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Fence construction and tools

Fencing is a task that requires a high degree of fitness in both strength and stamina. Machinery and powered equipment can reduce the physical exertion needed but they introduce significant hazards and risks. Some of the machinery is expensive and not everyone operating a primary industry enterprise can justify the cost.

A number of tools and pieces of machinery and equipment are used to construct fences. They have been invented and improved or adapted over many years to make fencing jobs easier.

The fencing tools, equipment and materials needed for fencing should be transported to the site and positioned so that they are handy for the job but not where they will get in the way or pose a trip hazard. Enterprise policies should be followed regarding protecting tools and equipment from rain and securing them at the end of each day’s work.

Before any fence construction begins, the fence line should be cleared and the actual line of the fence sighted. Marker posts are driven into the ground where the strainer posts will go. Additional markers are used at appropriate intervals and their position adjusted until the line of the fence between each pair of strainers is straight. The position of the line posts is then marked at evenly spaced intervals.

Once the line of the fence is sighted, the steps needed to construct the fence are as follows:

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