Looking at buying an alligator pro 250 mobile sheep handling system. Anyone out there got one or another alligator system ? Worried about how long it will take to set up and take down. Thanks in advance.
Alligator 250 sheep handling system
- Thread starter Herefordshirefarmer4321
- Start date
yeah theres a Scottish shepherd thats got an alligator........ @Nithsdale Farmer
The sheep dipper man
Member
- Location
- north east
Ive just changed mine this week as i had my old alligator system for the last 20 years and worked very well
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
Cheers for the tag @Bury the Trash yep, I've got one.
I've got the 'basic' Alligator (exact same as the Pro, but without the Prattley/Rappa style winch for the wheels). I got mine almost 2 years ago now. For setting up/taking down they are just the same as all the other yards - drop the trailer, hurdles concertina out in 1 big line. Spreaders, gates etc. all pin together.
Once you've done it a few times and learn how to set it up (so that it works/sheep flow easily) you get quicker... I've never timed myself but it doesn't take long. I do prefer leaving it set up as much as possible though - but I'm just lazy
I've got the 'basic' Alligator (exact same as the Pro, but without the Prattley/Rappa style winch for the wheels). I got mine almost 2 years ago now. For setting up/taking down they are just the same as all the other yards - drop the trailer, hurdles concertina out in 1 big line. Spreaders, gates etc. all pin together.
Once you've done it a few times and learn how to set it up (so that it works/sheep flow easily) you get quicker... I've never timed myself but it doesn't take long. I do prefer leaving it set up as much as possible though - but I'm just lazy
Borrow a mates quite often... aluminium must be slightly weaker than prattley because his pins bend like chocolate and out of 24 hurdles I think there’s only 4 that aren’t bent or have cracked lugs on them... but I do prefer it for speed of setting up over the prattley, takes 2 seconds flick the wheels off
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
It is all T-6 (6061) Structural Aluminium... the designs are different but the metal used is the same from all manufacturers
I have broken the guillotine gate (welding) which is due to its weak design. I've just gotten the repair done (see my texX thread) but after 2 years use there is only 1 slightly bowed hurdle - which was my own fault setting it up wrong, on the 2nd time I used it.
The new hurdles are lightyears ahead of the older design for strength
My only complaint with the 'basic' yard is, I have 36 hurdles on it - I need to eat a lot more pies to be able to lift it onto its wheels
(I had to buy the winch to help me)
weve got 16 of the old original style hurdles and a few gates and 2 head yolks which are used for stand up dagging, none of thats broken , the odd hurdle mightve slightly bowed because a tractor caught the end and a few pins have bent but are easily straightened back only bend if theyre not quite put in in some way or pulled at unevenly to be fair dam useful id far sooner work with them than a lot of steels but could do with a lot more .
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
How old is it? The old Alligator yards were indeed made of chocolate, hence they were so much cheaper than Prattley, RAPPA, etc. I know several folks that got rid of them within a couple of years for just the reason, and replacing them with proper yards.
Alligators are supposed to be a lot stronger now though, and the price has gone up with it.
It would be old I’d say probably one of the first because the wooden boards on the sides have about worn out [emoji23]
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
CopperBeech
Member
- Location
- A Welsh man lost in England
Old alligator very different to knew. Old one bent like toffee, new one seems tougher than rappa at times.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
That’s what I thought from handling them. I’ve not used a new one to see properly though.
- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
You’ll upset folk saying that on here.
Some of us don't have 'proper' sheep so it doesn't matter
CopperBeech
Member
- Location
- A Welsh man lost in England
One of the lads who does work for me has one and I’ve had it set up with the rappa. We also own a prattley. Our rappa and prattley have taken some serious abuse, and have held up well enough but have suffered for it.
Comparing the rappa and the alligator, I would say that I prefer the rappa body, race and general build, however I think the alligator hurdles might actually be stronger and thicker built, a tad heavier but light enough, also the sheeted hurdles are a very handy touch.
if theres anyone looking to offload their nasty old old alligator , ill take it off their hands fer free, to save them any further horrible gut wrenching