The basic procedure for any strained wire fence is first to erect the straining posts, and then to use a strained wire to give the line for the struts and intermediate stakes. Wires are normally strained from the top downwards, as the top wire has the most leverage on the straining posts. If you strain the top wire last, you may then cause all the other wires to slacken.
The exact procedure will depend on the type of fence, the terrain, and the number of Monkey strainers available. In uneven terrain, don’t fasten off the wire before stapling to sufficient intermediate stakes, or you may find the wire is too taut and cannot be pulled up or down. For the same reason, always leave the Monkey strainers in position for as long as possible, and do the cutting and fastening of the wire as the last stage, so any adjustments in wire tension can be made. Unless the coil of wire is needed elsewhere, cut the wire as you fasten it off, and not before. This saves the inevitable wastage of wire by having to guess the finished length, and minimises the time when the wire is cut but not fastened, and when it can cause injury.
Taking the example of a strained wire fence of stock netting with a line wire top and bottom, a suggested order of work is given below. Each procedure is then described in detail in the following sections of the chapter. For further discussion of different ways of straining, attaching and joining wire, strainer assemblies and other matters regarding strained wire fencing, see Chapter 5 – Techniques for post and wire fencing.
- Clear the fence line.
- Dig holes for straining and turning posts, and set the posts in the ground.
- Strain up the bottom wire to give the line for the struts. Do not fasten off the bottom wire, but leave it held in position by the Monkey strainers.
- Put the struts in position.
- Strain the top wire, leaving it on the Monkey strainers.
- Knock in the intermediate stakes at the high and low points along the fence line.
- Staple the top wire to the high and low intermediates, adjusting the tension if necessary at the Monkey strainers.
- Knock in the remaining intermediates, and staple the top wire to them. Adjust if necessary to final tension, cut and fasten off.
- Strain the stock netting and staple to high and low intermediates. Staple to remaining intermediates, cut and fasten off. (If you only have two sets of Monkey strainers on site, you will need them both to strain the netting. Take the set off the bottom wire, and if the wire is cut, secure the end by poking it into the ground until it can be re-strained.)
- Check the tension on the bottom wire, staple to intermediates, cut and fasten off.
