These two way drafting gates (sorting gates) are used to draft (sort) your sheep or goats as required by sex, age or to separate lambs and ewes (or kids and does), etc.
The steel shown in the cutting list is only a guide as you may have other material already available that you can use.
Image showing blocking gate closed.
Image showing blocking gate open.
| Materials Required | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item Number | Material | Length | Quantity |
| 1 | 50x50x1.6mm SHS | 650mm | 1 |
| 2 | 50x50x1.6mm SHS | 910mm | 2 |
| 3 | 50x5mm flat | 105mm | 1 |
| 4 | 50x50x1.6mm SHS | 1000mm | 4 |
| 5 | 30x30x1.6mm SHS | 870mm | 2 |
| 6 | 30x30x1.6mm SHS | 700mm | 1 |
| 7 | 25x25x1.6mm SHS | 700mm | 6 |
| 8 | 30x30x1.6mm SHS | 870mm | 2 |
| 9 | 30x30x1.6mm SHS | 440mm | 1 |
| 10 | 25x25x1.6mm SHS | 440mm | 6 |
| 11 | 20nb pipe | 200mm | 1 |
| 12 | 25x25x1.6mm SHS | 850mm | 2 |
| 13 | 12mm round bar | 360mm | 1 |
| 14 | 20nb pipe | 150mm | 1 |
| 15 | 20nb pipe | 100mm | 1 |
| 16mm weld on pin and socket hinge | 4 | ||
| 50x50mm square galvanised caps | 4 | ||
Diagram 1
1. Begin by cutting the steel to the required sizes. Note that Items 2 have an 18 degree mitre cut on both ends. Make sure that the mitre cuts are orientated the correct way. Refer to Diagram 1. Also note that Items 12 have an 18 degree mitre cut on both ends. Make sure that the mitre cuts are orientated the correct way.
2. Lay out Items 1, 2 and 3 on a flat surface and weld together. Refer to Diagram 1.
Diagram 2
3. Place caps on Items 4 before welding them to the base frame. Weld Items 4 in place as shown in Diagram 2. The two Items 4 that are adjacent to each other, need to be welded together towards the top as well as the base.
Diagram 3
4. Weld the wide gate together as shown in Diagram 3.
Diagram 4
5. Weld the narrow gate together as shown in Diagram 4.
Diagram 5
6. Install the wide gate as shown in Diagram 5. Place spacers under the gate that equal 60mm to raise the gate into the correct position. Weld the hinges to the 2 posts (Items 4) and the gate.
7. Weld the two remaining hinges to the opposite end of the wide gate as shown in Diagram 5.
8. Weld Item 11 onto the top rail of the wide gate approximately 100mm from the end. Refer to Diagram 5.
Diagram 6
9. Install the narrow gate as shown in Diagram 6. Place spacers under the gate that equal 60mm to raise the gate into the correct position. Weld the hinges on the end post of the wide gate to the narrow gate. Note that the hinges are welded to the face of the gate, not on the end of it.
10. Install Items 12 in place as shown in Diagram 6. These are welded in position just under the caps.
Diagram 7
11. Bend a 360mm length of 12mm round bar as shown in Diagram 7.
Diagram 8
12. Weld Item 14 onto the end of the narrow gate and Item 15 onto the adjacent post. Use the previously bent round bar (Item 13) to check proper placement. Refer to Diagram 8.
Diagram 9
13. The narrow gate is held in the open position for drafting (sorting) by hooking the 12mm bent round bar (Item 13) over the wide gate top rail. Refer to Diagram 9.
Great addition to my sheep yards.
Thanks a lot for the free plans.