Cattle Scales and the Weigh Bar
Weigh Cattle in the Chute
Regularly weighing cattle provides useful information for monitoring growth, managing feed, calculating medication dosages, and making better livestock management decisions. A cattle chute scale makes weighing easier by turning an existing squeeze chute into a livestock weighing system.
Instead of moving cattle to a separate livestock scale, weigh bars mount underneath the chute and measure the animal while it is safely contained. The result is a practical cattle weighing solution that fits into the normal handling process.
How Cattle Chute Weigh Bars Work
The MTI-500 weigh bar system is a straightforward way to add weighing capability to a cattle chute. The weigh bars are installed beneath the chute frame, allowing the weight of the chute and animal to be measured by the load cells inside the bars.
The system is available with 33-inch or 40-inch weigh bars to accommodate different chute frames. Mounting tabs on each end of the bars make installation straightforward, and the low-profile design keeps the bars only 4 inches high.
Once the cattle are positioned in the chute, simply zero the digital indicator and weigh the animal. Because the animal can be weighed during routine handling, there is no need to move cattle into a separate weighing enclosure.
5,000-Pound Cattle Scale Capacity
The MTI-500 system has a 5,000-pound total weighing capacity, with each weigh bar rated for 2,500 pounds. This capacity makes the system suitable for weighing cattle and other large livestock when used with an appropriately constructed chute or platform.
- Total capacity: 5,000 pounds
- Capacity per weigh bar: 2,500 pounds
- Available weigh bar lengths: 33" and 40"
- Low-profile bar height: 4"
- Two load cells in each weigh bar
- Carbon steel construction
- High-grade epoxy paint finish
Digital Indicator for Livestock Weighing
The stainless steel digital indicator provides an easy-to-read weight display and includes a backlight for better visibility in different lighting conditions. The indicator also uses animal motion hold technology, which helps capture and hold a weight reading when an animal is moving.
A 20-foot cable connects the weigh bars to the indicator. The cable can be disconnected from the indicator for storage, while the connections at the weigh bars are also designed for quick removal.
The indicator includes an RS-232 communications port, allowing the scale to connect to a computer for transferring weight information and maintaining electronic livestock records.
Portable Livestock Weigh Bars
Although these weigh bars can be installed permanently beneath a cattle chute, their relatively lightweight design also makes them useful for portable weighing applications. Built-in handles on each bar make them easier to carry, and quick-connect cables simplify setup and removal.
The bars can be installed beneath a variety of suitable structures or platforms using the included mounting tabs. This flexibility allows the same basic weighing system to be configured for different livestock handling and weighing applications.
Turn the Weigh Bars Into a Platform Livestock Scale
The weigh bars are not limited to use beneath a cattle chute. An optional heavy-duty aluminum platform can be installed over the bars to create an open-sided livestock platform scale.
The platform measures 7 feet long and is available in either 33-inch or 40-inch widths to match the corresponding weigh bars. This configuration provides an alternative for operations that need a standalone livestock weighing platform rather than a chute-mounted scale.
Cattle Scale Weigh Bar Specifications
The weigh bars are constructed from carbon steel and finished with high-grade epoxy paint. Each bar contains two load cells to measure the weight placed on the platform or chute.
For the most accurate results, the weigh bars should be installed on a solid, stable surface. The recommended operating temperature range for accurate weighing is 14°F to 104°F.
- 33" or 40" bar lengths
- 4" low-profile height
- 5,000-pound total capacity
- 2,500-pound capacity per bar
- Two load cells per bar
- 20-foot indicator cable
- Stainless steel digital indicator
- Backlit display
- RS-232 computer connection
- Animal motion hold function
- 6-volt rechargeable battery
- AC power adapter included
Customer Review
Great setup for our cattle chute
We bought these weigh bars to put under our squeeze chute and they have worked really well for us. The setup was pretty simple and the bars feel like they are built to last. We like being able to weigh the cattle while they are already in the chute instead of having to move them somewhere else.
The digital display is easy to read, and the motion hold feature has been helpful when an animal won't stand completely still. We have also moved the bars around, and they are not too hard to handle.
For the price, we are very happy with the setup. It has made keeping track of our cattle weights a lot easier. I would recommend these weigh bars to anyone looking for a simple way to add a scale to their chute.
★★★★★