Low Cost Cattle Guard End Section Makes Repair Easy
Item #: 20260019
Item #: 20260019
CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Region Two
Implementation Lead: Shane Lazenby
Development Team:
Erb Johnson (retired 12/25)
John Sharp
Shane Lazenby
Article Written By: Winston Inoway
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway
STATUS
Implementation Date: July 1, 2025
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Could this collar design be useful in other similar applications?
APPLIES TO
Topic: Maintenance Practices
Organization(s): Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4
Job Role(s): Roadway Operations / IMT, Transportation Technician
Tags: Highway transportation, infrastructure preservation, labor productivity, rural development, inventions, logistics > inventory, distribution, purchasing, procurement, warehousing, supply chain management, asset management, maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, Fence Cattle guard, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise
A cattle guard end section at the I-80 Timpie exit was frequently being damaged by trucks hitting the gate. Once damaged, the fence repair required new parts. Furthermore, the function of the fence was compromised. This damage was happening almost weekly.
Erb Johnson in the Grantsville Station designed a new end section with a welded collar. If the end section is hit by a truck, a shear pin is designed to break instead of the whole mount needing to be replaced. A simple low-grade ¼” bolt serves as the shear pin, and can be easily replaced. The bolt is strong enough to keep livestock contained.
This new collar makes repairing the end section easy and inexpensive. This saves time and keeps the guard and fence operating as intended.
End-section shown open
End-section in correct position
New welded collar with sheer pin (1/4" bolt)
Estimated Cost Savings in the First Year (FY YYYY): $NN,NNN [or Anticipated break-even by MMM, YYYY (N years, N months)]
Cost Avoidance: $N,NNN over NN years (MMM D, YYYY - MMM D, YYYY)*
Labor Avoidance: NNN hours annually*
Benefit/Cost Ratio: BB:1
*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.