Important Considerations When Purchasing a Yard

We encourage you to consider the following when evaluating yards from different suppliers.

Is the quoted capacity based on some mythological total holding capacity or a realistic working capacity?

Many quoted figures are unrealistic. Overcrowding is the biggest cause of accidents.

Yards will move if they are not pegged down

Despite what you may be told

Does the race look longer than it actually is as a result of the very short panels used in the race?

Some suppliers use between a 1.4m panel and a 1.8m panel. Four of others is the same length as three of ours.

Will the gates get broken off their hinges if the gates are hinged inside the yards? Do gates cross over?

Gates need to fold back 180 degrees and lay flush against a panel.

If there are slam catches, are there backing plates to stop an animal from rolling the catch?

Gates can be easily opened by a nose, tail bone or horns.

Are there tear or bruise points through gates with drop pins or slam catches that protrude?

Remember you are nearly always on the opposite side of the latch side which is hit by animals.

If you miss catching an animal will it keep going up and over the load ramp?

Can be a fair bugger.

Are entry gates and gates in the yards wide enough for cattle flow?

50-100 head through a 2 metre wide opening is slow and results in bruising.

Are all races, ramps and crushes clearances over 700mm wide?

Cattle are getting lower, wider and heavier.

Is the steel Australian Made Grade 350-450 High Tensile or cheap imported steel or panels Grade 250 Low Tensile? Is the wall thickness and galvanizing exaggerated?

Imported panels may look like Australian cattle rail but they are often only Grade 250 and 1.8mm thick.

Are all necessary ground pins, caps etc supplied or are they extra?

These add-ons are often expensive or not available. Tent pegs will not suffice.

Are there man ways or gates to provide adequate access around the yard?

Hidden extra costs. Plus retro fitting a man way will require a force yard to be redesigned.

Do man ways only swing in? People may be hurt and an animal may be trapped by the head

You may be rammed into the man way. Also a beast’s only reaction is to suck back.

Are man ways too narrow?

A narrow man way will catch a beast in between the ribs and the hips. It is a major problem if this happens.

Do all pound gates face the same way?

Pound drafting with opposite swinging gates is cumbersome. The designers of some yards have clearly never used a pound.

Can you swing the draft gates at the front of the crush past an animal's head while it is still in the head bail? Are gate frame posts or joining posts at the front of the head bail a knuckle buster?

Have to back animal into crush prior to drafting. No give when hand between head and steel.

Can an animal get it's head between the sliding gate rails?

A real problem if you cannot open the slide with other animals jamming it.

If a timber floor in a ramp, can boards be added easily, or, is it a cut and re-weld exercise? Timber floors will shrink and additional boards will need to go in the floor over time.

Easy to break a leg.

Will trucks shunt the ramp back and crumple the yards?

Will happen if the ramp is not anchored to the ground.

Is the length of the ramp exaggerated by a diagonal claim instead of a horizontal measurement?

Are prices quoted GST inclusive (as per the law?)

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