B- Completed Stanchion w/pics

[Robert]

Howdy All,

Well, I finally got it done. The Stanchion for the dairy barn is completed and field tested tonight. Miss Lillian gives it a satisfactory rating. I have put all my tools away!
Tomorrow I will get a rubber stall mat for the platform and secure it to the deck; this will allow me to hose off the deck quickly and better able to keep the wood dry.
The feeding platform is 11 inches off the surface of the deck and is 20 inches by 48 inches; about 12 inches deep but cut at an angle. She wasn't able to toss much out of her tray, especially with the rocks in the bottom.

view is rear of the stanchion looking toward feed bunk


View is from the front, looking through the feed bunk


view shows the princess herself, testing the fit and finish. All board edges that she can come in contact with have been put through the router and the edges have been eased for safety/comfort. I got a "two moo's up".


It took me all of 10 minutes to gradually pique her curiosity enough that she just walked in and started munching happily away. I only closed the neck bar for a few moments to check the spacing; it seems fine. However, I wanted her first exposure to be completely stress free so I did not lock her in. Next I'll install the vane pump and start getting her used to the sound.
This has been fun.

*** added ***
The bottom rail is situated at just the right height that I can sit on a milk crate and attach the claw without hindrance. I haven't actually attached the claw but in my mind I "see" the dimension/spacing as being proper. Also, since I have a DeLaval setup, the deck is up off the floor 5 inches; to be truthful it's because I'm old and my back hurts. The Delaval thing is just an excuse.

I "MAY" in time, remove one side of the rails altogether... we'll see.

Blessings, Bob

[myersfarm]

I just thought it was to wide ..she might be able to get over to one side and your arms would not reach over to her .....but when you said take down one side of the rails all to gether....that sounds great would fix that IF IT WAS A PROBLEM

I used a rope for one side of mine years ago with a snap on both ends so when I took it down she could not put GREEN all over it


look very nice and just love the idea of a mat to wash off..


tjm

[Robert]

TJ,

I think you might be right about it being too wide. The floor deck is only 43 inches wide and inside the rails is only 37 inches... it's a little deceiving to look at. She hasn't really got all that much side to side wiggle room, but perhaps more than is optimal. I spend a good amount of time with her everyday and I think that as she matures she will continue to become even more bombproof. I s'pect I will eventually remove one side of rails. I brushed her well before letting her go into the headstall, like I expect I'll do when actually milking. If I machine milk it'll work as is, even when stripping... but I s'pect I'll not be able to get as "up close and personal" as I'd like.

Joellern,

I built this in my head first after combining the good points from several I saw here on the forum. Some of the measurements are a swag based on how much my girl will grow and fill out. I'm "pretty" confident I've got it within hand grenade range.

Thanks for the kind words.

Bob

[Nonesuch Melissa]

We built almost the same design and found a flaw... when my cow threw a fit one day she was almost able to pull it apart. We added a couple of cross braces in the corners and that made it much stronger.

[Robert]

Melissa,

...all four of my posts are set in 24" of concrete... if Lillian throws THAT big of a hissy I'll be heading over to the other side of the barn!


BTW, tonight at feeding time all I had to do was open the gate and whistle her special " come an getcher vittles" tune. She sauntered in, climbed right in and commenced to munchin her goodies.
Life is good.

Blessings, Bob

[Nonesuch Melissa]

You go Bob! The concrete is a great idea. We had to keep ours mobile because of the Texas heat. I milk in an open shed with a high roof in Spring/Summer/Fall and skid it over to the 'Barn proper' for winter.

I have used mine to train up three previously wild and wolly Dexter girls so have seen a wall-eyed fit or two... Hope your sweet girl never goes there!

Be Blessed,
Melissa