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Shear grab protection at barrier

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  • 19-01-2022 2:25pm
    #1
    JCB1
    Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭


    Most winters I end up cutting a cow/bullock/heifer with the shear grab. Most of the time it's just a slight nick where they puck the open shear grab but we have had one or two cases over the years that needed a vet callout.

    They are standard diagonal barriers on both an open and closed slatted shed. I could drop the silage block 3ft out and close the grab and push it in but that takes time, as a part time farmer I'm usually in a hurry to go to work, collect kids, get dinner etc.

    Does anyone have any ideas on a simple blocking mechanism to stop the heads going out at feeding time?

    I'm thinking of some sort of gate/mesh hinged off the top of the barrier that could be opened/closed quickly.

    Has anyone done anything similar? Or any alternative ideas?

    Thanks



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    #2
    mr.stonewall
    Registered Users Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭mr.stonewall


    I drop the block out from the barrier and when the next block is on the grab, push it in with the grab closed, then drop the next block.

    Other option is drop the silage above the the height of the barrier



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    #3
    Jb1989
    Registered Users Posts: 2,421 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    There was something on here years ago, Possibly in the gunthering thread, (I looked first few pages but can't see it).

    Man was makeing light mesh sheets, in a light frame on a pully, that he could wind up and down fairly quickly, across the barrier.

    He was useing bale spike but his passage way was very narrow.



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    #4
    Mooooo
    Registered Users Posts: 8,611 ✭✭✭Mooooo


    Drop your blocks at a safe distance and once all there push them in then. Could get a pusher to so that job as it would be faster and save the grab as well. Have one here which is like a snow pusher, just a blade at an angle and drive on straight and it pushes the silage to the side. Be done in 30 seconds



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    #5
    JCB1
    Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭JCB1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118499770#Comment_118499770

    Good idea on pushing in with the next block, saves the time taken to close/open the grab.



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    #6
    MfMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,363 ✭✭✭MfMan


    This is more likely to happen with diagonal barriers as cattle can put their heads out higher and straighter. Not so feasible to change them to horizontal ones that force their necks lower? As some have suggested, I drop them higher than the barrier and usually at a 45-degree tilt at first so that c. 2/3 of the block falls out immediately. Then drop the rest a little further on with a bit of vigorous shaking of the grab.



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    #7
    hopeso
    Registered Users Posts: 1,400 ✭✭✭hopeso


    A bit time consuming, but a light field gate can be tied along the front of the pen you're placing the blocks at, and then pulled onto the next pen, and so on.....



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    #8
    Grueller
    Registered Users Posts: 5,100 ✭✭✭Grueller


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118500118#Comment_118500118

    Exactly what I do. No need for the silage to be left in neat blocks, feeding every day it won't spoil anyhow.



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    #9
    K.G.
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 3,036 Mod ✭✭✭✭K.G.


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118499770#Comment_118499770

    That's how we do it never an issue and dosent add 10 seconds.its more dangerous to take away the waste than feeding g out



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    #10
    cjpm
    Registered Users Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭cjpm


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118501875#Comment_118501875

    Do the same here. Push in the first with the second when the grab is closed. Open grab and reverse then to dislodge the second and so on. Wouldn’t dream of going near barrier with the grab open.

    Also if you’re shaking the grab vigorously your not doing your loader or tractor any favours.



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