Where can I get a fence puller?

[mdbarb]

I want to pull taunt some fence wire. This is 6' high, galvanized wire, probably in a 2"x4" grid. The only fence pullers I have found so far are for heavier chainlink fences. If I try fishing a flatbat vertically thru the fence then pulling the bar - it just breaks the adjacent vertical wire. I am looking for a device that fastens to the horizontal wire then pulls tight. I will also want to pull single strands.


I'm sure the TBN team /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif can send me down the proper paths to enlightenment on the correct tools and techniques of creating a nice tight wire fence.

 

[fenneran]

mdbarb,

I normally just use a pipe threaded through the fencing, but if that is not working for you, I have used another apparatus. It was two flat boards, maybe 3 inches wide, with a hole about every 4 inches. You would put one board on each side of the fence and bolt the two boards together, sandwiching the fence between. Then, when you pull on the boards, the fence comes along. I think I have one out in my barn. If I can find it tonight, I'll take a picture.

-Frank

 

[Egon]

We used to call them wire stretchers. A farm supply store should have a modern version. If not a come along will work. Just find a cammed clamp that will fit the wire and chain it to the come along. Remember to tighten the top wire first and don't try for too long a strech with the type of wire you are using.

Just for interest I have one hanging in the trailer thats probably older than me.

Egon

 

[gotrocks]

<font color="blue"> I will also want to pull single strands. </font>


Years ago one of my sons ran thru a barbed wire fence in his car and when I went to help him replace the damage we used a pair of vice-grip and an old block/tackle.
Clamp vice-grips onto wire hook b/t arond post or truck.
Did not have Kubota then /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Pulled that wire tight as a banjo string.

 

[mdbarb]

This technique tends to rely on the vertical wires which then break at the intersections. What i would like to find is something that connects to the horizontal wires.

 

[Bird]

You might want to look at this tool from Northern Tool. It's item #143955 and item #143956 is even better, but more expensive. That's the kind of tool a couple of my neighbors had, so I didn't have to buy one; just borrowed theirs at times. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[beenthere]

The fence stretcher is different from a wire stretcher. The two boards (I use 2x6) bolted together on each side of the fence, with nails driven through to engage behind the vertical wires, can then be held with a chain top and bottom, allowing for a tractor to pull the fence taught. The boards should be as long as the fence is tall. Anchor it good at the corner post at one end, and have it run past the corner post at the other end. When the fence is taught, staple it to the near post and even fasten it at all the posts before letting off on the tension. The nails will keep the fence from slipping through the 2x6 sandwich.
Individual wires are pulled tight with a regular fence stretcher.
(Just like Bird said in the previous post - he's quicker than I)

fence stretcher

 

[normde2001]

If you have a TSC store nearby you might want to try this. Looks like it works with a come-along.

 

[JTD]

Kencove sells all the items you will need. Website is Kencove.com. Their heavy duty 4 ft 2x4 clamp is somewhat pricey but it works well. You'll also need a ratchet w/chain for it. Forgot what mine cost. A come-along will work also.

 

[Egon]

You can also use one 2x6 and wrap it with the wire a few times. It'll work just as well and doesn't take as much time.

The wire stretcher I have is comprised of two double blocks with one having a locking jamb for the rope. One end has a chain that attaches to something solid. The other end has a cam lock clamp that fits over the wire and tightens as force is applied. From the pictures shown so far it would be the easiest to use.

Egon

 

[kensfarm]

The most versitle & cheapest puller is one I made.. I copied the idea from my Dad.. who used a smaller version for pulling a single strand barb wire. Since you are pulling 6ft fencing.. use one 6ft length of 2x6.. and the same length for a 2x4.. the different board sizes will help the squeeze effect once bolted together. Lay one on top of the other.. and drill 3 holes evenly spaced across the 6 ft length.. mark the boards so you can always tell how the boards where arranged when you drilled the holes.. the size of holes depends on the size of the bolts you use. I used large equipment bolts.. you'll also need 3 lock
washers & 5 regular washers. Put a washer on the two outside bolts before putting the 3 bolts through the 2x6.. then put on the 2x4, washers, lock washers, and nuts. I then use some heavy guage(high tensile strength) wire(doubled).. and secured it on the 2 outside bolt heads behind the washers.. the length of the wire should be long enougth so that once connected.. it'll make a V when you pull on the middle. You could use some cable instead.. or even substitute hooks to attach to the outside bolts.. the heavy guage wire I use is called "galvo".. and the setup has worked very well. Here's what makes life easier for me when having to pull fencing: I use a single strand of heavy gauge wire and connect one end to a small 1ft piece of board by drilling 2 holes in the middle of the board.. and running the one end of wire through them and securing. I then run the strand of wire through the center of the fencing roll and make a loop at the end to hook up to. Since I don't have a hook welded to my FEL.. I just wrap my chain around the bucket and hook to the loop to suspend the fencing roll. I attach the puller.. makes it easier to get a grip on.. and drive the tractor to corner post.. where you'll initially mount the fencing. The fencing will now spin off the roll easily from the suspended roll.. and will save you a lot of grunt work if you are in heavy bush or going inbetween trees. After mounting the one end of the fence to the post.. I then move the tractor to where the puller is.. I actually use FEL to hook to the puller to stretch the fencing.. by backing up initially to get out the slack.. then by using the bucket pivot for making the fencing taunt.. but if you're not careful.. you can pull the fence to pieces. For the single strand.. barb-wire puller.. my Dad used 2 large clamps to squeeze the barb-wire between to pieces of wood.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I'll see if I can find the time to take some pictures of a couple of the wire stretchers I have around the shop.

For single strand like barbwire or twisted smooth wire I use what is called a "porkchop" in the fence industry. They can be found a TSC, Northern, probably even Harbor Freight has them. They don't cost much. But even at that I do recommend looking over one closely before purchasing. You want it to grip but not nick the wire. When you pull the wire as tight as it should be a nick means you could have a new necktie permanently installed if you're not careful.

For pulling net fence like two by four horse wire I have made some pullers similar to what has been described in the other replies.

I have two metal frames. They consist of channel the length of the puller with a loop welded out one side and bolts welded on one half and matching holes on the other one. I use good wood between these to grip the wire. Hardwood is best.

The piece with the bolts is laid down on the ground with it's board in place so that there isn't metal touching the net wire, bolts sticking up. The wire is laid down on top of the wood. The other matching side is laid down, wood first, on top of that with the bolts from the first piece going through the holes on the second piece. I use wingnuts to secure the frame together evenly. Six foot frame should have at least five bolt--wingnut attachments.

I've found when stretching it is best to stretch past the end post when possible. Usually I'll park the tractor or truck sideways and pull to it.

This allows a strand at a time to be stripped and then twisted around the end post. I stagger them to keep the wire taught as possible.

My rule of thumb is to pull as tight as I think it can possible take. Then I pull a couple of more times cause I can.

 

[mdbarb]

Based on everyone's input, here is the setup made to pull the fence tight. It worked great!