Which Cattle Prodder? Rechargeable vs Battery, and What Shaft Length
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There are two questions that decide which cattle prodder to buy. How often will it get used, and how far do you need to reach. Answer those and the choice between Leader's Red Heeler and Yellow Heeler, and between the three shaft lengths, makes itself. This guide goes through both, plus the things people ask about that don't actually matter much.
Question one: how often does it come out?
This decides rechargeable or battery, and it's the only real difference between the two Leader prodders. Same handle shape, same flexible shaft, same wrist strap, same 12 month warranty. The Red is rechargeable and the Yellow takes C batteries.
A few times a year: Yellow Heeler
The Yellow Heeler runs on four C size batteries, which are in the box. It can sit in the ute for six months and it'll work when you pick it up, because there's no battery pack to go flat on the shelf. Spare C cells are at every servo. For a hobby block, a small herd, or anyone who only needs a prodder at loading time, this is the sensible buy at $115.
Every week: Red Heeler
The Red Heeler has a rechargeable battery pack fitted and comes with two chargers, a 240V wall charger and a 12V cigarette lighter charger. Charge it in the shed overnight or on the dash on the way to the yards. If you're drafting, weighing or loading most weeks, you'll go through C batteries faster than you'd like, and the Red pays for itself. It's $184. When the pack eventually wears out, Leader sells a replacement pack (part RHP1007), so the prodder outlasts its battery.
One honest gap: Leader doesn't publish a run time, a charge time or a shots-per-charge figure for the Red Heeler, and doesn't publish battery life for the Yellow. We asked around and nobody else does either. So we won't put a number on it. What we can say is the Red charges from two sources and the Yellow takes batteries you can buy anywhere.
Question two: how far do you need to reach?
This decides shaft length. Leader makes three flexible shafts and they all fit both Heelers.
| Shaft | Leader part | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 810 mm (32 inch) | RHP1006 | Race work and loading ramps. Reaches the hindquarter without your arm going in with the animal. This is what our prodders ship with. |
| 560 mm (22 inch) | RHP1002 | Tight yards and everyday drafting. Leader's "standard" length. |
| 300 mm (12 inch) | RHP1001 | The crush or head bail, where you're already right on the beast and a long shaft is in the way. |
The forum wisdom on this is right: too short and you're standing where you can get hurt, too long and it's a nuisance in a small yard. If you mostly load trucks, 810. If you mostly work a small set of yards, 560. Both Leader prodders on our site come with the 810 mm shaft. If you want a 560 or a 300, or a spare, give us a buzz on 0431 183 421 and we'll get it through Leader.
Because the shafts are interchangeable and sold separately, you don't have to get this decision perfect. Buy the length you'll use most and add another later.
Things people ask about that don't decide it
Voltage
Leader describes the Heelers as a high-voltage, low-current pulse and doesn't put a number on it. Other brands quote big numbers. It's a marketing figure. What the animal feels is set by the pulse and the contact, and every prodder sold for livestock in Australia delivers enough to be felt through a hide and not enough to injure. Don't buy on volts.
Rigid or flexible shaft
Leader's shafts are flexible, and that's what you want in a race. A rigid shaft that gets bent when a beast leans on it is a broken shaft. Flexible shafts survive being bent.
Weight
With the 810 mm shaft the Yellow Heeler is 945 g and the Red Heeler is 1.11 kg (Leader's figures). The difference is the battery pack. Neither is heavy, and with the wrist strap on you won't notice it.
Water rating
Not published for either Heeler, so don't treat them as waterproof. They work on a wet animal. Wipe the shaft dry after use and store it with the shaft off the handle so the contacts dry out.
The Leader Heeler range, side by side
| Yellow Heeler | Red Heeler | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (810 mm shaft) | $115 | $184 |
| Power | 4 x C batteries, included | Rechargeable pack, fitted |
| Chargers | None needed | 240V wall and 12V car, both in the box |
| Weight with 810 mm shaft | 945 g | 1.11 kg |
| Shafts available | 300, 560, 810 mm | 300, 560, 810 mm |
| Spares | Shafts | Shafts, battery pack, both chargers, handle only |
| Warranty | 12 months, normal use | 12 months, normal use |
| Leader part (810 mm) | PROD1000B | RHP1005B |
Leader also makes a Blue Heeler (C batteries, different body and shafts) and a small Mini Prodder on AA batteries for close-range crush work. We don't stock either at the moment. If you want one, ask and we'll see what Leader can do.
Whichever one you buy, the rules are the same
Every state allows electric prodders on cattle over 3 months old (NSW: weaned), on the hindquarter or shoulder only, on an animal that can move away, and sparingly. Sheep and goats are allowed on the same conditions, not pregnant goats. Pigs only at loading, over 60 kg, as a last resort. Never horses, never people. The full state by state detail is in our cattle prodder rules guide, and the cattle prodder guide covers when to use one and where to touch.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best cattle prodder in Australia?
The one that matches how you work. Occasional use, the Yellow Heeler. Weekly use, the Red Heeler. Both are Leader Products prodders made for Australian yards, and both carry a 12 month warranty.
Can I swap the shaft between the Red and Yellow Heeler?
Yes. All three Leader shafts fit both. Other brands' shafts don't.
Can I charge the Red Heeler in the ute?
Yes. The 12V cigarette lighter charger is in the box, along with the 240V wall charger.
What happens when the Red Heeler battery dies?
Buy a replacement pack (Leader part RHP1007) and keep the prodder. We can order it in.
TL;DR
- Occasional use: Yellow Heeler, $115, four C batteries, nothing to charge.
- Weekly use: Red Heeler, $184, rechargeable, 240V and 12V chargers in the box, replaceable battery pack.
- 810 mm shaft for races and ramps, 560 for tight yards, 300 for the crush. All interchangeable.
- Don't buy on volts. Buy on how you'll use it.
Both prodders are on the Leader cattle prodders page, add to cart, shipped Australia-wide. Questions? Call 0431 183 421 or email sales@farmandacreco.com.au.