Gate hanging tips

Following recommended gate hanging procedures ensures your gate is stock proof, easy to open and shut, and looks good on the farm.

There is more than one way to hang a gate and most farmers and contractors have their own particular method and reasons.  Because of this, Gallagher interviewed farmers and contractors and used the information from this research to formulate a recommended gate hanging procedure – the idea being to "do it once, do it right".

Good gate installation is important and using well-designed, quality gate hardware can make a significant difference in the life and functionality. Gallagher gate hangers are designed to remain secure in the post for long periods of time, which ensures the gate remains upright and swings freely.

Problem: No voltmeter readings at several locations on fence

A. Probable Cause: Broken or disconnected fence

wire, jumper wire or ground wire

Solution: Connect or repair wire; remove

cause of short; replace jumper connection

B. Probable Cause: Broken or faulty insulators

Solution: Replace faulty insulators

C. Probable Cause: Ground connection rod deteriorated

Solution: Replace ground connection rod

Problem: Low voltmeter readings at several locations on fence....

A. Probable Cause: Energizer is on low setting or

is inadequate for length of fence

Solution: Switch energizer to high setting;

install more powerful unit

B. Probable Cause:Weak batteries

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

C. Probable Cause: Terminals corroded

Solution: Clean terminals

D. Probable Cause: Ground system is inadequate

or deteriorated

Solution: Repair or replace ground system

How do I protect my horses when they're in pasture?

Use a power fence especially designed for horses.  It's safe and effective.  It teaches horses to respect all kinds of fences and it keeps unwanted animals out of your horse pasture.

Problem: Energizer is operating, but there is no voltmeter reading on the fence with the energizer connected

A. Probable Cause: Ground-return wire is disconnected

or broken

Solution: Connect or repair ground-return wire

B. Probable Cause: Feed-wire terminals are corroded,

disconnected or broken

Solution: Connect or repair feed wire terminals

C. Probable Cause: Broken, corroded or disconnected

live wire or ground-return on fence

Solution: Connect or repair live wire or

ground-return on fence

D. Probable Cause: Soil is dried out

Solution: Install ground-return wire

The type of insulator you need (to hold the fence material on the post that supports it, while preventing the fence from contacting any surface that will cause current to leak) is determined by your choice of electric fence; most manufacturers market insulators specifically suited to their fence products. In general, braid, rope, and coated wire are installed on insulators that allow the fence to slide through. To help prevent chafe and wear on a tape fence, however, insulators need to be the type that clamps and immobilizes the tape (especially important in windy areas), and to be installed vertically on the fence post. Avoid cheap "generic" insulators (often made of brittle plastic), which only last a few years.

Energizer is on, but voltmeter reading is low across

the energizer output terminals when disconnected

from fence.

A. Probable Cause: Energizer is switched to

“low” setting

Solution: Check energizer output switch

B. Probable Cause:Weak batteries

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

C. Probable Cause: Battery terminals are corroded

Solution: Clean battery terminals

Reasons to Consider Electric Fencing

Electric fencing, sometimes called power fencing, is an effective way to control

livestock on most farms. The only places where electric fences should not be used

are in cattle-handling facilities where quick exits might be necessary or near the

milking facilities of dairy operations.

Advantages

Electric fencing offers two major advantages over other types of fencing. One

is cost. The cost to install a four-strand, barbed-wire fence is about $5,000 per

mile. The cost to install a typical, single-wire, electric fence is about $1,600 per

mile. If necessary, additional wires can be added to an electric-fence for about 10

cents per foot. There could be additional costs to install electric fencing in certain

cases. For instance, Missouri law requires that property line fences be at least four

feet tall and have posts at least every 12 feet.

The other big advantage of electric fencing is its ease of construction, which

improves forage management opportunities. Small pastures can greatly enhance

harvest efficiency and increase the amount of forage produced from a grazing system

because of the amount of rest that is introduced into the system.

Energizer is not on or there is no voltmeter reading

across the energizer output terminals with the

energizer disconnected from the fence.

1A. Probable Cause: Mainline power outage or

blown fuse on input circuit

Solution: Restore power or replace blown fuse

1B. Probable Cause: Energizer is switched off

Solution: Check energizer “on-off” switch.

1C. Probable Cause: Dry cell batteries are dead;

wet cell batteries are discharged

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

1D. Probable Cause: Battery terminals are corroded

Solution: Clean terminals

1E. Probable Cause: Energizer is faulty

Solution: Have energizer serviced

Here are some safety considerations to follow

when installing electric fencing:

1. Only connect one energizer to a fence;

2. Under unusual fault conditions electric

fences can produce sparks. Therefore, keep

fences away from combustible materials.When

droughts and other conditions create a high risk

of wildfires, operate energizers on low power if

they are equipped with that option, or simply

turn energizers off.

3. Grounds for energizers should be at least 65

feet from utility grounding fields;

4. Avoid running fences parallel to power lines,

and try to install fences so that they cross

power lines at right angles. If you can’t avoid

parallel electric fences and power lines, offset

the fences at least 30 feet from the power lines,

and make sure the top fence wires are no more

than six feet high.

5. Do not attach fence wires to utility poles.

6. Landowners are responsible for preventing

audible interference with telephone lines.

Therefore, try to avoid installing electric

fences under telephone wires, and minimize

the distance that electric fence wires run parallel

to underground telephone cables.

7. Keep electric fences as far away from radio

antennas as possible.

8. Don’t touch fences with your head or mouth.

People with pacemakers or other heart problems

also should consult their doctors before

working with or near electric fences. No

humans or animals have died from electric,

grazing-system fences without becoming

entangled in them. However, some precautions

are necessary.

9. Never use barbed wire for electric fence wire

because people or animals could more easily

become entangled in it.

10. Post warning signs at least every 300 feet

where the public has access to electric fences,

such as along roads.