Is Your Cattle Loading Ramp Safe? 10 Things to Check Before Loading

Loading day shouldn't feel like a gamble. When the truck's booked and the cattle are in the yards, the last thing anyone needs is a loose board, a slippery tread or a ramp that doesn't line up with the deck. That's usually when someone gets kicked, jammed or knocked around, and cattle that get a fright on the ramp will remember it next time.

A cattle loading ramp that's been checked and set up properly makes the whole job calmer for the cattle and the crew. Below is a step-by-step check, explained the way people actually talk in the yards, not how a manual lays it out.

Check 1: Walk the Whole Ramp Before the Cattle Do

A quick walk-over does more than people think. Start at the bottom and work up, looking at the floor, the sides, the rails and the top where it meets the truck. Anything that looks out of place now is much easier to fix than when there's a mob waiting.

If something feels loose or sounds wrong underfoot, stop and sort it. "That'll do for now" is how most loading accidents start.

Check 2: Look at the Flooring

Cattle judge the floor with their feet. A cracked, rotten or lifting board will make them hesitate, and a hesitating mob quickly turns into a pile-up.

RPM's loading ramps are built with a hardwood floor, so look for wear, splits and any boards that have started to move. If the floor's past its best, it's better to replace it than to hope it holds.

Check 3: Make Sure the Treads Still Grip

Wet weather, mud and dung can turn any surface into a skating rink. Anti-slip treads are there to give cattle (and handlers) something to bite into, but only if they're intact and clean.

• Check for bent, worn or missing treads

• Scrape off built-up mud and manure

• Pay extra attention after rain

Check 4: Match the Ramp Height to the Truck

A ramp that sits too steep or too high at the top makes cattle balk. If you load different trucks through the year, an adjustable ramp takes a lot of the guesswork out. RPM's 4 metre adjustable loading ramp is height adjustable with a gas strut to assist with floor adjustment, so you can set the incline to suit the deck.

With a fixed height ramp, the main thing is that it suits the trucks you actually use.

Check 5: Close the Gap at the Back of the Truck

Back the truck in square and look at the join. Even a small gap or lip can catch a hoof, and cattle won't step onto something that feels unstable.

Make sure the truck's stopped, the ramp isn't shifting and nothing moves when you put your weight on the join.

Check 6: Check the Sides and Lower Sheeting

Cattle read the ramp long before they step on it. Gaps in the sides let them see movement, and that's when they stop and turn around.

RPM's ramps have a sheeted lower section for push safety, which helps keep the people behind the cattle out of harm's way. Check it's solid, undamaged and still doing its job.

Check 7: Test the Walkway and Handrails

If your ramp has a walkway and handrail, grab the rail and give it a decent shake. The walkway lets the operator get closer to the animal when needed, without leaning over rails or standing in the danger zone.

RPM's walkway and handrail can be fitted on the nearside or offside, and the deluxe ramp's walkway has a safety-conscious grip span plank floor. Keep it clear of gear and check the surface isn't slippery.

Check 8: Look Under the Ramp (Frame, Welds and Fixings)

It's easy to check the top and forget the bottom. Look underneath for cracks around the welds, bent rails and bolts that have worked loose. Heavy cattle put real weight on a ramp, so the structure has to be sound.

Good Australian steel is built to last, but even good gear deserves a once-over before a big day.

Check 9: Check the Lead-Up Race and the Ground

A ramp sitting on uneven or boggy ground will always feel off. Also look at what leads cattle to it. Shadows, flapping gates, loose panels and noise will all stop them in their tracks.

If the mob hesitates, pause. Something in the setup is throwing them off. A calm race makes for a calm ramp.

Check 10: Clear the Path and Latch the Gates

Before the first animal steps on, make sure the path is clear and nobody's standing where they shouldn't be. Check every gate behind and beside the ramp is shut and latched properly.

Then load at a steady pace. A calm start keeps the next few animals settled too, because they're always watching.

Why Loading Ramp Safety Matters More in 2026

Tight labour, long days and bigger jobs mean safety can't be tacked on at the end. With a well-maintained ramp:

• People stay safer

• Cattle stay calmer

• Gear lasts longer

• Loading gets done faster without cutting corners

Most loading problems can be spotted before they happen, and a few minutes of checking beats an hour of cleaning up after an accident.

Final Thoughts

A safe cattle loading ramp comes down to solid gear and good yard habits. RPM's ramps are Australian made from Australian steel, with hardwood floors, anti-slip treads and a sheeted lower section. The range covers a 4 metre fixed height ramp, a 4 metre adjustable ramp, and a 4.7 metre deluxe ramp with wings and an extender for side loading that complies with Australian standards.