Installing cow mats.

[Yale]

Have acquired 35 second hand cow mats from a family member who is retiring.

They are the lighter weight spongy ones (black) not the heavy solid rubber ones.Seem in good condition though.

Any tips on size of gap to leave between mats and the margin with the concrete passage step?

Planning to put in a 3x3'' timber (offset mushroom cubicles) as a breast bar as we have not fitted one yet then use 6'' concrete screws,2 per mat to fix timber over mat.Is this a plan?

Thanks

 

[Blue.]

Generally leave a 50mm gap.

 

[Yale]

Generally leave a 50mm gap.

Initially I was thinking 1'' as i'll have to trim them down from 4'' to fit 1.2m centre cubicles but I suppose to allow for spread 2'' may be more appropriate.

 

[Blue.]

Do your cubicles have legs?

 

[Yale]

Do your cubicles have legs?

Yes like an elongated p shape.The mat would be trimmed to fit between the legs then the 3x3 timber breast bar butted up to the leg and sandwich the mat onto the concrete (bed).

 

[Blue.]

I have 56 mats in some Newton rigg cubicles and the gap is the pipe thickness (48mm) the mats touch the legs but have been fine.

 

[Yale]

I have 56 mats in some Newton rigg cubicles and the gap is the pipe thickness (48mm) the mats touch the legs but have been fine.

Have you a breast bar in yours?

We are fitting one to give the cows something to push their feet against when getting up.Have the odd one which slides too far forward then cannot lunge to get up usually getting in a right stuck mess.

 

[Blue.]

Have you a breast bar in yours?

We are fitting one to give the cows something to push their feet against when getting up.Have the odd one which slides too far forward then cannot lunge to get up usually getting in a right stuck mess.

Yes have a 3"x3" timber bolted down with thru bolts,sandwiching the mat,newest cubicles have a plastic polypillow at front,despite having 3" fall cows can still end up to far forward but not as bad as when no breast bar.

 

[jimmer]

why do you not butt the mats up together
i found the cows catch the edge with their back feet when led down and lif them letting bedding get underneath
never had a problem with butting them up together

 

[Yale]

why do you not butt the mats up together
i found the cows catch the edge with their back feet when led down and lif them letting bedding get underneath
never had a problem with butting them up together

I thought you had to leave a gap as the mats spread over time and possibly this would cause them to 'ruck up' if laid touching.

 

[Blue.]

I thought you had to leave a gap as the mats spread over time and possibly this would cause them to 'ruck up' if laid touching.

They do spread,mine seem to have spread back more though.