If your glue is getting older than 12 months from manufacture date, it is likely to be starting to need a longer ‘grip time’ – especially if it is being used in very cold or very dry conditions (see following information on temperature and humidity). As a precaution then, we suggest that you breathe some large slow breaths onto the glue – on the block – to add moisture to it.
As Walkease glue needs moisture to cure, and if there is very little ambient moisture in the air, it can be added by a few (2 or 3) large close-up breaths, before applying the block to the hoof.
Further, in this circumstance, the block should then be held down for more than the recommended 10 seconds ‘grip time’. As the age of the glue goes out to 15 or 18 months, the ‘grip time’ should be extended to 20 or 30 seconds, or even more in very cold or very dry conditions.
Another odd fact about Walkease glue is that it will not cure (or start setting) whilst it is very liquid or in a thick layer. It will only start to cure when it is pressed out to a very thin layer. Thus there is no hurry to get the glued-block pressed onto the hoof. The glue will only start to cure when the block is pressed down, and the glue reduced to a just a few ‘thou’ (about 100 microns – thinner than a sheet of regular paper) thick.
Grip time can also be accelerated somewhat by increasing pressure onto the hoof. Thus our recommendation that the hoof should be dropped to the ground, and the cow bear full weight on it, as soon as possible. The sooner after ‘grip’ the better.
Further, in this circumstance, the block should then be held down for more than the recommended 10 seconds ‘grip time’. As the age of the glue goes out to 15 or 18 months, the ‘grip time’ should be extended to 20 or 30 seconds, or even more in very cold or very dry conditions.
Another odd fact about Walkease glue is that it will not cure (or start setting) whilst it is very liquid or in a thick layer. It will only start to cure when it is pressed out to a very thin layer. Thus there is no hurry to get the glued-block pressed onto the hoof. The glue will only start to cure when the block is pressed down, and the glue reduced to a just a few ‘thou’ (about 100 microns – thinner than a sheet of regular paper) thick.
Grip time can also be accelerated somewhat by increasing pressure onto the hoof. Thus our recommendation that the hoof should be dropped to the ground, and the cow bear full weight on it, as soon as possible. The sooner after ‘grip’ the better.
