Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A portable livestock corral features a central alleyway subdivided into two alleys and having two sets of foldable corral panels for forming livestock pens on opposing sides of the alleyway. On either side of the alleyway, a bud box is selectively deployable at a corner of the respective livestock pen that resides across from an openable/closable alleyway side-gate of the other pen, whereby loading of the alleyway from either pen can exploit such a bud box. Inside the alleyway, an internal swing gate is lockable in different positions to enable opening of both alleys, or selectively closure of either one of the two alleys, which can serve as a livestock-free zone safely occupiable of a human operator. In transport mode, a safety bar with deployable stops at its opposing ends mechanically restrains the folded-up corral panels on both sides of the alleyway for optimal road safety.

Abstract: Livestock handling equipment characterized by a modular alley construction employing shared bows with hole-penetrated front and rear faces for fastening of elongated structural beams and coupling of side panels at both of said faces. Longitudinally protruding coupling members on said side panels for engaging said holes include grooved and longitudinally extendable/retractable pivot pins at the bottom ends of the side panels. Selectively mountable/removable cladding members enable convenient strategic customization of cladding coverage to optimize livestock flow via pressure zone techniques, physical intervention and/or light-based attraction, and also enable physical access for inspection and treatment of the animals.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute features a side-gate frame delimiting a side-access opening for lateral access to an animal secured in the chute's head gate. An openable/closeable side-gate is movably coupled to the gate frame to enable selective obstruction of a lower area of the side-access opening. An upper barrier is movably coupled to the side-gate for movement into and out of a closed state at least partially obstructing an upper area of said side-access opening. A hinged connection by which said side-gate is both pivotably and removably coupled to said gate frame comprises a set of male stub shafts and a cooperating set of female receptacles, by which said side-gate is pivotally movable at a first elevation, and fully removable when lifted to a greater second elevation. When both are removed from the frame, the barrier is set an angle forming a supportive prop for the gate.

Abstract: A head gate drive assembly for a livestock chute features a rectangular longitudinal shaft at a first side of the chute, a handle slidable along the shaft and operable to rotate same, and a control arm coupled to the shaft at the front of the chute to operate the head gate. The arm and shaft are directly coupled in a fastener-free removable manner enabling remounting of the arm in a reversed orientation for use at an opposing second side of the chute. Front and rear support assemblies for the shaft are removably mounted at first predefined mounting locations on the first side of the chute, which are mirrored by a second set of predefined mounting locations on the second side of the chute. The front support assembly features bushings of circular outer profile rotatable inside a housing, and of rectangular inner profile conforming to the shaft passing through said housing.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A livestock head holder with movably supported top and bottom holding members movable by an operating mechanism into a closed state bracing against the topside and underside of an animal's head, neck or jaw region. Selectively attachable scoop extensions for the bottom head holder enable selective enlargement of a neck scoop thereof for more effective performance on larger animals of greater size at said body region. A selectively attachable/removable stabilizer on the top holding member is of increased breadth relative to a main elongated bar of the top holding member to increase the area of surface contact at the topside of said body region. This spreads the holding force over a greater area and reduces pressure concentration on the animal's body to provide increased comfort and a calming effect.

Abstract: A livestock force tub features a perimeter structure delimiting an interior space of said livestock tub, including a main peripheral wall spanning circumferentially around a central upright axis, an exit situated at or proximate a terminal end of the main peripheral wall and a supplemental wall section at an area adjacent the exit on a side thereof opposite the terminal end of the main peripheral wall. The supplemental wall section increases an angular span of the tub around the central axis to create an auxiliary space beyond the exit. This auxiliary space accommodates a possible uncooperative animal during unloading of the force tub while allowing others to still reach the exit. The supplemental wall section and a terminal section of the main peripheral wall have a lesser opacity than more significantly cladded areas of the main peripheral wall, whereby increased light admission and environmental visibility attract livestock toward the exit.

Abstract: A portable livestock handling apparatus features a set of arc-shaped wall panels carried on a rearmost section of a towable chassis, and pivotally interconnected to one another for swinging movement between deployed positions forming continuous arcuate extensions of one another to collectively define an arcuate wall span of the tub, and stowed positions folded up alongside one another to occupy a compact area on the chassis. The rearmost chassis section is longer on one side than the other, and features a chassis extension extendable from the rear end of the chassis to connect to one of the deployed panels. This elongated side and extension form the only ground-level connections between the chassis and the tub wall to minimize tripping hazards.

Abstract: A portable livestock handling apparatus features a set of arc-shaped wall panels carried on a rearmost section of a towable chassis, and pivotally interconnected to one another for swinging movement between deployed positions forming continuous arcuate extensions of one another to collectively define an arcuate wall span of the tub, and stowed positions folded up alongside one another to occupy a compact area on the chassis. The rearmost chassis section is longer on one side than the other, and features a chassis extension extendable from the rear end of the chassis to connect to one of the deployed panels. This elongated side and extension form the only ground-level connections between the chassis and the tub wall to minimize tripping hazards.

Abstract: A portable livestock apparatus has a frame, removable transport wheels situated on a wheel axis located intermediately between opposing front and rear ends of the frame, and a front lifting jack mechanism disposed forwardly of the wheel axis. Transition of the apparatus between a ground-seated field-use position and a wheel-carried transport position is performed using only the front lifting jack mechanism, without requiring a separate rear lifting jack mechanism behind the wheel axis to enable installation and removal of the transport wheels. Full extension of the front lifting jack mechanism raises the front end far enough to provide sufficient ground clearance at the wheel axis for installation and removal of the transport wheels. A singular lift-lower operation by the singular jack thus enables both hitch connection/disconnection and wheel installation/removal.

Abstract: A livestock force tub features a perimeter structure delimiting an interior space of said livestock tub, including a main peripheral wall spanning circumferentially around a central upright axis, an exit situated at or proximate a terminal end of the main peripheral wall and a supplemental wall section at an area adjacent the exit on a side thereof opposite the terminal end of the main peripheral wall. The supplemental wall section increases an angular span of the tub around the central axis to create an auxiliary space beyond the exit. This auxiliary space accommodates a possible uncooperative animal during unloading of the force tub while allowing others to still reach the exit. The supplemental wall section and a terminal section of the main peripheral wall have a lesser opacity than more significantly cladded areas of the main peripheral wall, whereby increased light admission and environmental visibility attract livestock toward the exit.

Abstract: An improved locking device is provided for one a livestock head gate in which two doors rollingly engaged on an overhead guide shaft for roving movement of said two doors toward one another into a closed position bracing a livestock animal between said doors and away from one another into an open position releasing said livestock animal. Primary and secondary shaft-receiving and locking members have respective first and second through-holes therein for receipt of the overhead guide shaft. A spring-receipt member is fixed to the primary shaft-receiving member for cooperation with a spring that tilts the primary shaft-receiving member into a locking position. The secondary movable locking member is retained beside the primary member in a manner enabling both tilting therewith and displacement relative thereto so as to bite onto the shaft at the perimeter of the second through-hole in the locking position.

Abstract: An improved locking device is provided for one a livestock head gate in which two doors rollingly engaged on an overhead guide shaft for roving movement of said two doors toward one another into a closed position bracing a livestock animal between said doors and away from one another into an open position releasing said livestock animal. Primary and secondary shaft-receiving and locking members have respective first and second through-holes therein for receipt of the overhead guide shaft. A spring-receipt member is fixed to the primary shaft-receiving member for cooperation with a spring that tilts the primary shaft-receiving member into a locking position. The secondary movable locking member is retained beside the primary member in a manner enabling both tilting therewith and displacement relative thereto so as to bite onto the shaft at the perimeter of the second through-hole in the locking position.