Category: Corrals and Chutes

Evaluating the Value of Hydraulic Handling Systems 

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Evaluating the Value of Hydraulic Handling Systems 

You may not use your handling system excessively often compared to other facilities and equipment, but when you do need it, a good one is invaluable. Beyond convenience, these systems directly impact safety, efficiency and labor. One of the best your money can buy is a hydraulic system. No longer limited to large operations or feedlots, these chutes and systems have also found homes on small scale operations. But is the investment a good one? 

Are Hydraulic Systems Worth It? 

Hydraulic systems are sometimes dismissed as an unnecessary expense, especially by operations that have long relied on manual or mechanical chutes. However, the advantages go well beyond convenience.
One of the standout benefits of hydraulics is the added safety they provide. With smoother, quieter operation and precise control, animals experience less stress during handling. At the same time, handlers face fewer risks of injury because the chute does the heavy work of catching, restraining, and releasing livestock without the need for excessive force. This also reduces fatigue, allowing both people and cattle to work more effectively over longer periods. 

Hydraulic chutes designs are for speed and accuracy allowing the operator to make quick, precise adjustments with minimal animal movement. The ability to control the headgate, tailgate, squeeze and head restraints from a single panel keeps cattle flowing steadily through the system. This efficiency not only saves valuable time but also minimizes the stress that comes from prolonged handling. 

When labor is tight, or in situations where a single person is working livestock, hydraulic systems are a game changer. The chute takes on much of the physical burden, meaning fewer hands are needed. Many systems receive power by electric or gas power packs. Or they can even be adapted to connect with other hydraulic equipment.  

Hydraulic handling equipment should be viewed less as a luxury and more as a tool that pays for itself in time savings, labor reduction, and safer, smoother cattle handling. 

 The Implementation

When you decide to make the leap, one of the biggest concerns is safeguarding and fully utilizing your investment. Most hydraulic systems receive power through onsite electricity or with a gas-powered unit. Therefore, the best choice depends on available infrastructure and how portable you need the system to be. In either situation, consistent and reliable power is a must to avoid disruptions in handling.

Placement of the chute should work seamlessly with existing facilities. Consider how it integrates with alleys, pens, and holding areas to keep cattle moving smoothly. Measure and modify as needed and double check your work so you don’t have to make costly changes.

Even the best chute and system won’t perform safely or effectively without proper training. Everyone involved should understand how to operate the system, follow safety protocols, and perform basic maintenance routines. Good training reduces the risk of accidents and keeps the system running at peak efficiency. 

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Hydraulic chutes rely on hoses, cylinders and connections that must be kept in good working order. Conducting regular inspections helps spot potential problems early and prevents breakdowns at inopportune times. These checks also reduce safety risks by addressing wear and tear before it causes accidents.

As with heavy equipment, maintaining proper hydraulic fluid levels is essential for smooth, reliable operation. Running the system low on fluids can cause performance issues or unexpected shutdowns. 

Leaks, slow moving parts or electrical hiccups are among the more common challenges. Many of these can be resolved with simple adjustments or part replacements if caught early. Keeping spare hoses or fittings on hand can minimize downtime. 

Beyond daily or seasonal checks, hydraulic chutes should follow a structured service schedule. In other words, planning annual maintenance outside of your heaviest working seasons keeps the system ready for the next run. 

Hydraulic cattle handling systems may initially seem geared toward large feedlots or commercial operations, but their flexibility and benefits make them a practical option for many types of farms. By improving safety, reducing labor needs, and allowing for more precise animal care, these systems can pay for themselves in both efficiency and peace of mind. 

By Jaclyn Krymowski for American Cattlemen 

November 2025

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The Heart Of Your Operation

Posted on by Amy Wold

The Heart Of Your Operation

The most intricate and important livestock handling work is done at the chute. Having the correct tool for your operation is critical to the success and safety of animals and operators. You need to get it right but where do you start?

Dubas Equipment is a Central Nebraska business Founded by Gene Dubas that sells and services Moly Mfg. and SILENCER Equipment all across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and numerous other countries. They attend over 50 tradeshows, fairs, and conventions throughout the year. “We purchased our first SILENCER Chute in 1993 loved it so much we became a dealer in 1994 and have been representing the company ever since.

One thing that we feel puts us a notch above the rest is that we don’t just sell the products we are producers that use these products, we trust them with our livestock and believe in the craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from Moly Mfg. We use our SILENCER Chute and a Remote Controlled Turret Gate system on a regular basis; therefore, we have a better understanding of the equipment which we can provide our customers with the exact equipment to fit their needs. Hydraulic neck extender bars are the industry standard for vaccinations and neck access. The hydraulic lower squeeze fits the contour of the animals body shape to keep it upright and at a controlled pace.

The low-pressure squeeze allows for enough adjustment to work small calves up to large bulls in the same chute. Hydraulic forward assist helps you keep the flow while at the controls. Platform scales for easy clean out and quick weights. The options are limitless.

All SILENCER Hydraulic Squeeze Chutes are manufacture to order. The type of livestock operation & number of animals going through the hydraulic chute will begin the process of building your ideal SILENCER. In just a few minutes with Dubas Equipment, you can have a SILENCER build sheet, price & time-line for completion. Want to try one first? Ask about live demos!

Safety and Efficiency are the words we hear quite often. What can we do in those high impact areas to reduce the chance of injury? How can we build & keep a flow to the chute? Where can you save steps or reduce labor needs? Remote control Turretgate is THE tool to make an instant improvement to any operation. By staying out of the animals’ flight zone we find it keeps animals much calmer and is the only gate that offers continuous forward flow! Anytime an animal has to stop and turn, you’ve lost your flow and it must start again. Using Turretgate and the ability to shuttle the gate through the middle means the animal is always moving forward.

A common afterthought when purchasing livestock handling equipment & designing facilities is what happens after the chute. If you miss a catch, what is the plan? Do you need to add a loadout lane? Sorting animals after the chute is a common practice that adds time and labor. A hydraulic sort gate added to the controls of the SILENCER Chute gives you a 3-way sort with no extra steps or time. Add more hydraulic sort gates for even more sort options!

Portability can be critical to your operation to create a safer working environment when and where you need it. The complete Moly Mfg. low stress handling system can be made portable and is one of your build options through the ordering process. Setup in a complete remote controlled handling facility in less than an hour. Because these systems are operated by remote, it is possible for 1 person to move an entire herd hands-free with almost zero safety risk for the people processing the animals. No more running to close gates or being in small pens with agitated animals. No more waiting for unreliable labor to help work cattle.

Complete cattle comfort starts when your equipment is first installed. Make sure the introduction to your handling equipment is a positive experience for livestock to help build more efficient processing in the future. It will be worth the extra time spent and your animals will remember the way out.

From complete facility design to implementation and warranty, Dubas Equipment has the experience and staff to serve livestock handling needs of any level. “Not only do we listen to a customer’s wants & needs but we have them talk us through their operation. SILENCER Hydraulic Chutes are built with 100s of different configurations to create your perfect hydraulic chute for your operation. Give us an idea of how things flow currently. That allows us the chance to make suggestions the customer might have no considered. We’ve spent the last 28 years learning and growing. Combining our firsthand experience with technology and media to help share that insight. We don’t just see ourselves as a sales team, but as brand experts than can help your business thrive in production and safety.”

Gene Dubas, Dubas Equipment with Chad Berger, Berger Bucking Bulls

“At ORIgen we have found Gene Dubas to be an important and reliable component of the safe and efficient operation of our seme collection facilities where we have five barns that house up to 200 valuable individual bulls of all ages and attitudes. Gene has assisted us in choosing the correct equipment for our unique scenario where safety of both the bulls and people is paramount. He is an invaluable aid in keeping our equipment doing what it was designed to do. Like many startups, we began operations with other brands of equipment and were disappointed with those early results, but once Gene and the Moly equipment became part of our team, both our people and our customers bulls like the way things work at ORIgen now!”

Dick Beck, ORIgen

“I can honestly say SILENCER Hydraulic Chutes are a game changer for the beef industry. Jorgensen Land & Cattle would not be marketing 4000 bulls annually without Moly equipment. Gene Dubas and his team go above and beyond to ensure the support of such a great product. With every great product comes great people and that’s what we have with Moly equipment and Gene Dubas”

Cody Jorgensen, Jorgensen Land& Cattle

“We have had a relationship with Gene Dubas for almost 2 decades, and he understands our needs for our operations. Bob and I have bought many chutes and trailers during that time along with setting him up with our friends and customers to help them with their needs. One of the main reasons I stay with Gene Dubas is that he stands behind the SILENCER name and a great warranty if there is a problem.”

Jim Sitz, Sitz Angus

“We purchased our first SILENCER Chute 20 years ago and are so glad we did. My Dad and I met Gene Dubas at the NCBA tradeshow while we were studying each chute in the tradeshow in search of the right chute for our new working facilities. It was obvious that SILENCER was the best chute, but it was a higher price than we had budgeted. Gene helped us see the value of this long-term investment and boy was he right. He also encouraged us to add scales to our chute and that too was a great investment. Service after the sale has been outstanding and every time we have had a question about the chute, Gene was our first call and he is always quick to help us. The next time we need a chute, we plan to buy a SILENCER from Gene Dubas.”

Home – American Cattlemen

October 2021

Article courtesy of Moly Mfg.

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Considerations for Purchasing a Head Chute

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Key Considerations for Purchasing a Head Chute

When it comes to head chutes, there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” cattle chute. Picking out the right head chute should make your cattle handling operations noticeably smoother, significantly safer, and ultimately much less stressful for everyone involved. Let’s dive into the key features you’ll want to consider to ensure you pick the perfect one!

Keep Safety First 

Chutes are the basic backbone of many operations, so they need to be built tough! Think seriously durable materials that can handle bulls pushing and the occasional kick without breaking down. When you’re setting them up, it’s super important to set them up correctly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

It’s a good habit to regularly give your chutes a once-over. Keep an eye out for anything problematic like sharp corners, welds that look a bit iffy, or any bent metal that could hurt you or the cattle. And definitely keep them clear of any debris. A well-maintained chute isn’t just safer; it makes your entire workday a lot easier.

Work cattle through the chutes as safely as you can. Stressed animals are far more likely to act unpredictably, which ramps up the risk of accidents for everyone. By intentionally trying to minimize stressful handling, you’re making your own job safer and more efficient. Calm cattle are simply easier to manage, less prone to injuring themselves, and far less likely to have unexpected reactions. By keeping these safety tips in mind, you’ll create a much better, safer, and more productive experience for both you and your herd. 

Consider the Size of Your Herd

Fitting the right chute to your current and growing cattle ranch makes everything smoother and safer. It’s not just about getting the first one you see; it’s about getting a chute that’s specifically designed to work hand-in-hand with your unique herd and the jobs you need to get done.

The very first thing to chat about is the kind of cattle you’re raising and their size. If you’re dealing with larger cattle, you’ll definitely want to lean towards a heavier-duty chute that can really stand up to their size and strength. If you’ve got non-polled, scurred, or longhorn cattle, you know their horns can be a challenge. Some chute designs are just better suited for them, so keep that in mind.

It’s also super important to think about the range of sizes you’ll be running through that chute. Let’s be honest, at some point, you’re probably going to need to put your biggest bull through there, but you’ll also be handling calves. This means you’ll need a chute with a squeeze mechanism that offers an extensive range of adjustment. That way, you can safely and securely hold anything from your biggest bull to your smallest calf, making sure everyone stays safe and comfortable. Getting a chute that’s versatile enough for every age and size in your herd will absolutely pay off in the long run.

What Are You Needing it For

Finally, consider what you’ll actually be doing with your new chute. Are you mostly just doing routine vaccinations, or do you have bigger tasks like artificial insemination, branding, or dehorning on your to-do list? The more varied the jobs you need to perform, the more versatile your chute should be.

In this case, you will want to pay attention to some of the features, like a good headgate to secure their head, a chin bar for extra stability, a rump bar to keep them from backing up, or even a palpation cage if you’re doing veterinary checks. These additions can seriously smooth out those multi-step processes. By looking for chutes designed for both basic everyday tasks and more advanced handling needs, you can pick a model that truly covers all your bases.

Ultimately, choosing a cattle chute is an investment in your ranch’s efficiency and the well-being of your animals. By taking a moment to think about your specific herd – their size, their type, and all the tasks you’ll be doing – you can confidently pick a chute that feels like it was made just for your ranch, helping you work smarter and safer for years to come!

Mobile Cattle Chute

A mobile cattle head chute is essentially a portable version of the robust head chutes. Think of it as your primary cattle handling station, but with wheels! These units are designed to be easily moved, often towed behind an ATV, UTV, or truck, allowing you to bring the handling equipment directly to your cattle, wherever they might be in the pasture. They’re built sturdy but light, offering a secure way to hold an animal by the head for various procedures. 

Furthermore, mobile head chutes are exceptionally versatile. They’re perfect for routine tasks like vaccinations, ear tagging, administering medication, or even artificial insemination, all done conveniently where the cattle are. This can be a huge benefit for ranches that might not have extensive permanent infrastructure in every pasture, or for those just starting out and building their working facilities incrementally. They offer a safe and secure environment to perform necessary husbandry tasks without having to invest in multiple fixed corrals.

The biggest benefit of a mobile head chute is that it can be moved, and that makes managing cattle across different properties and pastures manageable. Instead of spending valuable time and effort gathering and driving your entire herd back to a central, fixed working corral, you can simply hitch up your mobile head chute and take it right to them. 

While mobile squeeze chutes offer fantastic flexibility, they do come with a few considerations that might be seen as drawbacks depending on your specific operation.

One point to keep in mind is the initial cost. Because they incorporate a sturdy frame, axles, wheels, and a hitch for transport, mobile units can sometimes have a higher upfront price tag compared to a very basic stationary chute. You’re paying for that added engineering and the convenience of portability.

Wear and Tear

Then there’s the aspect of wear and tear. Since these chutes are regularly moved across various terrains, exposed to different weather conditions, and constantly hitched and unhitched, components like tires, axles, and suspension can experience more stress and require more maintenance over time than a chute that simply stays in one place. Because these are built to be mobile and lightweight, you might notice they’re not as “tough” as a permanent chute.

While they save time by bringing the chute to the cattle, there’s still a certain amount of setup and teardown involved. You’ll need to position it correctly, ensure it’s level, and secure it in place before you can start working. This isn’t a huge amount of time, but it’s more than simply walking up to a permanently installed chute.

Also, mobile units generally have limitations and work well for smaller groups or specific tasks, but if you’re looking to efficiently work hundreds of head at once, a mobile chute might not offer the same flow and throughput as a custom-built, multi-pen permanent system.

Choosing a headchute is a significant investment for your ranch. A good chute is invaluable and can be a great help when cattle are having dystocia or health problems. When buying one, consider the location and the size of your cattle herd. A mobile option might be best if you’re moving from farm to farm. Above all, please consider the safety of yourself and cattle when making your choices.

By Jessica Graham

September 2025

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