People often reminisce about the good old days, but what they fail to understand is how hard life was back then. Can you imagine working cattle in the days before technology influenced cattle handling equipment? Fortunately, we do not have to. Thanks to the innovation of cattle equipment, we can now work cattle efficiently, safely and use best practices for low-stress cattle handling. Of all the best innovations in the cattle industry, hydraulic cattle chutes stand out.

A Brief History

We all know that cattle equipment is used widely and has a long history in our industry. Technology and mechanization have improved our lives in many ways, including the introduction of hydraulic cattle squeeze chutes.

A hydraulic cattle chute is a squeeze chute that uses hydraulic controls for the tail gate, head gate, squeeze, and in many cases, also head restraints. A well-designed hydraulic chute adheres to low-stress cattle handling practices and focuses on keeping animals and handlers safe, while also increasing efficiency. Hydraulic cattle chutes should be durable, well-made, and quiet. All these features help ensure a long lifespan for the chute and that the principles of low-stress cattle handling are adopted. For example, a hydraulic chute with the engine mounted on the top is noisy and spooks cattle, causing them to become chute shy and increasing stress.

Arrowquip’s research and development team continuously seek improvement in our chutes, using the latest technology and animal science research. This has allowed our equipment to evolve alongside that of the industry. We currently offer four hydraulic cattle chute models, the Powerlock 105 and Powerlock 108, which are best for large operations with 250+ head of cattle, and The Major and The General, which are built tough for use on feedlots. Each chute has been carefully designed to play a different role in a cattle operation to best suit your needs.

Working Cattle with Powerlock 105

The Powerlock 105

With the Powerlock 105 Series, our goal was to provide ranchers with a hydraulic chute that is practical and easy-to-use, without compromising on safety, quality, or affordability. Featuring the same structure and access features as the Arrowlock 75 Series manual squeeze chute, and adding hydraulic components, the 105 is the perfect combination of powerful and practical.

The Powerlock 105 features top-mounted hydraulic controls, and although they may not be the best choice when it comes to animal science, they are necessary in the market to provide affordable hydraulic chute options. At Arrowquip, our team of experts worked to find a pump that was as quiet as possible to help keep cattle calm as they’re worked through the chute. Combined with the rubber floor and multiple quiet points, the Powerlock 105 is the quietest top-mounted hydraulic chute in the industry.

The Powerlock 108

Powerlock 108 with cow in head gate

At Arrowquip, our goal is to design the quietest and most efficient cattle equipment, no matter what it is. This includes the Powerlock 108, which is designed to incorporate low-stress features and is engineered for durability and endurance.

With more than 108 quiet points from front to back, the Powerlock 108 includes poly-coated slam latches, poly bushings on all pivots and hinges, a rubber infinity floor, caulking on all sheet metal panels, and two rows of nylon rump fingers paired with a rubber-coated fibreglass rump bar.

Additionally, we worked on the motor to make it even quieter, and it is now virtually silent while offering the same powerful, fast-response hydraulics to get the work done in half the time. Finally, we recognize that not all operations have access to an electrical outlet all the time. The 107 is compatible with a gas power pack or tractor hook-up for more flexibility, and with a 15-year industry-leading warranty, you can work your cattle with confidence.

The General

The General being towed

We understand that feedlots have different needs than other cattle operations. Our engineers have worked endless hours studying cattle handling equipment in feedlots for over 17 years, and in the end came out with The General hydraulic cattle chute. With zero compromises, full access to cattle from front to back, infinite Neck Extenders to work with any sized animal, a pivoting hydraulic control arm, and three-way functionality in the squeeze, this cattle chute does it all.

The three-way squeeze allows handlers to use a parallel squeeze, V-squeeze, or A-squeeze, depending on the size of the animal, their stress level, and what’s safest for handlers. The General is also a solution for cow-calf producers as it is the first feedlot quality hydraulic chute with the access they rely on. With a 15-year industry-leading warranty and easily replaceable parts, downtime will never be an issue.

The Major

Arrowquip’s dedication to innovation continues with The Major heavy-duty hydraulic chute, designed specifically to meet the demands of high-volume cattle operations, such as feedlots. Built with durability in mind, The Major is built with only the strongest materials, ensuring it stands up to the everyday wear and tear of handling cattle.

The advanced hydraulic system provides operators with smooth, precise control to handle cattle efficiently, minimizing the amount of stress on both them and their cattle. With the hydraulic controls mounted on a pivoting swing arm, operators can control the entire chute, including the three-way squeeze, from front to back at any point along the chute from either side. When designing the hydraulic chute, our team of engineers also incorporated easy-to-replace parts that any rancher can fix, no matter where the chute may be, because we know that time is money.

Cattle in The Major Hydraulic Chute

As the cattle industry continues to evolve, so must the equipment that supports it. Hydraulic cattle chutes have redefined what’s possible when handling cattle, offering a level of efficiency and safety that was once unimaginable.

At Arrowquip, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries, creating equipment that not only meets the demands of today’s busy operations but also sets the bar for the future of cattle handling. With innovations like the Powerlock Series, The General, and The Major, ranchers can work smarter, safer, and with more confidence than ever before.