The present invention relates generally to the field of fencing. More specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable gate used with livestock pens, corrals or other fencing The gate has a frame with at least one vertical member, at least one horizontal member, at least one horizontal expansion member, at least one diagonal member and at least one locking bolt. The horizontal expansion member can further be used to expand the width of the gate, and the frame can further be locked in the expanded position via a bolt that contacts a groove on the horizontal expansion member.

Systems and methods for mobile overhead capture of cattle are disclosed. The system generally includes an apparatus having a mobile cattle pen for securing cattle therein. A lift device having a first arm member, a second arm member and a perpendicular support member for raising and lowering the mobile cattle pen over cattle. A winch assembly detachably connected to the front of a vehicle, such as a utility terrain vehicle (UTV). The winch assembly having a cable, rotating drum and motor. Wherein, upon activation of the motor of the winch assembly, the cable pulls down the first arm member of the lift device to raise the lift device and the mobile cattle pen into the air, and upon releasing the cable the lift device and mobile cattle pen is lowered to make contact with a ground surface and capture the cattle within the mobile cattle pen.

In general, one aspect disclosed features an apparatus comprising: a mobile agricultural structure; and at least one wheel assembly mechanically coupled to the mobile agricultural structure, wherein each wheel assembly comprises: two or more wheels, a motor disposed between two of the wheels, a drive transference mechanically coupled to the motor and the wheels, wherein the motor is configured to turn the drive transference and the wheels together, a housing, wherein the motor is enclosed by the housing, and a rotatable mechanical linkage mechanically coupled between the housing and the mobile agricultural structure.

A robotically controlled system including a fence enclosure that can move and/or shape-shift itself autonomously and automatically without manual intervention. The system includes coils of electric fence wire that are spring-loaded or otherwise tensioned so that the length of electric fence wire between each post robot is able to contract or expand as the system of robots adapts to optimize the shape of the fence enclosure as the entire enclosure is moved by the robots around a field or other grazing pasture on an area of land.

A robotically controlled system including a fence enclosure that can move and/or shape-shift itself autonomously and automatically without manual intervention. The system includes coils of electric fence wire that are spring-loaded or otherwise tensioned so that the length of electric fence wire between each post robot is able to contract or expand as the system of robots adapts to optimize the shape of the fence enclosure as the entire enclosure is moved by the robots around a field or other grazing pasture on an area of land.

A folding corral system is operable to define an enclosed space and to selectively adjust the size of the enclosed space. The folding corral system broadly includes a corral structure, a swingable corral panel, and a powered drive system. The corral structure is operable to be installed adjacent the enclosed space. The corral panel is pivotally supported relative to the corral structure to swing about an upright pivot axis. The corral panel is swingable relative to the corral structure into and out of a deployed condition where the swingable corral panel at least partly defines the enclosed space. The powered drive system is drivingly attached relative to the swingable corral panel. The powered drive system is operable to drive the swingable corral panel into and out of the deployed condition.

A hinge locking system is provided for locking pivotable hinge parts at a desired angular position relative to one another. The hinge locking system includes a locking pin, a plate with a locking pin receiver, a movable pin receiver defining an axial bore for receiving the locking pin, and a pair of spaced-apart limit stops along the plate. The movable pin receiver is movable relative to the plate, and the limit stops are selectively contacted by the movable pin receiver to limit the maximum relative movement of the movable pin receiver. When the axial bore of the movable pin receiver aligns with the plate's locking pin receiver, the locking pin is insertable through the locking pin receiver and the axial bore in the movable pin receiver, to thereby lock the movable pin receiver and the hinge parts against further movement.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Dual Longitudinal-Weld Step-In Anchor Post (DLWSAP) having a mast or body member extending along an axis, and weld fillets to an anchor member, the weld fillets located on both sides of a mating line of the body and anchor members, the anchor member bent in two places forming two segments parallel, and one segment orthogonal to the body member, the body and anchor members extending toward the ground, chamfered for ground penetration. In an illustrative example, a farmer wishing to reconfigure the fencing in his stockyard due to changes of his livestock populations, may insert a number of DLWSAPs along a perimeter of a new fencing enclosure, by setting the DLWSAPs in place, and stepping on the integrated anchor sections. The farmer may then, for example, hang mesh fencing on the DLWSAPs, to quickly create the new fencing enclosure.

A transportable corral includes a plurality of fence panels that are hinged to each other in an end to end manner, manually releasable fence panel latches that are mounted to the fence panels and are arranged to engage and latch together adjacent fence panels so that the plurality of fence panels are able to be folded into a compact fence panel set to facilitate transport. Retractable wheel assemblies that are mounted to the fence panels to facilitate movement of a fence panel set or to facilitate the movement of an individual fence panel.

In one or more arrangements, a portable livestock enclosure system is provided to facilitate stock cropping of a field. The system includes a mobile enclosure and one or more enclosed grazing areas. The one or more enclosed grazing areas are operably connected to the mobile enclosure. The mobile enclosure also includes a set of lift wheel assemblies configured to move a set of wheels between a retracted position and an extended position. The mobile enclosure and one or more enclosed grazing areas are lifted off of the ground to facilitate movement of the portable livestock enclosure system when set of wheels are moved to the extended position. The mobile enclosure and one or more enclosed grazing areas are placed on or near the ground when the set of wheels are moved to the retracted position.