A hoof trimming chute is a sturdy frame that holds a cow securely while her hooves are trimmed. A good one keeps both the cow and the trimmer safe and steady, so a necessary job gets done without a fight.
When I started trimming in 1994, my first chute was a hydraulic Wopa. I loaded and unloaded it from farm to farm over Alberta's gravel roads, and after four years I knew I needed something tougher for mobile work. In 1998 I moved to one of the first elevator-style Comfort chutes, which lifted the hoof to my working height so I could stop bending over every cow. Over the years I worked with many of the chutes on this page.
Every week, someone asks me which chute to buy. Most farmers buy one only once, so it is a big decision.
This page puts the hoof trimming chutes for cattle sold in Canada and the USA side by side: hydraulic and manual, upright and layover, new and used. Every listing has a phone number and website, so you can go straight to the source.
Does Diamond Hoof Care sell hoof trimming chutes?
No, Diamond Hoof Care does not sell hoof trimming chutes. This page is a free resource, so you can compare the chutes in one place.
I get phone calls from people asking me for a chute price, and the people who build the chutes are the ones who can answer that best. For a price or a quote, contact the manufacturer directly. Every listing below has the phone number, email and website you need.
Hoof trimming chutes compared at a glance
Measurements are in feet and inches, with metric where it helps. There is no price column on purpose. Prices change, and the builders set them.
| Brand | Operation | Style | Best for | Standout feature | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnkaSpain | Hydraulic | Upright | On-farm and pro | Double belly band, all stainless steel | Canada and USA, through dealer Rippleview |
| Appleton SteelWisconsin | Hydraulic | Upright | On-farm and pro | Every chute made to order | USA, Canada and international |
| BerkelmansOntario | Hydraulic | Layover | On-farm | Bed tips in 12 seconds, left or right | Canada and USA |
| Calf Tip Table (Lakeland Farm & Ranch)Manitoba and Michigan | Manual | Tip table, tilts left or right | Calves, 250 to 450 lb (113 to 204 kg) | Self-catch headgate, hoof access panels on both sides | Canada and USA |
| Comfort Hoof CareWisconsin | Hydraulic and manual | Upright | On-farm and pro | Co-founder Karl Burgi is a hoof trimmer | USA, Canada and international |
| Dr. Hoof Series III (SteelHead Ag)Ontario | Drill-powered winches | Upright | Single operator | Swing-out front and sides; also DA surgery, AI breeding, preg checks | Canada and international |
| FinelineOntario | Hydraulic | Upright | On-farm to pro | 30 cows an hour, self-propelled wheels | Canada |
| Jake's Model 600 and 300Ontario | Hydraulic (600), manual (300) | Upright | On-farm and pro | Adjustable operator height, 20 in (51 cm) hydraulic lift | Canada and USA |
| KVK Hydra KlovDenmark | Hydraulic and manual | Upright | On-farm and pro | Ergonomics, calm cow flow | Canada and USA through dealers |
| Mid ValleyBritish Columbia | Hydraulic | Layover | On-farm | 120 V, mounts anywhere | Canada, USA and international |
| Paul'sWisconsin | Manual | Upright | On-farm and pro | Built by a hoof trimmer, sold direct | USA and Canada, direct only |
| Real TuffMinnesota | Manual | Upright | Multi-use | Trim, wrap and preg check in one unit, about 1,200 lb (545 kg) | USA and Canada, through dealers |
| Riley BuiltTexas | Hydraulic | Layover | Pro | 40+ years of trimming experience behind it | USA, factory direct |
| Tuffy TablesPennsylvania | Hydraulic | Layover | On-farm, and pros moving between herds | Portable, stationary and truck-mounted models | Direct |
| WopaNetherlands | Hydraulic and manual | Upright | Pro trimmers, vets and farmers | Hot-dip galvanized, CE marked | Canada, no US dealer |
5 Steps to Trim Cheat Sheet
"How to trim" Barn Sheet: Learn how to Trim a Cow in 5 steps. Includes helpful diagrams!
DownloadHow do you choose a hoof trimming chute?
Five questions narrow the list quickly.
Hydraulic or manual?
Hydraulic saves your back and speeds up a big day. Manual costs less and is plenty for a smaller herd.
Most of the farms I trimmed on used manual units, and they worked well. Over the years I saw more and more farms switch to hydraulic to make the job easier for themselves and their staff.
Upright or layover (tilt table)?
An upright keeps the cow standing and lifts one leg at a time. A layover rolls her onto her side so all four feet are within reach.
I was trained on an upright chute, in the Dutch method. And from what I have seen, about half of the cows in the United States are still trimmed on layover chutes.
Whichever style you choose, the main thing that matters is whether we help the cow. When she comes out of the chute, is she walking as well as she did, or better? That is the test I would put to any chute on this page.
How big is your herd, and how often do you trim?
Match the chute to the workload. Small herds do well with a manual unit, and larger herds earn back a hydraulic one. If you are not sure how often your cows should go through, Hoof Trimming Frequency walks through it.
If one person will run the chute alone, plan the gates at the same time as the chute. A good gate system is what makes one-person trimming work. Hoof Trimming Chute Area Specifications: Building for Effectiveness shows how one dairy farmer set up three chute areas for exactly that.
New or used?
A used chute can be good value if you do your homework. Check its condition, ask for the service history, and confirm that parts are still available.
I would add one more check: buy something that can be serviced close to home. A chute waiting on a specialist technician makes for a long trimming day.
Which features matter most?
Start with a non-slip floor, secure but comfortable restraints, a belly band or support, and an easy leg lift.
Then look at working height. When I moved to a chute that brought the hoof up to me, it saved my back, and the better light and angle let me see every detail. Reliability matters just as much.
What affects the price of a hoof trimming chute?
We do not quote prices on this page, because the builders set them and they change. Here is what drives the number.
Manual chutes cost less than hydraulic ones, and a used chute costs less than a new one. Size and build quality move the price, and so do extras such as leg lifts, wrapping features and a gate system for one-person work. Shipping, installation and accessories add to the total.
Call two or three builders from the table, tell them your herd size and how you plan to use the chute, and ask for a current quote.
Hoof trimming chute brands: what each one offers and how to reach them
Each listing has the contact details for the builder or its dealer. Call or visit the website for current models, prices and the dealer nearest you.
Anka Crush Chute
- Based in
- Spain
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- Canada and USA, through dealer Rippleview
- Standout
- Double belly band, all stainless steel
Anka builds this all stainless steel hydraulic chute in Spain, for both the on-farm trimmer and the professional. Its crush system holds the leg firmly, and a double belly band lifts and restrains the cow quickly.
- Dealer: Rippleview Hoof Care Ltd., Jamie Sullivan, Carman, Manitoba (serves Canada and the USA)
- Phone: (204) 771-8943
- Website: Anka Crush Chute
Watch the video: ANKA Hoof Trimming Crush. Working day in Italy (1:10)
Appleton Steel Chutes
- Based in
- Wisconsin
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- USA, Canada and international
- Standout
- Every chute made to order
Appleton Steel builds hydraulic upright chutes in Wisconsin, with comfort, safety and speed in mind. Every chute is made to order, from the Ultra Pro for professional mobile trimmers to the Dairyman for smaller dairies, and hydraulic leg clamps are available.
Appleton Steel is now part of the Granly Group, which also owns KVK.
- Phone: (920) 830-0277
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Appleton Steel chutes
Watch the video: Appleton Steel Hydraulic Elevator Hoof Trimming Chute (4:49)
Berkelmans Hoof Trimming Tables
- Based in
- Ontario
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Layover
- Best for
- On-farm
- Where sold
- Canada and USA
- Standout
- Bed tips in 12 seconds, left or right
Berkelmans Welding & Manufacturing builds hydraulic layover tables in Aylmer, Ontario, for dairy and beef cattle. You can order a right or left layover, and the bed tips in 12 seconds. A self-catch headgate and two lift belts on a hydraulic arm hold the cow while you work.
The tables come portable, stationary, or mounted on a 3-point hitch or skid steer. Berkelmans delivers across Canada and the USA.
- Phone: (519) 765-4230
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Berkelmans hoof trimming tables
Watch the video: Hoof Trimming Tables for Dairy Farmers (1:34)
Calf Tip Table (Lakeland Farm & Ranch)
- Based in
- Manitoba and Michigan
- Operation
- Manual
- Style
- Tip table, tilts left or right
- Best for
- Calves, 250 to 450 lb (113 to 204 kg)
- Where sold
- Canada and USA
- Standout
- Self-catch headgate, hoof access panels on both sides
Lakeland Farm & Ranch builds the Calf Tip Table for calves from 250 to 450 lb (113 to 204 kg). An automatic self-catch headgate holds the calf, both sides squeeze in, and the table tilts left or right by hand, with a foot pedal lock on each side.
For hoof work, a lower flip-up panel on each side opens a space 20 in high and 52 in wide (51 by 132 cm). The unit weighs 750 lb (340 kg), measures 75 by 60 by 68 in (191 by 152 by 173 cm), and has fork pockets for moving it. Lakeland lists the Calf Tip Table on its website.
For sheep and goat owners: Lakeland also builds the Deluxe Spin Trim Chute, a spinning trimmer with a self-catch headgate. One person can run it, it spins both ways, and it comes on wheels with a hitch. It weighs 350 lb (159 kg).
Lakeland sells in Canada and the USA.
- Company: Lakeland Farm & Ranch
- Phone (call or text): 1-866-443-7444
- Website: Lakeland contact page
Watch the video: Lakeland Calf Tipping Table Walkthrough (2:14)
Comfort Hoof Care Chutes
- Based in
- Wisconsin
- Operation
- Hydraulic and manual
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- USA, Canada and international
- Standout
- Co-founder Karl Burgi is a hoof trimmer
Comfort Hoof Care is part of the Save Cows Network, co-founded by Karl Burgi, a hoof trimmer who knows the daily work of dairy farmers and professional trimmers. Its H, A and M Series chutes come in hydraulic and manual versions, and they are sold in the USA, Canada and internationally.
In 1998 Diamond Hoof Care bought its first Comfort chute, and we trimmed many cows with it.
- Contact: Melanie Burgi
- Phone: (608) 356-3834
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Comfort Chutes
Watch the video: H-Series Comfort Hoof Care Chute (0:43)
Watch the video: Karl Burgi leads a hoof trimming workshop for farmers (3:00)
Dr. Hoof Series III (SteelHead Ag)
- Based in
- Ontario
- Operation
- Drill-powered winches
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- Single operator
- Where sold
- Canada and international
- Standout
- Swing-out front and sides; also DA surgery, AI breeding, preg checks
SteelHead Ag builds the Dr. Hoof Series III in Ontario. It is an upright trimming and wrapping chute that also handles DA surgeries, AI breeding and pregnancy checks. Drill-powered winches run the front and rear leg lifts, which makes it a good fit for a single operator, and the swing-out front and sides give you room to reach the hard spots.
The Dr. Hoof is sold in Canada and internationally through SteelHead's own sales reps.
- Sales reps: Brendan Diefenbacher (international, national and Southern Ontario), Chad Diefenbacher (Grey and Bruce), Terry Diefenbacher (Eastern Ontario) and Tristan Sylvestre
- Phone (Brendan): 519-266-6877
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Dr. Hoof Series 3
Watch the video: Dr. Hoof Series 3 Walk-Around (3:48)
Fineline Hoof Chutes
- Based in
- Ontario
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm to pro
- Where sold
- Canada
- Standout
- 30 cows an hour, self-propelled wheels
Fineline Hoof Trimming Technologies builds hydraulic upright chutes in Bluevale, in Southern Ontario's dairy country. There are three models: the Finesse for smaller farms, the Fineline, and the Finale for professional trimmers.
Fineline says the Fineline model is fast and quiet, and can do 30 cows an hour. It is built from stainless steel and aluminum, so it never needs a yearly repaint. Self-propelled wheels let you drive it into tight spots, and a battery backup keeps the lights and some hydraulic controls working while it is unplugged.
Fineline chutes are sold in Canada.
- Phone: (519) 291-0355
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Fineline chutes
Watch the video: Fineline Hoof Trimming Chute Demo (1:08)
Jake's Model 600 and 300 Chutes
- Based in
- Ontario
- Operation
- Hydraulic (600), manual (300)
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- Canada and USA
- Standout
- Adjustable operator height, 20 in (51 cm) hydraulic lift
Jake's Welding Inc. builds its chutes in Norwich, Ontario, for the Canadian and US markets. The hydraulic Model 600 is an upright chute for on-farm and professional hoof care.
On the Model 600, the operator height adjusts, and the galvanized frame carries a top-mounted electric pump. It includes a hydraulic cradle, a hydraulic foot winch, an adjustable footrest, 20 inches (51 cm) of hydraulic lift, a hydraulic rear door, side doors that open for vet surgery and a rubber floor.
Jake's also builds the manual Model 300, with four foot cranks, for dairies that use a professional trimmer and only need to treat the odd cow in between.
- Phone: (519) 468-3676
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Jake's Welding Model 600
KVK Hydra Klov
- Based in
- Denmark
- Operation
- Hydraulic and manual
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- Canada and USA through dealers
- Standout
- Ergonomics, calm cow flow
KVK is a Danish builder with dealers in Canada and the USA. Its chutes are designed around good ergonomics for the person trimming and a calm, steady cow flow. They suit a farmer who trims his own cows as well as a seasoned professional.
KVK builds both hydraulic and manual chutes. Most of the range is fully hydraulic. The 650-SP2 has manual gates with a hydraulic belly lift, and the 650-SP0 is mostly manual, with an electric belly band.
KVK is part of the Granly Group, which also owns Appleton Steel.
- Dealers in Canada: La Sabotière, Raymond Boulais, Sabrevois, Quebec, (450) 347-4396; Knoops Farm Service Inc., Frans Knoops, Embro, Ontario, (519) 475-4381
- Dealers in the USA: KVK USA Inc., Palle Fjord Thomsen, (773) 709-9917, [email protected]; Bryant Hess, (920) 574-6624, [email protected]
- Website: KVK chutes
Watch the video: KVK Hydra Klov Hoof Trimming Chutes (7:31)
Mid Valley Chute
- Based in
- British Columbia
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Layover
- Best for
- On-farm
- Where sold
- Canada, USA and international
- Standout
- 120 V, mounts anywhere
Mid Valley Manufacturing builds the Mid Valley layover chute in British Columbia. It comes with full hydraulics and holds the cow still, with her legs securely fastened, while you work. It mounts anywhere you have a 120 V power supply.
Mid Valley sells in Canada, the USA and internationally.
- Phone: 1-888-854-4568
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Mid Valley hoof trim chutes
Paul's Hoof Trimming Chutes
- Based in
- Wisconsin
- Operation
- Manual
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- On-farm and pro
- Where sold
- USA and Canada, direct only
- Standout
- Built by a hoof trimmer, sold direct
Paul Buskager is a hoof trimmer, and he built his chutes from what he learned on the job. He trades as Paul's Pedicures & Equipment in Wisconsin.
These are practical, affordable manual upright chutes for dairy farmers and hoof trimmers who want to trim and check cows without hiring help. Paul sells direct to customers across the USA and Canada.
- Phone: (920) 420-5889
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Paul's Pedicures & Equipment
Watch the video: Paul's hoof trimming chute (5:01)
Real Tuff Trimming Chute
- Based in
- Minnesota
- Operation
- Manual
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- Multi-use
- Where sold
- USA and Canada, through dealers
- Standout
- Trim, wrap and preg check in one unit, about 1,200 lb (545 kg)
Real Tuff builds an all-in-one manual upright chute for hoof trimming, hoof wrapping and pregnancy checks. Winches and ropes hold the legs and belly.
It stands 7 ft high, 8 ft 6 in long and 3 ft 4 in wide (about 2.1 m by 2.6 m by 1.0 m) and weighs around 1,200 lb (about 545 kg), so it sits solid while you work.
Real Tuff builds at plants in Mobridge, South Dakota and Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba, with sales headquarters in Clearbrook, Minnesota. It sells across the USA through its dealers and representatives, and has dealers in Canada.
- Dealers and reps: Tonya Miller (Iowa and eastern South Dakota), Rick Knipkamp (Montana), Merlin Gleed (western US), and representatives in Beresford and Milbank, South Dakota
- Phone: (218) 776-3188
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Real Tuff hoof trimming chute
Riley Built Chutes
- Based in
- Texas
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Layover
- Best for
- Pro
- Where sold
- USA, factory direct
- Standout
- 40+ years of trimming experience behind it
Riley Built grew out of what the company calls "more than forty years of hands-on cattle-trimming experience." Its hydraulic layover chutes are built heavy and built to last, and the company backs trimmers with hoof trimming education. Riley Built sells factory direct.
- Phone: (806) 777-3643
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Riley Built
Watch the video: Hoof Trimming Chute by Riley Built (2:06)
Tuffy Tables Hoof Trimming Chute
- Based in
- Pennsylvania
- Operation
- Hydraulic
- Style
- Layover
- Best for
- On-farm, and pros moving between herds
- Where sold
- Direct
- Standout
- Portable, stationary and truck-mounted models
Tuffy Tables LLC builds hydraulic layover chutes in Pennsylvania. In the company's own words: "Our goal is to make a quality layover chute where the trimmer and the cattle both are comfortable and happy."
The stationary table is built for hard work on the farm, and the portable chute is made for hoof trimmers who move from herd to herd. There is a truck-mounted chute as well. Tuffy sells direct.
- Phone: (866) 938-8339
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Tuffy Tables
Watch the video: Tuffy Layover Hoof Trimming Chute for Cattle (0:58)
Wopa Chute
- Based in
- Netherlands
- Operation
- Hydraulic and manual
- Style
- Upright
- Best for
- Pro trimmers, vets and farmers
- Where sold
- Canada, no US dealer
- Standout
- Hot-dip galvanized, CE marked
Wopa is a Dutch company that builds both hydraulic and manual chutes, developed together with hoof trimmers, dairy farmers, veterinarians and universities. The Wopa is an upright chute, hot-dip galvanized and CE marked, for hoof trimmers, dairy and beef farmers and veterinarians. My own first chute, back in 1994, was a hydraulic Wopa.
Wopa chutes are sold in Canada, and there is no US dealer. In Canada, they are sold by Jeffrey Elschot at Wopa Canada.
- Canadian contact: Wopa Canada, Jeffrey Elschot
- Address: Site 11, Box 26, RR1, Barrhead, Alberta T7N 1N2
- Phone: (780) 305-0246
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Wopa
Watch the video: WOPA Claw Treatment Crush (7:18)
FAQs about hoof trimming chutes
What is a hoof trimming chute?
A hoof trimming chute is a frame that holds a cow securely so her hooves can be trimmed safely. It protects both the cow and the trimmer, and it lets the job get done faster and more accurately.
How much does a hoof trimming chute cost?
Prices vary by type, size and features, and they change often, so contact the manufacturer for a current quote. As a rule, manual chutes cost less than hydraulic ones, and a well-kept used unit can be good value.
Does Diamond Hoof Care sell hoof trimming chutes?
No. Diamond Hoof Care does not sell hoof trimming chutes. This page is a free resource to help farmers and trimmers compare chutes in one place. For a price or a quote, contact the manufacturer directly. Each listing on this page has the phone number, email and website you need.
What is the difference between an upright and a layover (tilt table) chute?
An upright keeps the cow standing and lifts one leg at a time. A layover rolls her onto her side so all four feet are within reach. Whichever you choose, the test is the same: the cow should walk out of the chute as well as she walked in, or better.
Hydraulic or manual: which hoof trimming chute is better?
Hydraulic lifts and restrains at the push of a lever, which suits high-volume days. Manual costs less and suits smaller herds.
What is the best hydraulic hoof trimming chute for cattle?
It depends on your herd size, how often you trim, the space you have and your budget. The table above lists hydraulic upright and layover chutes from several builders, so match the style and features to the way your operation works.
What is the best chute for a small or on-farm operation?
A well-built manual upright is usually the practical choice. It is simple, dependable and enough for regular trims.
Where can I find a used cattle hoof trimming chute for sale?
Ask professional hoof trimmers, for example through the Hoof Trimmers Association, since trimmers who upgrade often sell their old chutes. Farm equipment auctions, agricultural classifieds and dealers with trade-ins are also good places to look. Always inspect the chute before you buy.
Is it worth buying a used hoof trimming chute?
Yes, if you do your homework. Ask for the service records, confirm that replacement parts are still available, and inspect the chute in person before you buy.
What features matter most in a hoof trimming chute?
Non-slip flooring, secure restraints, a belly band or support, and an easy leg lift. A comfortable working height and equipment you can get serviced locally matter too.
What hoof trimming chute brands are sold in Canada and the USA?
The table above lists 15 brands: builders in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia, makers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas, and European names from Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands. Most sell in both countries. Fineline sells in Canada, Dr. Hoof in Canada and internationally, and Wopa in Canada with no US dealer. Each listing has contact details for the builder or its dealer, so you can ask who sells that chute in your area.
Are you a hoof trimming chute manufacturer and not listed on this page?
Send us your company and chute details through the Contact Diamond Hoof Care page, and ask for a listing. A listing is free.
Tell us your company name, your chute models, your phone, email and website, and where you sell. A listing puts your chute in front of farmers and trimmers who are comparing options right now.
Complete your setup with Diamond Hoof Care
The chute holds the cow. The tools and products you use in it get the job done.
Farmers in Canada shop with Diamond Hoof Care, and farmers in the USA find our products at Green Hoof Care. Pick your side of the border below.
Keep the free Hoof Disease Chart by the chute, so you can put a name to what you find on every cow. If you are new to trimming your own cows, Bovine Hoof Trimming: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide is the place to start.
