Innovative Sheepyard design

When it comes to sheepyard design Atlex Stockyards is the market leader that others follow

Atlex is the most advanced designers, innovators and manufacturers of sheepyards in the world.

Throughout Australia and other major sheep producing countries such as New Zealand, South Africa, Uruguay and the Middle East, leading producers have always commended Atlex Stockyards on their innovative yet simple ideas that actually do make working with stock QUICKER, EASIER and SAFER. (What Others Say.)

Atlex Adjustable Tapered Drafting Race

• Allows sheep and lambs to walk single file to the drafting gates, preventing the use of your knees to block. It also prevents sheep from turning around, or lambs coming beside through ewes. The width is entirely adjustable. The Atlex adjustable tapered drafting can at least double the speed of drafting over conventional drafting races.
• This has brought bugle designs back into vogue after their initial development nearly 100 years ago. This simple development can decrease drafting time by two thirds, reducing labour requirements and stock stress.
• The incorporation of the Atlex Adjustable Tapered Drafting Race (ATDR) is the single most impressive innovation into the sheep industry for over 50 years and was developed by Atlex in 1989 and our first ATDR was delivered to Sea Lake in 1989.

• The adjustable tapered drafting race is combined with other innovations including:

Atlex Hawker Tip Swing Block Gate

• The Hawker Gate was designed by Atlex Staff memeber, Len Hawker. It is designed to tip and swing out of the races quickly and discreetly blocks both the adjustable drafting race and the working race.
• It neatly folds between two posts and then swings back flush long the outside of the race out of the way.
• It can be opened and closed easily in only 2-3 seconds without any chains or catches.

• The rails on the gate are vertical and 100mm higher to reduce the possibility of sheep breaking their legs if attempting to jump the Hawker Gate when it is shut.

360 Degree Gate Hinge

• Allows gates to fold back against either side of the fence and prevent sheep from continually wedging behind a three -quarter open gate. Atlex first used these on sheepyards between Wentworth and Broken Hill

Safety Manways With Dog Flap

• For quick, easy and safe self-closing access and exit so you and your dog don’t need to climb over the fences, eliminating potential injuries. They do not require chains or catches instead they operate on a cam hinge. These easily accessible manways create ease of movement and a safety exit and with the sheep manway incorporate the dog flap for your trusty mate. Sheep manways were first installed at Orange in 2004.

• Atlex won 1st prize at the 2006 Hamilton Sheepvention (VIC) for its manway with dog flap in the Sheepyard Innovation category.

Safety Draft Gate

• Safety draft gates have a fully curved grip which protects hands and writs against sheep while being drafted.

Smooth Top Working Race

• Prevents jetting and drenching hoses becoming snagged at each post and pulling the hose off your backpack resulting in drenching chemicals running down your back. 

Raised Working Race with Toe Recess

• Sheep are raised up to a more comfortable working height and allows your toes to be inserted under the concrete floor to reduce the strain on your back. The toe recess first used in Atlex sheep yards in Darlington in1991.