6 Best Cow Body Brushes For Free Stall Barns That Old Farmers Swear By
Discover the top 6 cow body brushes for free stall barns, recommended by seasoned farmers for improving herd comfort, cleanliness, and overall welfare.
You’ve seen it a hundred times. A good cow, finding the one corner post that isn’t wrapped in electric fence, rubbing her head and neck until the wood is smooth as glass. It’s a simple, natural behavior, but it tells you something important: she’s trying to get comfortable. Providing a dedicated way for your herd to scratch that itch isn’t just a luxury; it’s one of the smartest, simplest investments you can make in your barn.
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Why Cow Comfort Boosts Your Bottom Line
A comfortable cow is a productive cow. It’s a simple truth that gets lost sometimes in spreadsheets and feed calculations, but it’s the bedrock of good animal husbandry. When a cow is relaxed and free from stress, her energy goes into making milk and maintaining her health, not into fighting off pests or trying to relieve an itch on a bolt head.
The benefits show up in tangible ways. Cows with access to brushes are often cleaner, which can lead to lower somatic cell counts and reduced instances of mastitis. They also spend less time rubbing on gates, waterers, and stalls, which means less wear and tear on your equipment and fewer chances for scrapes and injuries. You’ll even notice a difference in herd behavior; they become calmer and it’s easier to spot a cow in heat when she’s not agitated.
Think of a good cow brush as a tool, not a toy. It’s an investment that pays you back in milk production, lower vet bills, and a healthier, happier herd. It’s one of those rare upgrades where the animals do the work, and you reap the rewards.
DeLaval SCB: The Gold Standard in Cow Brushes
When you talk about powered cow brushes, the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush (SCB) is almost always the first one mentioned. There’s a good reason for that. It’s built on a simple, brilliant concept: the brush is mounted on a pivoting arm that starts rotating the moment a cow nudges it.
This design allows the cow to groom herself exactly where she needs it most—her head, back, sides, and tailhead. The brush swings to meet her body, contouring to her shape as she moves. It’s an incredibly effective way to remove dirt, shed hair, and stimulate blood circulation. The bristles are tough enough to provide a satisfying scratch but designed not to pull tail hair.
Of course, the gold standard comes with a gold-plated price. The SCB is a significant investment and requires a dedicated electrical hookup. Installation isn’t a five-minute job. But for farms that can justify the cost, its durability and unmatched effectiveness are why you see these iconic blue-and-yellow brushes in top-tier barns everywhere. It just works, and it lasts.
Lely Luna: A Gentle and Effective Rotating Brush
The Lely Luna offers a slightly different approach to automated grooming. Instead of a swinging arm, the Luna is a more stationary unit that activates when a cow pushes against it. The clever part is that the brush begins to rotate in the opposite direction of the push, providing a comfortable and thorough massage.
This design is particularly gentle, which can be a huge advantage for more timid animals or first-calf heifers. Sometimes a big, swinging brush can be intimidating, but the Luna’s predictable motion encourages the whole herd to use it. The spiral-shaped brush and long bristles are designed to provide maximum comfort and coverage, lifting and cleaning the hair effectively.
Like other premium powered brushes, the Luna is a serious piece of equipment. It requires power and a solid mounting point in a high-traffic area to get the most use. It’s often seen as part of Lely’s larger ecosystem of barn automation, but it functions perfectly as a standalone unit. For farmers prioritizing a gentle touch and encouraging use by every single cow, the Luna is a fantastic choice.
Schurr 2-Brush System for Full Body Grooming
Why settle for one brush when you can have two? That’s the thinking behind the Schurr 2-Brush System. This German-engineered workhorse features a large horizontal brush mounted on a spring-loaded arm, paired with a fixed vertical brush. When a cow steps up, she gets a top-to-bottom grooming session all at once.
The advantage is obvious: comprehensive, full-body cleaning and scratching. The top brush handles her back and spine, while the side brush takes care of her flanks and sides. This dual action is incredibly efficient at removing caked-on mud and manure, leaving the cow’s hide cleaner and healthier. The constant stimulation is great for her circulation, too.
The main consideration here is space. A two-brush system naturally takes up more room than a single-brush unit, and you need to place it where cows can easily approach and use it without creating a traffic jam. It’s also a complex, powered machine with more moving parts to maintain. But for maximum grooming in a single stop, the Schurr system is tough to beat.
FutureCow ComfortBrush: A Durable Herd Favorite
The FutureCow ComfortBrush is a name you hear a lot when the conversation turns to pure, simple durability. This brush is built like a tank. It’s a pendulum-style powered brush, much like the DeLaval, but it’s often praised for its incredibly robust motor and straightforward, heavy-duty construction.
It’s designed for the realities of a busy free stall barn. The motor is typically sealed to protect it from moisture and dust, and the components are chosen for longevity over fancy features. The brush activates on demand and provides a firm, satisfying scratch that cows seem to love. It’s a no-nonsense piece of equipment designed to do one job and do it well for a very long time.
While it may not have the brand recognition of some European models, the FutureCow has earned a loyal following among farmers who value reliability above all else. It represents a solid middle ground: you get the full benefits of a powered, swinging brush without some of the higher costs or complexities of the top-tier brands. It’s a true workhorse.
EasySwing Brush: Simple, Non-Electric Relief
Not every barn has a convenient power outlet in the perfect spot, and not every budget can handle a four-figure price tag. That’s where the EasySwing and other pendulum-style, non-electric brushes shine. These brushes are pure mechanical simplicity—a large brush head mounted on a heavy-duty pivoting bracket.
The beauty is in what it doesn’t have. No motor to burn out. No wiring to run. No electricity bill. You can mount it on a sturdy post, a load-bearing wall, or even in an outdoor loafing area. The cow provides all the power, swinging the brush back and forth to scratch her head, neck, and back.
The tradeoff is clear. It’s a passive system, so it doesn’t provide the active massage or deep cleaning of a powered brush. But don’t underestimate its value. It gives cows a safe, dedicated place to scratch, satisfying a natural instinct and improving their well-being at a fraction of the cost. For a small farm or as a secondary brush, it’s an unbeatable value.
Behlen Stationary Scratcher: A Tough, No-Frills Pick
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. A stationary scratcher, like the ones made by Behlen, is the most basic form of cow brush. It’s little more than a set of tough, wavy bristles mounted to a steel frame that you bolt directly to a post or wall. There are zero moving parts.
You can’t get more reliable than that. It’s virtually indestructible and requires absolutely no maintenance beyond an occasional cleaning. It’s also by far the most affordable option, making it accessible for any budget. You can install several of them around the barn to prevent cows from congregating in one spot.
Let’s be honest—this isn’t a grooming tool. It won’t clean a cow’s hide or provide a deep massage. It is, quite simply, a scratching post. But by giving your cows a safe and effective place to relieve an itch, you prevent them from damaging themselves and your equipment. It’s a small, cheap upgrade that makes a real difference in cow comfort.
Choosing the Right Brush for Your Barn Layout
The "best" brush isn’t a specific brand; it’s the one that fits your barn, your budget, and your herd. Making the right choice comes down to answering a few practical questions about your specific operation. Don’t get sold on features you don’t need.
Start by assessing your farm’s constraints and your goals. A good decision-making framework looks something like this:
- Power & Budget: This is the first gate. If you don’t have electricity in the right spot or the budget for a powered unit, your choice is simple: a non-electric pendulum or stationary brush.
- Barn Layout & Space: Where will it go? Powered brushes are best in high-traffic crossover alleys where every cow will pass it. Stationary scratchers can be tucked into corners or onto individual posts where they won’t obstruct flow.
- Primary Goal: Are you looking for deep cleaning and improved hide health, or just providing a safe place to scratch? For grooming, you need a powered brush. For simple itch relief, a non-powered option is perfect.
- Maintenance & Durability: How much time are you willing to spend on upkeep? A simple stationary brush is zero-maintenance. A complex, dual-brush system will require more attention over its lifespan.
Ultimately, any brush is better than no brush. Start with what you can afford and install properly. You can always add more or upgrade later. The key is to recognize the need for cow comfort and take that first simple step to address it.
At the end of the day, listening to your animals is the hallmark of a good farmer. That cow rubbing on the corner post is telling you exactly what she needs. Giving her a proper brush isn’t spoiling her—it’s smart farming that pays dividends in a calmer, healthier, and more productive herd.
