Livestock box

[Sheep135]

Posted this in the machinery with not must interest so I'll try it here.
Has anyone ever removed a deck from a fixed deck livestock box successfully?
Currently looking to buy a 24ft 3 deck livestock box with fixed decks, for what we need we need to be able to carry cattle as well, how much work would it be to remove the 2nd so that they would fold up out the way when carrying cattle?
Or how much would a fabricator charge to do it?

 

[GTB]

I suspect it would be a big job. You'd probably need to get someone to price it for you. There will be added complications such as dividing gates and run up (where they go when the decks are folded up etc) plus of course you'll need cattle dividing gates unless the existing sheep ones are very strong,. I would suggest you look for a more suitable box unless it's dirt cheap.

 

[yellowbelly]

Has anyone ever removed a deck from a fixed deck livestock box successfully?

I agree with what's said above.
If it's been built with fixed decks they probably form part of the strength/rigidity of the whole construction. Removing one will probably mean you'd need to weld in a lot of extra strength to compensate.

 

[sherg]

It would be the third deck that's fixed wouldn't it? I'd be tempted to leave it

 

[GTB]

It would be the third deck that's fixed wouldn't it? I'd be tempted to leave it

That's a good point. I don't think I've ever seen a box with a fixed bottom deck.

 

[sherg]

That's a good point. I don't think I've ever seen a box with a fixed bottom deck.

nor me a 3 decker would me handy sometimes as well

 

[KennyO]

That's a good point. I don't think I've ever seen a box with a fixed bottom deck.

I have seen a pig box with 3 fixed decks.

 

[Sheep135]

I suspect it would be a big job. You'd probably need to get someone to price it for you. There will be added complications such as dividing gates and run up (where they go when the decks are folded up etc) plus of course you'll need cattle dividing gates unless the existing sheep ones are very strong,. I would suggest you look for a more suitable box unless it's dirt cheap.

Getting prices for it at the moment, but box is overall quite tidy for its age and say £5k+ cheaper than a box with decks that already fold up.

 

[GTB]

Getting prices for it at the moment, but box is overall quite tidy for its age and say £5k+ cheaper than a box with decks that already fold up.

It will be interesting to know how much you save if any. It all depends how easy the conversion would be and how much of the existing materials can be Re used. I expect the run up will need major work?

 

[Chae1]

We bought one with a fixed top deck. A few hours with grinder removed it.

 

[GTB]

We bought one with a fixed top deck. A few hours with grinder removed it.

Why?

 

[Hilly]

We bought one with a fixed top deck. A few hours with grinder removed it.

Why did you remove it ?

 

[Hilly]

Posted this in the machinery with not must interest so I'll try it here.
Has anyone ever removed a deck from a fixed deck livestock box successfully?
Currently looking to buy a 24ft 3 deck livestock box with fixed decks, for what we need we need to be able to carry cattle as well, how much work would it be to remove the 2nd so that they would fold up out the way when carrying cattle?
Or how much would a fabricator charge to do it?

I put new sheep decks that fold up in a secondhand box, fairy easy to do bit time consuming, id bet the time you remove old deck etc be a weeks work for a man and a boy.

 

[Al R]

It could be worth phoning the box manufacture and asking them how big of a job it is, they might even tackle it to your exact spec.

 

[Chae1]

Why did you remove it ?

Height. Its been on its ribs at 2 deck height. Didn't have any sheep back then.

 

[Sheep135]

We bought one with a fixed top deck. A few hours with grinder removed it.

Removing the decks would be the easy part but having foldable decks with new doors and hydraulic runs up fitted would be the hard bit

 

[Iain289]

I think it would be a fair bit of work and could take a lot of strength away, you could just buy a container with no decks and I could sell you aluminium decks to put in it...

 

[Sheep135]

I think it would be a fair bit of work and could take a lot of strength away, you could just buy a container with no decks and I could sell you aluminium decks to put in it...

Would like a three decker through and wouldn't want to go back to manual run ups after using hydraulic.

 

[Iain289]

Ha it was worth a try! We bought an old 3 decker from John burgess with hydraulic decks, intended taking 3rd deck off but it's been very handy and the hydraulic decks are the business!