Headgate specs
Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates
Every headgate on this site sorted by type, how each one catches cattle, and which suits your pens.
Side by side
Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates: Every Model Sorted
9 cattle headgates on this site. The bar shows where each group sits between the lowest and highest price.
Self-catch
$999.99 to $2,500
Closes as the animal pushes through. Easy one-person catching.
- Tarter CattleMaster S3 Headgate$999.99
- CountyLine Heavy-Duty Headgate$1,099.99
- W-W Beefmaster Self-Catch Headgate$1,722
- Pearson G3105 Headgate$2,500
Switchable
$1,234 to $1,470
Runs self-catch or manual.
- Priefert HG91 Headgate$1,234
- Behlen M-Series Headgate$1,470
Manual
$1,399.99
Closed by hand with a lever at the right moment.
- Tarter CattleMaster S6 Headgate$1,399.99
Hydraulic
$5,945
Closed from hydraulic controls.
Prices last checked September 2026. Freight is extra unless noted.
How to choose
How to Choose: Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates
Why it matters
Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates: Why It Matters
One-person work
Self-catch lets one person push cattle up and catch them without running to the lever.
Control
Manual lets you choose the moment, which helps with calves and cattle that stop short.
Fit
Headgates are built for their maker’s chutes and alleys. Check the fit before buying.
The details
Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates: The Details
A headgate catches cattle by the neck at the end of an alley or chute. The type describes how it closes.
Self-catch headgates are set open and trip shut as the shoulders push through. Manual headgates close when you pull the lever. Switchable ones do both, and hydraulic headgates close from a valve.
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Questions
Self-Catch vs Manual Headgates: Questions
Is a self-catch headgate worth it?
If you often work cattle alone, yes. It saves running between the alley and the lever.
Can a self-catch headgate choke cattle?
A headgate can injure cattle that go down while caught. Release an animal that goes down right away, whatever the type.
What headgate is best for calves?
A manual or switchable headgate lets you close tighter and time it for small calves.
Can I put a headgate on the end of an alley?
Yes. Many buyers catch cattle in a headgate at the end of an alley for quick work. Brace it well.
Will a Priefert headgate fit a W-W chute?
Not always. Check the opening width and mounting points with the dealer.
What does a self-catch headgate cost compared with a manual one?
Headgates on this site run from about $999 to well over $2,000 for hydraulic models.
What is a positive-stop headgate?
A design that stops the gates at a set width so they cannot close too tight on the neck. Ask the maker whether a model has it.
Do I need a full chute or just a headgate?
A headgate alone handles tagging and shots. A chute adds squeeze sides that hold the animal still for longer work.
Which cattle headgates are listed as “Self-catch”?
Tarter CattleMaster S3 Headgate ($999.99). CountyLine Heavy-Duty Headgate ($1,099.99). W-W Beefmaster Self-Catch Headgate ($1,722–$2,208). Pearson G3105 Headgate ($2,500).
Which cattle headgates are listed as “Switchable”?
Priefert HG91 Headgate ($1,234–$1,543). Behlen M-Series Headgate ($1,470–$1,549.99).
Which cattle headgates are listed as “Manual”?
Tarter CattleMaster S6 Headgate ($1,399.99).
Which cattle headgates are listed as “Hydraulic”?
Which cattle headgates are listed as “Not listed”?
Titan West WLC 600 Headgate ($1,400–$1,602).
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