Fitting Mats/Groom Chute Mats

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BABYTEX

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Mar 16, 2009
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145
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Minnesota
Okay, my parents are trying to cut costs again so please do not laugh.  Would a regular exercise fitting mat work similar to Sullivans Supply Fitting mats?  We found three fold exercise mats at our local fleet farm that look similar to the Sullivans three fold fitting mat.  Also would the puzzle piece mats work for a groom chute and make them sit higher in the front.  I believe these are used a lot for thread mills.  I am still learning on these grooming things but I sure know something would help my knees!!! :)
 

Trails End Ranch

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Nov 4, 2009
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82
We hvae used the puzzle piece ones before and yes they do work. We only recently bought some sullivan mats but the puzzle piece ones did work for us for a long time.
 

herefordfootball

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Apr 10, 2009
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1,912
Location
Northern, Indiana
Kneel on the mats at the store and see what you think, if you would be comfortable on them for the time it takes to blow, fit, clip, and etc. I'm sure they'd work the same, maybe better. But if you go with the sullivans mats, make sure to get the FOLDING MATS NOT THE STRAIGHT WRESTLING MAT STYLE. THE FOLDING MAT IS MUCH SOFTER AND EASIER TO HANDLE!!!! Just a word of advice from a mistake we made.
 

tadpole

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Jun 21, 2008
Messages
214
go to www.summitracing.com and type Pilot Automotive PC-100 in the search box.  these are what we use as fitting mats.  They work good.  And are only $30 a peice instead of about 90 at sullivans.  The have other pit mats on the website as well but I would get these  because they have a heavier padding in them and are 1.5 inches thick instead of 3/4" thick.  Good luck!
 

herefordfootball

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Apr 10, 2009
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1,912
Location
Northern, Indiana
Those looke comfy, but you'll need two of thsoe to cover the same area as a sullivans mat, it might be harder to move around with more of them, but its still cheaper than one sullivans mat.
 

NSF

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Jul 20, 2009
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159
Cardinal_Crest_Shorthorns said:
I have seen all kinds of things used as fitting mats. The most creative one I have seen is an old foam swimming pool float

this is what we used for a while in addition to the one sullivan mat we won at a jr national.. they actually work great but were just a hair short. so you had to move them around a little bit but we found them for like $4-5 a piece used.
 

russfarm

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Joined
Feb 20, 2010
Messages
191
Location
Ohio
We use mechanics mats we picked up at local hardware store.  Folds in half with a handle, and they were only $15.  Works like a charm.
Nice and thick and not bulky to haul.
 

farmin female

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Sep 10, 2009
Messages
205
Cardinal_Crest_Shorthorns said:
I have seen all kinds of things used as fitting mats. The most creative one I have seen is an old foam swimming pool float

Hey, I have done that!

Actully have one sitting in the barn now and thinking of cutting it up to put under rubber mats on the grooming chute for extra cushion for the calves.  That dang thing is tough and I think it will work well.
 
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