How to Choose a Cattle Crush: Manual vs Hydraulic

The crush is the centrepiece of any cattle handling yard. The type of crush you choose determines processing speed, operator safety and animal comfort. Let us look at when a manual crush is the right call and when hydraulics are worth the investment.

Manual Crush

Operated by hand through a system of levers. The operator manually adjusts the squeeze sides, head gate and exit door.

Pros:

• Lower cost (from 890,000 ₽)
• Easier to maintain — no hydraulic hoses or pump
• No power source required
• Robust design with minimal moving parts

Cons:

• Requires physical effort from the operator
• Slower processing rate
• Harder to operate solo

Best for: herds under 100 head, infrequent processing (2–4 times a year), farmers who value simplicity.

Hydraulic Crush

All operations are controlled by hydraulic levers. Minimal effort — maximum speed.

Pros:

• Minimal physical effort for the operator
• High processing rate — up to 60 head per hour
• Smooth squeeze — less stress on the animal
• Easy to operate solo

Cons:

• Higher cost (from 1,300,000 ₽)
• Requires a power source (electric or petrol power unit)
• Hydraulic system needs periodic servicing

Best for: herds over 100 head, regular processing, farms with mains electricity or equipped with a petrol power unit.

Bottom Line

If you process cattle a few times a year and the budget is tight, a manual crush will do the job. If processing is regular and the herd is growing, hydraulics pay for themselves through speed and convenience.

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