Cattle Grate Specifications
These round-top rail cattle guards are available for use on private property and public roadways. The DOT requires an HS-20 load rating (16 tons per axle) for highway projects, but we also build the more economical 'private use' guard for use on driveways, farms, and ranches. We estimate their capacity at 12 tons per axle, and they're made to accommodate fully loaded semis and farm equipment as well.
This cattle grate is 10 feet long and is available for private drives (estimated at 12 tons per axle) or with the DOT-required public roadway HS-20 rating of 16 tons per axle. It comes in 6' or 8' depths (the distance measured in the direction of vehicle travel).
See all of our cattle guards and choose the required size and rating for your project.
Cattle Guard Options
All of our cattle guards are available with wings to keep your livestock from walking around the end of the fence line where it meets the grid. The boxed grid is for use directly on the ground without pouring a foundation. Another popular option is the removable box, which allows the guard to be removed for easy cleaning of the vaulted area beneath.
Construction Details
- Private Use Outside Top Pipe Diameter: 3-1/2" OD
- HS20-Rated Outside Top Pipe Diameter: 3- 1/2"
- Approximate gap between rail walls is 3.11"
- Channel Beams: 8" X 11.5 lbs.
- Gray enamel finish
- Ends of pipes are capped to prevent interior water
- Grids are completely welded
Boxed Cattle Guards
The boxed option (see picture below) has a steel skirt welded around the perimeter. The skirt does not provide any structural support but is there to keep dirt from sliding into the area beneath the top rails. It's very useful for remote areas that don't require a foundation and on construction sites, as detailed below.
Remote and Low-traffic areas
It can be difficult to bring in cement and pour footings in remote areas, and they are typically not necessary in low-traffic areas anyway. The boxed grate is designed for these types of installations and is built to rest directly on the ground, eliminating the need for concrete. They're a great option for remote pumping stations, cell phone towers, and the like. Set them on the ground, tie them to a fence line, and you have a livestock barrier installed!
A lot of customers lay the grid directly on the ground, and to help prevent unwanted movement, some will bury railroad ties to anchor to. Note that this may require a dirt ramp on either side to allow vehicles to cross. Depending on the outside diameter of the pipe used for the top rails, they'll be either 11.5" or 12.5" tall, maybe a little high for some passenger vehicles, but shouldn't be an issue for most farm and ranch equipment.
Construction Site Cattle Grates
This is a particularly useful design used by construction site operators where a temporary installation serves as an equipment cleaning station (wash rack) or a rumble strip to knock accumulated debris loose. They can also be used to help preserve the dirt on heavy traffic entrances and exits to a job site. They are also seen as 'portable' because they're not tied to a foundation and can be moved from site to site.
Removable Box Cattle Guard
The removable box cattle guard feature allows you to remove the central guard without disturbing the surrounding installation. Below is a picture of the steel skirt or box it fits into. This is a popular option and makes the cleaning-out process a breeze. Please note that the horizontal bars are included for the stability of the skirt only. The grate does not rest on the skirt or its supporting members. All of the weight is transferred from the top rails directly to the beams below and then to the ground.
SHOP ALL OF OUR ROUND TOP RAIL CATTLE CROSSINGS
Cattle Guard with Wings
The picture below shows the optional bolt-on wings that are available with all-around top pipe cattle guards. They ship right along with the grates and are designed to be bolted together in the field. These steel triangles prevent livestock from walking around the connection of the fence line and the cattle grid itself. They are optional, but a simple and effective solution for making sure your cattle can't do the 'step around'!
Cattle Guard Wings Diagrams:
Cattle Guard Foundation Diagram
The cattle crossing footing diagram below is a general recommendation and is not site-specific. It does provide a general illustration to depict how the loads pass from the top rails to the ground. Please note that a qualified contractor who is familiar with the local site conditions, such as freezing levels, drainage, local building codes, ., should be consulted for a proper, long-lasting installation.
