Skip to main content

Prattley autodrafter - Performing a 3-way draft by weight drafting session

Run an automatic drafting session to sort sheep into three separate pens according to their weight.

Updated over a week ago

This article applies to Prattley series 600 autodrafters:

  • 3-Way Swing Gate AutoDrafter

  • 5-Way Swing Gate AutoDrafter

  • 2-Way Electric AutoDrafter

  • 3-Way Slide Gate AutoDrafter

  • 3-Way Electric AutoDrafter

These autodrafters include a PAD6 control unit, a 5000 indicator (JR5000, ID5000 or XR5000) and a Cabled Remote Control or Radio Controlled Remote Control.

Scenario

You want to automatically sort sheep into three pens by weight.

See the video below 👇

Before you start

To set up for automatic weighing by weight:

  • Set up three exit pens:
    * left pen for small sheep under 45 kg.
    * middle pen for medium sheep 45-60 kg.
    * right pen for heavy sheep over 60 kg.

  • Ensure the drafting race is narrow enough so that only one sheep can pass through at a time.

  • Make sure that your Prattley autodrafter is on and and ready to go.

The AUTO SETUP light on the PAD6 control unit should be illuminated. If not:

  • press the AUTO SETUP button (and the AUTO SETUP light will be turned on) OR

  • press the AUTO button on the remote.

💡 Use of a Remote control (optional)

When operating in AUTO mode, use of a Remote control is optional. A remote control allows you to override the automatic drafting process e.g press HOLD to hold a sheep briefly on the weighing platform for closer examination OR long-press an ARROW button to send sheep to a different pen. Either a cabled remote control OR radio controlled remote control can be used. Before you start, check that your Remote control is operating correctly

Running the automatic drafting session

To run the automatic drafting session:

In AUTO mode:

  • the sheep bumps the entry gate. It opens and the exit gate closes to secure the sheep briefly on the weighing platform.

  • the sheep is weighed and the appropriate exit gate opens and the sheep moves forward into the left, middle or right pen.

  • The exit gate closes and the entry gates open to encourage the next sheep to move onto the platform.

You may be interested in:

Did this answer your question?