Best IAE cattle crush

[MaryT]

Evening all,

Looking to set up a new handling system for a Limousin suckler herd and was just wondering how people have found the various ones offered by IAE? We sell at about 10/11 months so are looking for a crush that is just as good for restraining smaller animals. We used AI last year and are hoping to continue with this in the future (hence the new handling system for the sometimes wild Limmys!). The AI technician recommended a crush with a rotating rump bar. Had a look at the squeeze crush but seems that not everyone finds this good for TB testing.

Would be very grateful to hear your thoughts

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Why only IAE when there are so many better makes of crushes out there?

 

[JP1]

It's about the only essential bit of kit you shouldn't skimp on. I'd go for a Morris with a manual yoke, head scoop, manual side squeeze and a decent sliding back door. Have the rear handle as an extra to operate the yoke

 

[Old Tip]

It's about the only essential bit of kit you shouldn't skimp on. I'd go for a Morris with a manual yoke, head scoop, manual side squeeze and a decent sliding back door. Have the rear handle as an extra to operate the yoke

You got a link to their website @JP1, only thing with crushes is they have almost quadrupled in price in the last few years, used to get a decent crush for a grand now its nearer four

 

[Farmer-Geddon]

Bought an IAE dual width crush 6 years ago, needed another for second farm and looked at squeeze crush . I thought it was time consuming and restricted vet access for tb testing so contacted IAE to buy anther dual width but was informed they stopped making them couple of years earlier but knew of one in Wales 100 miles from me which I subsequently bought.
They are not perfect. With a couple of alterations they are much improved. Neck scoop a must although they do want to push forward making it harder for vet to jab neck. Currently making a rotating head bar to force cattle backwards.
Strong and well made. Vet says she prefers sliding gate over rump bar. Mine have rear gate which I have altered to open / close with over head lever to save arms being snapped. This works well.

 

[MaryT]

Why only IAE when there are so many better makes of crushes out there?

Only because we've been pleased with their products in the past really. Also local retail outlet nearby. Which makes do you prefer?

 

[MaryT]

It's about the only essential bit of kit you shouldn't skimp on. I'd go for a Morris with a manual yoke, head scoop, manual side squeeze and a decent sliding back door. Have the rear handle as an extra to operate the yoke

Definitely keen to invest in the right one. Have you got some sort of access kiosk?

 

[Matt77]

We brought a IAE Saracen crush with auto lock yoke a good few years back to upgrade our handling system, don’t get me wrong it’s way better than what we had but after seeing others working I don’t think you can beat a squeeze crush, especially if you have yearlings or younger and also want to use it on cows. If I could do it over again I’d go squeeze, just my opinion.

 

[MaryT]

Bought an IAE dual width crush 6 years ago, needed another for second farm and looked at squeeze crush . I thought it was time consuming and restricted vet access for tb testing so contacted IAE to buy anther dual width but was informed they stopped making them couple of years earlier but knew of one in Wales 100 miles from me which I subsequently bought.
They are not perfect. With a couple of alterations they are much improved. Neck scoop a must although they do want to push forward making it harder for vet to jab neck. Currently making a rotating head bar to force cattle backwards.
Strong and well made. Vet says she prefers sliding gate over rump bar. Mine have rear gate which I have altered to open / close with over head lever to save arms being snapped. This works well.

It is the vet access factor that is putting us off the squeeze crush too. Will keep a look out for the dual width. The neck scoop looks good, especially for replacing tags, drenching, etc. That's interesting about the sliding gate. Thank you

 

[Matt77]

I’ve a neck scoop on order which I hope will improve ours a lot, trouble is there was a 100 day back order due end of June!

 

[MaryT]

We brought a IAE Saracen crush with auto lock yoke a good few years back to upgrade our handling system, don’t get me wrong it’s way better than what we had but after seeing others working I don’t think you can beat a squeeze crush, especially if you have yearlings or younger and also want to use it on cows. If I could do it over again I’d go squeeze, just my opinion.

Thank you for your reply. That makes sense, might be the way to go then as we handle the younger animals quite a bit.

 

[Farmer-Geddon]

The Dual width actually has 3 widths as you have a handle over head to lever the sides in. You can leave both open or just one or close both. I did tell them they should have called it Tri-Width.

I’ve a neck scoop on order which I hope will improve ours a lot, trouble is there was a 100 day back order due end of June!

Try Charlies Stores Coed-Y-Dinas,, +44 1938 555545 They had good stock when I bought my crush from them, Should be able to go on a carrier.

 

[MaryT]

I’ve a neck scoop on order which I hope will improve ours a lot, trouble is there was a 100 day back order due end of June!

Just been looking at videos of them, they look good. Wow, I'd heard how long the lead times are due to the new grant but didn't realise it was that long. Very frustrating when you're waiting for something to come in.

 

[MaryT]

The Dual width actually has 3 widths as you have a handle over head to lever the sides in. You can leave both open or just one or close both. I did tell them they should have called it Tri-Width.

Try Charlies Stores Coed-Y-Dinas,, +44 1938 555545 They had good stock when I bought my crush from them, Should be able to go on a carrier.

That does sound good. Ah, Tri-Width would make sense.

 

[Matt77]

The Dual width actually has 3 widths as you have a handle over head to lever the sides in. You can leave both open or just one or close both. I did tell them they should have called it Tri-Width.

Try Charlies Stores Coed-Y-Dinas,, +44 1938 555545 They had good stock when I bought my crush from them, Should be able to go on a carrier.

I did find stock, which was only £60 more, but wrongly or rightly we stuck with our local supplier.

 

[Matt77]

I will just add, the auto yoke can be, (not always) be a right pain in the back side for the vet TB testing. I’m hopeful the super scoop will help this situation along with tagging, eye treatment etc.

 

[Old Tip]

I have an old Bateman crush and was going to trade it in but the vet said he would kick me in the balls if I did. He reckons it’s the best crush ever for tb testing, probably only worth £350 so probably keep it for testing and save the pain. It’s crap for clipping out or doing feet and a death wish trying to suck a calf on. So getting a second hand Ritchie full access with auto yoke for doing those jobs, just need to save up for a head scoop now.
Any advice on different makes of head scoop ?

 

[milkloss]

We have an IAE with rotating rump bar and access kiosk behind. They don’t make our model anymore but essentially it’s the front end of a crusader plus (look on website) and the arse end of a Saracen rotating rump bar crush (took some working out that). We have a foot trimming kit and a kiosk behind the crush (can’t see on website). The kiosk is maybe 9” wider than the crush with an opening gate on both sides, these gates open in and out (hinge at the rear) and will lock behind you if you are in the kiosk to keep following animals back and you safe. We have an old crush previous to the kiosk so two trapped for tb etc.

I’m a critical, miserable sod so I’ll tell you what’s mainly wrong and what’s ok.

The crush. The yoke can hold young calves for dehorning (adjustable). Fill it with 6 calves and someone can jab them and shuffle to yoke for iron. You will not stop a moving cow with this yoke as the clamps pivot inwards so they push it open unless locked, the cage must be shut. The cage opens right out so you can dehorn big cows, rope them for eye injections etc. The yoke does not allow a head scoop. It has flaps in the yoke specifically for tb testing but make sure the vet doesn’t shut an ear or tag in it or else they get ripped off on release.
Rump bar: works, noisey but adjustable. Not good for calving, pd etc as if animal goes down you have a broken arm. We use a chain for these operations as more flexible. You need to be careful not to smack an animal on the back with it or a human that’s shoving a tame one in (really causes some foul language that one!) Wheel gets in the way when helping a calf to suckle (one side). It means c sections are only possible on small cattle as middle bar is in the way. As a rule vet likes it when cattle pull back for tb jabs, easier.
Kiosk: wider so younger animals can turn, loads of space for calving, can fit foot trimming kit (can't with crush extension, otherwise I’d like it). Big enough to put calf on between back legs. Can let following cattle out the side whilst holding one in front crush.
Foot trimming kit: bang on but you need the wide kiosk to be able to fit hind foot support on the crush. Narrow cage/kiosk would foul the tube that accepts the support.

Don’t know if that spiel helped.

Edit: or even made sense.

 

[Whitepeak]

We have a Bateman Ambassador manual squeeze crush with a head scoop. Do really like it, despite one or two niggles.
Vet access isn't an issue, we've blood sampled 60 through it yesterday and no complaints. Vets have also said they like the TB door.
We put a new fixed race in 6mths ago and I can't fault the rep from Batemans who we dealt with. IAE on the other hand we are still waiting to hear back from

 

[JJT]

Got one of these for our new handling set up. http://www.squeezecrush.com/built_for_purpose.html#

Love it, would definitely recommend a squeeze crush of some sort. So much easier, cattle stand a lot quieter. Had a duel width IAE before, the squeeze crush is in a different league. Not cheap but soo worth it!

Edit, fine for TV testing too, has a separate access door at neck area, ideal for tb testing.