2. FencingFencing
There are a number of reasons for
fencing.
Fences can be used to:
◦ Define boundaries
◦ Separate paddocks
◦ Keep stock in or out
◦ Decoration
◦ Keep stock off crops
◦ Isolate or quarantine areas of risk
3. Types of fencesTypes of fences
There are two main types of fences used
in agriculture.
These are:
◦ Conventional
◦ Electric
◦ Post and rail (wooden)
◦ Steel
◦ Brick
4. Electric fencingElectric fencing
Electric fencing uses an
electrical current
supplied by either mains
power or batteries.
The current runs along
the wire and when
touched by an animal
completes a circuit and
the animal is ‘zapped’.
This causes stock to stay
away from fences.
5. Electric fencing cont…Electric fencing cont…
The main advantages to electric fencing
are:
◦ It is easily installed
◦ It can protect the fence from damage
The disadvantages for electric fencing
are:
◦ It can lose power and become ineffective
◦ It is expensive to run
6. Conventional fencingConventional fencing
Conventional fencing
is the fencing you
usually see as you
are driving
throughout the
country
It consists of end
assemblies, star
pickets (posts), and
fabricated and
straight wire.
•This is the type of
fence you will build at
the school farm.
7. Conventional fencing cont…Conventional fencing cont…
The advantage of conventional fencing
are:
◦ It is cheap to maintain once built
◦ It is easily repaired
The disadvantages of conventional fencing
are:
◦ It is labour intensive to build
◦ It is expensive initially
◦ It can be damaged as stock graze through it.
8. Conventional fencing cont…Conventional fencing cont…
To begin construction of a conventional
fence. You start with the strainer posts.
These are located at either end of the
fence and hold the wire.
9. Conventional fencing cont…Conventional fencing cont…
The number of strainer posts used
depends on the type of end assembly.
You can use either a post and stay
assembly or a box end assembly.
11. Post holePost hole
Most fences are started
by erecting the strainer
posts.
A hole must be dug in
order to place the
strainer in the ground.
A post hole can be dug
in a number of different
ways, including:
◦ With a PTO driven auger
on a tractor or other
motorised vehicle like a
bobcat or dingo digger.A number of different auger sizes are
available for different sized holes.
12. They can also be dug with a hand held
motorised auger.
Or by hand with a shovel and crowbar.
13. Strainer postsStrainer posts
Once the hole has been dug at either end of the
fence. The strainer post are placed in to them.
Strainer posts can be made from a number of
materials.
Usually they are either solid hardwood or tubular
steel.
Hardwood strainer posts are placed in the ground
and have earth rammed back around them.
Steel strainer posts are placed in the ground and
are usually concreted in place.
14. StaysStays
Once the strainer posts are in place. A
stay is put in.
The stay runs from about three quarters
of the way up the post to the ground.
This is to stop the post being pulled over
when the wire is tensioned.
15. Stays cont.Stays cont.
Stays are held in place by placing a rock,
concrete pad or other stopper in the
ground .
This creates a bigger surface area to
push against the hard earth when the
fence has been tensioned.
16. Star postsStar posts
Often called star
pickets, these are the
next to go in after the
strainer posts and
stays.
Generally one wire is
tensioned between the
two strainer posts and
is used as a straight
line.
17. Star post driverStar post driver
Star posts are
driven in using a
star post driver,
often referred
to as a ‘dolly’.
These can be
driven by hand
or using
pneumatic
power.
18. WireWire
Once all the star posts are in the ground
the wire can be run.
Wire comes in a number of different
forms, including:
◦ Plain wire
◦ Barbed wire
◦ Hinge joint
◦ Ringlock
◦ Wire netting
19. Plain wirePlain wire
We use high tensile wire at school. This
allows for a greater strain along the fence
line.
The high tensile wire has a zinc coating
with a light protective coating on top
which gives it a blue appearance. This is
to prolong the life of the wire.
20. Barbed wireBarbed wire
Barbed wire is two runs of plain wire
twisted together with barbs or sharp
ends twisted on at set intervals.
The main purpose of barbed wire is to
prevent stock (especially cattle) leaning
through and damaging the fence.
21. Wire nettingWire netting
Often referred to as
chicken wire.
It has a similar appearance
to netting used in fishing.
The gaps which appear in
the wire are quite small,
and is therefore used to
keep small animals in or
out.
22. Hinged jointHinged joint
Hinged joint has seperate
vertical droppers which
are wound like a hinge
around the horizontal
wires.
The advantage of this
type of wire is that it can
be straightened up if a
tree for example falls on
the fence.
23. Ring lockRing lock
Much the same in
appearance as the
hinge joint.
However, ringlock
has only one vertical
wire (or dropper),
meaning it does not
have the same
possibility of
straightening after
impact.
24. Prefabricated wire fencingPrefabricated wire fencing
Prefabricated wire fencing is an all in one type of
fence, with a series of vertical and horizontal
wires. Meaning that time for fence construction is
greatly reduced.
25. Prefabricated wire fencing cont.Prefabricated wire fencing cont.
Prefab fencing includes hinged
joint and ringlock.
These are always sold
according to size and type,
which is displayed as 7,90,30.
7 refers to the number of
horizontal wires.
90 is the space between the
top and bottom wires in
centimetres.
30 is the space between the
vertical wires (droppers) in
centimetres.
26. Fixing the wire to the fenceFixing the wire to the fence
Once the wire for the fence is in place it needs to
be fixed to the strainer posts at either end of the
fence.
It also needs to be fixed to the star posts along
the fence and it needs to be joined where extra
wire or a break occurs.
These can be fixed using knots or gripples in
conjunction with a fence strainer and tensioning
gauge.
27. Fencing knotsFencing knots
The knot at the top
is a figure of 8 knot.
It is the strongest of
all knots.
The one in the
middle is a square
knot
The knot at the
bottom is a double
loop knot.
28. Fencing knots cont.Fencing knots cont.
Other useful knots
include the end knot
(top)
The donald knot
(centre)
The pin and loop
knot (bottom)
29. StrainingStraining
The knots are tied whilst
the strainers hold the
wire tight.
The strainers are then
let out and the knot
holds the tension in the
fence.
A wire tensioning gauge
is used to ensure the
correct tension is placed
on the wire.
30. GripplesGripples
Gripples are a relatively
new invention which
hold the wire together
without the need for a
knot.
They can be strained
tight using a gripple
tool.
An advantage is the
time saved.
A disadvantage is the
cost.
31. Attaching the wire to the postsAttaching the wire to the posts
Once the wire is
fixed and strained. It
should be tied off to
the star posts.
It is recommended
to tie the wire off
rather than run it
through the posts as
this can strip the
protective coating off
the wire.
32. Finishing the fence.Finishing the fence.
Once the wire has been attached and tied off
the fence is basically finished.
At this stage all waste material should be
collected and disposed of in a responsible
manner.
All left over materials should be stored for later
use.
The only thing left to do at this stage is add a
gate.
33. Methods for joining gatesMethods for joining gates
There are a number of methods for fixing gates to
posts. Often this will depend on the type of
strainer post.
One example of this is shown in the pictures
below where a fence is fixed to the prefabricated
concrete post with bolts.
34. Fencing Tools and equipmentFencing Tools and equipment
There are a number of tools and
equipment used in the construction of
fences.
They range from large and complex
machines to small hand tools
Some of the tools and equipment used
are shown on the following slides.
45. SafetySafety
As with all aspects of Agricultural work
injuries can occur when fencing.
It is important to be aware of the risks and
to take all possible actions to prevent them.
Basic first aid training is recommended, and
a first aid kit should always be kept near by
and fully stocked.
Some of the PPE which should be used is
shown on the following pages.
46.
47. Student taskStudent task
Correctly name all the items shown on
the previous page.
Give a brief explanation and example of
how each piece of PPE could prevent
injury.
