Importance

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Abstract

An improved portable squeeze chute apparatus and method includes a chute having an entrance end, an exit end, opposing sidewalls, a base, and a superstructure. Each of the sidewalls has an openable upper panel and lower panel for accessing upper portions and lower portions, respectively, of an animal positioned in the chute. Each of the sidewalls is selectively pivotable about a plurality of generally horizontal axes in order to immobilize lateral movement of an animal positioned in the chute. An exit gate having a neck clamp, positioned at the exit end of the chute, has interconnected neck clamp side portions for selectively clamping the animal's neck. An entrance gate has interconnected entrance gate side portions for selectively preventing the animal from exiting rearwardly from the chute. Various portions of the apparatus are each controllable by a respective hydraulic piston and two-way valve arrangement. Special mountings are provided which are adapted to reduce noise generated by operation of the apparatus. Transducers of an electronic scale are sandwiched between the base and an substructure for weighing the animal positioned in the chute. A plurality of spacers protect the transducers as the apparatus is being transported.

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First Claim