Clipex vs Racewell Sheep Handlers: A Practical Task-by-Task Comparison

Choosing between a Clipex and Racewell sheep handler

Choosing a sheep handler is a significant investment, and the right machine will depend on the day-to-day jobs you need it to do. At first glance, the Clipex Sheep Handler and Te Pari Racewell Sheep Handler may look similar and perform many of the same core tasks, but the differences often show up in the details: sheep flow, catch position, access, controls, reliability, support and how easily the machine adapts to different mobs and jobs.

This guide compares the two brands across common sheep handling tasks, including weighing and auto drafting, crutching and foot access, animal health treatments, operational modes, sheep flow, portability, EID setup, construction and servicing.

Both machines are designed to make sheep work safer, quicker and less physically demanding. The best choice comes down to how the machine fits your stock, your yards, your labour setup and the level of automation you want to build into your flock management system.

Start with the jobs you need the handler to do

Before comparing brands, it helps to be clear about your main handling tasks. Some farmers want a machine primarily for weighing and drafting lambs. Others need regular crutching, dagging, hoof trimming, drenching, vaccinating, tagging or EID-based drafting. If you do several of these jobs through the same handler, then clamp control, access, positioning, flow and operating modes become just as important as headline throughput figures.

Weighing and auto drafting sheep

For many sheep operations, weighing and drafting is the job that justifies the investment in a handler. If you are weighing lambs, creating treatment groups, recording EID data or drafting by weight, the handler needs to capture each animal consistently and keep it fully on the weigh platform.

Clipex weighing and drafting setup

The Clipex Sheep Handler is promoted as an automated sheep handling system with automatic weighing and drafting capability, including throughput claims of up to 800 sheep per hour in some setups. Clipex Sheep Handlers come standard with a 3-way drafting gate, with a 5-way drafting configuration also available. When comparing the weighing setup, it is worth looking at the full system around the machine, including weigh platform length, EID reader position, catch sensors and how consistently each sheep is held fully on the platform.

Racewell weighing, EID and drafting setup

Racewell Sheep Handlers are designed around automatic weighing, EID data collection and auto drafting, with three, four or six-way drafting options depending on the model. The adjustable catch sensors help position sheep consistently in the clamp, and the longer weigh platform reduces the chance of a foot being left off the platform. Recent testing has shown the Racewell capable of auto weighing and drafting up to 1000 sheep per hour in the right setup which is 25% faster than Clipex.

If weighing and auto drafting are your main priorities, compare the full weighing setup, including the number of draft gates, how each brand integrates with EID, the read range and position of the reader, how the entry gate is controlled and how easily one operator can keep sheep moving through the process.

If you're thinking about how this would work on your property, consider an on-farm demonstration as this is something Te Pari offers.

Crutching and foot access

For crutching, dagging and foot work you need good access to the animal and a comfortable working position for the operator. This is where tilt control, clamp position and release options can make a big difference in the yard.

Side tilt can make crutching and foot inspection much easier because it brings the sheep up to the operator instead of requiring as much bending or manual lifting. When comparing machines, check how the tilt is activated and released. 

Racewell tilt control, access flaps and animal positioning

Racewell Sheep Handlers include proportional side tilt, which means the operator can stop the sheep at the angle that suits the job rather than tipping it fully over every time. For many jobs, a partial tilt can keep the animal calmer and create a more comfortable working position. Racewell catch sensors can also be adjusted to catch sheep further forward for head access or further back for rump access, depending on whether the job is drenching, mouthing, crutching or dagging.

Front and rear access flaps are available on Racewell Sheep Handlers. They are operated by a button on the clamp wall and they provide unparalleled access to the animals for crutching and foot work. The flap automatically closes when the operator presses the foot pedal to return the tilt.

Clipex side tilt and access flaps

The Clipex Sheep Handler also offers side tilt for crutching, hoof work and animal treatments. Its tilt setup provides good access for stand-up dagging and tail crutches, with front and rear access flaps supplied as standard. The rear flap opens automatically on tilt, while the front flap opens by button. The key difference to consider is tilt control: Clipex will only stop at the full 90 degree tilt-over action, while Racewell’s proportional tilt gives the operator more control over the exact working angle.

Auto catch and operation modes

Automatic catching is one of the key features that separates modern sheep handlers from more manual systems. A consistent catch helps keep the animal secure, improves operator safety and supports accurate weighing. It also affects how smoothly sheep move from the lead-up race into the handler.

How the Racewell catching process works

Racewell Sheep Handlers use four adjustable sensor eyes on the side of the clamp wall to automatically catch the sheep by the body. The sensors sit on two rails, so they can be positioned higher or lower to suit smaller lambs, larger ewes or mixed-size mobs. The sensor position can also be adjusted forward or back depending on the job: further forward for head access tasks such as drenching or mouthing, or further back for rump access tasks such as dagging and crutching.

In the Racewell catching process, sheep move up the lead-up race where a sensor-activated or spring-loaded anti-backing flap holds each animal without visually blocking the sheep behind it. Once the sheep enters the clamp section, the catch sensors close the clamp securely around the body at the same time as the air-operated entry gate closes behind it, preventing the next sheep from entering the clamp area too early. There are 4 different operation modes to choose from that are explained below.

Some other clamp features on the Racewell setup are:

• The longer weigh platform helps reduce the chance of a foot being left off the platform during weighing. 
• The adjustable and removable anti-jump bar helps hold larger sheep in position for tilting and crutching. 
• Operators can also adjust the air pressure dial to suit the size of the livestock, turning it up for larger rams or ewes and backing it off for lighter lambs.

Racewell operating modes explained

Racewell’s operating modes give the operator more control over how automated the process is. 

In Automatic Mode, the sheep walks into the clamp section, is clamped and weighed, and once the scale locks onto a weight the clamp releases. The entry gate and backing hook only open once the animal has moved forwards and cleared the sensors, which helps stop the next sheep entering before the first sheep has exited.

Continuous Flow Mode is useful when only occasional sheep need to be dagged, drafted or treated such as drafting dirty sheep off with the remote control. In this mode the entry gate is set to open and manual operation is selected on the dashboard, which turns the sensor eyes off. Sheep can run through the handler, and the operator only activates the clamp via the dashboard button, remote button or foot pedal when an animal needs attention.

This flexibility is useful on farms that need one machine to handle several different jobs through the season. It allows the operator to choose between speed and control depending on the task, the mob size and the type of sheep going through the handler.

How the Clipex catching process works

Clipex uses overhead sensor eyes to operate the pre-catch and main clamp. Sheep walk up the entry race and are held in the pre-catch section. The overhead sensor bar detects when a sheep enters the lead-up race and controls when the pneumatic entry gate closes behind the animal. Moving the sensor closer to the entry ramp causes the gate to close earlier. The overhead sensor bar pivots 180 degrees out of the way for transport, but because it sits above the working area it can be a practical consideration for operators and may be more exposed to wear and rattles over time.

The Clipex catching process uses two overhead sensor eyes: one activates the pre-catch and one operates the main clamp. Once the sheep moves into the clamp area and out of the pre-catch area, the overhead sensor activates the pneumatic clamping wall and catches the animal by the body. Because there are only two overhead sensor eyes, a sensor issue can affect the pre-catch or clamp function, with no duplicated backup sensor in that position.

Clipex operating modes explained

Clipex sheep handlers have Automatic, Semi-Automatic and Manual operating modes. 

Automatic Mode is designed for hands-free weighing and drafting, with automatic catching, weighing, and releasing as animals move through the race, with promoted throughput of up to 800 sheep per hour in suitable conditions. 

Semi-Automatic Mode is automatic catch with manual release. So it catches and holds the sheep securely for tasks such as drenching, vaccinating or hoof trimming, then the operator releases the sheep manually by wireless foot pedal or remote control once the job is finished. 

Manual Mode requires the operator to manually activate all functions with a control switch, remote or foot pedal, which can be useful when you want to catch specific animals while allowing animals that do not need attention to run straight through. 

Sheep flow and anti-backing systems

A sheep handler is only as efficient as the flow into and out of the machine. Good lead-up design helps sheep enter calmly and reduces the time spent pushing animals forward. Anti-backing systems are also important because they help stop sheep reversing out of position and interrupting the next catch.

Comparing sheep flow and anti-backing design

Clipex promotes pre-catch and anti-backing features to support animal flow into the handler. Its pre-catch section helps hold the next sheep in place, although the solid entry gate and moving pre-catch mechanism may affect visibility and natural flow in some mobs. Racewell Sheep Handlers use an adjustable lead-up race, sensor-activated or spring-loaded anti-backing flaps to help keep sheep moving forward without visually blocking the sheep behind.

Below are some images of the Clipex Pre-catch section.

If you work larger mobs, or if one person often operates the handler, flow becomes a major part of the buying decision. Compare how the sheep enter the machine, how the entry gate is controlled, how the handler prevents backing, and how quickly the system resets for the next animal.

Racewell’s lead-up race can be adjusted to suit different stock sizes, helping prevent small lambs from turning around while still allowing larger animals to move freely. The entry gate also includes a removable plastic sheet, which can improve visibility through the handler and help encourage sheep to follow the animal in front during weighing and drafting.

Sheep flow was an important consideration for Rob Atkinson of High Greenbury Farm in North Yorkshire, England. After using a Clipex Sheep Handler, he upgraded to a Racewell. Watch the video to hear why he made the change and see the Racewell in action.

Which sheep handler is best for your farm?

Key buying considerations for sheep handlers

There is no single best sheep handler for every farm. The right choice depends on the jobs you do most often and the level of control you need across weighing, drafting, access work and sheep flow.

For many farms, the decision comes down to the smaller operational details: whether the sheep can see through the handler, how much control the operator has from the remote or foot pedal, how the EID reader is integrated, how much maintenance the air system needs and what service support is available after purchase.

Explore the Racewell Sheep Handler range or talk to the Te Pari team about an on-farm demonstration.

FAQs: Clipex vs Racewell Sheep Handlers

Watch some videos from farmers with Racewell Sheep Handlers below!