Hig Tensile Fence Q. use of springs neccesary?

[ufo_chris]

Ok, I'm putting up a new HT fence. We have done 3 already in the past and always used the tensioner strainer/spring assembly.
Now reading on the rotational grazing thread agmantoo says they are a waste and the guy that is driving in my posts says they are just wasted money too.
Agman explained that the wire alone acts as a spring (I think that's how he put it) .
Now of course DH argues with me that they are needed. He says what if a tree falls on it or someone mowing gets the riding mowerdeck caught on the fence (him) that the springs are the reason it does not break anything,that they provide the 'cushion'.
If he is wrong ,can somebody please explain to him why.
Or plmk if they are needed.
Thanks so much ,Chris

[agmantoo]

The purpose of the spring is to provide a newbie with a means of determining how much tension to put on the wire. If you must own the device buy just one. After you have the one installed following someones guide line you can then determine how snug to tighten the tensioners. Do you see the power company installing springs? It is not necessary nor desired to tighten the springs to replicate a banjo string. If a tree falls on the wire it will break a nearby insulator or jerk a hairpin from a post. I had an automobile to run through the fence. All it did was jerk about 600 feet of wire from the posts. The wire did not break. How much of this wire has hubby installed? I have put up over 120,000 feet of it on my place alone. You do not need the springs. If you have more money to spend than necessary give it to a good charity or buy something for your place that you need and can use. :=)

[Native87]

agmantoo is correct. No need for the springs. I just go by the feel of the wire. I dont want the banjo string effect nor do I want the least slack either. Just in the middle is great.

[Bret4207]

My view, having put up miles of it- springs tend to offer a little give for the corner posts. This may not matter in the south, but in the north with seasonal changes and temps from +100 to -50 and the freeze/thaw cycle corner posts take a beating. I hate spending the money but it seems to help to use the springs.

[topside1]

No springs here, just those clicking wheel tensioners at the end of wire runs.
Whenever you walk your fenceline just give the tensioners a click or two if needed. I'd turn the power off first though...Electric fencing is great...Topside

Sorry they are made in china, but they do work...
http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing...rainer-3601180

[ufo_chris]

Thanks Guys ,I really appreciate all your input.
He still does not agree,he's just stubborn!
Yeah,no money to waste here! Charity is good though!
I guess the problem is all the older HT instructions tell you to use the spring/strainer assembly on all wires.
I don't even look at mine for tension,just the wires and adjust the strainers till it feels right.
We only have about 3 acres we did a few years ago,he helps me put it up but I maintain it and the animals (I'm the one that has farming in my blood)
He told me to do whatever so I will do without them
PS: I have had bad luck with strainers from tsc that were made in china,the smaller pins on the catch kept breaking ,I had some used ones that were made in USA (Dare I think) and they were fine!

[topside1]

Broken pins wow you do like tight wire. Just remember the wire doesn't control them the shock does..Enjoy your project.

[haypoint]

I think that the wire changes tension in different temperatures. I have clay soil and when it is wet it is soft. If not properly braced, like making your brace poles on the diagonal, corner posts pull out of the ground from the pull of the wire. Even when properly braced they'll move some. I prefer to have some give in each wire. I guess it is up to each person to decide. I vote for springs.

[Bret4207]

Another thing no one mentioned- where we are the land isn't level. It goes from fairly flat to freakin' rock and roll! Between the up's and down's and the frost and heat and wind...every little bit helps. If the springs help. I'm all for them.

[65284]

I use springs, not to tighten the wire bow string tight, but to maintain proper tension on the wire. I tighten them until about half of the slack is used up on the spring. That way the wire is taut enough in cold weather and the spring keeps it taut enought to prevent sagging when it gets hot in the summer.

[ufo_chris]

Topside...no ,don't like the wire too tight,those strainers were just junk.
The LITTLE pin on the flapper is pot metal and breaks very easy!
As I said the older but better made ones are all fine but I,had to replace almost all of the new junky ones!