MNM MS-5K / MS-520 for Cattle Squeeze Chutes & Livestock Weighing
- pete8781
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
Phone: (832) 290-3120
Email: mnmscales@yahoo.com
Contact MNM Scales to confirm the kit configuration for your chute or livestock platform before fabrication.
MNM MS-5K / MS-520 for Cattle Squeeze Chutes & Livestock Weighing
The MNM MS-5K kit with MS-520 indicator is marketed for animal scales as well as floor and platform scales. Its most relevant livestock feature is the MS-520 lock-on/animal weighing capability, which is intended to produce a usable weight when the animal is moving rather than standing like a static calibration mass.
Squeeze-chute installation priorities
Place the chute/load-cell assembly on a firm, level surface that will not shift under hoof traffic or weather.
Keep the chute from touching gates, fences, rails or ground points that bypass the load cells.
Protect orange signal cables from hooves, rodents, sharp steel edges, manure and equipment traffic.
Mount the indicator where the operator can see it without standing in an unsafe animal-handling position.
Why lock-on matters for cattle, pigs and goats
Live animals shift weight continuously. A normal display may fluctuate as feet move and body position changes. Lock-on/HOLD processing is intended to capture a representative reading from that motion. It works best when the mechanical scale is already stable, level and calibrated; software averaging cannot compensate for a chute that rocks or touches a fixed object.
Using RS-232 for livestock records
MNM lists continuous RS-232 output on the MS-520. With the correct pinout and serial settings, that output can support simple PC logging or custom farm-management workflows. Confirm the exact data string and communication settings before buying software or building a cable around assumptions.
Calibration for a livestock scale
Calibrate first with stable known static loads, not a live animal. Verify multiple deck positions so the animal’s location in the chute does not create a major weight change. Only after static accuracy and corner consistency are acceptable should you evaluate animal lock-on performance.
Read the MS-5K/MS-520 calibration guide
Routine livestock-scale maintenance
Keep debris from packing under the chute or platform, inspect cables after animal sessions, check for loose feet or mounting hardware, and verify zero before weighing. A sudden change in one corner often indicates a mechanical or load-cell/cable issue. Periodic known-weight checks are useful for catching gradual changes before they affect records.
FAQ
Can the kit weigh cows? MNM explicitly lists cows/cattle among the intended animal applications, but confirm the exact shipped kit capacity and your chute’s engineered capacity before use.
Does the kit include a cattle chute? No. MNM describes it as a scale kit and says the platform itself is not included.
Can I leave the load cells outdoors? MNM describes them as environmentally sealed for outdoor installation, but cable connections, junctions and indicator still need suitable weather protection.
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