The Evolution of the Q-Catch Cattle Chute

The Q-Catch 87 Series Cattle Chute

The Q-Catch 87 Series cattle chute is the newest model in the Q-Catch family. This chute features a total of 87 quiet points throughout with various features added, such as new poly bushings on the slam latches and Delrin head gate rollers. Our Research and Development team spent countless hours reviewing the chute meticulously to make it the quietest cattle chute ever designed.

This chute has taken elements from the 86 Series to the next level with new features like superior head gate response thanks to the Direct Drive system, while maintaining some of the favorites such as our world-renowned rubber floor and . The new needle door design features a drop-down bar, as well as a swing-out bottom panel, both changes which were requested by ranchers. These are in addition to other features throughout which have placed the 87 Series in a league of its own.

You can find more information on the Q-Catch 87 Series Cattle Chute here.

The Q-Catch 74 Series Squeeze Chute

The Q-Catch 74 Series is Arrowquip's answer to countless requests for a high-quality squeeze chute at a lower price point. With features inspired by the Q-Catch 86 Series, the 74 is our base model but still offers excellent features for smaller operations. With a single row of rump fingers to secure cattle, as well as our auto-locking mechanisms backed by lifetime guarantees, you have the tools you need to get the job done right. The new patented steel floor design is stamped to provide cattle with better traction than checker plate steel, and has gaps between the floor panels to allow dirt and debris to be washed out of the chute easily. The Q-Catch 74 Series is available with or without the vet cage, so you can choose the option that is right for your ranch.

Get more information on the Q-Catch 74 Series Squeeze Chute here.

The Q-Catch 86 Series Cattle Chute

The 86 Series was one of the defining moments in the history of the Q-Catch, as it was the first Q-Catch to include our renowned rubber floor! This feature is one of the biggest points of difference from previous models, and set the 86 Series apart from the competition. Additionally, the single head gate operation handle was first introduced on the 86 Series - a decision made to prioritize safety when operating the head gate by eliminating the second handle. Countless hours were spent reviewing the 86 Series to improve upon past versions, ensuring that the "Quick, Quiet, QualityÀ mantra was upheld and improved upon from previous models.

The Q-Catch 500 Series Cattle Chute

The Q-Catch 500 Series Cattle Chute was the first to be manufactured with powder-coated steel. Since then, Arrowquip has been using high-quality powder to create a protective finish on all equipment ever since. This method provides ultimate resistance to weather conditions and exposure to UV rays, as well as a long-lasting glossy finish.

One of the biggest updates to this model, which remains unchanged to this day, was the length of the Q-Catch. Elongating the cattle chute from the Q-Catch 400 offers more room in the vet cage for handlers to facilitate task such as Artificial Insemination.

The Q-Catch 400 Series Cattle Chute

The famous Q-Catch silhouette originated from the Q-Catch 400 Series. The overall green color with black access doors, yellow handles, and two rows of red nylon rump fingers are known signs of an Arrowquip cattle chute.

The 400 Series was the first to use a horizontal parallel squeeze instead of an upward lifting squeeze mechanism. The key difference between the two is how well the chute can immobilize the animal. By opting for a horizontal parallel squeeze, the cow is at a lower stress level because its sides are not being raised. The horizontal parallel squeeze also reduces foot traps and is much quieter than the former.

To highlight the importance of constant evolution, it should be known that earlier versions of the Q-Catch 400 did not have a full-length squeeze. In typical Arrowquip fashion, the Q-Catch 400 design was later updated to feature a full-length squeeze that included the vet cage. This modification prevents small calves from turning around in the vet cage, providing more efficiency in an operation.

The Immobilizer, The First Ever Q-Catch Cattle Chute

As the first of its kind, the Immobilizer paved the way for all the Q-Catches succeeding it. With push-pull operation for all handles, only one hand was required to catch and squeeze. This allowed for a quicker and more efficient workflow.

Although many updates have been made since the first Q-Catch, the Immobilizer is still considered a good chute because it did what it was designed to do. As its name implied, handlers were able to stabilize animals and perform operations needed with the Immobilizer.

The Concertina

The Concertina is the predecessor of the Q-Catch Series. Although it may appear similar to a Q-Catch Cattle Chute at first glance, the bulkiness of the Concertina made it difficult to work with. The Concertina had too many moving parts and unnecessary hinge points, making it difficult to see the animal. This problem highlighted the importance of animal accessibility and visibility to the engineers of the first Q-Catch Cattle Chute.

A good lesson to be learned is that there is always room for improvement. Our Founder, Phil Firth, once said "The best cattle chute has not been made yet.À At Arrowquip, we are continuously finding ways to improve livestock handling through innovative cattle equipment. If you have any ideas on how we can make our equipment better, please comment below or connect with us here. We'd love to hear from you!

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Updated July 2020.