Livestock chute puller and a method of using the same

Abstract

A cart enabling a single person to pull a livestock chute across the ground. The cart includes an elongated bar having a handle and wheels provided at opposing ends. A crossbar pivotally mounted on the bar includes first and second arms configured to engage handles on a lower front end of the chute. The first and second arms are insertable into the chute handles. When the elongated bar is moved to an erected position, a force is applied to a footrest on the bar. The arms lift the front end of the chute off the ground and the cart's wheels move under the front end of the chute.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A chute puller for moving a livestock chute from a first location to a second location across a ground surface, said chute puller comprising:
 an elongated bar angled relative to the ground surface comprising a first end and a second end at a height lower than the first end;   a handle provided proximate the first end;   a ground-engaging wheel assembly proximate the second end; and   a crossbar above the second end including a retainer sized to engage and carry a forward end of the livestock chute adjacent the retainer and lift the engaged forward end of the livestock chute off the ground surface while a non-engaged rearward end of the livestock chute remains adjacent the ground surface supported by chute wheels.   
     
     
         2 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the cross bar further includes an intermediate section connected to a first arm and a second arm. 
     
     
         3 . The chute puller of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second arms extend outwardly in opposite directions from the intermediate section. 
     
     
         4 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer extends upwardly from the cross bar. 
     
     
         5 . The chute puller of  claim 4 , further comprising a second retainer extending upwardly from the cross bar at an opposite side of the cross bar, wherein when the engaged first end of the livestock chute is lifted, the livestock chute is between the retainers. 
     
     
         6 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring assembly disposed below the crossbar adjacent the wheel assembly, wherein the spring assembly assists in lifting forward end of the livestock chute. 
     
     
         7 . The chute puller of  claim 6 , wherein the spring assembly is adjacent the elongated bar intermediate the first and second ends. 
     
     
         8 . The chute puller of  claim 7 , further comprising a spring end directly connected to the elongated bar. 
     
     
         9 . The chute puller of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a support member fixed at a right angle relative to the elongated bar; and   a spring end directly connected to the support member.   
     
     
         10 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes a pair of flanges permanently secured to opposed side surfaces of the cross bar; and wherein the flanges extend along a width of the crossbar. 
     
     
         11 . The chute puller of  claim 10 , further comprising a free end at each side of the cross bar that is adapted to support the forward end of the livestock chute; and wherein the pair of flanges comprises at least one plate oriented substantially at a right angle to the free end of the crossbar; and the plate extends for a distance outwardly beyond an exterior surface of the free end in at least one direction. 
     
     
         12 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbar is pivotally engaged with the elongated bar. 
     
     
         13 . The chute puller of  claim 12 , further comprising a sleeve and rod defining the pivotal engagement between the crossbar and the elongated bar, wherein the sleeve and rod are selectively lockable by an operator to prevent pivotal movement therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , further comprising a strengthening gusset adjacent the wheel assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbar further includes a bumper extending outwardly from a surface of the crossbar and adapted to engage a region on a front end of the chute. 
     
     
         16 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , further comprising a footrest attached to the elongated bar proximate the wheel assembly; said footrest being disposed on an opposed face of the elongated bar relative to the crossbar. 
     
     
         17 . The chute puller of  claim 16 , wherein the footrest comprises an L-shaped plate having a first leg with a terminal end and a second leg with a terminal end; and wherein both terminal ends of the plate are fixedly secured to the elongated bar such that a corner between the first and second legs is spaced a distance away from the elongated bar. 
     
     
         18 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated bar is hollow. 
     
     
         19 . The chute puller of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated bar is square-shaped in cross section. 
     
     
         20 . The chute puller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated bar and the handle intersecting the longitudinal axis adjacent the first end.