Instruction Manual& Operating Guide

Continental Cattle Crate

Hoof Trimming AttachmentsModel 339g-880

c/w Manual Scissor YokeModel 332g

Rev ‘A’Sept. 2009

3

Contents

Continental Cattle Crate:-

Pages

Safety Notes ............................................................................. 4

Introduction and Intended Use / Specifications ......................... 5

Setting Up & Operating Instructions ................................. 6, 7, 8

Optional Spring Loaded Bar ...................................................... 8

Optional Head Scoop ............................................................... 9

Maintainance ......................................................................... 10

Hoof Trimming Attachments:-

Assembly Instructions ...................................................... 11 - 14

Component Parts ............................................................ 15 - 17

Optional Equipment ............................................................... 18

4

Safety Notes and Warnings

Ensure the operator in charge of the Continental Cattle Crate is an experiencedstock person who can maintain a high standard of animal welfare.

Ensure that there is sufficient space in the area designated for the crate to allow theoperator to work safely and efficiently.

The adjoining Race and Penning to the crate should be of sufficient build for thesafety of both animals and operators.

Open one side door at a time.

Always make sure the area in front of the yoke doors is clear when animals areentering and exiting the crate.

When handling bulls or animals with a neck size larger than it’s head, always use ahead halter. Never rely on the neck yoke only.

5

Introduction and Intended Use

The Ritchie Continental Cattle Crate was designed for, and intended to be used by,the agricultural industry purely for the handling of Cattle. The Crate is designed togive maximum safety and to minimise stress in both the animal and the operator.

The crate should only be used by an experienced stock person, who canmaintain a high standard of animal welfare.

The crate has a manually operated yoke which can be operated from the frontor rear of the crate.

Left or right hand operation

Easy adjustable neck yoke widths, which allows easy handling of calves to bulls.

Complete access to both sides of the animal.

Ratchet type rump bar operation.

Complete with rear gate and aluminium 5 bar tread-plate floor.

Deviations from the intended use should not take place without the noticeand approval of David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd.

Specifications

332g

External Length ......................................... 3.00m

External width ........................................... 1.22m

Internal width ........................................... 0.76m

External height .......................................... 2.06m

Internal height .......................................... 1.73m

Weight (Galvanised) ................................ 600 kgs

To move the crate by loader or forklift, placethe forklift tines either below the floor orbelow the top horizontal members from theside of the crate to lift and move taking carethe crate does not slide when travelling overrough terrain.

Select a level site where the handling is to becarried out. Position the crate on firm andlevel ground and ensure that there issufficient area all around to operate the cratesafely and efficiently.

The operating mechanisms can be mountedon either side of the crate for left or righthand operation. Illustrations in this manualshow left hand operation.

Remove the rump bar from its transit position(cable tied to rear gate).

Before handling cattle, operate the yokedoors through the operating sequence a fewtimes to familiarise yourself with it, Fig 1) andalso to ensure that the system is running free.If not, grease the mechanism, (page 10).Also operate the yoke width adjustmenthandle to familiarise operating, Fig 1.

The yoke width is adjustable to suit the neckwidth of the animal. Turn the yoke widthadjustment handle, Fig 1 (arrowed) in an anti-clockwise direction to widen the yoke widthor clockwise to narrow.Adjust the width of the yoke doors whilst inthe locked position ensuring that the yokewill not be too tight on the neck of the animalas this may reduce the blood supply to thehead and result in animal collapse.After setting the yoke width test the yokedoor release handle in both open and closedpositions.

Fig 1

Yoke widthAdjustment

Yoke DoorRelease Handle

Setting Up and Operating Instructions:-

6

HurdleLugs

OptionalHead Scoop

Fitment for FrontHoof Trim Blocks

Storage Position forSpring Loaded BarFig 2

Note: Incorrect adjustment of the yoke widthmay result in ‘undercentring’ of the yoke doorrelease mechanisms. When closed the yokedoor release handle must ‘overcentre’ andlock in position preventing the animal frompushing open the yoke doors. - Check!

The rear yoke release handle may beadjusted if required to give additionalclearance between handle and crate. Loosenthe nuts either side of the U-bolt (circled, Fig2) and slide to new position.

Note: Ensure the side gates at the front ofthe crate, Fig 2, are fully closed to avoid anycontact with the yoke mechanisms when theanimal is released.

Note: Only after the animal is fully restrainedshould you open the front and side gates ifaccess to the head is required.

The rear gate can be hinged from either side.If you require to hinge the gate from theopposite side, open the gate fully and lift thegate off its hinges past the retaining keeper,turn the gate upside down and in the fullyopen position drop the gate onto the hingeson the opposite side.

Hurdles can be added to form a race-wayinto the Continental Cattle Crate byattaching to the hurdle lugs provided, Fig 2.

7

Side Gates(Front)

Side Doors

Yoke Door ReleaseHandle (Front)

Yoke DoorRelease Handle

(Rear)

30mmmax.

Fig 3

Herd the animal into the crate and into aforward enough position to enclose the yokeround its neck.

Locate the rump bar/close the rear gate(whichever preferred). The rump bar can beused to help force a reluctant animal forwardin the crate.

A halter may be used if required to restrainthe animal’s head.

A side door may now be opened to offeraccess to the side of the animal for treatment.

Note: For operator safety only open onedoor at a time.

To release the animal raise either the front orrear yoke door release handle upwards toopen the neck yoke (see Fig. 1).

Optional Spring Loaded Bar

If a second door is to be opened an optionalspring loaded bar (332g-A13) can be usedto provide a simple barrier between animaland operator.The spring loaded bar can be fitted in eitherof three positions as shown, Fig 3, (arrowed)and can be placed in the storage positionwhen not in use, Fig 2.

8

The Optional head scoop is attached to amounting bracket positioned on the crateupright. The bracket offers 3 heightadjustments for the scoop.Before fitting the head scoop remove thedetachable side rail indicated in Fig 4 above.Fit the head scoop to the mounting using 2of the holes provided.The scoop is designed to pivot from the verticalto the horizontal working position.

Optional Head Scoop

9

Fig 4

MountingBracket

HeightAdjustment

Holes

Remove Side Railbefore fitting Scoop

1

2

3

To engage - With the equipment in thevertical position - squeeze the locking handleand pull the Scoop down slightly (about 10°),Fig 4. Release the locking handle andcontinue to rotate the scoop on its pivot untilthe desired working height is achieved. The

apparatus will lock in this position untilreleased.

To release - push the operational handleslightly in a downward direction beforesqueezing the locking handle and rotatingthe scoop back to the vertical position.

Note: A slight downward push of theoperational handle as noted above willfacilitate easy release of the mechanism.

Operator’s should familiarise themselves withthe locking and release sequence bypracticing a few times before admitting ananimal.

10

Fig 5

Oil

Oil

G G

Oil

Oil

Oil

Maintenance

Oil - Oil WEEKLY when in use.

G - Grease WEEKLY when in use.

G Handle Threads

Gate Hinges

Door Hinges

Gate Hinges

Door Hinges

Handle Pivots

Gate Hinges

OilDoor Hinges

Grease Nipples (3) Grease Nipples (3)

Oil

Hoof Trimming Attachments No. 339g-880

Fitting of Rear Winch

Position the rear winch assembly on top ofthe rear cross member of the Cattle Crate asshown, Fig 6, and secure in place using the‘U bolt’ and clamp bracket provided.

Locate the wheel onto the end of the winchassembly shaft and secure with the bolt &nut provided. Rotate and check for freedomof movement.

Slide the plain end of the leg strap throughthe loop provided on the winch and turn thewheel allowing the web to wrap around itselfand ‘lift’. To release, turn the wheel to takepressure off the ratchet and pull the releaselever on the winch assembly to lower. Usethe short strap with rings at each end toposition around the ’hock’ to lift the leg.

‘U’ Bolt andClamp Bracket Release

Lever

Rear WinchAssembly

11

Fig 6

Positioning of the Belly Harness & Front Strap

Drop channels with open hooks on preferredside of the Crate as shown, Fig 7, and attachthe straps using the open rings.

Position the channels carrying the ratchets onthe opposite side as shown, Fig 8, feed thebelly support onto the two straps and feedthe ends through the ratchet buckles.For the front strap, ensure the sleeve is fittedbefore feeding the end through the frontratchet buckle.

When entering an animal into the crate,remove the harness and front strap by liftingoff the open rings and pulling the harness andfront strap through to the opposite side ofthe crate.The rear channels carrying the Belly harnesscan be moved ‘front and rearwards’ to suiteach individual animal.

Channel withratchet assemblies

Channel withopen hooks

12

Fig 7

Fig 8

Fitting the Front Hoof Blocks

Attach the left and right hoof block assembliesusing the pin and lynch pin provided.

To operate the hoof block, the side door ofthe crate must be opened to allow access,and the block can then be pivoted upwardsand locked into position using the leverincorporated.

A rope tie bar is provided to assist tying theleg securely.

When the hoof blocks are not being used,the block assembly can be pivoted through90 degrees, which allows the side doors ofthe crate to be opened.

Pin and Lynch Pin

Lever

Rope Tie Bar

13

Fig 9

Fitting the Rear Hoof Blocks

Remove the rear gate by lifting clear of thehinge plates and lay aside.

Fit the rear hoof trim brackets to the craterear uprights using the u-bolts provided andset at a height to suit the animal, Fig 10.

Fit the hoof block pin through one of the twoholes provided and lock in place using theretaining pin.

Tighten the screw located on the undersideof the assembly to secure against movement.

Repeat for the opposite side.

Fig 10

Note: When the hoof blocks are not beingused, release tightening screw and retainingpin and remove blocks from mountingbrackets.The rear gate can now be re-hung withoutneed to remove the mounting brackets.

Tightening Screw

Mounting Bracket

Retaining Pin

14

15

Component Parts

Clamp PlatePart No. 339G/513

Winch AssemblyPart No. 339G/516

Handle AssemblyPart No. 339G/515

ClampPart No. 339G/518

BracketPart No. 338G/33

BracketPart No. 338G/16

16

Belt LoopedPart No. 339G/519

Bracket / Ratchet AssemblyPart No. 338G/34

Web StrapPart No. 338/21

SleevePart No. 338/35

Bracket / Ratchet AssemblyPart No. 338G/26

Belt HookedPart No. 339G/520

17

Wood Block SupportPart No. 338G/25

Wood Block SupportPart No. 338G/24

Attachment PinsPart No. 338G/18 (x2)

Web StrapPart No. 338G/21 (x2)

Belly CanvasPart No. 338G/22

Rear Hoof Trim Blocks (Pair)Part No. 339G/900

18

Optional Equipment

No 339-800 Access Cubicle - Easy fittedwith drop pins, the unit extends the overalllength of the crate by 39" (99cm). Thecubicle offers the ability to close off the racefrom either side ensuring safety for theoperator.

No 323G Head Scoop - The Head scoop is designed to control the head of cattle makingroutine tasks easier and safer. The unit prevents an animal ‘going down’ in the cattle crate, andincreases the efficiency of the handling process. The unit can be fitted to the Continental CattleCrate and is easily removable when not required.

No 332G-A13 Spring Loaded Bar -The Spring Loaded Bar provides abarrier between animal and operatorallowing both side doors to beopened at one time. The bar preventsthe animal from stepping out of thecrate with its back legs.

David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd,Carseview Road, Forfar, Scotland, DD8 3BT

Tel: 01307 462271 fax: 01307 464081e-mail: agrisales@ritchie-uk.com

www.ritchie-uk.com