Circular 774
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Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals. Whatever its purpose, one should plan a fence carefully. This is especially important on farms where fences represent a large investment and their location and arrangement may affect production efficiency.
Permanent fences &#; those intended to last for many years with minimal repairs &#; should be well constructed and made of good materials. Temporary fences &#; those intended to stay in place only a short time &#; need not be so sturdily constructed and may be made of less expensive materials. Whether you select permanent or temporary fencing, careful consideration of uses and proper maintenance is necessary.
Fencing is a long term investment. Good fences should last from 25 to 50 years. Planning is the key to good fencing. This is true whether fencing an area for the first time or replacing old, worn-out fences. If present fences are in good shape you may want to develop plans around them. But look ahead to the day when these fences, too, may have to be replaced. It is not wise to construct new divider fences if boundary fences are in disrepair and failing.
The easiest way to prepare a sketch of your farm is to start with an aerial photograph. A good aerial photo shows details of the present farm layout, plus some indications of the lay of the land. Aerial photographs have been made of practically all farming areas. You can get one that includes your farm from the Farm Service Agency (formerly Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) or your local tax office. You can also obtain one from any commercial aerial survey firm listed in the classified section of directories in major cities.
A land capability map will look something like this if prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
This step may already be complete if your land is in a Soil Conservation District. Land capability maps, available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service), generally show types of land and spell out use and management plans for the farm (Figure 1).
Figure 2. Land capability layout.Land capability layout.
If an NRCS plan is not available for your farm, use the sketch of your land which you previously obtained. Divide your land into areas that are best suited for: (1) permanent pastures or hay production, (2) woodlands not to be pastured, (3) woodlands that can be pastured and (4) cultivated crop production (Figure 2). These land assignments are made based on uses that will return the greatest possible profit for each type of land.
Consider the following points when developing your plan. If possible, locate fences in terraced fields at terrace's crest and other natural water divides. Avoid running your fences down-slope across terraces. If your field needs to be cross-fenced, try to plan a contour fence parallel to a terraced ridge. If a fence must be located at the outlet end of a terrace, allow for a fence location that will not block the outlet water movement from channels. Pastures located at the end of terraced land provide good grass receiving areas for excess water flow. Wherever possible, plan for straight fences; they are cheaper and easier to build.
Locate permanent lanes to avoid erosion yet allow access to as many fields as possible.
Ideally, a lane should connect livestock buildings and working pens with every field that eventually may be pastured (Figure 3). Keep in mind that a permanent pasture located between other fields can be considered a lane itself.
Locate lanes in the driest areas possible, such as along a terrace or natural ridge; otherwise gullies may develop after repeated use. If a well-drained location is impossible, plan on movable lane fences which can be relocated after a year or two. If lanes are used frequently, it may be desirable to grade the area and install geotech fabric covered with 6 in. of compacted crusher-run gravel in the lane. Specifications for such "heavy use areas" can be found at your local NRCS office. They can be installed for about half the price of concrete.
Wherever possible, locate gates and passageways for livestock and equipment in the corner of each field closest to farm buildings. If you have fields on opposite sides of a road or highway, locate gates opposite each other so livestock can go directly across.
First, a permanent fence around the farm boundary is highly desirable. This will establish a fixed property line between you and your neighbor. It will also help confine your livestock to protect both them and the driving public from possible highway collisions. If a fence around the entire boundary is not affordable, then install the parts which are most helpful in your operations. Other boundary fences can be added at a later date.
Next, permanent pastures which will be used year after year also deserve high priority in fencing plans. Plan to fence ponds, also, to control livestock access. Since these fences are not apt to be moved, plan for well built, low-maintenance construction. If the plan includes a lane that gives livestock access to water, this fence should also have high priority. Livestock may enter and damage a well managed timber stand if there are gaps in surrounding fences. Such fences should have a high priority.
Also consider permanent fencing for cultivated fields used for pasture. If you follow the practice of "hogging" corn or peanuts, or of turning your livestock into a field for "grazing down" after it has been harvested, a permanent fence is highly desirable. With careful study, temporary or movable fences such as electric fences may do the job economically and effectively around cultivated fields. However, movable fences usually don't last more than 3 years and may not be economical replacements for permanent fences.
Temporary fences are intended for use over a period of a few weeks or months. After that they will be removed and used in some other location or stored until needed.
Movable fences cost less to build than permanent fences, but they are not as effective and will not last more than 1 to 3 years the way most of them are built. They do not take the place of permanent fences, but can be very beneficial in some instances.
Movable fences have a definite place in any livestock program. They can be used temporarily in place of permanent fences until you can afford permanent fencing. They can be relocated from year to year until you decide what field layout best fits your needs. They are easily moved to allow pastures to be rotated and are especially desirable for intensive rotational grazing programs. They can also help adjust the size of a temporary pasture to the amount of livestock being grazed.
Now that you have your fencing plan laid out, your next job will be to decide what kind of permanent or movable fence to select. The kinds of fences commonly used on farms include board, barbed wire, woven wire, cable, mesh, high-tensile, electric or a combination of any of these.
The type of fence that you will need depends on the livestock, crops, and other vegetation that border the fence. Horses will run through a fence or get tangled in it causing harm to themselves. Cattle will crawl over fences, sheep try to crawl under. Hogs, of course, try to root their way under a fence. Any livestock will put a fence to its greatest test when there is a lush green crop on the opposite side.
Rail fences are typically used as border fences around farm buildings or the home. They are also popular on horse farms where expensive show animals are confined. Today, many choices are available for building board fences including PVC plastic, vinyl coated wooden boards, treated wood, and painted wood. PVC plastic fences are not as strong as wood and cost more, but they are very attractive and do not require painting since they are the same color all through the material. White PVC boards may require periodic washing with mildew removing agents, especially in the humid South. Numerous heights of board fences are possible, but 4 to 5 ft are most common for livestock. The cost of lumber, nails, paint and other materials along with labor is generally higher for rail fences than for most other fences.
One type of fence that has the appearance of a rail fence, but is actually a wire fence is called a high-tensile polymer fence. The "rails" consist of vinyl plastic 4 to 6 in. wide with two to three high-tensile steel wires encased. It is less expensive than a rail fence, is very strong, and has a nice appearance and good visibility, but the wires must be tightened once or twice per year to maintain the proper tension. (This is true of any high-tensile fence.)
Common spacings of wire in barbed wire fences.
Barbed wire fences are generally classified in two categories: standard barbed wire fences and suspension barbed wire fences.
Standard barbed wire fences (Figure 4) usually have posts spaced 10 to 12 ft apart and use three to five strands of wire.
Figure 5. Typical barbed wire suspension fence.Typical barbed wire suspension fence.
Suspension barbed wire fences (Figure 5) consist of four to six strands of barbed wire. Each strand is stretched taut so there is no more than 3 in. sag between posts. The suspended barbed wires are held apart by twisted wire stays or short pieces of fiberglass posts spaced approximately 10 to 12 ft apart. Line posts are spaced from 50 to 60 ft apart. The suspension barbed wire fence sways back and forth in the wind or when animals hit it. The swaying motion helps keep animals away from the fence and discourages them from fighting through it. For this reason the lower end of the stays must not touch the ground or the effectiveness of the suspension fence will be reduced.
Some common woven wire designs. Standard design numbers describe the wire: 949-12-11, for instance, means the fence has 9 horizontal wires and is 49 in. high; has 12-in. spacing of stay (vertical) wires and 11-gauge stay and intermediate wires. (Top and bottom wires are usually two sizes larger.)
Woven wire fences consist of a number of horizontal lines of smooth wire held apart by vertical wires called stays. Spacing between horizontal line wires may vary from as close as 1.5 in. at the bottom for small animals to 9 in. at the top for large animals. Spacing of the wires generally gets wider as the fence gets higher.
Stay wires are spaced 6 in. apart for small animals and 12 in. for large animals. The height of most woven wire fencing materials ranges from 26 to 48 in. The height needed will depend on the size and jumping ability of the animals. Many combinations of wire sizes and spacing as well as a number of fence heights are available. Standard woven wire fence designs are shown in Figure 6.
These fences usually consist of 3/8-in. smooth, steel wire cables stretched from one anchor post to another (Figure 7). Each cable is normally made out of seven strands of wire twisted together. Heavy springs are placed at one end of each cable to absorb any shock on the wires. The other end is rigidly attached to the next anchor post. Cables are usually passed through holes in wooden posts. If other kinds of line posts are used, cables are attached to them with heavy wires. A fence may have as many cables as desired, however, a six cable fence is common. Spacing between wires depends upon the kind of animal to be confined. Cable wire fences are expensive, thus they are mostly used for confinement areas such as holding pens, feed lots or corrals.
Figure 7. Cable fence &#; one type of installation.Cable fence &#; one type of installation.
a) Detail of diamond-mesh fence; b)Stiff-stay, square-knot fence design.
Mesh wire fences are strong and provide great safety to animals. They are replacing wood board fencing in many areas, but are even more expensive than good woven wire. Because of the cost they are used primarily for confinement fencing such as that around corrals, feed lots, or small crop acreage areas. They also make an excellent large area fence for valuable horses. They have small openings so horses don't tend to get their hooves caught in them, and they have no exposed sharp wire ends to cut an animal. Two types of mesh wire are the diamond mesh (Figure 8a), which uses two wires twisted together in a diamond formation, and the square knot mesh (Figure 8b), which has single horizontal lines with the wire spaced 2 to 4 in. apart.
High-tensile wire fences potentially have longer life and lower costs than conventional fences. Single, smooth wires are held in tension between pressure-treated wood end-post assemblies with a combination of posts and battens or droppers to keep the wires properly spaced between posts. Tension in the wire is maintained by permanent in-line stretchers and tension springs. Best results are achieved when tensioners are used in conjunction with springs. Wires must be attached to any intermediate posts in such a way that they can move laterally and be retensioned. Wires should be retensioned at least once or twice per year. Commonly one to five or more strands of high-tensile wire are used in a fence. It is recommended that one or more of the strands be electrified in order to prevent animals from scratching on the battens and thus moving them out of position. If this happens, it could result in long unsupported lengths of wires, allowing animals to get through the fence.
Figure 9. Typical high-tensile fence brace and wire tensioner location.Typical high-tensile fence brace and wire tensioner location.
If properly designed and constructed, high-tensile smooth wire fencing has many advantages. It is easier to handle, safer for livestock, easily adapted to specific needs, has longer life, requires little maintenance, causes minimum damage to livestock hides, has a neat appearance and gives better livestock restraint and predator control when electrified.
Figure 9 shows a typical five-wire high-tensile fence with in-line wire tensioners.
Electric fences can be built for temporary or permanent use. In addition, a strand of electrified wire added to other types of fence usually improves their effectiveness tremendously. The temporary or movable fence is usually made with one or two strands of smooth wire or a rope or tape with small electric wires woven into it. Tape or rope is more flexible than smooth wire and much easier to handle and move from one location to another. It is also more visible, an important factor when a fence is to be moved periodically to new locations where livestock are not used to seeing it. An electric fence controller is used to energize the wires. The moist earth is used to allow the current to return to the controller. Alternatively, one strand of wire can be grounded, so that the circuit can be completed even when the earth is very dry and thus a poor conductor. Corners and end posts in temporary electric fences require less bracing than permanent fencing. Line posts may be small with wide spacing since the fence will generally be used for a short period of time.
Permanent electric fences may also be built. These fences have from two to eight smooth wires placed on stronger posts. Instead of using the earth for a return path, many electric fences use alternate wires as the hot wire and the grounded return to the charger. This arrangement enables a completed circuit when an animal touches any two adjacent wires and improves the performance of the fence tremendously in drought conditions. Cost of permanent electric fence is much less than that of comparable barbed or woven wire fences. Some of the advantages of electric fencing are low initial cost, low operating cost, and portability. They can be used to protect or extend the use of old permanent fences and they can be used to protect livestock or poultry from many predators.
There are a few disadvantages, however. A home-built unit can be highly dangerous. Only approved fence chargers should be used. Livestock will require training when first using electric fences. The electric fence charger must be operated full time, especially with cattle and sheep. Also, if no return ground wires are used, electric fences may not be effective in dry weather. This is especially true if the controller is not well grounded. Another potential problem is that the charged wire may short-circuit and become ineffective if heavy vegetation is allowed to contact the wires. It is imperative that electric fences be inspected and that vegetation be controlled in order to minimize short circuiting. For this reason, an electric fence may not be a good choice near wooded or swampy areas with heavy vegetative growth.
As previously stated, the type of fence needed depends on livestock, border crops, predators and other factors including cost. Table 1 shows some general comparisons for use when selecting a fence.
Table 1. Comparison of Common Fences. A. Permanent Types Types Comparative1 in. x 6 in. Treated Boards
200 10-20 Medium2 in. x 6 in. Treated Boards
350 10-20 MediumPVC Rails
500-600 20 Low High-Tensile Polymer Coated5-in. rail width
330 33 Medium Barbed-Wire Fencing (One post per 10 ft)5 strands
35 33 High Suspension Fencing (Posts 50 ft apart)5 strands
25 33 Medium Woven Wire Fencing39-in. with 2 strands barbed wire
75 33 Medium Cable Fence5 cable (5')
500 30 Low Mesh Wire12.5 gauge
150 38 Low Permanent Electric3 - (12.5 gauge) and High-Tensile Fences4 strands
20 25 Medium B. Moveable Electric Fences 3 Types Comparative12 gauge
7 33 High Reflective Tape or Rope0.5-in.
11 30+ Medium1 Cost index figures are to show relative cost, not actual costs. For example, fence with an index figure 25 costs about twice as much per foot as a fence with an index figure of 12.
2 Fence life based on combination of post and wire life expectancy.
3 Costs of electric controller not included.
Wire is covered with zinc, commonly called galvanizing, to protect it from rusting. The length of time before wire begins to rust depends on the weather but also on the thickness of the zinc coating. More zinc means more years of service before rusting starts. Fence manufacturers and the American Society for Testing Materials have established "classes" of zinc coatings for fence wire. Class 1 has the lightest coating of zinc and Class 3 has the heaviest (two to three times as much, depending on the wire size). The expected life of a fence depends on many factors, but Class 3 galvanizing can easily add 5 to 10 years of life to fence wire in a humid climate like Georgia's.
Because of competition, many suppliers of fencing materials only stock Class 1 fencing or a limited number of products in Class 3. Commonly, a light gauge Class 3 barbed wire is stocked along with a heavier gauge Class 1 barbed wire since both of these products sell for about the same price. Other products with Class 3 galvanizing may have to be special ordered, but it is usually worth the extra cost and effort, especially in the humid southeastern climate. If consumers demand a higher quality product, dealers will certainly supply that need.
Selecting the appropriate staple is just as important to the overall strength and longevity of the fence as selecting the right wire. Staple pull-out is a common fencing problem when using softwood posts. To avoid this problem, use 1.75-in. or 2-in. long, 8- or 9-gauge, hot-dipped, galvanized staples with cut points and barbs. If using hardwood posts, shorter staples can be used because they cannot be pulled out of hardwood as easily.
Wooden posts are plentiful in Georgia. Some major advantages of wood posts are strength and resistance to bending, misalignment and withdrawal. Permanent fences will require decay resistant fence posts. The most common wooden posts are pine pressure treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate.) These posts have a greenish color, and they last longer and are harder than older treatments such as creosote and Penta (penta-chlorophenol.) This quality of hardness tends to help prevent staples from being pulled out. Some native, untreated trees are still used to a limited extent for fence posts. Table 2 shows the life expectancy of different tree varieties when used as fence posts.
Wood posts from 5.5 to 8.5 ft long and from 2.5 to 8 in. or larger diameter are readily available. The larger the top diameter, the stronger the post. Line posts can be as small as 2.5 in., but larger ones will provide for a stronger, more durable fence. Corner and gate posts should have a top diameter of at least 8 in. Brace posts should be 5 in. or more in diameter.
Be careful when buying wooden posts that the posts are properly treated for contact with the soil. Most treated lumber (including 4-by-4s often used as posts) bought in builder's supply stores is treated at 0.25 lb of CCA per cubic foot of lumber. This level of treatment will not protect against termites. Sawn lumber should be treated at 0.5 to 0.6 lb/ft3 of CCA if it is to be in contact with the earth. Fence posts can be treated at 0.4 lb/ft3. Many people are tempted to use "landscape timbers" for fence posts because they are extremely cheap at times due to over supply. These timbers are a byproduct of the plywood industry. They are what is left after the veneer has been peeled off of a large log. The danger in using these for fence posts is that many times they are not treated for ground contact since they are not designed to support a load and sometimes are not labeled, so it is unclear what, if any, treatment has been applied.
Steel posts have four major advantages. They cost less, weigh less, can be driven into the ground rather easily, and are fireproof. They also help ground the fence against lightning when the soil is moist. Steel posts vary from 5 to 8 ft long. A wide variety of steel posts are available with widely varying prices and quality, so be careful when comparison shopping to make sure you are comparing equal quality posts. Steel posts do not have as much strength against bending as wood posts. Wooden line posts can be placed every 50 to 75 ft to help keep steel posts from bending and improve fence stability.
Various kinds of posts are available for electric fence line posts as the requirements for strength are much less than for nonelectric fences. Posts are available in wood, plastic, steel, and fiberglass. Wood and steel posts require insulators to prevent short-circuiting the fence through the posts. Where available, high-density fiberglass posts (commonly known as sucker rod) make excellent electric fence posts. These posts are byproducts of the oil industry and are not always available. They are usually grey in color, are very strong and durable, and are nonconducting, so insulators are not required.
All posts must be long enough for the fence height and depth of setting. Add together the height of the top wire above the ground, the depth of the post in the ground, and 6 extra inches to get the desired length.
Table 2. Life Expectancy of Wood Fence Posts (in Years). Type of Wood Untreated Treated Ash 3-7 10-15 Aspen 2-3 15-20 Bald Cyprus 7-15 20-25 Balsam Fir 4-6 10-15 Basswood 2-3 15-20 Beech 3-7 15 Birch 2-4 10-20 Black Locust 20-25 Not necessary Box Elder 2-7 15-20 Butternut 2-7 15-20 Catalpa 8-14 20-25 Cedar 15-20 20-25 Cotton Wood 2-6 10-15 Douglas Fir 3-7 15-18 Elm 4 15 Hackberry 3-7 10-17 Hemlock 3-6 10-25 Hickory 5-7 15-20 Honey Locust 3-7 10-20 Larch 3-7 10-20 Maple 2-4 15-20 Oak (red) 5 15 Oak (white) 10 15-20 Osage Orange 20-25 Not necessary Pine 3-7 25-30 Red Cedar 15-20 20-25 Red Mulberry 7-15 15-30 Redwood 10-15 20-30 Sassafras 10-15 20-25 Spruce 3-7 10-20 Sweetbay 2-6 10-20 Sweetgum 3-6 20-30 Sycamore 2-7 20-25 Tamarack 7-10 15-20 Tupello (black) 3-7 15-20 Willow 2-6 15-20 Yellow Poplar 3-7 20-25Most people will agree that touching an electric fence is a very unpleasant experience. The experience for animals is no different. When animals come in contact with an electric fence, the shock they receive affects their nervous systems. The severity of the shock depends on the voltage and amperage, as well as the duration of the shock and the sensitivity of the animal. It takes at least 700 volts to effectively control short-haired breeds of cattle, pigs, and horses and around volts for long-haired cattle, sheep, and goats. The controller, sometimes called the charger or energizer, that delivers this shock is the heart of any electric fence and should be selected carefully.
The thing that makes controllers safe yet effective is the short duration of the charge. The charge is powerful, yet does not last long enough to damage the heart or to cause electrical burns. Modern low-impedance controllers have the capacity to power long distances of multi-wire fences and are not affected as much as earlier controllers by some contact with grass or other vegetation.
Controllers are available in battery powered models as well as 120-volt AC models. When 120-volt power is available, the 120-volt models have the obvious advantage since batteries do not have to be purchased or recharged. Cost of operation is minimal (usually less than $1 per month) for these units. If commercial power is not available near the fence to be energized, battery-powered units are available to fill this need. These units operate on 12, 24, or 36 volts (one, two, or three 12-volt batteries in series). The batteries must be recharged every 2 to 6 weeks depending on the system and amount of use. Solar collectors are also available to recharge the batteries daily. Deep cycle, marine and RV type batteries are best suited for battery-operated controllers. Batteries designed for use in automobiles will not last as long as deep-cycle batteries.
It is important to match the capacity of the controller to the fence you want to charge. Most manufacturers indicate the strength of the unit by the number of miles it will power. A good rule of thumb for sizing controllers is to determine the number of miles of electrified wire in the fence and add 25% to offset any power drain caused by vegetation touching the fence. For example, if you have 4 miles of 5-strand high-tensile wire with three of the strands electrified, you would need a controller rated for at least 15 miles (3 wires x 4 miles = 12 miles + 25% = 15 miles).
Like most construction and maintenance jobs around the farm, fence construction requires proper techniques and common-sense judgment. Every fencing job presents slightly different problems. A few basic principles are good starting points for every fencing job. Here are some to consider.
Where a permanent fence is installed on a property line, make sure of the exact location of property lines. A mistake here can be very costly. Once this is done and any trees and brush are removed, you are ready to establish the fence line.
On level ground, an end post can be installed at each end of the run and a string or a single strand of wire stretched between the two posts to establish the line. On rolling ground where hills are too high to sight from one end-post to the next, surveying equipment can be used if available to establish the location of intermediate points on the line. Alternatively, intermediate sighting stakes can be driven at the tops of hills. Two of these temporary stakes should be driven about 8 to 10 ft apart at the approximate position where the line will cross the crest of the hill. If both posts appear to be lined up when sighted from each end post, they represent a true midpoint of the line. If not, they can be moved back and forth until they are properly aligned.
Figure 10. Fence post spacing around curves.Fence post spacing around curves.
When the fence must go around a curve, place small stakes every 16 ft around the smooth curve. Then start figuring the post hole positions where the curve is greatest. The sharper the curve, the closer the posts should be. Select three stakes at a point of maximum curvature. String a line from the first to the third stake (Figure 10). Measure the distance from the center stake to the string, and space the posts as given in Table 3.
Table 3. Suggested Fence Post Spacing Around Curves. Distance fromFor any wire fence, corner-post and end-post assemblies are probably the most important structures in the entire fence. They are the foundation upon which the fence is built. When wire is first stretched, the pulling force on a corner or end may be lb. Winter cold can cause contraction of wire which increases that force to lb. Both corner and end assemblies must be strong enough to withstand these forces.
Figure 11. Double-span brace post assembly. Post depths shown are considered to be minimum.Double-span brace post assembly. Post depths shown are considered to be minimum.
Figure 11 shows proper construction of a double span H-brace assembly for wooden anchor posts. A double span assembly is more than twice as strong as a single span; use it whenever the fence span will be more than 200 ft long. A corner post will need a brace assembly for each fence line leading to it. Post depths shown in Figure 11 are minimums. Use deeper settings for sand or wet soil conditions. Figure 12 shows the proper way to secure brace wire.
Figure 12. Correct procedure for threading the nine gauge smooth wire used as diagonal in the brace assembly.Correct procedure for threading the nine gauge smooth wire used as diagonal in the brace assembly.
When a fence is more than 650 ft between corner posts, use braced line post assemblies every 650 ft in the fence line. A braced line assembly is the same as a single span braced corner except that a second diagonal brace wire is used to take fence pull in the opposite direction.
Figure 13. Types of anchor-and-brace assemblies and where to locate them. (a) For fence lengths of 160 ft or less, use single-span end construction. (b) For fence lengths of 200 to 700 ft, use double-span end construction. (c) For fences more than 700 ft long, use a brace-line-post assembly to divide the fence lengths. (d) On rolling land, fence stretching is easier if braced line-post assemblies are located at the foot and top of each hill. (e) Contour fences, more than 350 ft long, should have a braced-line-post assembly installed to keep the stretches to 350 ft or less. Install in straight section at least one post span away from a curve. Don't install on a curve; it won't hold well.Types of anchor-and-brace assemblies and where to locate them. (a) For fence lengths of 160 ft or less, use single-span end construction. (b) For fence lengths of 200 to 700 ft, use double-span end construction. (c) For fences more than 700 ft long, use a brace-line-post assembly to divide the fence lengths. (d) On rolling land, fence stretching is easier if braced line-post assemblies are located at the foot and top of each hill. (e) Contour fences, more than 350 ft long, should have a braced-line-post assembly installed to keep the stretches to 350 ft or less. Install in straight section at least one post span away from a curve. Don't install on a curve; it won't hold well.
Figure 13 illustrates anchor and brace locations for fences. Steel corner post and brace assemblies can be used in place of wood assemblies. The steel posts should be set in concrete anchors. Corner post anchors should be 20 in. square and 3.5 ft deep. Braces are anchored in 20-in.-square blocks that are 2 ft deep.
There are some other brace assemblies that are not as strong as the H-brace, but will work in many cases for short pulls and in favorable soil conditions. One is commonly called a "dead man" brace (Figure 14). The end post should be a large (10&#;12 in.) post at least 4 ft in the ground. The "dead man" is a short (4 ft) piece of post buried just under the surface perpendicular to the end post on the loaded side. This positioning supports the post such that when the post tries to lean, it must push the "dead man" through the soil sideways.
Figure 14. "Dead Man" brace."Dead Man" brace.
Figure 15. Angle brace.Angle brace.
A second type of brace, called an angle brace, is shown in Figure 15. The keys to making this brace work are (1) making sure the end post is deep in the ground (about 4 ft), (2) placing a 1 to 2 square foot rock or piece of concrete under the angle brace post, and (3) properly tensioning the tension wire. It is the tension wire that gives this brace its strength, not the angle post. If the fence starts to sag, it can usually be tightened by retensioning the tension wire.
Steel posts are almost always hand or power driven. Wood posts are frequently driven with power driving equipment. Driving posts is faster than digging holes and tamping posts in. Driving also results in a stronger foundation for the post. Posts should be driven with the small end down. The results may look strange (large end up), but they are much stronger and damage to the post during driving is minimized. Corner posts can be driven as well, but it is sometimes necessary and always advisable to drill a pilot hole about 3 to 4 in. smaller than the post before driving. The pilot hole reduces driving resistance and gives more control over the direction of lean of the post. (End posts should be driven at a slight angle away from the direction of pull so that they will be straight when tensioned.)
When setting posts in holes, center them before tamping. This makes tamping easier and gives the tightest possible soil-pack around the post. Wooden line posts should be set at least 2 ft deep, preferably deeper. In most soils, studded "T" posts need to be driven only until the anchor plate is beneath the surface. For uniform depth, mark the digging tool or steel post to desired depth. A gauge pole, cut to desired length, is handy for spacing posts. Space line posts about 10 to 12 ft apart for most fences. Narrow spacings are better over irregular ground and in contour fences.
Proper stapling techniques.
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In general you will want to install and stretch wire in sections, running from one corner and/or brace post assembly to the next. Always work from the bottom up when installing wire. Install the bottom wire first, then the next highest, etc. Attach wire to the side of the post nearest livestock except where appearance is important. Use galvanized staples or the wire clips that come with steel posts to attach wire to posts. Staples should never be smaller than 1.5 in. long, preferably 1.75 or 2 in. Do not staple the vertical or stay wires of woven wire. Drive staples so the wire is held close to the post but not tight (Figure 16a). The wire should be able to move through the staple to allow expansion and contraction of the wire. Good brace assemblies should keep the wire tight. Driving staples parallel with the grain should be avoided since that will weaken the grip of the wood on the staple. Slash cut staples should be rotated in a certain direction depending on whether the staples are right or left cut (see Figure 16b). Place the staples parallel to the grain and then rotate slightly away from the flat faces of the staple points. This will result in the desired direction of staple penetration (Figure 16c) and a staple that has 40% more resistance to withdrawal than staples rotated the wrong way.
One of the best ways of assuring good performance of a fence controller is to provide a good grounding system. The controller grounding system should be separate (at least 30 ft away) from any other driven grounds. Failure to do this could cause stray voltage problems on the farm electrical system. The grounding system should consist of at least 24 ft (usually three 8-ft driven rods spaced 6 ft apart) of ground rod. In addition, a driven ground rod should be placed every ft ( ft in arid climates) of fence and attached to the grounded wires in the fence. Proper grounding will make the job of the charger easier and thus improve its performance. Lightning arresters are available and help protect the controller if the lightning strike is not too close, but will probably not prevent damage by a direct hit. Making the top wire on the fence a grounded wire sometimes helps protect the controller by shunting lightning to the ground instead of through the controller.
You can buy or build gates or cattle guards. Both should be sturdily built and adequately supported. One of the most common (and aggravating) mistakes made when building fences is inadequate bracing of gates which results in gates dragging on the ground. Several plans for gates, man passages and cattle guards are available through your local county extension office.
A fence that is properly cared for will give long and trouble-free service. Include some of the following suggestions in your regular maintenance program:
Planning Fences, American Association of Vocational Instructional Materials, .
Planning & Building Fences on the Farm, University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service PB , .
Status and Revision History
Published on Feb 01,
Published on Feb 20,
Published on May 14,
Published with Full Review on Feb 16,
Published with Full Review on Feb 20,
Published with Full Review on Mar 12,
Products description
Hot Dip Galvanized Wire
Hot Dip Galvanized Wire refers to a wire that has been coated with a layer of zinc through a process known as hot-dip galvanization. This process involves dipping the wire into a bath of molten zinc, which reacts with the steel to form a layer of zinc-alloy on its surface. This layer of zinc provides protection to the wire against corrosion, and increases its resistance to rust and other forms of degradation.
Specification
Wire gauge: 0.7mm-6.5mm.
Low carbon steel: SAE, SAE, SAE, Q195, Q235, C45, C50, C55, C60, C65.
Elongation: 15%.
Tensile strength: 300N-680N/mm2.
Materials and process:
Quality wire rod, wire drawing, annealed, rust, acid, boiling, drying, and finally zinc.
Surface: Hot-dipped galvanized.
Wholesale Galvanized Wire
XHwire mesh. is a manufacturer of wholesale galvanized wire in China. We have more than 20 sets of advanced production facilities and continuous galvanizing lines. We produce over 50,000 tons of wire per year for sale worldwide. This means that we are fully capable of meeting the demand for large volume orders. The following are what we will offer.
1. wire diameters ranging from 0.45 mm to 5.5 mm
2. Electro-galvanized and hot-dip galvanized wire available.
3. Wholesale GI wire prices for bulk purchase orders. 4.
4. We have a large inventory to meet your urgent orders. 5.
5. Custom sizes and packaging available. 6.
6. One-stop solution provider. We also offer PVC coated wire, black annealed wire and a variety of mesh products to meet your needs.
7. Provide free samples (shipping cost is paid by customers).
8. Have a strict quality control system to ensure all galvanized wires are produced according to industry standards.
How do I choose the size of galvanized wire?
It is important to choose the correct size of galvanized wire. When you are ready to choose galvanized wire, you should consider strength and usage.
1. By strength
What is the strength of galvanized wire you need? Usually, the gauge of the wire determines its overall strength or breaking weight. For example, 12 gauge low carbon galvanized wire has a breaking weight of about 500 lbs. For example, 14 gauge GI wire has a breaking weight of about 800 lbs. You should be aware of how strong your project needs to be in order to better select its gauge.
2. Depends on the application
If you plan to use galvanized wire for fencing, we have some suggestions for you. When you are fencing large, heavy animals, you may want to consider using strong 12 gauge or stronger 9 gauge wire. Thinner 16-gauge GI wire is ideal for garden fencing. Of course the specifics will depend on your actual use. If you have any questions, ask Wanzhi Steel. Our experienced sales managers will be able to answer them for you.
Packing:
In general 25kg/coil (can also according to customer's request), plastic inside and hessian cloth/weaving bags outside.
Application:
Widely used in industry, agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, silk weaving, highway fence, packaging and other daily applications. Like as cable armouring, wire mesh weave.
Zinc coating: 30g-350g/m2.
Advantage: Excellent toughness and flexibility, corrosion resistance and others.
Delivery Detail: Within 15-30 days after get bank deposit.
Specifications:
Hot Dipped Galvanized WireWire gaugeSWG(mm)BWG(mm)GB(mm)84.064..663.76--103.253.43..953..642.772..342.412..032.11--151.831.831..631.651..631.471..221.251..021..910.890..810...710..7Galvanized wire characteristics
1. Flat and smooth surface
Galvanized steel wire improves the unevenness of the wire. The zinc layer is able to cover up the fine lines on the wire. This makes the surface of the wire look flatter and smoother. It will look especially beautiful when used for garden fences.
2. High resistance to damage
Bare wire can easily be scratched or otherwise damaged, which weakens the wire's strength. But galvanized steel wire is different. The zinc layer on its surface provides a hard protective layer for the wire. The zinc layer provides a protective barrier between the wire and the outside world, making it more resistant to damage than ordinary steel wire alone.
3. Good Toughness and Flexibility
Galvanized wire is an iron wire drawn from low carbon steel. As a result, it is very tough. The formed galvanized wire product can be bent and folded. It is also very flexible. It is good to make springs with this material.
4. Fire resistance
GI wire is also common in industrial applications where there is a risk of fire. It is an indisputable fact that it is still strong in most fires. This is because when the wire is hot-dipped, the resulting zinc has a melting point even higher than normal zinc. The melt resistance of the zinc layer helps prevent the steel inside the wire from reaching its own melting point.
5. Low cost
Galvanized steel is often more affordable than other types of wire products, such as PVC coated wire. Galvanized wire offers price advantages as well as strong, long-lasting and durable properties. This means that galvanized wire is less prone to damage, which greatly reduces the cost of repair and replacement.
6. Long service life
The long life of galvanized wire is one of the reasons why many people are willing to buy it. Galvanized wire can last up to about 20 years in harsh or high humidity environments. In normal environments, it can last up to 50 years or more.
Galvanized Iron Wire Usage
Galvanized iron wire is commonly used as baling wire, fencing wire, etc. Due to its durability and shiny surface, it is also used for supporting climbing plants, making crafts, etc. The wide range of applications also makes galvanized wire a promising investment.
1. Fences and screens
GI wire is ideal for making fences around houses, playgrounds, highways, bridges, etc. to protect your property. Common forms include razor barbed wire and chain link fencing on the market. In addition, you can also find fine filter fabric or screens, such as insect screen
2. Support and binding
GI steel wire has excellent strength and is a good binding material, ideal for making gabions or slope stabilization.
3. Agriculture and livestock industry
In the agricultural industry, galvanized steel wire can support climbing plants such as tomatoes and grapes and is called garden wire. Besides, GI wire is an ideal material for making animal cages or fences.
4. Other Industries
Galvanized iron wire is also widely used in telecommunication cable wire, making nails, ropes, tying or bundling wires and other daily necessities.
What is galvanized steel wire?
Galvanized steel wire is wire that is coated with zinc to protect it from rust and corrosion. Zinc can be applied using a method of dipping the wire into a molten pool of zinc, or it can be electroplated onto the surface. Due to its durability and smooth surface, it is suitable for many applications.
GI wire manufacturing process
The production of GI wire is simple. We use steel rods as the raw material. Then the first step is to clean or pickle the coiled bar to remove oxides and impurities from the surface. Afterwards, the de-oxidized wire is passed through a wire drawing machine to produce the required size of wire. These wires are often referred to as "black wires". After pickling and annealing, the wires are then galvanized, both hot-dip galvanized and electro-galvanized. They are then rolled into coils. You can sell them in packages after quality control.
What is quality galvanized iron wire?
1. First of all, the surface of the wire should be smooth and free from obvious defects such as sagging, dripping and slagging. For example, the zinc leakage area should be less than 0.5mm; in addition, there should be no more than 3 leakage points per square centimeter.
2. Secondly, the zinc layer should be uniform, firmly bonded to the base material, and not fall off or bulge by hammering test.
Thirdly, the diameter tolerance should be within a reasonable range.
Can galvanized wire be used outside?
Yes. One of the most important properties of galvanized wire is its ability to resist rust. Therefore, it is ideal for outdoor use, such as the outdoor fences we commonly see. For example, with ungalvanized wire, constant rain and wet weather can cause it to corrode quickly. However, unlike galvanized wire, it can adapt to harsh weather conditions. It stays in good condition even in wet and salty conditions.
Will galvanized wire rust?
The answer is yes, but very slowly. Galvanized wire is more resistant to corrosion than black iron wire. The galvanizing process involves applying a zinc coating to the surface of the wire. Due to the zinc oxide layer on the surface, it prevents the wire from rusting for many years. However, when the zinc layer breaks down, rusting will be inevitable. But as mentioned before, it is slow enough for your application, say for decades.
Types of galvanized steel wire
GI wire is divided into hot-dip galvanized wire and cold-dip galvanized wire (galvanized steel wire) according to the galvanizing process. Here are more details for your reference.
Hot-dip galvanized wire
Hot-dipped wire is processed by a hot-dip zinc bath process. This means that the wire is immersed in a hot molten zinc bath so that its surface is completely covered with a zinc coating. Hot-dipped GI wire has excellent corrosion resistance, flexibility and softness.
Manufacturing process: Steel bar coils - Pretreatment - Drawing - Rust removal - Pickling --Hot-dip galvanizing --Annealing - (Re-drawing) --Coiling -Quality control -Packaging.
Electro Galvanized Wire
The difference between hot-dip galvanized wire and electro-galvanized wire lies in the galvanizing process. The latter uses the principle of electrolysis to coat the surface of the wire with a thin layer of zinc. It gives the wire a uniform and shiny surface.
Production process: Steel bar coils - pre-treatment - wire drawing (redrawing) - rust removal - pickling --Cold galvanizing---Coiling--Quality control--Packaging.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Hot-Dipped Galvanized Barbed Wire Fence Factory. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.