Ideas for bending cattle panels?

jmc · Jun 9, 2016

I'd like to bend two 52" X 16', unwieldy cattle panels into 'U' shapes like the attached sketch. Galvanized 4 gage, .225" wire.
Any ideas?

DT86 · Jun 9, 2016

Do they need to retain this shape on their own?

If not, set some t posts in the shape you want and start attaching the panel to the posts with wire. You could put the posts inside the panel or outside, wouldn't matter.

If it does need to be free standing, I've had luck bending the panels one wire at a time using big pliers.

Loadstar · Jun 9, 2016

Mine are all bent... Tree fell on garden and smashed them all.

If I had to do what you want to i would be looking for the proper size tree to bend them around

jim44 · Jun 9, 2016

I've done some bends by standing on the panel, near one end, and picking up that end. Then just hang on and walk backwards to the area that needs the bend. Change grips as needed. With a little practice, you can stomp in a pretty nice bend. An assistant is a big help.

FTG-05 · Jun 9, 2016

Perhaps make a tool that looks something like this:

36" Metal Brake w/ Metal Break Stand

Egon · Jun 9, 2016

Two trees the right distance apart, fence against trees, one old bull against fence and one cow on the other side of fence.

Of course a vertical log instead of the bull and pull with the tractor might do it.

bigtiller · Jun 9, 2016

Lay the panel on flat concrete, set a portion of your loader buckets cutting edge on the panel at the beginning of where the "U" shape should start, lift the panel trying to bend it some, preposition the bucket back a few inches and bend some again. Do this until you get the shape you want.

I made a sharp 90 degree bend it one of these panels for a dog fence like this. I needed a hammer for the sharp bend.

jwmorris · Jun 9, 2016

I have made a few hog traps in shapes not unlike what you show with the ends on one side overlapping. All secured to T posts except for one inside panel, so they push against the panels all around trying to get to the bait until they find the one that lets them get in then snaps back towards the outside, trapping them.

You can actually secure the top of the one that moves inward letting them in so they can bend in the bottom to get in but cannot lift it up to get out.

Other than that the best way I have found to bend them is to try and keep them flat

.

gghb · Jun 9, 2016

we cut them to length with angle grinder than clip them togeather to form the shape. use them to pen up ewe's with new lambs for a day or 2

Greg

kthompson · Jun 9, 2016

Egon said:
Two trees the right distance apart, fence against trees, one old bull against fence and one cow on the other side of fence.

Of course a vertical log instead of the bull and pull with the tractor might do it.

You may can find a barrel or fuel tank, tree, rear tractor tire or such that you can use to bend the panel around.

Egon · Jun 10, 2016

kthompson said:
You may can find a barrel or fuel tank, tree, rear tractor tire or such that you can use to bend the panel around.

t

Makes me think that a wooden wire spool would also work very nicely. Could be set up in a number of ways and should make a nice smooth bend. Fix the spool and use it like a pipe bender.

kthompson · Jun 10, 2016

Egon said:
t

Makes me think that a wooden wire spool would also work very nicely. Could be set up in a number of ways and should make a nice smooth bend. Fix the spool and use it like a pipe bender.

Very good idea.

chim · Jun 11, 2016

I'd try something like this. Lay the panel on flat ground with a 4x4 under it that you can chain to the top of your bucket. Press the cutting edge of your bucket at the bend point and curl while maintaining down pressure. It may require re-hooking the 4x4 depending on how much rotation the bucket has. Pardon the crude drawing.

EDIT TO ADD: If that doesn't pull a tight enough 90 degree bend, you could substitute something like a piece of plywood for the 4x4 that extends from the chains to the bend point to avoid the "belly" that could happen on the piece you pull upward. The piece on the ground is probably OK.

BHD · Jun 11, 2016

set two heavy posts, the distance you want apart, (maybe chain cross the top of the posts)

take a curved some thing, ( a few inches short of the width of the posts, and hook a chain on the curved thing, and pull the curved thing through the posts with the panel between the posts and the curved thing,

since there are long wires on one side and the short wires on the other, and the long against the posts, and the curved against the curved, thing.

the some thing could be an (old cable spool with some 2x4 nailed on the out side curve, to put even pressure on the inside of the panel).

BHD · Jun 11, 2016

another thought is to put two posts in about three inches apart, put the panels in between the the posts, and pull on one end and bend it some move it and bend a little more and keep moving it and bending every little bit until you have the bend you want, may take two or three people to get enough power to ben the panels,

Creamer · Jun 11, 2016

They bend very easily. I would just set two steel posts 4' apart and then tie one end to one of them and bend the other around to the inside of the second. Then you can just start pushing on the sides until you get the bends where and how you want them. A third T-post on one side may help to push against. It all depends on how precision you want but 10 minutes should get you a couple of panels bent.