4-Lay Out The Fence Line and Set Posts
LAYOUT THE FENCE LINE AND SET POSTS
Prepare the Fence Line The fence line should be cleared and clean before starting the fence. The optimum width for your cleared fence line should be wide enough to drive along. Remove all dead falls, brush, and any other obstacles that can be removed before you build the fence.
- Fill, level, and tamp any holes along the path of the fence to minimize predator incursions. Install an apron fence (where the bottom of the fence is buried in the ground) for total predator control.
Cleared fence line, posts laid out - Set the End PostsLay out the fence line according to your plan, locating ends, corners, and gate openings. Set end posts at the ends and corners of the first pull.
- Pull a Guide Wire Between the End PostsAlthough it’s not absolutely necessary, a guide wire pulled between two end posts makes setting the line posts and brace posts much easier. This can be temporary or permanent.For additional predator control, try using a strand of barbed wire as your guide wire. We recommend high-tensile Class 3 galvanized 4-point barbed wire, which will discourage predators from digging under the fence. Position this wire very near or on the ground.
Guide Wire Between End Posts - Tighten the Guide WireUsing smooth wire puller is the the easiest way to tighten the guide wire, or you can use a conventional come-along.To use the smooth wire puller, wrap the chain around the post, then back through the clamping jaws on the end of the chain. Place the end of the chain into the chain walking jaws of the smooth wire puller.Manually pull the guide wire until it is relatively tight and then place the wire into the clamping jaws on the handle of the smooth wire puller. These jaws lock onto the wire as tension is applied.Tighten the guide wire by cranking the handle to walk the jaws up the chain.
Jaws clamping wire
Smooth Wire Puller in actionOnce the guide wire is tight, wrap it around the end post and cut it with your High-Tensile Wire Cutters, leaving roughly 2 inches of extra wire to use to make a knot. We recommend using a special high-tensile knot, which we demonstrate here. Release the tension on the guide wire by walking the jaws of the Smooth Wire Puller back down the chain.
Cut the wire with 2 feet available to tie off
Guide wire tied offNow pick up the guide wire and drop it. This snaps the guide wire to its natural position between the two end posts, giving you a straight line to use for accurate post placement. - Set the Brace PostsSet the brace posts using the guide wire as a line. The width of the brace should be 2.5 times the height of the fence.Posts can be driven in with a post driver, tamped, or cemented.
Steel End Post drive with Post Pounder
Wood End posts Set by digging holes and tamping soil - Set the rest of the line posts and line bossesThe general rule for post spacings is 20-25 fee on center. A rigid line boss should be set on the edge of every hump and in the bottom of all dips, regardless of spacing