Gates, Guards & Latches Resource Sheet

January 2003

Overview:

There are several different models of livestock guards, gates, and latches available on the market. The proper use of guards, gates, and latches will contribute to improved livestock behavior along with improved safety for livestock and for farmers/ranchers with and without a disability.

Who benefits:

Individuals with mobility impairment or weakness, arm or leg amputations, arthritis, back injuries.

Commercial Resources:

Livestock Guards:

Texas Portable Cattle Guard

Please note, that Hutchison Companies has purchased the assets of Hi-Qual Manufacturing, and therefore to find the Texas Portable Cattle Guard as shown below, you should contact Hutchison, not HiQual. The HiQual information is for archive purposes only:

Hutchison Incorporated
7460 Highway 85, P. O. Box 1158
Adams City, CO 80022
Phone: 303-287-2826
Fax: 303-289-3286
Email: info@hutchison-inc.com
Web: http://www.hutchison-inc.com

Adams City, Colorado Office
Phone: 800-525-0121

Manchester, Iowa Office
Phone: 800-927-3620

HiQual Manufacturing
3139 Creek Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
Phone: 605-343-1234
Fax: 605-348-6618
Email: cmarsh@hiqualmfg.com
Web: http://www.hi-qual.com

A color photo of the Texas 'Portable' Pitless Cattle Guard, which lies on top of the ground.

The Texas Portable Cattle Guard does not need a pit and therefore, is easily portable. The website has a dealer locator for their products.

Cattle Guard
Richardson Farm Supply
Email: info@richardsonfarmsupply.com

A color photo of a hydraulic cattle guard, which uses a raised bridge to deter cattle from crossing.

The hydraulic Cattle Guard uses a raised bridge that deters cattle from crossing, but is supported by the ground when vehicles pass over.

Livestock Gates:

Standard Pipe Gate
Available at most farm supply stores.

A color photo of a standard pipe livestock gate with a wrapped chain latch.

Mighty Mule E-Z Gate Openers
GTO, Inc.
3121 Hartsfield Road
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone: 800-543-4283, 850-575-0176
Fax: 850-575-8912
Email: gto@gtoinc.com
Web: http://www.gtoinc.com

A color photo of a powered gate opener used on a gate in front of a private residence. The picture also shows a close-up of the Mighty Mule gate opener itself.

Mighty Mule E-Z Gate Openers are designed for home, farm, and ranch use on single and dual swing gates from 3 1/2 - 16 feet in length. The Mighty Mule will work on chain link, wrought iron, and farm tube gates. Solar Power is an option for rural areas. There are many accessories available.

Drive Through Electric Gates
Koehn Marketing, Inc.
P.O. Box 577
Watertown, SD 57201-0577
Phone: 800-658-3998, 605-886-2120
Fax: 605-886-2123
Email: info@koehnmarketing.com
Web: http://www.koehnmarketing.com

A color photo of a drive-through electric gate used in a cattle pasture.

Manufactures drive through electric gates - simply drive through with any equipment, tractor, feed wagons, round-bale feeders, pick-ups etc. safely without electrical shock to the operator. Spring loaded gate swings closed automatically. Adjustable 13 ft. to 19 ft. standard or 18 ft. to 24 ft. also available. Protects the finish of the farm vehicles, as the metal never touches the vehicle.

Gate Latches:

Chain Latch
Available at most farm supply stores.

A color photo close-up of a wrapped chain latch.

Hop-Lok Spring Loaded Latch
Duffy Manufacturing Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 4545
Beeville, TX 78104-4545
Phone: 800-959-6145
Fax: 361-358-3121
Email: info@hoplok.com
Web: http://hoplok.com

A color photo of the Hop Lok Spring Loaded Gate Latch, showing the latch about to close.

Hop-Lok Spring Loaded Latch provides easy closure with positive locking.

Quick Gate Latch
Ramm Fence
13150 Airport Highway
Swanton, OH 43558
Phone: 419-825-2422, 800-434-8455
Fax: n/a
Email: rammfence@ramminc.com
Web: http://www.rammfence.com

A black-and-white illustration of the RAMM Fence Quick Gate Latch, which is easy to operate with one hand.

Quick Gate Latch can withstand incredible abuse. The latch is rust proof and easy to open with one hand.

Sure-Latch
Co-Line Welding, Inc.
Metal Fabrication
1232 100th St
Sully, IA 50251-8000
Phone: 800-373-7761, 641-594-2953
Fax: 641-594-4410
Email: info@colinemfg.com
Web: http://www.surelatch.com

A color photo of a Sure-Latch gate latch being operated by a person's hand.

A color photo of a Sure-Latch gate latch showing both sides of the latch and the gate connector.

Sure-Latch gate latch can be opened with one hand and supports the gate when closed. It allows the gate to swing either way.

Considerations:

When choosing gates and gate latches, remember that livestock, especially cattle, are curious creatures that often investigate fence oddities and use stationary structures to rub against. Therefore, be careful that gate latches are not too easily operated so that when a cow rubs against them, the gate will not inadvertently open.

Check with your state AgrAbility Project (http://www.agrabilityproject.org/stateprojects.cfm) for assistance in locating other possible sources of commercial gates, guards and latches that are manufactured or sold in your area.

NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Wisconsin, Easter Seals, or the AgrAbility Project, and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.

The AgrAbility Project is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture CSREES. Funding for this document was provided under the project number 00-41590-0932.