Question on fencing

Mike, Running a fence, ALWAYS requires a number of element
#1..A set of Double H-post end braces. Set a minimum of 4 ft deep, south of the Mason-Dixion. North....deeper with consideration to freeze/thaw jacking post out of the ground!
#2.. Use real substantial Cedar Post or large 4in or somewhat larger pipe. Wood,. hand tamped in or Pipe can be cemented in, but leave the cement below ground level.
#3.. most line post are put 3ft deep. Spread every 5 steps (15 to 18 ft) apart.
#3a.. Since you are using Steel line post use 6 or 6.5 ft post.
#4.. on a lazy curve depending on the sharpness of the curve, with a post every 5 steps a brace post every 4th or 5th post will be necessary on the inside of the curve (a brace post is a single H setup to keep the integrity of the curve).
#4a..Move the brace post to every 3rd or 4th post.
#5.. There is NO Substitution for Tight wire. On a length of any distance of 1/4 mile or more Use a Tractor to pull the wire it will have more leverage and torque than any fence stretcher on the market, Period! Then do not give up any tension you already have when you tie off.
Slick horse wire is just about worthless! Use 12 or 12.5 gauge American made Barbed-wire. Not that foreign made or that Gaucho Crap!!! I have fence here at my home that has bee standing tight for 40 yrs! enough said!
#3a and 4a are specifically to your application.
If You have Any questions call me 512-577-.
Later,
John A.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.

vardaman

Posted 3/25/ 22:48 (#)
Subject: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

SW Iowa, Clarinda

I'm getting ready to build high tensile fence along a creek that has several s-curves. I plan on using Hedge (Osage Orange) wood post that I have recently cut for the corner areas. My question: what company or style is the best insulator to use on hedge posts? I've seen and heard of the horror stories about the hose-type that wrap around the post.....eventually causing a short........ Is this true?
On the other side of the creek is my dad's corn and soybean fields, so I'd just like to keep them out of the creek. I was planning on 3 strands of High tensile? or should I use 4 strands? It is not perimeter fence. The perimeter fence is 5 strand barbed, which I plan on running 1 hot along.
So, if you could point me to website, links, or pictures of the best practice to use on these hedge posts, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Ben in SW Iowa McFarmer

Posted 3/25/ 22:57 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Three strands would be plenty, and the wire doesn't need to be all that tight, just keep the wire from sagging. I have had good luck with the wraps that have a metal band in them. Jim

Posted 3/25/ 23:04 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Driftless SW Wisconsin

Ben, why use high tensile at all on S curves?  If it is not a perimeter fence I would use four barb and one 14 ga steel electric on 5" or more standoffs on the inside at nose height 32". The barb does not have to be stretched quite as tight as the high tensile and the electric on standoffs at 32" keeps them back from pushing on the fence at all. jmho.

Jim at Dawn

Premier has some very good, very heavy duty standoffs here. This one holds the electric wire 9" in from the fence. They have this type for both wood posts and steel T posts. They work well with 14 gage as long as it is not pulled too tight on hills. Premier has some good hitensile insulators near the above page also if you go that way.

Edited by Jim 3/25/ 23:06

nebby

Posted 3/25/ 23:13 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Central Iowa

Powerflexfence.com. They have everything you will need. dlerwick

Posted 3/25/ 23:22 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Western Nebraska

I have to disagree on the standoffs. We have tried to use several different types of standoff insulators over the years and I have never had any luck with them. They break quite easily and a 14 ga wire can never be stretched tight enough to keep it from getting wrapped around the other wires by weeds and animals. If you are going to mix barb and electric fence the best system I have found to keep the wire hot is high tensile.
vardaman

Posted 3/25/ 23:32 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

SW Iowa, Clarinda

I plan on using the high tensile due to the amount of short runs and many curves....I'm thinking that high tensile will be easier to keep tight with the springs and cranks than apposed to trying to keep a barb wire fence tight. I am hoping it will be a little easier to handle too. Most fence will be strung using a four wheeler due to all the water gaps.....

Posted 3/25/ 23:35 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

west central Iowa

I would use 3 high tensile wires and supatube insulators from Premier. I've been using them for 20 years with no problems.

I have used the ones with the metal strip in them without problem, but I have seen and heard problems from them in feedlot situations. You won't be able to see anything wrong, but you can hear it snapping.

I wouldn't even consider barb wire on a curvy fence, with electric hi tensile much less tension would be necessary. corn&beef

Posted 3/25/ 23:36 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

LeRoy IL

Use good quality black tubing and insulator. You just have to pull the slack out . Chad H

Posted 3/26/ 01:27 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

With competitive price and timely delivery, Mclassic Metal sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Additional reading:
Solved: Woven wire mesh - Inventor Forum

NE SD

No standoffs in a pasture situation. We get by with them in the feedlot fine, but in a pasture, put the single strand high tensile on a post in 1.5-2' from the fence. Gives them enough room to clean up to the fence but not reach past it. Have enough trouble with the high tensile getting wrapped up in a barb that way.

Ben

Posted 3/26/ 05:22 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

North Mo.

Does this creek have debris move when flooded? If so let some one else use the barb. I realize no one will agree but insulators are unnecessary on hedge post unless hooked to a metal gate. We have several miles of fence with no insulators using hedge post,not true with treated post. Most of my 2 wire fence I come up to on the atv, stick my foot out push the wire down and drive over the wire. It can be done without a shock just do not hold on to the metal on the atv. the fences have enough looseness to do that banjo tight no it would not work. I will typically go over 3 different fences to get to cattle and I am not about to get off the atv at each gate unless moving the cattle. But you have to realize I am lazier than most graziers. Ben Jim

Posted 3/26/ 12:52 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Driftless SW Wisconsin

Chad,

I think we are talking apples and oranges here. The hi tensile I've seen has been tensioned extremely tight. It will lift posts right out of the ground in a dip on our highly rolling unglaciated ground.  And while barb is often stretched very tight also, I have some that goes up and down hills and is not tensioned as tight as the hi tensile.

I also have had very good luck with 14 gage on usually 5" standoffs on the inside of most of my fences.  I used the Premier 9" on the inside of a very old 4 strand fence rather than replace the fence. It is obviously not pulled real tight but with gripples can get it just tight enough. And being 9" inside the fence it is less likely to get into the old barb than the 5".

On the OP's S curves with hedge I would not think you want to tighten high tensile as tight as I have seen it usually done.  But I am certainly not a fence expert, just sharing what has worked for me. Hope planting goes well for you this spring.

Jim at Dawn

Chad H

Posted 3/26/ 14:05 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

NE SD

Jim, where we use this system the terrain  is just as severe and probably more-so than yours is. Lots of steep hills, gulleys, curves around sloughs, etc. We go around curves with high tensile all the time. If you have to go around a sharp one, put in an 8" wood post on the point. Otherwise use steel. We used standoffs but they just can't be trusted.

Douglas

Posted 3/26/ 14:54 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Central North Carolina

I think one of the problems is that ht is used in places without power. So it needs to be very tight to keep cattle in. But if you have juice on the wire there is really no need to have it so tight. All you are doing is putting unnessary pressure on the system. The more spring you have the better imo, particularly where limbs and trees could fall on it. scottcattle

Posted 3/26/ 18:39 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Storla SD

I use a system like what Chad uses. Works very well. Works much better than using the the long insulaters.
JRthefarmer

Posted 3/26/ 20:43 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

SESD

SESD

I really like the Gallagher brand pin lock insulators that you nail to the post. You will probably have to predrill holes in the hedge posts. Make sure to put the insulator on the correct side of the post. I like the pin lock because you can take the wire out easily if you need to lay it down or something. Campbell Farms

Posted 3/26/ 21:29 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: Re: High Tensile best practices for curvey fence along a creek?

Sw Mo

Sw Mo

The company is the world’s best Curved Wire Mesh Fence supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

+ 1 on the pinlock style
Also something we have used in similar situation is used the post (powerflex poly posts) or the fiberglass type, and drill hole in middle of them and slide them to your hedge post at point of turn and nail or tie it up. Only downside to this is takes alot longer to install and if ever need to let the fence down there have to undo them from hedge or steel post. But seems sturdier than insulators on a sharp bend with lots of tension.