How to Repair Cattle Guards
A cattle guard is utilized to keep livestock and other hoofed animals inside a contained area while allowing a car or other vehicle to drive in and out. Cattle guards act in a similar capacity to gates and also force a vehicle to slow down when entering a specific area. The most common problem with cattle guards is rail damage. Depending on the damage, different strategies can be utilized to get the cattle guard back in working condition.
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Instructions
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When using a cutting torch, make sure to wear appropriate eye protection. Turn on the acetylene cutting torch and cut out the cracked or dented rail in the cattle guard. Once out, switch to a rosey tip and apply heat to the cracked or dented rail. The heat makes the metal more malleable. Take the sledgehammer and force the crack to close or straighten out the bent rail. Once this is done, use the welder to reattach the rail back into the cattle guard.
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Welding can help repair and enforce the architecture of a metal structure. Use the welder first if the crack is too big to be smashed back together with the sledgehammer. Take a metal strip and place it over the crack, making sure it extends six inches past the crack on either side. Weld this strip of metal onto the rail to secure the crack.
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Place the rail back into the cattle guard slot if the rails are not permanently attached to the cattle guard. This type of design allows replacement and repair to be somewhat easier.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to wear the appropriate safety gear when cutting or welding metal.
References
- Photo Credit cattle image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com craftsman's hands image by Kushnirov Avraham from Fotolia.com welder image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com
