If you've spent any time working cattle in a crush, you know how quickly a session can go sideways when your head bail lets you down. A slow latch, a stiff release, or a frame that flexes under a heavy animal - none of that is acceptable when you're trying to work safely and efficiently. That's why more Australian producers are moving away from other brands and choosing a genuine RPM cattle head bail for their setups.
Built from tough Australian steel and designed specifically for working conditions in the yards, RPM Livestock Equipment has become a name that producers trust when it counts.
Why the RPM Head Bail Works Where Others Fall Short
The core of any good crush setup is the head bail. Get that right, and everything else in the yards runs smoother. Get it wrong, and every handling session becomes a battle.
The RPM Superlock Headbail runs on a manual hydraulic locking system - and that distinction matters more than it sounds. The hydraulic ram provides infinite locking positions, meaning you're not stuck with a fixed catch point. The animal is held exactly where you need it, regardless of size.
Release is just as important as capture. Under full pressure, the Superlock still releases quickly and cleanly. That's not always a given with cheaper equipment, and it's the kind of thing that only becomes obvious after a few hundred heads.
Key Features of the Superlock Headbail
- Hydra Lock manual hydraulic locking with infinite positions
- Quick and easy release even when under pressure
- Full walk-through design
- Greasable rose joint linkages for long-term reliability
- Powerlock system delivering 30% more power per effort
- Nearside and offside operation available - worth confirming before ordering
- Weighs 165 kg
Optional additions include rubber-lined doors or yoke-style doors, headlock attachments, and the rear operation kit.
The Rear Operation Kit: A Practical Upgrade for Solo Operators
Anyone who works cattle on their own knows the value of being in the right position at the right time. The rear operation kit for the Superlock Headbail lets you open and close the head bail from behind the animal - without moving to the front between captures.
It bolts or welds directly onto an existing race or crush frame, so retrofitting it to an existing setup is straightforward. For producers managing cattle without a full crew, this isn't a luxury add-on - it genuinely changes how efficiently you can work through a mob.
Note: The pipe extension is not included with the kit.
Headlocks That Actually Restrain the Head
A head bail holds the animal in the crush. A headlock goes a step further - it restricts head movement so you can treat the animal properly without fighting it the whole time.
RPM Livestock Equipment produces two headlock options, each built for specific treatment scenarios.
Hydra Headlock
The Hydra Headlock uses top and bottom restraining arms to stop the animal throwing its head up or down. That's the movement that makes head work difficult and dangerous, and this design addresses it directly.
The manual hydraulic ram gives infinite locking just like the Superlock Headbail, and a quick release handle on top of the ram drops the animal's head instantly when you're done. At 30 kg, it bolts directly onto the Superlock or the older concertina-style head bail, so it works with what you've already got.
It's the right tool when you need genuine head control for treatment - not just neck restraint.
Mugger Style Headlock
The Mugger takes a different approach to the bottom arm. Instead of a pipe, it uses an adjustable scoop that rides along the bottom arm and limits side-to-side head movement. Combined with the top restraining arm, you end up with control in all three planes - up, down, and lateral.
That level of control is exactly what's needed for detailed head work: mouthing, eye treatment, or any procedure where a sudden head shift would be a problem. The scoop position is adjustable along the arm to suit different animals, and the bottom arm is interchangeable with the Hydra Headlock arm if your needs change between sessions.
At 34 kg, it bolts onto the Superlock Headbail and uses the same manual hydraulic quick-release system.
Built Australian, Designed for Australian Conditions
RPM Livestock Equipment manufactures from Gatton, Queensland - and the materials reflect that. Australian steel, greasable joints, and mechanisms designed to hold up through seasons of hard use rather than look good in a catalogue.
The fact that producers are switching from other brands to RPM gear speaks more than any spec sheet. When a head bail works reliably through mustering season after mustering season, word gets around quickly in farming communities.
Ready to Upgrade Your Crush Setup?
Whether you're looking at a Superlock Headbail for your crush, a headlock for more precise head control, or the rear operation kit to make solo work manageable - RPM Livestock Equipment has the equipment built for the job.
Call (07) 5462 3433, or visit RPM Livestock Equipment at 3 Industrial Road, Gatton QLD 4343 to discuss your setup and find the right combination for your operation.
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