All-Hydraulic Hook Trimming Chute

All-Hydraulic Hook Trimming Chute LIVESTOCK Handling 29-1-34 If you've ever thought about getting into the hoof trimming business, or if you just want to work on your own cattle, you might want to talk to Don Willis of Bath, N.Y. He makes a state-of-the-art hoof-trimming chute and also runs a first-of-its-kind hoof-trimming school. Seven years ago Willis saw a need for better hoof trimming chutes, so he designed his own chute that allows the cow to stay in an upright position at all times. The Magno Chute 2000 allows a trimmer to work on one hoof or all four. In addition, it allows you to treat other hoof problems such as heel warts, foot rot, stone bruises, abscesses, and dew claws. "The ability to perform more advanced procedures such as standing DA, clipping, washing and other veterinary work is just an added bonus," says Willis. The Magno Chute is available with hydraulic "quad lift" which is a four-post frame design with hydraulic cylinders at each corner that are used to raise and lower the chute. Electric motors drive hydraulic pumps to power it. When the animal enters the chute, it's lifted by the hydraulically-operated belly band to take the weight off its feet. The chute comes with four manually-operated winches, one for each leg. The winch is used to lift each leg into an inverted "V". A toe board is used to put the hoof into position for trimming. The chute's sides are removable to allow access to the cow for clipping, fitting and vet work. The chute also has a swing arm to support a grinder and retractable arms to carry gates from farm to farm. The lightweight unit can be pulled behind a small pickup. In 2003, Willis began the Northeast Hoof Trimming School (NHTS) that serves potential professional hoof trimmers and farmers/herdsmen through its 2 and 4-day instructional courses. Students at NHTS receive instruction from qualified professionals and, thanks to the limited class size, benefit from the individual attention they receive. The Quad Lift sells for $7,995; the Magno Chute for $3,395. Another model, called the Econo Chute, sells for $2,595. Willis also sells a variety of hoof trimming tools, as well as instructional books and videos. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Don Willis, 7815 State Rte. 53, Bath, N.Y. 14810 (ph 800 619-6546; email: don@flseq.com).

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