can help reduce any walking and offer the security of being ‘tied to the ground”.
A gravel base is recommended for proper drainage so the steel skirt welded to the outside won’t’ hold water and compromise the surrounding soil.
In many cases, the boxed design is used for construction site equipment wheel washes or rumble stripes to remove dirt before re-entering a roadway. They can also be picked up and moved to the next job to guard against tracking unwanted debris.
The Boxed Cattle Guard
All of our cattle guards can withstand the weight of full tractor-trailer loads and are typically made with 3 1/2″ or 4 1/2″ outside diameter pipe. Depending on the size used, they are made with either 9 rails of 4 1/2″ or 11 rails of 3 1/2″ outside diameter pipe and are approximately 12-1/2″ tall. There is no difference in strength between the boxed cattle guard and the flat styles of cattle guards.
Specifications
Each completed grid weighs near 110 pounds per foot (a 10′ cattle guard weighs about 1,100 Lbs.). Add approximately 8 pounds per foot for the addition of a box and near another 200 pounds in the total weight for a pair of wings. To use for deer, you may need to place two cattle guards in tandem so you have 16 feet of protection. Cattle guards are easily bolted together and the extra depth can help deter deer from crossing or jumping.
Important Delivery Notes:
You must have equipment available to unload the cattle guards from the delivery vehicle when it arrives. The delivery truck will require you to unload the cattle guard with a loader or forklift or some other means upon delivery.
Private use cattle guards are NOT built to exact dimensions and sizes may vary slightly. Adding the removable box option will add about 7″ to the total length and width of the cattle guard. For example, a 12-foot cattle guard will be about 12′-7″.
We also carry a unique cattle guard design for ATV use. It’s built to be set directly on the ground in your fence line. You may simply cut your fence, set the guard in place, and reattach your fence to the size of it to provide easy access to your all-terrain vehicles.
For more information on cattle guards, installation, or for help with any of your livestock supply needs, please visit www.BarnWorld.com today or call (720) 238-2190 and we’ll be happy to help.
Remember, Barn World is y our home for everything from saddle pads, hay feeders, grain bins, mineral feeders, and everything to do with livestock. We even carry livestock scales!
Cattle guards allow for ease of access to your pastures and livestock or keep your valuable animals at home without the use of cumbersome gates. It’s not necessary to stop, get out of your vehicle or climb down from your farm equipment to open a gate, or drive through, all the while watching for animals trying to escape along the way, only to then get out again to close the livestock gate behind you. Better make sure it’s secure behind you to prevent a jailbreak when you’re not around! The guards offer peace of mind knowing that a gate wasn’t left open and that you won’t have to spend your day chasing your cattle or other animals around the county!.
That’s why Barn World offers not only a large selection of livestock supplies but also a wide variety of cattle guards and options.
Flat Pipe vs. Round Pipe – two different finishes for different uses.
The flat rails offer vehicles a smoother ride when crossing the control area and are a valuable option to consider when higher speeds are present. Even though the flat-topped guard isn’t quite as daunting to livestock as the round pipe, it still provides a very effective deterrent. These are typically used on highways and in high traffic areas where speeds and vehicle comfort are a priority.
Round pipe offers the most effective means of dissuading animal crossings. A large part of the deterrent is a mental and visual cue that the animal perceives. The round rails create s a deeper shadow and the perception of a larger obstacle than the flat. It also offers a more challenging physical barrier. A flat hoofed animal with have a very difficult time finding footing on a rounded surface and won’t be able to balance its hoof on the pipe. We have seen cattle ‘test’ a guard by placing a single hoof on the pipe only to realize that it can’t place any weight on the hoof to cross.
If the visual appearance doesn’t immediately persuade it to stay away, the inability to balance a single hoof on the cattle guard will. The round style is very popular on farms, ranches, private drives, and public roadways.
Cattle Guard Boxes
Boxed cattle guards allow for installation directly on the ground. Dirt is typically piled up on each side to provide a ramp for vehicles to cross the 12” tall barrier. The box itself is simply a steel skirt that prevents dirt from creeping in underneath and filling in the space under the guard. You may choose from the integral box, which is welded directly to the perimeter seen here,
or a removable box that allows for cleaning the vault area below without disturbing the area around it by simply lifting the guard:
These boxed guards are extremely popular and useful for construction sites as washouts, and dirt shakers and allow for installation without digging a vault and pouring footings. To clean debris out from underneath, it can simply be drug from its resting place and then returned. It is important to install on level ground to prevent movement over time.
Wings are used to connect the guard to a fence line to prevent livestock from crossing around the fence post. They are triangles that are attached to the ends of the barrier, lean away from the roadway, and provide a vertical post to run the fencing to. Without them, crossing around the last fence post can be possible and some animals may just skirt the guard.
Cattle Guard Animal Safety
It’s important to remember that these barriers are not effective for all types of animals and of particular note, we don’t recommend them for horses. Horses’ hooves and legs are such that they can slide their leg down between the pipes. They then panic to get out and can break their slender leg. We suggest a typical farm gate be used at all times to contain horses.
Other animals that may not be discouraged and can simply walk across the tops or rounded pipe are goats, dogs & cats, sheep, and hogs. They are more sure-footed and can trot right across a cattle guard.
For information or help with your cattle guard project, whether it’s for private use, construction, public roadways, or heavy-duty off-road use, please contact Barn World and we will be happy to help plan your project with you.
As always, please go to www.BarnWorld.com or call 720.238.2190 for all of your livestock supply needs!
Cattle guards: the most efficient means of containing livestock without a gate.
If you have traffic through your pasture or across your fence-line, you know how inconvenient a gate is especially if others need to use it. Not only that, but if someone were to leave the gate open or not latch it closed, you could be looking for and trying to track down your animals days later!
The cattle guard was created to allow vehicles to cross through a pasture fence-line without having to rely on opening and successfully closing a gate, however, they do not work with all animals. As we have pointed out in other blog posts, (Cattle Guards can be dangerous to some animals) they are not effective with dogs, goats, and sheep and can be especially dangerous to horses. The best and safest means for effectively containing these types of sure-footing animals is a simple gate.
The rounded rail creates two deterrents for cows and other livestock
1. Physical Discomfort
: Hoofed animals have a flat surface at the end of their legs to place their weight. This creates discomfort and a problem with balance when attempting to walk on an uneven surface. When placed on a rounded pipe, the hoof will rock forward or backward and create an unstable condition for the animal making it almost impossible for them to balance. If your livestock is brave enough to even attempt venturing a leg on, it will quickly discover how difficult it is to balance. This physical barrier is an extremely successful DETERRENT for many hoofed animals.
2. Optical Barrier
: The second barrier element that a round-finish cattle guard creates is mental; an optical barrier. Being color blind and having very poor depth perception, the shadows that are projected by the pipe between the rails, amplify the distance and depth between the pipes and will dissuade even the most stubborn or determined animals from thinking about crossing. There have been studies on ‘virtual’ barriers that are no more than lines painted on a road to create the same optical illusion as a cattle guard, but they have been shown to have limited success in keeping cows home.
Picture of a ‘Virtual Cattle Guard’ from Wikipedia:
From Wikipedia
Deer: Deer are another common animal that can be effectively deterred by guards. They are such athletic creatures and can jump large distances with little effort that it requires a larger impassable distance to be created. To effectively discourage these extreme jumpers, you need to provide at least a 12′ barrier and more commonly a 16′ barrier to prevent them from attempting a jump across. This requires two 8′ guards to be bolted together to provide a sixteen-foot dimension in the direction of vehicle travel and an effective obstruction. I hope that a fence, tall enough to prevent jumping, be attached to the cattle guard as well.
Cattle Guards are not effective for all animals
Some animals will not be deterred or have a problem crossing a guard. These are usually the non-hoofed variety with paws. Dogs, cats, coyotes, and others will have no trouble getting over the rounded pipes. Even small hoofed animals such as sheep and goats will usually be able to trot right across without much effort. Here, a gate is the most effective.
Not for Horses or bison
The second most requested use we see for these animal deterrents is for the control of horses. We do not recommend that they be used with horses as the horse anatomy has such a slender leg, that its hoof can slide down between the pipe until it reaches the bottom of the vault. This traps the leg and exposes it to breaking easily when struggling to get out and can prove to be devastating. Please use a gate when keeping your horses in a pasture as a cattle guard and a horse leg do not mix well at all.
Bison or buffalo, offer a challenge at the other end of the hoof size spectrum. Their hooves are so large, that if the surface pipes are not placed far enough apart, they can get them across the space span and create a stable bridge to balance on. It is not an easy task for them, but here too, a gate is recommended for these large animals.
Crossing Cattle Guards – A concern for human traffic
Although designed to prevent livestock from crossing, these devices can also pose a dangerous predicament for humans, especially children. The average gap in the piping is usually 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″ and can be difficult for the human foot to handle when not being especially careful. Because their feet are much smaller than an adult’s and they may not be as well-suited for balancing on a curved surface, it can be particularly hazardous for a child to cross. While it may be tempting to weld a small strip of metal or attach a board for people to cross, we would again recommend the use of a gate. Even the smallest strip can allow the more sure-footed hoofed animals an escape route out of your pasture.
Flat Top Cattle Guards – a smoother alternative
When used in high traffic, or high-speed areas, a flat-topped alternative can be used to provide a smoother ride for vehicles. Although not quite as effective a barrier as the round pipe finish, the flat tops allow for effective livestock control while providing a smoother ride for vehicles.
The individual crossing pipes that create the top of the guard are a flat-topped hexagon that provides a smoother finish for cars and tractors to ride on. They allow easier traversing for human feet while still creating a deterrent for animals. Livestock are not as intimidated by this type of finish, but it can still be effective when properly installed.
Cattle guards are an efficient means of protecting and containing your livestock without the use of a gate. They can save considerable inconvenience and provide a reliable way of keeping your animals from harm while providing effortless crossings for vehicles.
See Barn World for all your livestock supplies and help with your cattle guard projects.
To effectively manage livestock health and growth, you need a high quality long-lasting scale. Tracking accurate weight and data will help ensure a healthy animal. There are many different animal scales to choose from but this post will focus on the portable platform scales for everyday use.
Platform scales provide a versatile means of weighing almost anything and come in low profile, light weight and heavy duty options. The most popular are rated at capacities of 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 pounds and remain portable.
The all-purpose livestock scale in the one thousand pound capacity was initially designed as a 4H Scale. It’s weighs all types of animals that require a nice low-profile platform and portability when being weighed. It has a stainless steel indicator and a digital readout that creates an easy to see display. This scale also includes a 6 V rechargeable battery for use when not near a power outlet and an AC adapter to provide power to the scale or charge the battery.
The all-purpose livestock scale in the one thousand pound capacity was initially designed as a 4H Scale. It’s weighs all types of animals that require a nice low-profile platform and portability when being weighed. It has a stainless steel indicator and a digital readout that creates an easy to see display. This scale also includes a 6 V rechargeable battery for use when not near a power outlet and an AC adapter to provide power to the scale or charge the battery.
The platform itself is a low 2- 1/2 inches and is made with diamond tread to provide traction and prevent falls. The end ramps make it easier for your animals to get on and off the scale with hesitating, tripping or falling. The adjustable feet allow you to even the scale on an un-even surface for accurate weighing and at 55-1/2” by 20”, the platform is large enough to accommodate pigs, sheep, goats and calves.
The PS-1000 arrives ready to use, just place it on a hard surface and connect the indicator to begin weighing immediately – perfect for showing animals at your next 4H function.
The PS-2000 animal scale is another platform scale with a 2,000 pound capacity and a large 59″ x 30″ steel weighing area. The rugged steel platform is made with a diamond plate surface that protects animals and yourself from accidentally slipping and falling. To help your livestock access the platform, the scale has ramps on both ends. A calm animal is much easier to way than a nervous or anxious one. The platform itself is only 2 1/2 inches high and weighs only 105 pounds and has two slide-out handles to assist with portability. There is no installation or set up to be done as this is a true plug and play scale with great potential for waiting almost anything.
This platform scale has a 3,000 pound capacity and will weigh almost anything with this large steel platform. The platform is powder coated for corrosion protection and finished with a safety tread to prevent accidental falls. It also has a 150% overload protection feature in case you happen to weigh something more than 3,000 pounds. At 78 -3/4 inches long and almost 40 inches wide and only 3.93 inches tall, there is plenty of room to weigh animals, freight and anything else you could roll onto the platform.
There is also an optional indicator stand that is 36 inches tall for easy viewing in remote areas. The battery life is approximately 20 hours and there is an auto off feature to help prevent the battery from being drained when not in use. This scale also features an average weight hold for when animals are skittish on the scale.
As with all the platform scales, there is no installation or parts assembled. Just plug it in, set it on a hard surface and you are ready to weigh!
Scale can be used on battery power alone is what outlet is not available. It also has a hold feature to assist getting an accurate weight even when the animal is moving.
When you need to weigh large loads or have the option to weigh large objects, this scale provides an economical means for weighing everything from livestock to bulk containers.
Whatever weighing your needs, from animals scales, livestock scales or just large, heavy duty weighing, there is a platform scale for you at Barn World.
Please visit BarnWorld.com or call 720.238.2190 today!
Hay Feeders Save Money and Pay for Themselves Quickly
It’s another hot and dry summer and the cost of feeding your livestock is only going up as hay gets more difficult to come by. Shipping hay long distances from the few growing areas left in the country to the animals that need it has become all too common.
To make the best of this terrible hay growing season and to save as much money as you can while still providing for your animals, it’s important to provide the most efficient means of feeding and minimize the amount of waste produced. This calls for a no-nonsense hay feeder from Barn World.
There are many different feeder styles that allow for any budget and will produce savings that will allow the feeder to pay for itself in a short amount of time. Whether you feed small square bales to a few animals, or large round bales to a lot, the proper feeder is critical to saving money. A quality feeder will allow you to minimize money lost to hay waste that falls on the ground and erodes your profits, while providing a safe environment to maximize your feeding budget.
For large animals that are fed large quantities at a time, you can’t go wrong with a round bale feeder. These large and durable feeders are designed to feed almost any large animal from cattle to buffalo. We carry a Bull Tuff Round Bale Feeder that has a 9’ 6” bottom diameter that tapers to 8’6” at the top. It will accommodate the 6’ round bale, has 12 feed openings and 9 heavy duty mud skids to keep the feeder entirely off the ground. There are no sharp edges for animals to cut themselves and the 3 piece bolted assembly is built for years of heavy duty use. This is a very common and popular feeder for large bulls and horses.
Another large animal feeder that’s new and very popular is the hay hopper design. This feeder holds the bale off of the ground and livestock will eat from the bottom up. The loose hay will drop to the bottom of the feeder where it is protected from being trampled by a metal skirt. This preserves the hay to be eating directly under the suspended bale. The hay hopper feeders are made for cattle, buffalo, horses, goats and sheep and has a patent pending design.
For a quick and simple method of feeding your horses’ large bales, look no further then the Hay Hut Hay Feeder. At 84” deep and 72” wide, and a height of 84”, this plastic feeder will not rust out and is extremely easy to use. Simply drop your bale on the ground and cover with the hay hut. It’s an attractive feeder that looks like a small house or hut and has eight feeding stations available for easy access to the hay bale. It also provides a covered shelter to protect the bale from the weather and the sun. This feeder ships in two easy to assemble sections and will fit in the back of a pickup truck. It takes approximately half an hour to put together and is easy to move around your pasture should you choose.
The plastic is a durable and UV protected material that provides fantastic, maintenance free cover for your bales. There is a one year warranty and most feeders last for 10 or more years with steady use. They’re also available in two colors: black and forest green.
Popular Poly Horse Hay Feeder
One of the most popular horse hay feeders is the Poly Round Hose Hay Feeder. It’s designed especially for horses and all of the hardware is counter-sunk into the feeder so there aren’t any sharp edges for potential cuts or scrapes. This feeder is mad e from four pieces to form the circle and is also idea for small ponies and colts. It’s easy to assemble and move to where you’d like to feed. Simply drop your round bale either on the ground or on a pallet, roll the feeder next to it and drop it over the bale. At only 80lbs, this one is extremely portable and can be rolled to your bale. Made from recycled plastic, it’s environmentally friendly and is composed of UV resistant resin. With a two year warranty on material and workmanship, this feed will last for many seasons.
Rack and Trough Feeders allow for both hay bales and grain to be feed from the same feeder. Another plus is the ability of the trough below the rack to catch hay that falls when animals pull from the bale. This allows the hay to be eaten from the trough, rather than wasted on the ground and eating into your profits.
Our combo feeders come in a variety of sizes, each designed for the animal being fed. They are primarily built to accommodate cattle or horses and the versatility of the feeder allows for animals that require both grain and hay in their diet. A very convenient feature.
Although used in the stall with smaller amounts of hay, a lot of potential food can still be wasted. The portable hay feeders are useful when traveling or in the stall. Typically mounted on the wall or in a corner, they can provide an easy means of dumping in flakes for your animal to enjoy at any time. The Health-EZ Hay Feeder even does double duty as ‘entertainment’ and can keep some horses minds occupied and out of trouble while they nudge a hanging feeder around the stall. It doesn’t matter what type of animals you’re raising or enjoying, a hay feeder is one of the easiest ways to introduce an efficient means of saving money and will pay for themselves in short order.
Visit Barn World today to view all of our livestock supplies and if there’s anything we can help with, please let us know by calling (720) 238-2190.
Although they may be the most efficient means of keeping livestock in without a gate, we don’t recommend them for all animals.
When Gates are the Best Option
Horses may be most at risk when attempting to cross a guard. The anatomy of a horse’s leg is such that it may slip down between the pipes forming the top of the guard and into the vault area underneath. This will expose the weakest part of their legs to breakage, and once panicked, they can break it quite easily while struggling to get out. For their safety, we only recommend the use of gates with horses.
Goats and dogs are immune to cattle guards. These sure-footed animals can simply walk with ease across the top of the pipes. Again, gates are the best option for containment.
Deer Guards
Deer are extremely athletic creatures. Their ability to jump seems almost effortless as they cross large distances in graceful hops. It becomes necessary to extend the distance of the guard in the direction of travel to deter these animals from attempting to cross. A common whitetail or mule deer can easily jump an 8-foot distance without any effort at all. These animals require a better deterrent than a cow and by combining and bolting together two guards, the effective crossing area becomes too daunting even for these creatures. We recommend at least 16 feet in the direction of the vehicle travel to dissuade even the most ambitious jumpers.
When considering barriers for deer, it is important to remember that not only can they jump across large distances, but they can also jump over tall fence lines. This will require that the fence line be extended directly to the edge of the cattle guard. With bovine, a set of wings prevent crossings on the shoulders of the roadway, but with deer, a tall fence right to the shoulder will be required. You want to prevent jumping across the ends of the fencing.
Cattle Guards are for Bovine
The best use for these barriers is of course with cattle. The traditional round pipe guard has been found to be more effective than the flat top. Flat top finishes allow for smoother vehicle crossings, but the best for livestock have rounded tops.
Part of the effectiveness is a visual trick played on the cattle’s depth perception. The shadows created by the round pipe make the crossing look even more daunting than it actually is. This in turn creates an even larger mental barrier and dissuades most livestock from even considering a crossing. There are the occasional large bulls that when properly motivated can attempt a 6-foot or sometimes even an 8-foot jump, but these are few and far between. When properly installed with wings, almost all cattle will refrain from even attempting a crossing.
Although designed almost exclusively for cattle, these barriers may also be used for deer, when properly installed.
New this year is the ATV guard. Designed for ease of installation, this portable, standalone barrier is a great option for fence line crossings for off-road vehicles in remote areas. We have even custom designed these for golf cart crossings of fence lines. Simply make a cut in your fence and drop it into place. It couldn’t be easier to install and the built-in rise creates an extremely effective optical and physical barrier.
Barn World offers plenty of assistance
If you have any questions about your cattle guard project or need any help at all, please don’t hesitate to contact Barn World when planning your installation. We have a wide variety and can offer quotes and bids for any project.
Turn your bucket into a bucket fork, a bale spear or a debris fork. It’s a quick and simple process to maximize the functionality of your tractor or bobcat bucket. These simple and highly capable implements open up a whole new world for the equipment you already own.
Installation
To make the most of your bucket, simply attache the forks to move pallets or pretty much anything around your property. There’s no need to take off your bucket, the bale spear, pallet forks and debris forks all quickly attach with the unique c-clamp design. Simple screw the bale spear, bucket forks or debris forks on and you’re ready to go. There are no chains or binders needed.
All of the forks come with a limited lifetime warranty and the exclusive c-clamp pad ensures your bucket won’t get damage while using the forks or hay spears. All of the bucket forks are powder coated, not simply painted, for the strongest finish available.
Types
The light duty bucket forks have a 1,200 lbs lifting capacity for the pair and weigh only 86 lbs. They are 54 inches long and 3-1/4 inches wide. With a 2″ height and 40″ length, they are very versatile and great for compact and sub-compact tractors or up to 25 hp loaders. Great for moving logs, pallets, railroad ties etc.
Medium duty bucket forks have a 2,400 lbs capacity for lifting and a working length of 43″. Weighing only 126 lbs, these 58 inch, 4 inch wide forks have a fork height of only two inches. They best fit for loaders and tractors in the 35 to 55 horse power range. It’s also handy to slip a 2 x 4 in as a back stop for picking up pallets etc.
Heavy duty bucket forks can lift up to 5,000 lbs! The working length of these pallet forks is 53 inches and they weigh 190 lbs. The overall length is 72 inches with a 4 inch width and are the best fit for loaders, skid steers and tractors up to 55 hp and more. The functionality of the forks also benefit from a 2 x 4 slipped in to use as a backstop.
How to install the clamp on bucket attachments
Always check your loader to make sure it is in good working order.
Unscrew handle(s) or bolt(s) to allow enough space to slide over your bucket.
Slide the clamp-on attachment over the bucket to the proper location.
Make sure you slide the attachment all the way back. The 1″ rod bar on the attachment should be flush with your bucket front edge.
Tighten handle(s) or bolt(s) until the attachment is securely attached to your bucket.
Bucket Attachment Video
Here’s a great demonstration video on the special C-clamp that prevents damage to the bucket and how useful your bucket can become with the various attachments offered:
For all of your livestock equipment needs, from cattle guards, saddle pads, hay feeders and more, please visit www.BarnWorld.com today, or call (720) 238-2190.
