Cattle head lifters are one of the popular items in the Farm Safety Scheme. An animal locked in a crush cannot go backwards or forwards, but depending on the design of headgate, it can lower its head down to the ground or lift it up well out of reach.

This slows down jobs like oral dosing and administering boluses. It can leave the farmer or vet tired at the end of the day and, of course, presents a risk of injury, such as a broken arm.

A head lifter scoops up under the animal’s chin and limits movement. It quietens an animal for jobs other than dosing.

The standard head lifter has a ratchet system to lock under the animal’s jaw. The system will swing out of the way when the head gate needs to be opened and is galvanised for long life.

Some head lifters can be fitted on either side of a head gate. Others are constructed to go on one side only – you must specify which side you need.

Any head lifter that will be used on big animals needs to be sturdy, including the plastic head piece.

Here, we have a guide to some of the head scoops currently on the market. The Department of Agriculture’s standard costing for a head lifter is €251.70.

Pic 1: Condon Engineering

Condon’s Super Scoop comes in separate left and right versions and can fit on most makes of head gate, including as a retrofit.

The holding bracket is normally welded on and the Super Scoop sits on to it. This allows it to be used in two different handling units once you weld a bracket on the frame of the head gate in each yard.

The chin piece is moulded plastic. The Scoop swings back to allow the gate open. List price is €460 including VAT (€375 plus VAT) including delivery.

Pic 2: O’Donnell Engineering, Emly

The Tipperary firm’s Head Lifter is available in separate right and left versions and fits any cattle crush.

The holding bracket is bolted on and the scoop can be removed by lifting out one pin. Reach can be adjusted to the width of the crush. The chin piece is rubber-lined.

“It pivots on the centre point and so you have good leverage for a stubborn cow,” John O’Donnell said. “The ratchet handle has a one-hand quick release – like the brake handle on a bike.”

The unit is priced at €492 including VAT (€400 plus VAT) with delivery extra.

Pic 3: Performance Steel

The latest head scoop from the Oldcastle, Co Meath, firm has a headpiece made from top-quality plastic that has guaranteed resistance to frost and UV sunlight.

It is moulded with a gradual slope back towards the cow’s neck to allow the animal more easily swallow medicine or a bolus.

“This is better than designs in which the base of the head scoop is level,” said Dessie Donohoe of Performance Steel. “That restricts the animal’s ability to swallow and makes dosing slower.”

The locking mechanism is simple and has high-tensile steel sliding on high-tensile steel.

“It won’t wear. You can stop the scoop rising up under the animal’s head at any point – down to the millimetre. The scoop can also be easily released at any given point.

“As the scoop rises up, it is silent. There is no loud rachetting noise and that keeps the animal calm.”

The price is €492 including VAT (€400 plus VAT).

Pic 4: Connacht Agri

The Galway firm is offering two different head lifters. The Dual Head Scoop comes with both left-handed and right hangers and so can be used on a left or a right-handed crush. It fits all existing cattle chute gates.

The chin piece is moulded polypropylene with a sloped base to aid swallowing. It’s priced at €553 including VAT (€450 plus VAT) with delivery extra.

The company has just launched its new Q-Catch head lifter. It’s a heavy-duty lifter which catches the animal’s head from above as well as below in a scissors movement.

When put in place, the animal cannot move its head. This lifter comes as either a left or right fit.

To cope with different-sized animals, two bolts allow in and out adjustment, four bolts allow adjustment up and down. The unit can be bolted on – no welding is needed. The unit is priced at €799 including VAT and delivery (€650 plus VAT). Delivery is extra.

Pic 5: Nugent Engineering

The Co Tyrone firm’s equipment is on sale through agents in every county, including a number of dairy co-ops. The head scoop is bolted on and comes in left or right versions. It’s priced at €553 including VAT (€450 plus VAT) collected.

Pic 6: O’Donovan Engineering

The Cork firm’s Super Scoop can be ordered as a left or right fit, but can be switched later if required – it all unbolts.

Vincent Dorney in the sales department told me that the moulded plastic chin piece on the latest model has lower sides, making it a better fit for all breeds and sizes of animal.

With smaller animals, the ear tag can be accessed and, overall, ear tags are less likely to be caught and loosened.

“The ratchet is made from 16mm plate and so is stronger than others.

“But the ratchet teeth are fine and that makes it easier to engage and allows fine adjustment.

“Overall it has plenty of adjustment.”

The holding bracket is welded on to the gate or metal pillar.

The scoop can be unclipped and brought to use in another yard. The unit is priced at €608 including VAT (€495 plus VAT).

Pic 7: O’Neill Weighing Systems

O’Neill Weighing Systems offers a fitting service for its head scoop. The lifter can work on the left or right side of a head gate.

The holding bracket is normally welded on to the gate frame. Lift out two pins and it swings out of the way to allow the gate to open. Remove a third and the scoop can be lifted off and used in another yard, once there is a bracket to fit it on to.

The scoop is portable, weighing about 15kg, TJ O’Neill told me. “So it’s easy to move around.”

The Scoop is priced at €467 including VAT (€380 plus VAT). Delivery is €10 extra and fitting €50. The company is based in Graigenamanagh, Co Kilkenny.