I'm a pioneer...I've been sifting through the videos in the membership area to try and find this one for the extended version. I recommend putting in a search bar. But great info. :)
This is similar to what we had on the farm where I grew up. The lock for the head gate was made with a piece of 2x6 about a foot long. A bolt went through the outside end, and the end at the moveable side was notched. That way, when the cow entered and the head gate was shut, the latch automatically dropped down holding the cow. To make it work efficiently with this design, simple add a 1/16 inch spacer to all the non moving parts of the headgate. I used VCT to make my spacers.
Nice video, thanks for posting! One critique though that I couldn't let go by: That little rope that you put to stop a cow from moving backward... With Ladybug, already trained as she is (just watching your most current one now, the "we didn't milk for two months" one... she's eager to get back into the swing of milking routine again, which is good to see), you don't have to worry about that. But with a new heifer like Luna, that rope may be too weak to hold her back much, particularly if she puts her whole weight on it, and could snap in a jiffy when you're trying to get her to get her head into the head-gate. You may be better off with a much thicker rope (e.g. thick like a horse lead), or even a 2x4. Save the smaller-diameter rope for tying up the tail if you're getting frustrated with it getting flapped into your face. :) When I've worked with much less tamer cattle (ones that never get regular handling like Ladybug or even Luna), putting that 2x4 in behind their butts works great to stop them. They often will put their whole weight on that board, and the only time it'll bust is if it's rotten. The 2x4 suggestion may be a little over-kill for your homestead, but you just never know when it may come in handy! -Karin
@@simplecityfarm337 well, considering the cow and how hard she’s going to push going backward, that’ll work as more of a mental barrier that “I can’t back up either, darn,” than anything, so it might work. In a stanchion like that, the board could be put between the cow and the support beams, which makes it less likely for the bolts in the brackets to pop out. Again; I have to remind myself that folks aren’t dealing with the kind of wildies that I have lol
Thoughts on modifying this for long horned cattle? We have some highlands that I want to build a stanchion for, and curious how to approach making room for their horns
Bones was supervising. Hes going to build the next one. Lol. He's such a good dog. It looks so funny when you do the fast speed. Day es Kay really milk doing the two finger slide? Aren't her teats big enough to grab with 3 fingers at least? Uncle Burbon needs to vacation at my house in Texas. Hes really a good handyman.
The locking mechanism was just a short piece of 2x4 with a bolt through it that stood up and left the movable part open up. When the cows came in the milker just needed to push the locking mechanism parallel as he pushed the 2x4 over. It even had a notch in it so that the stanchion closed in two steps if you wanted to make it looser or tighter. Much simpler than putting a boat through and taking it out. Just lift the short two by four and the head gate falls open.
On the locking mechanism...wouldn't it be better to simply have a pc of wood with a small handle on it, hinged on one end, that you can drop down to lock the head holder in place? I predict that bolt sliding in and out will end up being a huge pain in the rump to deal with. An 8in pc of wood you can easily drop down and pick up makes waaay more sense to me. Also....the food bucket tray need legs for support. It might seem all solid and wonderful at the moment, but over the years it's gonna be bumped and held down and will eventually droop. I'm a little surprised that you didn't put supports under it. I predict that at some point you will feel compelled to attach legs. Might as well do it now.
you can save your self a lot of money and time, look around old dairy farms or put an ad on line for the old metal head gates that were used back in the day of the stall milking, I have 10 or 12 extras I picked up over the years, you get them for free, all you do is add a chain to the floor and top beam to install it
Hey Austin...in the description you didn't add the size bolts you use for the head gate. I love when you do videos and I can just click on the link to order what I need. If it is there and I missed it I apologize
Hahhaha lol same I just started milking cows and I have horses so I get smacked ether way cause with horse when picking out the back hooves they swat at a fly and there tail ends up hitting me
So for the locking bolt. Can you show us the "inside" workings of it? I don't quite understand how far you screwed the nut on so it wasn't in the way but it stil locked safely? Oh also. Should you have some cross bars under the feeder bin? #askhomesteady
You have combined two of my favorite things, building and animal husbandry!
I'm a pioneer...I've been sifting through the videos in the membership area to try and find this one for the extended version. I recommend putting in a search bar. But great info. :)
Hey Becky! Thanks for becoming a pioneer! There is a search bar on the bottom of the homepage that will help you find it!
It’s is a beautiful milk stand and I bet Lady Bug and Kaye will love it.
Sharing this with my Dexter cattle people. Awesome build videos.
This is similar to what we had on the farm where I grew up. The lock for the head gate was made with a piece of 2x6 about a foot long. A bolt went through the outside end, and the end at the moveable side was notched. That way, when the cow entered and the head gate was shut, the latch automatically dropped down holding the cow. To make it work efficiently with this design, simple add a 1/16 inch spacer to all the non moving parts of the headgate. I used VCT to make my spacers.
Looks pretty simple, thanks. We will be building one soon!
Jenn
Seven Sprouts Farmstead
Good video. That guy loves running that drill. Good work you guys. Thank you.
Nice video, thanks for posting!
One critique though that I couldn't let go by: That little rope that you put to stop a cow from moving backward... With Ladybug, already trained as she is (just watching your most current one now, the "we didn't milk for two months" one... she's eager to get back into the swing of milking routine again, which is good to see), you don't have to worry about that. But with a new heifer like Luna, that rope may be too weak to hold her back much, particularly if she puts her whole weight on it, and could snap in a jiffy when you're trying to get her to get her head into the head-gate. You may be better off with a much thicker rope (e.g. thick like a horse lead), or even a 2x4. Save the smaller-diameter rope for tying up the tail if you're getting frustrated with it getting flapped into your face. :)
When I've worked with much less tamer cattle (ones that never get regular handling like Ladybug or even Luna), putting that 2x4 in behind their butts works great to stop them. They often will put their whole weight on that board, and the only time it'll bust is if it's rotten. The 2x4 suggestion may be a little over-kill for your homestead, but you just never know when it may come in handy!
-Karin
Could one use the same brackets on the back like they did on the sides for a 2x4 to slip in?
@@simplecityfarm337 well, considering the cow and how hard she’s going to push going backward, that’ll work as more of a mental barrier that “I can’t back up either, darn,” than anything, so it might work. In a stanchion like that, the board could be put between the cow and the support beams, which makes it less likely for the bolts in the brackets to pop out. Again; I have to remind myself that folks aren’t dealing with the kind of wildies that I have lol
Wow Brother thanks for the Guidance about milking station
Looks well built to last. Good job guys!
I WISH I had an Uncle Bourbon!
Yes that would be awesome! Is Uncle Bourbon your brother? #askhomesteady
Me too!!
Thoughts on modifying this for long horned cattle? We have some highlands that I want to build a stanchion for, and curious how to approach making room for their horns
Wondering the same thing. My cow is a Zebu with horns; not nearly as wide as highlands, but still wide enough this won't work exactly.
If you don’t build a permanent feeder the headgate can be used for drenching, tagging and other vet work.
NEAT! ...Bourbon, that is. Great job! 🐄
This video posted yesterday and I wasn't notified!
Awesome design and awesome job. Great team!
it came out beautiful. good job
Awesome work guys!!!
Thanks Very Much
AWESOME!👍 The money is in the details! Good job!❤🇨🇱✌
Nice work men!!
Awww, look at Bones, sitting there with Daddy!
Awesome job. You thought of everything. 💖
Bones was supervising. Hes going to build the next one. Lol. He's such a good dog. It looks so funny when you do the fast speed. Day es Kay really milk doing the two finger slide? Aren't her teats big enough to grab with 3 fingers at least? Uncle Burbon needs to vacation at my house in Texas. Hes really a good handyman.
How has the rubber mat worked to prevent slipping? will it get slippery if it gets wet?
well ik this isn't related to the video but i caught my first scramble calf!!!!!
Very nice 👍
When I was a kid we had a hundred foot long wood stanchion in the barn for milk and many cows.
The locking mechanism was just a short piece of 2x4 with a bolt through it that stood up and left the movable part open up. When the cows came in the milker just needed to push the locking mechanism parallel as he pushed the 2x4 over. It even had a notch in it so that the stanchion closed in two steps if you wanted to make it looser or tighter. Much simpler than putting a boat through and taking it out. Just lift the short two by four and the head gate falls open.
On the locking mechanism...wouldn't it be better to simply have a pc of wood with a small handle on it, hinged on one end, that you can drop down to lock the head holder in place? I predict that bolt sliding in and out will end up being a huge pain in the rump to deal with. An 8in pc of wood you can easily drop down and pick up makes waaay more sense to me. Also....the food bucket tray need legs for support. It might seem all solid and wonderful at the moment, but over the years it's gonna be bumped and held down and will eventually droop. I'm a little surprised that you didn't put supports under it. I predict that at some point you will feel compelled to attach legs. Might as well do it now.
you can save your self a lot of money and time, look around old dairy farms or put an ad on line for the old metal head gates that were used back in the day of the stall milking, I have 10 or 12 extras I picked up over the years, you get them for free, all you do is add a chain to the floor and top beam to install it
Hey Austin...in the description you didn't add the size bolts you use for the head gate. I love when you do videos and I can just click on the link to order what I need. If it is there and I missed it I apologize
My husband's head can get to 2 ft big. I wonder if you guys can make one for when it gets bigger for me.😀
Debra Sanders
#LOL
nice!
We put a string on the back end to tie up the tail. I really dislike getting a tail in the face.
Hahhaha lol same I just started milking cows and I have horses so I get smacked ether way cause with horse when picking out the back hooves they swat at a fly and there tail ends up hitting me
Tie her tail to her back leg. You might thank me someday...
Did you need to modify your stanchion when you got your larger cow
What if your cow has horns what modifications are needed
So for the locking bolt. Can you show us the "inside" workings of it? I don't quite understand how far you screwed the nut on so it wasn't in the way but it stil locked safely?
Oh also. Should you have some cross bars under the feeder bin?
#askhomesteady
Is Luna full mini Jersey?
Good day, can you write me the dimensions, the exact width and length. Please, I really need it.
My sister thinks uncle bourbon is hot whats his favorite drink ?
Was disappointed when the details weren't in the Show More area.
Remind me. Whose uncle is Uncle Bourbon?
He's Austin's brother, iirc
Woodglut has a lot of designs to choose from.