How to Safely Use an Allrounder Cattle Crush: Step-by-Step Guide

Using a cattle crush shouldn’t feel like a gamble every time cattle walk into the yards. When it’s set up properly and handled with a bit of patience, the Allrounder crush makes jobs calmer, safer and far less stressful for both the cattle and the crew working them. When things get rushed, that’s usually when someone gets kicked, jammed, or knocked around, nobody needs that on a long handling day. 

Below is a step‑by‑step approach, explaining the way people actually talk in the yards, not how a manual lays it out. 

Step 1: Make Sure the Crush Is Ready Before Cattle Are 

A quick check does more than people think. Just walk around the Allrounder and make sure nothing’s out of place, sides should close properly, the head bail should move cleanly, and the rear door should still “push‑shut” the way it’s built to. 

The Allrounder’s galvanised high‑tensile steel frame is designed to stay straight and strong, but even good gear deserves a once‑over. If you’re using a portable cattle crush, double‑check that the ground is level. Even the best crush will feel off if it’s not sitting right. 

The Allrounder’s parallel squeeze helps cattle stand more naturally, but cattle crush dimensions still matter, too tight and cattle panic, too open and they shift around more than you’d like. 

Step 2: Don’t Rush the Cattle into the Race 

Cattle read the race long before they reach the crush. Shadows, noise, a flapping gate, they notice everything. 

The Allrounder is designed for smooth flow, with quiet operation that avoids spooking cattle, but the lead‑up still matters. If they hesitate, pause. Something in the setup is throwing them off. 

Good cattle designs work with cattle behaviour, not against it. If the race feels settled, the crush work becomes easier. 

Step 3: Let the Animal Settle Before Closing the Head Bail 

The Allrounder’s head bail is built for smooth hydraulic operation (or hydra-lock if added on), which helps a lot, but the handler still plays the biggest role. 

• Give the animal a few seconds to line up 

• Let them stand square 

• Let them balance themselves 

Then close the head bail, steady, not rushed. The Allrounder is designed to close quietly, which helps keep cattle calmer. This tiny pause makes a big difference. 

Step 4: Secure Everything Before You Start the Job 

You’d be surprised how many problems come from half‑latched gates and “that’ll do for now” habits. Before you do any work, ear tagging, vaccinating, mouthing, whatever the task, make sure: 

• Head bail locked 

• Parallel squeeze engaged properly 

• Rear door shut and secure 

• Side access gates closed 

The Allrounder’s power lock linkage and hydra squeeze help keep cattle steady, but checking your gates keeps you safe. 

Step 5: Watch the Animal, Not Just the Task 

Even the Allrounder’s soundproofing and quiet action won’t stop a beast from flicking a leg if they’re unsure.  

• Stay clear of the danger zones 

• Don’t lean across the crush where your arm can get pinched 

• Don’t put your weight on rails that might shift 

The Allrounder’s split gates and full vet access give you better reach and safer working angles, use them. Those small signals cattle give off (tail flicks, shifting weight) tell you a lot. Pay attention to them. 

Step 6: Work in a Steady Rhythm, not in a Rush 

The Allrounder is built for fast operation, but that doesn’t mean you should speed up beyond what’s safe. Most yards run smoother when handlers keep a steady rhythm.  

Step 7: Release Cleanly and Give the Animal a Clear Path 

Before opening anything, look ahead. Make sure the race is clear and nobody is standing in front of the gate. 

The Allrounder’s self-locking rear door and quiet-release mechanisms help cattle exit calmly. Let them leave at their own pace. 

A calm release keeps the next few animals more settled too, they’re always watching. 

Step 8: Adjust and Learn as You Go 

Every mob behaves differently. Every yard has quirks. After a few runs, you’ll spot little improvements, gate angles, race tweaks, where you stand, how cattle respond. 

The Allrounder is built to adapt with nearside or offside operation, and optional features like baulk gates, spey & injection doors, or fully sheeted rear doors. Small adjustments to your process often make the biggest year‑round improvements. 

Why Safe Crush Use Matters More in 2026 

Tight labour, long days, and bigger jobs mean safety isn’t something you tack on at the end anymore. With a well‑handled crush: 

• People stay safer 

• Cattle stay calmer 

• Gear lasts longer 

• Work gets done faster without cutting corners 

Proper crush use removes half those risks before they even start. 

Final Thoughts

An Allrounder cattle crush is built to make handling smoother, safer, and more predictable, but the best results still come from solid yard habits. 

With quiet operation, strong locking systems, full access gates, and durable galvanised steel, the Allrounder does its job well. Pair that with patient, steady handling, and you get a cattle crush that genuinely supports you through busy seasons, big mobs, and long days in the yards. 

Whether you’re using a permanent setup or relying on a portable cattle crush, the principles stay the same: calm cattle, calm handling, and gear that performs the way it should.