Fencing question

[Wags]

Hubby and I can't agree on how to set the t-posts for the field fence. The only thing we agree on is that the field fence needs to be on the inside of the posts.

So should the "bumps" face into the pasture or out? (In other words should the field fence be on the smooth side or the bumpy side?)

I've searched on-line but haven't been able to find a definitive answer.

Thanks!

[Scrounger]

The wire goes on the "bumpy" side....
The "bumps" face INTO the pasture....

[DutchAcres]

I have never known what to call that side. Now I do. From now on, I'm calling it the "bumpy side."

[Wags]

Thanks - now to go pull about 40 posts and turn them around.... sigh....

[farmergirl]

Originally Posted by Wags

Thanks - now to go pull about 40 posts and turn them around.... sigh....

If you haven't already, invest in a t-post puller. It makes an otherwise back-breaking job SO easy. Truly amazing tool.

[Wags]

I love our fence puller, as my dad would say "it's worth it's weight in gold!" Now if I could just find an easier way to get all those posts in the ground. The post pounder works, but it is hard on me to do it and hubby won't be happy about me pulling up all his hard work.

There just has to be a better way to get those posts in!

[Scrounger]

Tractor and front end loader.....

[Wags]

Originally Posted by Scrounger

Tractor and front end loader.....

We have one of those - can you be a little more descriptive?

[ksfarmer]

You can use the downpressure on the loader to push the posts into the ground. Works best if you have a piece of pipe welded to the bucket on the loader to fit over the pipe to keep it from slipping out. The harder the ground, the bigger the tractor and loader you need.

[Scrounger]

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

You can use the downpressure on the loader to push the posts into the ground. Works best if you have a piece of pipe welded to the bucket on the loader to fit over the pipe to keep it from slipping out. The harder the ground, the bigger the tractor and loader you need.

Or you can weld the pipe (big enough to slide over the POST...) to a flat piece of metal, drill two holes in the flat piece - and two matching ones in the side of the loader bucket - and bolt it to the loader. That way you can remove it when you want. You will also need to cap the top of the pipe with a good, heavy "plug" that will push the post.

What it all amounts to is, basically, mounting a post driver to the loader bucket......

[plowhand]

We don't have stones here. We have hard clay. I can drive a steel post in, but when it's real dry, the flange on the bottom of the post will pop off. That flange is important in helping steady and hold the post. So, I learned to use a soaker hose right where I want to drive a fence line. They go in the moist dirt with much less effort. I put up braced corners, using light pole posts or something close in size. I put my t-post 12 foot apart, I put my wire on the inside. I Keep hogs,sheep, cows,goats horses, and mules. THey stay in pretty good. I have 36" to 48" Red Brand field fencing, with 12 gauge barbwire on top. works for me. Little pigs do need a hot wire, they can find their way out a anywhere. I wonder if they couldn't find their way out of Hell,sometimes.

[diane]

We have heavy clay as well and no way to get hose to every area we fence. Another way is to actually dig a small hole at each place you want to drive the post and put a bucket of water in the hole.

[Minelson]

If it were me, I would not pull 40 posts because they are backwards. I would leave it and have the wire on the outside. What's the big difference? I know having the wire on the inside is the "right" way to do it but is it that bad if it's not?

[fantasymaker]

Originally Posted by Minelson

If it were me, I would not pull 40 posts because they are backwards. I would leave it and have the wire on the outside. What's the big difference? I know having the wire on the inside is the "right" way to do it but is it that bad if it's not?

YES! The animals will push the wire off the posts some are worse than others goats are a lot worse than sheep, Horses 10 times more so than Cows etc.I dont even wanna think about hogs.....

[Minelson]

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

YES! The animals will push the wire off the posts some are worse than others goats are a lot worse than sheep, Horses 10 times more so than Cows etc.I dont even wanna think about hogs.....

I was thinking it was an electric fence....

[Wags]

It's field fence - and I went out and counted this morning - 23 posts need to be turned around. Hubby wasn't too upset about it, and a friend volunteered to help him. This is a little corral space for a couple of yearling Dexter heifers we are getting on Wednesday.

The main pasture will be fenced in a couple of weeks after the rye grass seed harvest is done and all my help won't be so badly afflicted with allergies. I will probably try the tractor when it comes to putting in the 90 additional posts need to fence the larger pasture. Two sides are already fenced and we will just deal with the posts as they are since we are attaching to an existing (barb wire) fence on the property line. (Yes the neighbors know and are fine with it.) I will eventually move my Nigerian Dwarf goats into the larger pasture too. Either together with the cows, or if that doesn't work they will alternate pastures.

[Jalopy]

BTW if you have a loader why not just use that and a chain and pull the t posts? If you take care you can pull them easier that way and since they were just recently put in you should be able to do it with out any posts being bent, just make sure to pull straight up. Good Luck!

[Minelson]

be careful pulling the posts...my hubby was pushing and pulling one to loosen and his hand slipped on the push and it boinged back and struck him in the head...split open 2 inches long and down to the skull. OWIE!!!!