Sheep/lamb weighing setups

[Andy84]

I've seen a few posts on here talking about fitting weigh pads into a race that link to an electronic weigh head but I could do with a few questions ironed out? What makes/type are people using? Any pictures of them in situ? How do you hold an individual animal on it without other ones? (I've only ever used a weighcrate) Can you get them to link to any weigh head -Tru-test/Satler etc
Thanks for any input?

 

[exmoor dave]

I've seen a few posts on here talking about fitting weigh pads into a race that link to an electronic weigh head but I could do with a few questions ironed out? What makes/type are people using? Any pictures of them in situ? How do you hold an individual animal on it without other ones? (I've only ever used a weighcrate) Can you get them to link to any weigh head -Tru-test/Satler etc
Thanks for any input?

Before I had my sheep handler,

I built a tray out of Ali checker plate, it had sides up to about lamb belly height, the thinking being so the lamb couldn't push side ways and transfer weight on to the race sides, in hindsight probably not necessary.

Tray was on top of two pallet load bars, IMO don't go for ones with massive max weights, because I've since been told that load bars are more accurate the closer to max load you go.
So a 40kg lamb on a 2t load bar isn't the best, but it will work, just keep a 56lb/25kg weight handy to check.

It slid in the front of the race, I have a 2 way & stop drafting gate on the race so that formed the front gate.

Then on the back of the tray I had a slide gate (the type that sort of consentina up), this was actually mounted on the tray so that if the lamb pushed on the back gate it still weighed accurately, I would say this is the most important consideration,

We have a similar set up in our cattle crush and if the bullock pushes back on the rump bar, it will weigh anything up to 200kg light!



If the budget stretches, tepari/ truest load bars are IMO much better than pallet bars.
They keep zero much better and reset between sheep much faster.
I have tepari load bars on my handler.


Again if budget allows a tepari t10e or t20e will also run a panel reader which would future proof the set up abit if you want to make weighing and recording abit easier in the future.


Price difference though,
Pallet bars & weigh head approx £500

Tepari bars and T10e (has capacity to run a panel reader) approx £1700

 

[yellowbelly]

What makes/type are people using? Any pictures of them in situ? How do you hold an individual animal on it without other ones?

We have load bars under our Combi Clamp....

Stick reader Bluetooths tag number to weigh head - in our case XR3000. Readout shows weight, gain (or loss) since last weighing, date of birth, breed, sire, dam, etc.....

Not connected to clamp in this pic - weight and gain (or loss) shows in LH panel when in use.

 

[Barley grower]

Another combi clamp setup with weighbars, shearwell stick eid reader linked to tru -test box, admittedly I did have some grant funding to help cover the cost. Makes drawing out lambs enjoyable!!

 

[gatepost]

We have an Aligator weigh pad, I reckon it would fit any race really

 

[Chasingmytail]

We are looking at a simple weighing system but everything is over £800.(combi stragging £3.5k) Unless we get grant aid 90%. then its not cost effective as our farm doesnt make profit. But keeping the farming connect grant for a forestry system that will bring in excellent returns. We need a weighing system I think making one is the only option for us.

 

[Andy84]

What kind of grant did you apply for to get that set up!?

View attachment 583126

Another combi clamp setup with weighbars, shearwell stick eid reader linked to tru -test box, admittedly I did have some grant funding to help cover the cost. Makes drawing out lambs enjoyable!!

kind I

 

[Barley grower]

I was fortunate enough to qualify for a new entrants grant, I probably wouldn't have done it otherwise but it sure makes a difference compared to our previous arrangement just with gates tied together!

 

[unlacedgecko]

We have load bars under our Combi Clamp....
View attachment 583122
Stick reader Bluetooths tag number to weigh head - in our case XR3000. Readout shows weight, gain (or loss) since last weighing, date of birth, breed, sire, dam, etc.....
View attachment 583124
Not connected to clamp in this pic - weight and gain (or loss) shows in LH panel when in use.

View attachment 583126

Another combi clamp setup with weighbars, shearwell stick eid reader linked to tru -test box, admittedly I did have some grant funding to help cover the cost. Makes drawing out lambs enjoyable!!

Are your combi clamps bolted to the weigh bars?

I've used a client's which isn't bolted and there can be quite some difference in accuracy depending on where I'm stood.

 

[yellowbelly]

Are your combi clamps bolted to the weigh bars?

No, just held on with big cable ties (stops it jiggling off in transport mode).I always make a point in standing in the middle (for the reason you mention) before pressing 'record weight'. When weighing for market I always weigh a 4 stone weight first - it never varies (that's why I now know which markets' scales are a 'little economical with the truth' )

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Are your combi clamps bolted to the weigh bars?

I've used a client's which isn't bolted and there can be quite some difference in accuracy depending on where I'm stood.

I have that problem. Keep meaning to clean it all out and bolt it down but house building is taking priority currently.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I have that problem. Keep meaning to clean it all out and bolt it down but house building is taking priority currently.

It's one of the main reasons I'm unsure about having weigh bars on mine.

I wonder if a weigh crate would be a better purchase?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

It's one of the main reasons I'm unsure about having weigh bars on mine.

I wonder if a weigh crate would be a better purchase?

I've lost confidence in mine currently for accurate weighing of fat lambs, but as said it does need a clean out, and I'd heard bolting it together helps.

 

[Al R]

Are your combi clamps bolted to the weigh bars?

I've used a client's which isn't bolted and there can be quite some difference in accuracy depending on where I'm stood.

That's the main issue I've got with mine, moving around on the platform and it goes up/down 10-15kg.. I'm going to get a mechanic friend to make a frame to bolt it to the weigh bars

 

[Al R]

I've lost confidence in mine currently for accurate weighing of fat lambs, but as said it does need a clean out, and I'd heard bolting it together helps.

I need to bolt mine down, I've got mine sitting on 6"x6"x1" timber squares under the 4 corners to give it a better read compared to "slightly unlevel concrete"

 

[Valtra Man]

Use G clamps on ours, found it was sliding off the weighbars so not as accurate. Problem solved.

 

[Al R]

Use G clamps on ours, found it was sliding off the weighbars so not as accurate. Problem solved.

Does it matter where it is or as long as it is zeroed and left where it is, because the whole combi clamp frame isn't exactly balanced evenly I do wonder where it needs to be bolted. If someone has got a new combi clamp that are bolted by Ritchie when it was new I wouldn't mind some pictures of where they've situated the clamp to the bars

 

[Andy84]

Do Richey not do a frame for the weigh bars to bolt onto the combi?

That's the main issue I've got with mine, moving around on the platform and it goes up/down 10-15kg.. I'm going to get a mechanic friend to make a frame to bolt it to the weigh bars

 

[Andy84]

I'm mega jealous of this set up I'll be honest!

View attachment 583126

Another combi clamp setup with weighbars, shearwell stick eid reader linked to tru -test box, admittedly I did have some grant funding to help cover the cost. Makes drawing out lambs enjoyable!!

 

[Valtra Man]

I think Ritchie made a frame for the clamp to sit on but it still slid off it backwards. I haven’t moved it since I fitted them so can’t quite remember if it was actually in a frame. The clamp sits as far forward as possible and the G clamps hold a flat plate to the weigh bar which stops any movement. Can’t remember if the flat plate is part of the combi clamp or a frame but when I get a chance I’ll check.