cattle grid

Mupwi · #1 04/13/15, 04:36 AM

Hi I am in the process of fencing of a 20acre section of our property to expand the grazing for my Dexter herd unfortunately I found out that I have to allow access for pedestrians to cross this land so im thinking about putting cattle grids at the gates in case anyone leaves them open ( it would be a major problem as the gate leads out to the freeway. I have a bunch of 1-1.5" pipe i was planing on using would this be suitable and what should the spacing be between pipes? Oh also how long should it be?

CIW · #2 04/13/15, 10:33 AM

Have you thought about putting an "A" frame climb over in your fence line instead? I'm not sure what is required in your covenants.
It would eliminate the need to have an open gate and the time putting 2 terminations in the fence row. A lot less work too.
People will end up breaking their ankle going across those cattle guards. They get filled up with dirt and have to be dug out. More maintenance.
Make the "A" frame about 5' wide with handrails on each side.

Mupwi · #3 04/16/15, 03:09 AM

good idea i think that would work well on the barbed wire fence i am putting in on the freeway side but on the other end of the path is a 7ft high concrete palisade fence i think this might be a bit high for one of those. the pathway goes along the far boundary of the property which is a 7ft tall electric fence separating my land from a golfcorse im not legally required to allow access but the locals feel nothing for cutting a fence to create a shortcut so id rather accommodate there shortcut than to wake up to a cut fence and cattle in the road. the palisade fence originally blocked the path but within 3 days of it being put up the had removed a few of the panels so they could get access as it cuts there commute by about 2 miles.

Wild_Bill · #4 04/16/15, 10:22 AM

Perhaps a shotgun is in order, or post your fences and get a couple of the meanest Bulls you can find. This sort of news travels fast!

COWS · #5 04/16/15, 02:29 PM

I'm having problems visualizing your situation but here are some comments:

Building a stile would concern me if someone fell off it and wanted to sue, plus you say it's not suitable for one section of fence. I suggest putting 3 posts in arranged in such a way that a person can cross through but a cow can't make the turn. The posts are arranged in a triangle with one post by itself at the apex of the turn. The fence is attached to the other posts. I'm sorry I don't know the name of that set up so you coul look it up for more information.

Cutting fence in the USA is not regarded well by police and the courts. Generally identifying the culprits and turning the matter over to the police is all that is required. A picture with a game camera normally assists things. Violence in not normally required, but in case of threats against the landowner force may be necessary. I've never had any experience with catching someone doing that but there have been cases of tresspass by 4 wheelers, etc. In your case I have trouble imagining crazed golfers causing too much trouble. An appeal to the golf course to ask their patrons to behave might work. Is someone parking a car and then walking across your property? If so, copy license numbers, turn over a COPY to the police, keep one for yourself.

good luck

COWS

kycrawler · #6 04/16/15, 09:20 PM

South Africa is a different world than the USA police in many areas are corrupt or don't care confronting the trespassers could cause him to be harmed or burned out

Mupwi · #7 04/17/15, 04:15 AM

as Kycrawler said im in southafrica where the cops dont do much about these kind of things the problem is not the golfers its people from an informal setelment crossing to get to the closest mall to do shoping and get to work ect. puting up too much of a fight could definately lead to my cattle being stolen or killed and or my fields burnt. I dont mind them crossing so much just want to keep my stock safe so much.

COWS your suggestion of the arrangement with the turn is what i originally thought but cant find any info on it online i remember seeing this setup as a child but have no idea as to dimensions. a lot of googeling has resulted in nothing which is strange except for kissing gates which might be the solution but i prefer a simpler solution.

Mupwi · #8 04/17/15, 04:27 AM

Kycrawler have you spent any time in South Africa you seem to know the situation well? its getting more and more difficult to farm here as a white South African. we are being made to feel like outsiders in a country where my family has lived for more than 5 generations. White farmers and there families getting shot on a daily basis just for trying to make a honest living and feed people. you can see why i don't want to take a hard line and deny the people there shortcut.

kycrawler · #9 04/17/15, 10:38 AM

Never been to south Africa . Have seen a good bit of the world and very little is as "civilized" as here in the USA . People whom have never left conus don't really understand how the rest of the world works . As for your walk through gate think about 2 interlocking arrow heads at about 120degree angle

----------> >------------

The heads of the arrow need to be about 3 meters long on each side with just enough room for a person to get through . The challenge to this is getting the people to understand what it is and use it instead of just cutting the fence anyway

Wild_Bill · #10 04/17/15, 10:56 AM

Sorry about my smart a.. Post. Didn't know you were not in the US. Good luck with your fencing.

agmantoo · #11 04/17/15, 09:57 PM

Make a wooden version of a "kissing gate" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing...0452_stile.jpg Instead of the half circle use a wooden > . The person passing through will stand in the inside of the >as the gate is pivoted to permit passage. Put a spring or a weight to cause the gate to remain closed.

OakHollowBoers · #12 04/18/15, 05:27 PM

Google fence walk through for ideas.

gracielagata · #13 04/18/15, 07:14 PM

I perused your post because I find the concept of human only gates quite neat and wanted to see what people posted as ideas.

I found this one:
http://ourfirsthorse.com/wp-content/...through-v1.jpg

Good luck!

COWS · #14 04/19/15, 02:30 PM

The above one is the type I'm familiar with. Don't know measurements, but the width of the passage area should be a little more than the thickness of a normal sized person. Since small calves may make the turn, boards about 2 feet high can be used to block them.

COWS