Manual Cattle Chutes

Posted on April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 by Weicks-Webmaster

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: manual cattle chutes.

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 chute 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. Streamlining your operation to create a more enjoyable experience for all involved.

Built to Withstand the Test of Time

When you purchase a cattle chute you want to ensure it withstands the rowdiest cattle and the harshest weather. At Arrowquip we manufacture our equipment with only the toughest materials because we understand that equipment can endure a lot.

Heavy-duty North American steel manufactures each chute and experts’ powder-coat it with the famous Arrowquip green that all ranchers 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.

Kaydence Michalsky | December 2024

American Cattlemen 2024

Win a Conquistador Portable Corral

Posted on March 20, 2025April 1, 2025 by Weicks-Webmaster

Win a Conquistador Portable Corral & More in the Industry’s Biggest Rancher Giveaway

Montezuma, KS – MJE Livestock Equipment is excited to announce its partnership with Merck Animal Health in the Tip the Scales Sweepstakes. This is a national giveaway designed to support ranchers with top-tier livestock management solutions. One lucky winner will receive a Conquistador Portable Corral. The ultimate in portable cattle-handling equipment, and additional prizes to enhance herd efficiency. Win a Conquistador Portable Corral.

From March 17 to July 14, 2025, the Tip the Scales Sweepstakes invites ranchers, feedyard operators, and cattle producers to participate in biweekly quizzes. The quizzes will be on livestock health, handling, and industry best practices. Each quiz entry increases the chance of winning, with the grand prize winner randomly selected in July from these entries.

The Conquistador: A Game-Changer in Cattle Handling

The Conquistador Portable Corral has revolutionized cattle handling with its quick setup, mobility, and enhanced safety features. Designed to reduce stress on livestock and handlers. This system provides ranchers with a durable, efficient, and adaptable solution for working cattle anywhere.

“We’re proud to partner with Merck Animal Health on Tip the Scales because it aligns with what we stand for. Helping ranchers work smarter, not harder,” said Michael Cowley, Director of Sales for MJE Livestock Equipment. “The Conquistador is built to make cattle handling more efficient. This giveaway gives producers a chance to experience that firsthand.”

How to Enter

Producers can enter the Tip the Scales Sweepstakes and take part in the biweekly quizzes by visiting Merck Animal Health’s official sweepstakes page. No purchase is necessary to participate.

For more information on The Conquistador Portable Corral, visit MJE Livestock Equipment’s website or contact Find a Dealer.

About MJE Livestock Equipment

MJE Livestock Equipment makes the lives of farmers and ranchers easier through strategic herd management advice, facility design, and American-made livestock equipment built with innovation that makes ranching easier and cattle safe, healthy, and happy. Win a Conquistador Portable Corral.

To learn more about MJE Livestock Equipment and become part of their fast-growing network of dealers, visit our website:www.mjelivestockequipment.com/dealers

Portable Corrals Materials Matter

Posted on March 12, 2025March 31, 2025 by Weicks-Webmaster

Why Portable Corrals Materials Matter

Here’s one thing we know: In the agricultural industry, Portable Corrals Materials Matter. Products that are made of strong, durable, and long-lasting materials can stand up to the intense activity within the cattle industry. John McDonald, founder and owner of Rawhide Portable Corral understands too well the necessity of designing and manufacturing products that feature materials that can stand up to heavy use by cattle producers. As well as the interaction with the animals themselves.

Since 2002, when McDonald introduced the first Rawhide Portable Corral, he has worked diligently to bring this durable, efficient, and streamlined corral system to thousands of farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. Thanks to McDonald’s focus on continuous improvement. The team has enhanced the Rawhide Portal Corral through the years. Resulting in a one of the toughest corral systems that meets the needs of today’s producers. All because of the materials chosen in its design.

Cowboy Tested

“It all goes back to being a cowboy and being around wild animals, bucking bulls, and doing televised bull ridings,” McDonald explains. “I was able to see what equipment could take the hits of all the animals and the pressure involved.” Portable corrals materials matter.

When designing his original portable corral, McDonald instinctively knew that the panels had to be coped and saddled for strength. He also recognized the need to use 13-gauge material to offer the strength and durability required by producers.

“The material was something that was denser than the muffler on a car, and that could take the hit when animals were running into it,” McDonald explains.

Being portable, the corrals also are often transported down highways or on tough terrain. So, the mainframe of the corrals had to be designed durable enough to withstand both interactions with cattle, as well as the jarring along roadways and fields. The Rawhide’s enhanced suspension system ensures stability and reduces the strain on the corral’s core components.

“I decided to use the square tubing for the mainframe because it provides the framework for the trailer,” McDonald says. “3/16” and 1/4’ thickness provides the strength needed as the unit travels up and down the highway and in rough pastures.”

Years of Design Work

McDonald says that he knew there was only one other portable corral on wheels in the world when he invented his. I found that it wasn’t a very large corral. Because the material they used was oil field pipe, which is very heavy. You just can’t add too much of that type of pipe. It made the product very heavy and unstable in transport going down the road as well.” Recognizing the importance of constructing the Rawhide Portable Corral with panels consisting of round tubing, McDonald could also get more equipment on his product’s construction.

Heavy material specifically Schedule 80 pipe and Schedule 40 pipe that collars onto the tubing and the 2” round 13 gauge on the panels creates strong ends when cattle run into or fold the corral.

As pipe schedule values increase, the pipe wall thickness also increases, resulting a durable and stronger support. It also allows for more equipment to be included on the mainframe for larger corrals.

Built Many Things, But No Manufacturing Experience

“When I first started building the Rawhide Portable Corral, I had built a lot of things in my life, but I had no manufacturing experience nor had I ever sold something that I had built for others,” McDonald says. “So, most everything that I used (connectors, gussets, flat iron, square tubing), was heavy.”

“I did a lot of research and development with my own animals, since I was raising bucking bulls,” McDonald says. “I could take something home and I could find out really quickly if it was going to handle the things that animals were going to do to it. In my eyes, I felt like I had to build something that’s going to last forever.”

McDonald says that the team had to make the gooseneck heavier because of the strain it might experience. I designed the long gusset on the front of the gooseneck, and I attached it to the front mainframe. The buffer absorbs the impact. It bounces against the front where the two by six is attached. That long gusset also transfers up. The team purposefully keeps the Rawhide bow gates close to the stability of the mainframe.

Transport Wheels

“Our mainframe is the foundation for our corral. I knew it had to be the trailer and the racks,” McDonald says. “Knowing the importance of bow gates to our system. We tried various locations for them.” Early on, McDonald tried to place a gate on the end of a panel. But quickly found that it didn’t make it easy or possible to fold it up and move it around in fields and pastures.

McDonald states that any kind of bow gate away from the main frame is not supported. McDonald explains that a bow gate anchored to the main frame is also not supported. “The strength of the anchor can protect it.” The farther you move away the weaker it becomes. The builders firmly anchor the gates to 3 x 3 1/4-inch square tubing. The builders construct them with the frame three inches off the ground.

“In our design, there’s no need to have them anywhere else. Because of the pinning system that I invented. All of my panels can hinge like a gate,” McDonald says. “So not only do you have a panel that you can sort with and that hinges like a gate. But it’s on solid rubber wheels.” This results in flexibility and the assurance that it is not going to go flat, unlike other companies that have tried unsuccessfully to use metal wheels and aluminum wheels. Portable Corrals Materials Matter.

Design of Wheels Critical

“For example, when using metal wheels and you try to roll your panels open on frozen ground with a bunch of frozen cow pies, you just about break your jaw because the panels come to a dead stop because there is no bounce in those metal wheels,” McDonald says. “Not only are the metal wheels too hard, but they’re also heavier.” Portable Corrals Materials Matter.

The axles on the Rawhide Portable Corral are another area that McDonald has refined. As he explains, although he has used the heaviest, most durable materials in his designs. His original design did not factor in the intense treatment the axles were going to endure on rough roads or at high speeds through pastures.

“Over time, I’ve gradually beefed up the axles. I use an inch-and-a-half cold rolled rod. There are two types of solid rod in the material world. Hot rolled and cold rolled. Hot rolled is less expensive and quickly made. But you can hit it with a hammer and put a huge dent in it,” McDonald says. “Someone may get a flat tire from something they did, or they may damage their pickup from bouncing too much. But they aren’t going to hurt the corral – from the gooseneck to the axles – from how fast they drive because the materials are heavy, durable, and built to last.”

Portable Corrals Materials Matter.

American Cattlemen 2025