As described by Barber & Freeman "the shearing board is traditionally an area of intense activity. It is the one area where the animal, the human operator and the wool are all involved".

Traditionally the shearing board was at the same level as the wool room however over the last thirty plus years, raised boards or perhaps more correctly lowered wool rooms) have come into prominence in new sheds.

The key elements of design in regard to the shearing board are:

• The "type of board" to be used (raised, centre or across the board);
• The dimensions of the board and location of the down – tube relative to the chute; and
• The location of the catching pen door relative to the down – tube to eliminate a left to right drag for the right handed shearer and a right to left drag for a left handed shearer.

Find out more:

• Types of Shearing Boards;
• The Shearing Stand (PDF 596Kb); and
• Let Go Chute (PDF 100Kb).

In each of the above sections, elements of Productivity and OH&S are also covered.

Return to key elements of shearing shed design.