| HISTORY "STOCKSTILL" was invented by a South Australian Farmer during the 1970's to hold sheep during robotic shearing. With the sheep version perfected, research turned to cattle and a unit with increased power was developed. A "SUPER STOCKSTILL" has been developed recently for use with deer, goat, alpaca,sheep, emu, ostrich; it has little or no advantage for cattle, though it can also be used on cattle. USES "STOCKSTILL" can be used for all procedures that require restraint, eg. branding, de-horning, castration, spaying, hoof trimming, assisted calvings, replacing prolapses, removing wire from foot. HOW IT WORKS "STOCKSTILL" introduces small electrical pulses along the spinal region. Much of the current travels through muscle and other tissue and is of no consequence. Some travels into the nervous system causing contraction of all skeletal muscles (heart is not affected), holding the animal still for the purposes of routine husbandry operations. BENEFITS FOR ANIMAL Less trauma. Less chance of self inflicted injury during restraint. Usually less post operative bleeding. Operative time is reduced. The job is done with more precision. Operators remain calm, tempers do not rise. Less chance of wound contamination. BENEFITS FOR OPERATOR Saves time. No mucking around, just get on with the job. Perform different tasks at the same time (lack of response to pain). A cost saving : Less labour required in number, physical strength, & skill. Labour is used efficiently, each person does something productive. More basic crush facilities will suffice. Less personal injury / down time. It is portable, & can easily be taken to another set of yards etc. Improved quality of life: Work is easier on the body and mind. Noise levels are reduced. Crush floor remains cleaner with minimal excrement build up. The manufacturers encourage the humane treatment of all animals, and trust that people only perform those operations in which they are competent. SAFETY The current must be turned low enough to relax the chest muscles enough to allow laboured but REGULAR breathing. As with anaesthetics, bloating is possible, though rare. If observed, the "STOCKSTILL" can be switched off immediately, unlike anaesthetics. Should the beast collapse, turn the "STOCKSTILL" off and ensure the beast is ok before continuing. It would be possible for example to choke an animal if it were hanging in the head bail and unable to do anything about it. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS Powered by one 6 volt dry cell, giving around 30 hours at full power. (lasting in excess of 6 or 700 head depending on usage . Units can be supplied modified to run from a 12 volt car battery, at extra cost. For an typical operation, the voltage will automatically adjust to around 25 volts, safe to hold in human hands. The current control knob adjusts the desired current; the circuit will attempt to deliver that chosen current. The pulse control knob adjusts pulse duration; this allows an energy adjustment for precise effect and an effective gentle switch-on/off. If the load resistance is too high, (bad connections, broken wires, unplugged wires, etc.) a warning alarm will sound. This same alarm sounds with a regular beep, beep, beep, when the battery is low. The circuit may still deliver full power at this level, though not for long. TESTING Switch on, with controls at full power; the alarm should sound continuously. Short the output leads; (touch the output leads together), the alarm should stop. Hold the leads shorted for a few seconds to encourage the low battery alarm, if the battery is suspect. Continued silence confirms the battery is ok. This test of course relies on the sensing circuitry, and does not prove conclusively that all is ok. History has shown that "STOCKSTILLS" are extremely reliable, and the above test is usually sufficient to indicate a fault. If a "STOCKSTILL" is suspect, please contact us for advice. Bench testing of the unit is a free service, with charges only being made for repairs and return post & packing. PHOTOS PRICES ENQUIRIES ORDER FORM |
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