5 Things to Look for When Buying a New Cattle Crush

1. Reliable Animal Restraint

A cattle crush must effectively restrain the type of cattle being handled, minimizing the risk of injury to both the animal and the handler. Here are essential features to look for:

• Easy to Use Head Bail: The Head bail is often considered the most important part of a crush. It should also be easy to adjust to accommodate various stock sizes. A head bail with curved bars that form a diamond shape when closed provide better head control because it prevents the animal from sliding its head up and down. A head bail with straight bars provides poorer head control because the animal can slide its head up and down. The Te Pari C1000 Head Bail offers a reliable locking mechanism with a lifetime guarantee.
• Effective Gates and Latches: Ensure the gates and latches can securely capture and hold the cattle without releasing when kicked or struck. This is very important for operator safety, if a gate bursts open under pressure it could cause serious injuries.
• Anti-Backing Bar: Some designs feature an anti-backing bar that prevents the animal from moving backward. Ensure it is secure and doesn't become a hazard if the animal pushes against it.
• Parallel Squeeze: This feature provides extra restraint and prevents younger stock from turning around inside the crush and also helps keep the animals calm whilst working on them in the crush.

2. Quiet and easy to use

A calm environment is crucial for reducing stress in cattle. A noisy cattle crush can make cattle hesitant and agitated. Consider these aspects for a quiet and easy-to-use crush:

• Noise Reduction Features: Nylon bushes on gate latches and sliding gate rollers, along with anti-slip rubber flooring, help create a quieter environment.
• Efficient Gate Operation: Gates should be easy to open and close. Te Pari Crush gates, for instance, have slam latches with nylon bushes to reduce noise. The vet access gate features a hands-free, kick-operated bottom latch for ease of use.
• User-Friendly Levers: Levers for the head bail and parallel squeeze should be operable with one hand and offer proportional control to suit different cattle sizes.
• Out-of-Crush Drafting Gate: This feature allows for easy drafting or release of an animal by opening one full side gate. A handle to operate an out-of-crush drafting gate should be positioned at the rear of the crush so that the operator can open the gate without being in the animal’s flight zone.

3. Access to All Parts of the Animal

Easy access to different parts of the animal is essential for performing various operations:

• Side Gates: These should provide access to the top half of the animal for injecting and pour-on applications. Some designs have multiple gates for targeted access while maintaining safety.
• Lower Access Gate: Useful for tasks such as mothering on calves or semen collection.
• Neck Access Gate: Provides better access for injecting, TB testing (UK). Cattle will usually pull back when a person stands in front of the headbail which can make injecting from front very hard, a side Neck Access Gate is safer and easier.
• Vet Access Section: A safe area at the rear of the crush for vet work, designed to protect operators from kicks. If you are running cows and need to perform breeding operations in the crush, then a crush with a vet section is recommended. If you are only needing a crush for weighing, then the Vetless crush will be suitable.

4. Safety for animals and operators

Safety is paramount in a cattle crush. Look for the following safety features:

• No Sharp Edges or Protruding Parts: Ensure the crush is free of sharp edges, protruding bolts, or wire that could cause injury.
• Easy-to-Operate Gate Latches: Latches should be operable with one hand, allowing the operator to shut them quickly if required and leave their other hand to hold equipment.
• No Nip or Crush Points: Gates, head bails, and latches should be designed to avoid nip or crush points or have shields fitted.
• Non-Slip Flooring: Prevents falls and slips, and the crush should be securely fastened to the ground.
• Front and Rear Head Bail Controls: Having both front and rear head bail levers gives the operator the best control. Operating the head bail from behind the animal is the safest place to stand when releasing an animal from inside the crush.  
• Safe and Easy Release of an Animal: In case an animal goes down during handling, it’s essential to have a system in place for a quick and safe release. An easy-to-use head bail that opens the full width of the crush or side access gates that open fully is ideal for this. It’s best if the side gates are hinged from the back for this.

5. Durable and Easily Maintained

Durability and ease of maintenance ensure the longevity of your cattle crush:

• Hot Dip Galvanising: Provides the best protection from corrosion. A crush galvanised after fabrication offers superior protection when compared to a crush that is welded after galvanising. Te Pari Cattle Crushes for example come with a 10 year hot-dip galvanising warranty to ensure peace of mind.
• Reliable Head Bail Locking Mechanism: The Te Pari C1000 Head Bail, for instance, is known for its reliability and comes with a lifetime warranty on the locking mechanism. Avoid head bails that have a ratchet locking system. These wear over time and will begin to slip whilst under pressure.
• Easy Cleaning and Maintenance: Ensure the crush you choose is easy to clean and maintain, with accessible grease points and secure flooring. Rubber flooring stops the muck falling through the floor and building up under the crush and is easier to clean as well.
• Replacement Parts Availability: Check that replacement parts are readily available for your crush model. If something fails, who will back it up and where will the parts come from? If purchasing a cattle crush that’s made in China then getting replacement or warranty parts could take a long time. Find out why a cheap crush can cost you more in the long run

Investing in the right cattle crush can significantly impact the efficiency and safety of your farm operations. By considering these five factors, you can ensure that your investment meets the needs of both your cattle and your farming practices.