Chute Comparison
Manual vs Hydraulic Squeeze Chutes
A manual chute costs $3,000 to $15,000 and needs no power. A hydraulic chute costs $11,000 to $33,000 and lets one person catch and squeeze with levers.
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The Two Choices
Manual chute
Best under about 150 head
$3,000–$15,000
- No power needed
- Two people work cattle comfortably
- Tarter Series 3 $2,999, Priefert S04 $5,099, Arrowquip 7500 $6,950
Hydraulic chute
Best for big herds and one-person work
$11,000–$33,000
- Electric or gas power unit, $2,800–$5,700 if separate
- One person runs headgate, squeeze and tailgate
- W-W Ranchmaster $14,740, Arrowquip 1080 $19,750, Silencer Ranch $23,319
Prices last checked September 23, 2026. Freight is extra unless noted.
Manual and Hydraulic, Side by Side
| Manual | Hydraulic | |
|---|---|---|
| New price | Manual$3,000–$15,000 | Hydraulic$11,000–$33,000 |
| Power needed | ManualNone | Hydraulic2–14 hp electric or gas unit, or tractor hydraulics |
| Power unit cost | Manual— | Hydraulic$2,800–$5,700 if sold separately |
| Operator effort | ManualPull levers by hand for headgate, squeeze and tailgate | HydraulicHydraulic valves; one person runs everything |
| Typical weight | Manual900–2,800 lb | Hydraulic2,500–4,100 lb |
| Noise | ManualSteel latches clang unless rubber-dampened | HydraulicQuieter lock-up; engine or motor noise instead |
| Maintenance | ManualGrease hinges and latches | HydraulicHoses, fluid, seals and the power unit |
| Best fit | ManualUnder about 150 head, a crew of two or more | HydraulicLarge herds, frequent working, one-person operations |
Which One to Buy
Buy manual if
You run under about 150 head, work cattle a few times a year, have help on work days, or the chute sits where there is no 220V power.
Buy hydraulic if
You work cattle weekly, run several hundred head, do custom work, or often work cattle alone.
Middle ground
A heavy manual chute with a self-catch headgate and rubber floor, such as the Arrowquip 7500 or 8700, covers most of what small operations want from hydraulic for less money.
Hydraulic Power Units
Needed when the chute is sold without one.
| Unit | Type | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titan West 5 hp | Type220V electric | Price$2,795 | Where to buyCheck price at Ackerman’s → |
| Titan West gas, manual start | Typegas | Price$3,015 | Where to buyCheck price at Ackerman’s → |
| Salt Creek Honda | Typegas | Price$3,200 | Where to buyCheck price at Salt Creek → |
| Titan West 7 hp | Type220V electric | Price$3,810 | Where to buyCheck price at Ackerman’s → |
| Salt Creek electric | Typeelectric | Price$4,200 | Where to buyCheck price at Salt Creek → |
| Arrowquip 7.5 hp | Typeelectric, single or three phase | Price$5,700 | Where to buyCheck price at Howard Stores → |
| W-W gas unit | Typegas | Price$4,451 retail | Where to buyCheck price at Ackerman’s → |
Arrowquip’s Powerlock chutes list 7.5 hp electric or 10 hp gas at 1,200 psi and 9 to 9.5 gallons per minute. Silencer uses 5 hp 220V or a 12 hp Honda. Several brands also run off tractor hydraulics.
Electric needs 220V at the chute. Gas works anywhere, which suits portable setups.
Where to Buy Manual and Hydraulic Chutes
Manual chutes are stocked at Tractor Supply and farm stores. Hydraulic chutes are dealer items: Howard Stores lists Arrowquip Powerlock and Q-Power prices, and Ackerman’s lists W-W and Titan West at cash prices.
Howard Stores
Arrowquip 1050, 1070 and 1080 hydraulic chutes and 7.5 hp power units.
Shop at Howard Stores →Ackerman’s
W-W Ranchmaster and Super Pro, Titan West Cattleman’s and Cattle Care, gas and electric power units.
Shop at Ackerman’s →Prices on this site come from these sellers’ public listings. Confirm the current price and freight with the seller before ordering.
Manual and Hydraulic Chutes in Detail
Manual chutes: cost
Entry chutes like the Tarter Series 3 at $2,999 and Priefert S04 at about $5,100 to $5,800. Heavier chutes like the Arrowquip 8700 at $10,375 and 8800 at $15,350.
Manual chutes: where they work
Cow-calf operations working cattle a few times a year: spring vaccinations, fall preg checks, weaning. No electrical run to the barn needed.
Manual chutes: the trade-off
Catching a fast calf takes timing, and squeezing a big cow takes arm strength. A self-catch headgate handles most of the catching.
Hydraulic chutes: cost
W-W Ranchmaster from $14,740 cash, Titan West Cattleman’s $16,350, Arrowquip 1080 $19,750 plus power, Silencer Ranch $23,319.
Hydraulic chutes: where they work
Working hundreds of head, custom work, or one person running cattle alone. Speed and consistent pressure matter more as numbers go up.
Hydraulic chutes: the trade-off
Higher price, more weight, and a power unit to maintain. A pinched hose on work day stops the whole crew.
Manual vs Hydraulic Questions
How much more does a hydraulic chute cost than a manual one?
Comparing ranch models, about $10,000 to $15,000 more. The Priefert S04 manual is about $5,500; ranch hydraulic chutes start around $14,700.
Can one person run a manual squeeze chute?
Yes with a self-catch headgate and good cattle flow, but it is slower. Hydraulic chutes put every control in one spot.
Can a hydraulic chute run off a tractor?
Some can. Arrowquip offers a tractor hookup on its hydraulic chutes, which skips the cost of a power unit.
Are hydraulic chutes easier on cattle?
They apply even pressure and lock up quietly, which calms cattle. A well-set manual chute with a rubber floor and dampened latches is also quiet.
Can I convert a manual chute to hydraulic?
Some models offer it. Priefert sells a hydraulic upgrade for the SC25. Most entry manual chutes cannot be converted.