Tom,
My head is clearer this morning.
You are right about your description in using a manual heaadgate by runing the animal in and shutting the tailgate, then catching them. I do this all the time.
One thing I realized is a lot of the chutes you describe have a built on tailgate. They then quote size and weight with this on. I am not saying this is bad, it's just that you don't get an apples to apples comparison.
I question if the TSC store will have the final assembly done on the Powder River, it will possibly be in shipping shape vs. using shape. The controls will be inside and not assembled. Just something to realize. Powder River actually has a new rep for your area, you might call that 1-800-453-5318 number and get his. Often times they can coordinate a time when they are coming through to meet with yo. I mention this as they are very good at assembly and fine tuning the chutes, so you get a good demo and if you buy the chute, it is adjusted very well.
On the Foremost, it is a 7' long chute, same length as the old Powder Rivers of years ago. The extra foot the new ones are make a huge difference. I'd say you are looking at a chute where you won't be able to close thetailgate on a lot of mature cattle, definetely not bulls. It is still several hundered pounds lighter than a Powder River XL manual and much lighter than the Powder River Auto XL.
On the width issue with the Preifert, I really haven't heard complaints about that as much as some other isues I've described. The Preifert widens out under the Belly I guess the Wide Chested bulls might present a problem. One thing is Preifert was developed around Brahman's and their body styles.
I went to Powder River Web Site, here's some info on the new rep-
Greg Owens Field Sales Representative KY, TN, IL, IN, MI, OH, WV Home Town: Bowling Green,KY Powder River employee since 2004 Voice Mail: 1-800-411-7373
I do like the scisors headgate, I can get a variety of cattle in and caught. On adjusting self catch, usually most folks work cows as a groupmthen calves, different shots, can adjust alley width, chute width, ect. Therefore, you set it for one group, run them and set it for the next group and run them. Not as much tinkering as you describe, howwever, the PR Auto will be above the $2,500 mark you mention
Good luck