Automated Metal Cattle Crush With Multi-Section Oxen Pushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cattle crush systems in vaquejada events fail to efficiently handle oxen throughout the entire length of the crush, requiring manual intervention and causing stress and mistreatment, and do not meet the time constraints of the event.
Innovation Solution
An assemblable and disassemblable metal cattle crush with automated handling systems, featuring a chain drive and worm drive mechanism to push oxen through the crush without manual effort, ensuring smooth passage and preventing stalling at entrances, middles, and exits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated equipment is installed only at the final stretch of the cattle crush, then the last ox can be pushed onto the arena, but the equipment cannot handle oxen that stall before reaching the final stretch, requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The cattle crush is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) with automated pushing equipment installed in each section. This segmentation ensures continuous automated coverage throughout the entire crush length, eliminating gaps where manual intervention would be required and preventing oxen from stalling in any section.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated pushing equipment is positioned to act on oxen before they reach problematic areas. By having multiple pushing points distributed along the crush, the system proactively prevents oxen from stalling rather than reacting after they stop, ensuring continuous movement toward the arena.
2Ease of operation
If traditional manual techniques are used to handle oxen in the cattle crush, then cowboys can directly guide oxen, but this causes stress and mistreatment to the animals and wears out the cowboys
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pushing equipment performs the handling task independently without requiring cowboy intervention. The mechanical system guides and pushes oxen through the crush, eliminating the need for cowboys to physically manipulate the animals with shocks, pokes, and tail pulls, thereby reducing both animal stress and cowboy fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling by cowboys is replaced with an automated mechanical pushing system. The equipment uses controlled mechanical force through pushing bars and gates to guide oxen, substituting the rough manual techniques with a more refined and less stressful mechanical process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cattle crush structure is made of wood, then it can be traditionally constructed, but the structure may deform under the force of oxen and is difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The cattle crush structure uses metal materials (such as steel tubes and profiles) instead of traditional wood. This composite metal construction provides superior structural stability and resistance to deformation under oxen force, while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized metal components and connection elements.
4Reliability
If the cattle crush is fixed in one location, then it provides stable handling, but it cannot be transported to different corrals or venues
Solution Approach 1:
The cattle crush is constructed as a modular assembly of discrete metal components (frames, gates, pushing bars, connection elements) that can be easily disassembled and reassembled. This segmented design maintains structural integrity and handling reliability during operation while enabling efficient transport and installation at different locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A cattle crush automation system having a metal cattle crush fitted with at least one chain drive system or at least one worm drive system driven locally or remotely by electric motors, and a method of automatically handling cattle in a cattle crush.