Fencing question

[unaka]

I have a 25 acre pasture that I used to keep cattle on, but I'm converting it to use strictly for hay. Since I'll no longer be using it for grazing, I want to take down the fence that surrounds it, and move it to another pasture where I can use it to replace some worn out fence sections, and fence off a creek.

The fence there now is a three-strand, smooth (no barbs), high-tensile electric, with green t-posts . I'm not sure of the guage, but it's pretty heavy. The t-posts will pull out easy enough by hand, particularly with all the copious amounts of rain we've had lately, but my problem is how to get up all that wire so that I can transport it, and use it again. Obviously, a spool of some sort will be needed, but I thought I'd try the wisdom of this forum to see if anyone has ever done this before. Any hints or suggestions of an easy, and tried method would be appreciated. Otherwise, I'll just start from scratch and learn as I go.

Thanks

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I've not used one, but Tractor Supply has a PTO powered spool for rolling up the wire for about $180.00. I'm sure CowboyDoc and others on the board have rolled and moved high tensile wire fence. It's bound to be labor intensive, however, since you have to disassemble all of the insulators, etc. at each post.

 

[beenthere]

If the new fence area is within 'driving' distance and not across a highway or around a lot of sharp corners, and if you are going to put up the new fence soon after removing the old, I would just pull it over there. If too long, cut it and pull shorter sections. With no barbs, it should pull quite easily. Obviously, this approach may be the easiest, but also may not logistically work. Otherwise, just start a roll about 18" in diameter, and walk along and roll it up. You may want to periodically tie the roll with wire to keep it from unravelling. Usually it rolls up without much problem. When the roll gets too heavy to hang on to, cut the wire and start a new roll. I don't think a spool is needed or normally used to roll up wire. There are attachments, as mentioned, but its not that big a job to do it by hand.

 

[cowboydoc]

Get yourself what they call a spooling jenny. You use it to get the wire run out from a roll but you can use it roll the wire back up as well. Take it slow and you will need two people. ONce the wire is off the line it will curl up fast and once it's tangled just throw it away. It isn't worth trying to untangle it. Also if you get any kinks in it all you will need to splice it there. That high tensile is extrememly strong but with any kind of kink it will break when stretched. Best of luck. BTW depending on how much fence you have you can buy the wire in 6000 foot rolls for only $50. Sometimes you have to consider how much your time is worth.

 

[unaka]

Thanks to everyone who has responded.

Cowboy doc, your point about the value of time is well taken. I've had a tough time learning that one.

I'll check with my local hardware store about a spooling jenny. They might have one they'll let me borrow. If I see that it's going to be too much of an ordeal, I'll probably just break down and buy new wire, even though that goes against my upbringing. My grandfather, who taught me everything I know about farming, never threw anything away..(I mean never)....and I feel his hard stare whenever I do.

 

[cowboydoc]

Unaka,
I know exactly what you mean about it being a hard lesson to learn. I grew up exactly the same way. It has taken me alot of years to practice that statement. It used to be that way with doing things as well. If I could do it then there was no need to hire someone to do it, even if I could afford it. I'm getting a little wiser about time mgmt. but it's hard for sure. Best of luck to you. Sounds like you had a great teacher.