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Round Rail Cattle Crossings
The round-top rail design is an extremely economical and effective design that's available in both private-use and highway load ratings. It is available with a boxed welded around the outside so it may sit directly on the ground for low traffic or temporary installations. A removable box that allows the grid to be lifted without disturbing the surrounding site is also available. The wings connect the cattle crossing with the fence line to keep livestock from walking around the ends.
HS-20 Ratings and Private Use Designs:
The DOT requires HS-20 Rated Cattle Guards for public roadways and highway projects. These guards have a load rating of 16 tons per axle and are made with schedule-40 pipe with a wall thickness of .216 and a 3.5" outside diameter.
We also offer a private property design that's estimated at a carrying capacity of 12 tons per axle at a fraction of the cost. Great for driveways, farms, and ranches.
Construction:
Both guards use an 8'' channel, and depending on the choice of the top rail pipe used, they'll result in an 11-1/2" or 12-1/2" overall height. Any of the dimensions may vary up to 1.5" in any direction, and we recommend waiting until the guards arrive on-site before pouring your foundation.
Whether you need a steel cattle guard with flat or round top rails or prefer a concrete design, please let us know, and we'll be happy to forward a quote with shipping right to your site today!
Shop Our Full Selection of Cattle Guards here!
Cattle Guard Review
Ranchers have options when it comes to keeping livestock contained in pastures where roads and driveways cross through fence lines. One of the most effective and easiest livestock barriers to use is the ubiquitous cattle guard.
Also known as cattle crossings, the design consists of a heavy frame with steel rails welded to the top. These top rails run across the roadway and create an area for vehicles to cross, but prevent hoofs from treading.
The top rails are evenly spaced and are typically made with a round, steel pipe. The gaps between the rails act as both a visual and physical deterrent to cattle. Physically, it’s extremely difficult and very uncomfortable to try to balance large, flat hoofs on the round rails. In addition, the sight line through the gaps between the rails to the lower ground below creates a depth perception issue for their eyes.
The visual deterrents can be very effective on their own for short periods. There are videos of cows jumping over the white-painted center line of a roadway when crossing from one side to the other. One right after another, they all jump over the flat painted surface to avoid the contrast it creates.
Key features of round-top cattle grids
Round-top rail cattle grates are available in a variety of single-span lengths from 8, all the way up to 20 feet. To accommodate wider roads and driveways, they may be bolted end-to-end to create a larger span.
For deer, the guards are typically bolted side-by-side to increase the distance in the direction of vehicle travel. This additional 'depth' is effective in discouraging these athletic jumpers from crossing.
Cattle guards can also include wings to prevent animals from stepping around the end fence post where it meets the grate. They are steel triangles that connect the horizontal grid barrier to the upright fence line in a seamless transition.
Boxed Cattle Guards
The boxed option allows for installation directly in or on the ground with or without a concrete foundation. It's a steel skirt welded around the outside of the traditional grid and prevents dirt from creeping below the sides. The box option is typically used in lower-traffic areas like driveways and remote pastures that have lower-speed traffic. The design can also be valuable for temporary installations like construction sites, as they can be moved from job to job as needed.
A removable box is another popular option that allows the grid to be lifted without disrupting the surrounding soil. It’s very useful for areas that accumulate a lot of debris. You may simply lift the center grid out of place, clean out the vaulted area below, and replace it right back where it was. There’s no need to regrade the surrounding area.
Benefits of Cattle Guards
The major advantage of an installed cattle crossing is the ability to drive through fence lines without having to stop and open a gate. Tending to gates is an inconvenient, two-step process that’s dreaded by every rancher. It’s especially time-consuming, and when you have cows standing around waiting to escape, it can get downright dangerous. Warding off anxious animals while trying to get your vehicle through the opening can be an exciting and frustrating event! The inconvenience is made even worse with bad weather like rain and snow, or just extreme heat or cold.
Cattle guards also provide secure, worry-free access to everyone crossing through in a vehicle. If you have employees or provide access to others you may not know, you never have to worry about a gate being left open or your herd roaming off on its own. Remote operators can have peace of mind knowing their animals aren’t walking out because someone left a gate open.
Top Rails - Round and Flat
The round, top rail is a stronger deterrent than the flat rail design. The flat hoof of a cow isn’t able to balance on the round surface of the rail. The unstable footing prevents them from being able to put any weight on their leg and immediately discourages any type of walking. Typically, the uncomfortable sensation is enough to teach them not to go near it again.
The round rail may also create a stronger visual deterrent in the form of a shadow across the surface of the rail. Visual cues are surprisingly effective in dissuading livestock. A large shadow can appear to be an insurmountable obstacle.
Flat Top Cattle Guards
Keeping livestock from vacating the premises is an ongoing concern for ranchers. In the past, physically opening and closing gates presented a large inconvenience, and like the round, top rail guards, the flat rail design offers an effortless alternative and a convenient solution.
The advantage of the flat rail is seen in high-speed traffic areas. It provides a smoother ride for crossing vehicles while still creating an effective physical deterrent to livestock. These cattle guards are available in heavy-duty ratings up to 30 tons per axle, much more than the 16-ton requirement for public roadways.
Like the round rail design, they are also available with wings to prevent animals from stepping around the ends.
They may also be shipped with
pre-cast concrete footings for easy installation. Just set them in place, bolt on the guards, and you're done!
Barn World
If you’d like help planning your installation or would like more information on the type of installations and designs available, contact us anytime, and we’ll be happy to help!
