homestead.fyi / CHUTE

Cattle Loading Chute

A 30 in wide loading chute with 30 in of rise over 9 ft: three 2x6 stringers, a plank deck and two walls of posts and 2x6 rails.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
30 inWidth
30 inRise
108 inLength
10 to 14 hrBuild time
~$292.98Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
3D view, framingsiding and roof removed
3D view, framing
Front elevation
Front elevation 37 in 89 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 108 3/8 in 89 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 37 in 108 3/8 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x6 GC113 5/8Stringer lefton edge, ends cut to the slope
12x6 GC113 5/8Stringer middleon edge, ends cut to the slope
12x6 GC113 5/8Stringer righton edge, ends cut to the slope
32x6 GC112Rail lefton edge, inside the posts, ends cut to the slope
32x6 GC112Rail righton edge, inside the posts, ends cut to the slope
152x6 GC30Plankacross the stringers, 1.5 in gaps
34x4 PT60Post leftburied 14 in, tops 46 in above the deck
34x4 PT60Post rightburied 14 in, tops 46 in above the deck

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 1 112 1/8Plank 1 30
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 2 112 1/8Plank 2 30
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail left 3 112 1/8Plank 3 30
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 1 112 1/8Plank 4 30
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 2 112 1/8Plank 5 30
2x6 GC x 12 ft
Rail right 3 112 1/8Plank 6 30
2x6 GC x 10 ft
Stringer left 113 5/8
2x6 GC x 10 ft
Stringer middle 113 5/8
2x6 GC x 10 ft
Stringer right 113 5/8
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Plank 7 30Plank 8 30Plank 9 30
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Plank 10 30Plank 11 30Plank 12 30
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Plank 13 30Plank 14 30Plank 15 30
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 1 60
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 2 60
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post left 3 60
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 1 60
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 2 60
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post right 3 60

Shopping list $280.98 checked / $12.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x6x12 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot6$14.18$85.08see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x10 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot3$12.98$38.94see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot3$9.78$29.34see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot6$11.28$67.68see lumber cutting diagram
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot2$29.97$59.94
Carriage bolts, nuts and washers, 12 packHome Depot1$12.00$12.00
Total before tax~$292.98
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut the stringers, planks, posts and rails from the cutting diagram.
  2. Lay the three stringers on edge, 30 in apart, and screw the 2x6 planks across them, 1.5 in apart, from the low end up.
  3. Dig post holes at the two ends and the middle on both sides, and set the 4x4 posts plumb in gravel.
  4. Screw the three 2x6 rails on the inside of the posts, parallel to the deck, 10, 24 and 38 in above it.
  5. Rest the top on the truck bed or trailer floor, and chain it to the trailer so it cannot slide.

Before you start