Power is handy in general. But an outlet next to the squeeze chute is a game changer. We had this in mind a couple years back when we went under ground with the electrical lines in the corral. Today, we brought it to life.
There are several uses for electricity around the chute. But the main reason we put it nearby is to run an electric branding iron.
When we buried the cable around we just found a spot close and buried the extra line. Knowing it was 10' 5" from the fifth post down, we started digging.
First clue was the buried yellow tape that lets you know something is close.
Under a rock, there she be.
Then we dug a trench over to the back side of the the chute, just in front of the palpation cage.
After a little thinking and some consolation with the old man, we decided to put the outlet up high, which required extending the wire. Burying the junction in the ground, with and under ground set up, seemed to be the cleanest bet. Around the rest of the corrals we ran buriable wire. But to the chute, we just put down some old 12/2 we had laying around the shed. It'll work.
We also blew a hole in the top and bottom of the alley's upright pipe to serve as a conduit for the above ground wire, and welded a junction box up high too.
Heat shrink insulation is good stuff. A cutting torch works, but a heat gun is better.
Looks good to me.
Then Dad wired in the outlet.
After which, we sealed it up. Should guard it from moisture, but most of all from nesting bees.
Giddy up.
This cattle working facility is not far from operational. Having power at the chute gate is not essential, but it sure is convenient. With this being the first day of spring, I can already smell branding smoke in the air. Let's ranch.
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