Corrals and Chutes Archives - American Cattlemen

Why Most Manual Cattle Chutes Fail. Is There a Solution?

Posted on January 14, 2025January 15, 2025 by Twin Rivers Media

Kaydence Michalsky | December 2024

From RFID tags to automatic milking systems and hormone implants, there have been countless advancements within the cattle industry over the years. However, one piece of equipment has remained all too similar, with very few advancements: the manual cattle chute.

Designed to help operators restrain cattle for safe handling purposes, most squeeze chutes often fail to meet the real-world demands of today’s cattle ranchers due to a lack of innovation. From handling larger breeds of cattle and bulls to withstanding everyday use, today’s manual cattle chutes frequently leave ranchers frustrated and, in some cases, injured, leading to a lesser profit and no choice but to look for better options.

The Problem with Most Manual Chutes

For many ranchers, a manual cattle chute is the star of their operation – some may even call it their right-hand man when handling cattle. From holding cattle for vaccinations and routine check-ups to keeping them still when helping a calf nurse, a squeeze chute is helpful for many things involving cattle. However, many chutes have failed to move forward with the advancements of the cattle industry, and this has become painfully clear as the days go on. This poses the question, where exactly do manual cattle chutes fail?

Struggling to Hold Large Livestock

There’s no such thing as a “cookie cutter operation,” which means that not all operations or livestock are the same. This is why ensuring that the equipment can handle livestock of all sizes is key. Something that every rancher must face from time to time is working a bull through the chute. They present a unique challenge as their neck is often much wider than their head. This is why most ranchers will opt for a hydraulic chute to work bulls, as most manual chutes struggle to securely hold the animal, which can risk the operator’s safety. Weak head gates and squeezing mechanisms can lead to dangerous situations for all involved.

Too Many Levers

Imagine you have a mama cow coming through the chute, and right behind her is a small calf. With most manual cattle chutes, you’ll have to pause your operation in between animals to adjust the many different levers for the head gate and squeeze. As all ranchers know, time is valuable in any operation, and good help is getting harder to find, so using a chute that requires multiple operators, constant adjustments and harder-to-use levers, simple tasks such as ear tagging, brisket tagging, or vaccinations can take up more time and energy than necessary. In the long run, this can reduce profits and take time away from other important tasks.

Not Built for Longevity

A cattle chute is an investment for your operation that is meant to last for generations. However, most manual cattle chutes these days can hardly withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. Weak materials and poor construction can lead to the equipment breaking more often, causing ranchers to make more frequent repairs, which takes time and money away from the success of their operation. Additionally, most cattle chute manufacturers choose to galvanize their equipment, which can be more costly in the long run as galvanized equipment is more prone to rust and damage from the harsh effects of UV Rays.

These issues and many others can leave many ranchers questioning which manual cattle chute is the best for their operation. They need a solution that can withstand elements and hold any size of cattle, from the smallest calves to the largest bulls. Luckily, Arrowquip has the perfect solution: the Arrowlock manual cattle chute lineup.

The Arrowlock Cattle Chute Advantage

Recognizing the need for something new within the cattle handling industry, Arrowquip launched their new Arrowlock lineup – a series of manual cattle chutes designed using the feedback of ranchers across North America to make their work safer, easier, and more efficient. The lineup consists of the Arrowlock 55 Series, Arrowlock 75 Series, and the Arrowlock 88 Series. Each chute offers its own innovative solutions that prioritize the needs of the modern-day cow-calf rancher for a seamless operation every time.

More Power than Most Hydraulic Chutes

Yes, you read that right… The Arrowlock 88 Series squeeze chute sets the new standard for manual cattle chutes. Unlike the other models in this series, this chute features an adjustable head gate with three settings (calf, cow, & bull) so that operators can securely hold even the biggest cows and bulls without the risk of them slipping out. When in the bull setting, the Arrowlock 88 provides up to 7.7x the pressure as its previous Q-Catch model, making it the only manual cattle chute in the industry that provides more pressure than most hydraulic chutes. Operators can safely work cattle without worry by guaranteeing a strong hold on cattle. Additionally, with the Arrowlock Head Gate, the chances of hip lock are almost impossible. If the operator gets into an issue where the animal gets stuck, the solution is simple: all they have to do is apply slightly more pressure to the head gate handle when opening than usual, and the head gate should pop open, making the situation less stressful and your cattle handling experience simpler.

True One-Person Operation

Getting too many people involved to operate a cattle chute can often be more hassle than necessary. That’s why the Arrowlock cattle chutes are designed with a true one-person operation in mind. With these chutes, you can control the head gate and squeeze from one spot thanks to an adjustable head gate handle that can slide from the front to the back of the chute. The ability to operate the chute from one spot reduces the amount of movement required, saving you energy. It also helps to maintain a lower-stress environment for the cattle and streamlines your operation to create a more enjoyable experience for all involved.

Built to Withstand the Test of Time

When purchasing a cattle chute, you want to ensure it’s built to withstand the rowdiest cattle and the harshest weather. At Arrowquip, we understand that equipment can be put through a lot, so we manufacture our equipment with only the toughest materials. Each chute is manufactured using heavy-duty North American steel, then powder-coated with the famous Arrowquip green all ranchers have come to know and love. The Arrowquip engineers have also taken every step to ensure that the Arrowlock Head Gate will withstand the test of time. During the beginning stages of the Arrowlock, Arrowquip’s team of engineers ran the head gate through thousands of cycles to ensure no wear on any of the parts. Additionally, they were so confident in the ability of the Arrowlock that they put a lifetime warranty on all locking mechanisms.

The Arrowlock lineup, especially the Arrowlock 88, is a testament to Arrowquip’s commitment to making the ranching industry easier and safer for ranchers everywhere. By addressing the core issues ranchers face every day, Arrowquip has created a manual cattle chute lineup that stands above the rest no matter what kind of cattle operation you run.

For ranchers tired of the limitations and safety risks that older manual cattle chutes offer, the Arrowlock lineup proves there is a better way. When it comes to cattle handling, the right equipment makes all the difference. To experience the Arrowlock advantage and learn more, visit arrowquip.com or call 1 (866) 383-7827.

American Cattlemen’s Podcast with Matt Johnson, Marketing Director for Powder River

Welcome to another edition of the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead we have the Publisher of the American Cattlemen, Gale McKinney, and he is joined by Marketing Director, Matt Johnson with Powder River. During today’s episode, you will learn more about the background of Powder River and an update on the current status of the company. Matt will then dive into some of the equipment offerings and how safety plays a key role in the design of the equipment. Matt may also hint at some things coming down the pipe in the future. We hope you enjoy the episode.

For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.

American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:

Lewis Cattle Oiler

Udder Tech, Inc.

A Longstanding Impact

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Twin Rivers Media

A Longstanding Impact

By Maura Keller

When life gets going pretty fast, you kind of forget some of the little things that led to where you are.” – John McDonald, founder of Rawhide Portable Corrals.

The longstanding history of Rawhide Portable Corrals and the impact John McDonald’s invention and ingenuity has had on the cattle industry is profound. Nearly 25 years ago, McDonald developed of the first portable hydraulic corral on wheels, with multiple pens and 200-head capacity. Fast forward to today, and McDonald is still going strong – developing new, innovative products that help producers do their jobs more efficiently, effectively, and more safely.

Throughout the years since his original invention, McDonald’s portable corral has captured the attention of many throughout the cattle industry, especially as Rawhide has evolved to offer multiple corrals and additional unique product features that have earned the company a solid reputation in the industry.

“I got my initial ideas about a portable corral when I was doing equipment setups for the televised bull ridings,” McDonald says. “I have been a cowboy all my life. I started getting on things that bucked when I was four years old and continued to be around rodeo through my adult years, learning from the best. For not growing up on a cattle operation, I guess I just have some kind of an innate knack for how cattle and livestock work through equipment.”

When McDonald would help with the televised bull riding setups he became familiar with what was needed, constantly looking at things for safety and speed and to make the flow of cattle work well.

“I was around a lot of good rodeos, good stock contractors, good setups and I think my mind took note on all those places and things that I was around,” McDonald says. “I was in Chicago, setting up at Rosemount Horizon for bull riding. We had 80 bulls being brought in that I had to see that they were housed and didn’t get away in the center of a city. There was not one saddle horse around, because the promoters in the early days didn’t want to spend the money to have a saddle horse. They figured, you know, it’s a bull ridings in a small arena, we don’t need to rope anything. So I think the concern in my mind for safety and to keep something jailed, so to speak, made me think about the concept of a portable corral and work at it a little bit harder.”

When McDonald first brought his portable hydraulic corral to fruition, there was only one similar product on the market. McDonald honed his initial design to have standout features that incorporated insights from cattlemen and producers in the industry – those who have a first-hand understanding of the features needed that would make their jobs easier and safer. Throughout the years McDonald has embraced the continuous improvement process to refine the Rawhide Portable Corral into a product that new generations of cattle producers have come to expect.

“I was so excited when I invented Rawhide and I developed something that one person could do, that one person could set up in 10 minutes to catch hundreds of cattle,” McDonald says. “And unfortunately, because the one that existed before me, the only one, it was hard for me to get all the patents that I wanted, because it was considered prior art. I managed to not infringe. But because it was prior art, it makes it hard to get patents.

Today, there are about 10 portable corrals on wheels in the United States, and they’re all my design. What I continue to do, though, is I’m constantly covering all aspects of it for safety and for the animals to stay housed. I’ve had sleepless nights over this invention, constantly trying to make it better.”

It is McDonald’s continuous innovation that captures the attention of those in the cattle industry. Not only has Rawhide changed the cattle industry for the better – by providing a streamlined means for capturing and containing cattle, but it has helped keep animals and cattle producers safer along the way.

Today, Rawhide Portable Corral customers can choose from a series of different models, including the Classic, the Processor, and the Rancho Deluxe. While the chosen size will depend on the number of cattle being managed, each of these systems boast a hydraulic jack, self-contained power unit and battery with a solar charger, and the ability for the entire system to be driven through with a bale or cube feeder. In addition, the corral system can be pulled at the speed limit, thanks to McDonald developing an innovative torsion suspension.

“Other than stock trailers that people haul their cattle with, I’ve got the only piece of livestock equipment that you can pull down the highway that actually has a patented torsion suspension,” McDonald says. “Most livestock equipment just have axles on them because people are not traveling very far. But Rawhide has customers that have cattle in three different states, and I felt the need for a solid suspension system. I learned, after several years of building this, that folks were driving up and down the highway with my product, and there was some fatigue on the axles – not just on the highway, but customers were driving way too fast in their pastures. So I invented this patented torsion suspension axle.”

That’s also one of the reasons McDonald continues to make Rawhide Portable Corrals better – continuous improvement and operational safety and security is truly the “name of the game” at Rawhide.

“Throughout the years we have seen the competitors cheapen up their models and create bad news for our product, so we have to flood Rawhide’s market with good news about new revelations and new designs,” McDonald says. “I take care of my customers from coast to coast and in Canada. I’m in the livestock equipment industry, and there are not that many of us and we have our fraternity of folks that do this. Nearly everyone on the planet has a refrigerator and a washing machine, but not everyone has a portable corral. So I take it more personally, and I try to work at it more deliberately to provide products that enhance our way of life.”

In addition to Rawhide’s portable corral systems, McDonald has also developed a portable Windbreak, which can withstand 50+ mph winds and also has a built-in loafing shed and calving pen option. The portable, foldable, windbreak is on wheels and, like the Rawhide Portable Corral, can be set up by one person.

In designing the new portable windbreak system, McDonald was striving to develop a solution that would protect animals from extreme weather conditions, resulting in less cold stress and less heat stress on livestock.

“I’ve done my due diligence to try to cover as much as possible with this windbreak, just like I did the corral,” McDonald says. “Besides the fact that it’s that long of a windbreak that’s braced, I have a roof on it, on the center where the mainframe is that serves as the trailer. So you can hydraulically, with the press of a button, raise the roof, and you have an 18×24 foot-long lean to that calves can get under in bad conditions as well.”
As history has proven, McDonald’s continuous vision for improvement of his products, as well as developing new innovations to enhance the cattle industry, is never-ceasing.

“I do have some things that I’m going to do in the future, including enhancing the framework of Rawhide a little bit more,” McDonald says. “I’ve built thousands of corrals, and I have had hundreds of people tell me that this made the difference in whether they stayed in or got out of the cattle business. They might not have a thousand head of cattle, but they’ve got 200 head of cattle and they don’t feel like they can afford to hire a full-time guy to help them with their cattle. So they still do everything. I get that from folks all the time – ‘We were going to get out of the cattle business if it wasn’t for your portable corral and we don’t know what we’d do without it now.’ I’m really flattered when I hear that, as that was my intention from the beginning.”