Meet 'Mac' The Mechanical Cow

Meet Mac The Mechanical Cow LIVESTOCK Beef 1-1-9 Even though it doesn't give milk or provide steaks, Ed Heany believes his new mechanical cow is better than the real thing. Called "Mac" - which stands for Mechanical Animated Cows - it's powered by batteries and drives like a tractor. It moves faster in all directions than a real cow and is tailormade for training horses to work cattle. Top speed is 30 mph. It goes forward, backwards, sideways and stops on a dime. "Using real cattle to work and train horses is expensive," explains Heany, vice president and general manager of Mechanical Animated Animals, developer and manufacturer of the mechanical cow. "Mac does a better job, never gets tired and does exactly what you want it to do. It's an ideal training device for starting young horses and novice riders because of its ability to work at whatever speed you desire. It will save your cattle from being soured and reduce the amount of live cattle needed. It's also great for tuning the finished horse since you can repeat the needed action over and over." Two 1.5 hp motors, one for each drive wheel, are powered by storage batteries. The drive is similar to that used on electric golf carts. Mac is available as a Hereford, Angus, or black white face. Brahman bulls are also available on request. Sells for $3,395. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mechanical Animated Animals, Inc., 1345 Schaumburg Road, Elgin, Ill. 60120 (ph. 312 741-7601).

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