Whether you need to brand, castrate, or vaccinate calves, You can Make a Tilting Table that will help you get the job done quickly and safely. To build your own homemade calf tilting table, start with Ben Stone's, patented two-stage pivot action. This makes it the easiest tilting table, and you can use its full range of features to handle bigger, heavier calves with less effort than ever before. Unlike most calf tables, which are bulky, heavy, or awkward to operate, Stone’s Calf Table is the easiest and most efficient way to work calves.
Full DIY Plans are available here!!
Frame
If you are looking for a homemade Calf Tilting Table, you can Make a Tilting Table that will work just as well as store-bought models. It doesn't take much work and the finished project will be worth it. To start, you'll need a sturdy frame for your table. There are several different options available, so it's important to make sure that the structure will be durable enough to stand up to heavy use.
The frame of your calf tilting table should be made from solid wood or Steel. It should also be able to support a weight of up to 450 pounds. Once you've decided on the type of frame that you want, it's time to assemble it. After you've done this, it's time to tighten the screws so that they're secure and won't come loose. It's also a good idea to attach a piece of plywood over the top of the frame so that you can add additional protection against potential damage.
Next, you'll need to drill holes in the frame for the headgate and squeeze bars. The head gate and squeeze bar are the parts that will hold your calf in place when you're working them, so it's important to be sure that they're both working correctly. You should also check the springs that hold the head catch and squeeze closed. These springs are often small and can become sprung over time, so it's a good idea to keep an extra set on hand.
Finally, it's important to inspect the pins and bolts that connect the headgate and squeeze bars to the support frame. These can become bent over time and can cause your table to fail to function properly. This allows you to work cattle more easily and safely. It's also reversible, so you can work on either side of the animal.
Head Gate
A homemade calf tilting table is an excellent addition to any cow-calf operation. It restrains and elevates calves to reduce stress on the animal and minimizes injury to the worker when branding, castrating, or vaccinating cattle. The calf tilting table can also be used for other livestock handling operations, such as doctoring eyes and ear tagging. It can be attached to a wishbone carriage (carriage sold separately), making it easy to move from one location to another.
Head Gates
The head gate is a critical part of the working chute. It holds the animal’s head and lessens the risk of shoulder bruises when the cattle lunge at it. There are several types of head gates that can be fitted to a squeeze chute or working chute. Self-catch, stanchion, and guillotine are the most common options. Self-catch head gates work cattle quickly without balking and seldom choke them if adjusted properly. They are not well suited for horned cattle and require a nose bar to secure the animal’s head.
Stanchion headgates are easier to operate and work cattle faster than the self-catch type, but they require a nose bar and may cause shoulder bruises when the cattle lunge at them. They are also more difficult to adjust and are not suited for homed animals.
Guillotine headgates hold the animal’s head securely and lessen the risk of shoulder bruises, but they are more difficult to operate and can cause choking. They are also slower to work because cattle tend to balk instead of moving forward.
If you are going to be tagging, doctoring, or casting animals on your homemade calf table, it’s important that the gate is adjustable for the size and type of cattle being worked. This is to prevent injury to the cattle and increase the efficiency of the operation. To ensure that the headgate is working properly, check for bent structures and broken welds. Additionally, inspect the pins and bolts of the pivot points to see if they are loose or not secure. Finally, check the small springs or friction locks that hold the head catch and squeeze shut.
Squeeze Bars
A calf tilting table is an essential tool for castration, vaccination, and branding calves. These tables are designed to easily tilt and maneuver a calf through a headgate and squeeze a chute. Some of the most popular models feature unique features that make them easier to use and more productive.
Stone’s Squeeze Chute is the easiest to use manual squeeze chute design, making it “Easy On The Cow, Easy On The Cowboy.” This long and tall chute allows one operator to control the tailgate and headgate, and squeeze from one spot with minimal effort. It is reversible to work either side of the calf and includes a head chain, leg hobbles, and receivers on its frame.
Floor
A calf tilting table is a great way to make your calf handling process easier and safer. It will allow you to brand, castrate, and vaccinate your animals safely and efficiently. Whether you are new to working cattle or just need to update your equipment, these DIY plans will help you build a table that you can be proud of.
First developed in 1989, the Ben Stone Calf Table is the safest, easiest, and most productive way to work calves up to 450 lbs. It features a patented two-stage pivot action that makes it easier to roll larger calves into position. The table also features an adjustable floor width with 3 settings, a Head Chain, and leg hobbles for safe animal restraint, and is reversible to allow the operator to work on either side of the animal.
Six spring loaded, sheeted side access panels swing down independently to provide clear access to the full length of your animal. For added safety, each panel has dally cleats at the bottom that can be removed or swung up to keep your animal's feet from falling out of the chute. This table is the best way to brand, castrate, and vaccinate calves without putting your back or knees in danger!