Wire stretchers

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JW IN VA

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West Central Highlands of Va
Just curious about what others use for barbed wire. For short spans I use a stretcher the co op sells called a bull dog. Red on the post end with a sliding "o" to grip wire. Or,in a pinch, a good pair of fence pliars. I bought a 3 hook Goldenrod and a chain type I want to try, Goldenrod for splices and the chain type for longer spans. I have a 2 ton cable pulley I use but a little awkward carrying it and a length of chain to hook to if I'm away from the truck. Probably over equiped but I see a use for each one.
 
I never had any use for anything but a Goldenrod for barbed wire... but I'm all HT now... can't even think of a place on any of my properties that has anything else at this point.
 
Hi tensile barbed wire requires using a wire dog or a chain type tightener. The goldenrod will not bite hi tensile, but I use it on regular barbed wire.
 
I went using a Robertsons chain grab. It has the advantage of always being under control when letting of the tension. Growing up we used the golden rod type strainers and they were dangerous. When letting off the tension often times the shock on the splice would cause it go loose. For splices, I use kencove compression sleeves. They are nice because it just needs an inch to fix a cut wire.
 
GoWyo said:
Hi tensile barbed wire requires using a wire dog or a chain type tightener. The goldenrod will not bite hi tensile, but I use it on regular barbed wire.
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The Goldenrod won't bite HT wire, but if it's barbed, you just need to get hooked behind a barb, and it should bite just fine. I don't have any barbed wire anywhere anymore though, so use the reel tighteners. When using the compression sleeves, I always use a minimum of two for a wrap crimp, and minumum of three for an inline splice... and then I bend the ends of the wire back over the splice besides. Generally prefer the torpedo splices though for inline splices (work like Gripples). Have only had one of them let go one time... because of a deer hit I assume. Other than that one time, I've never had a HT wire get broken because of deer/critters/cattle.

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StrojanHerefords said:
Growing up we used the golden rod type strainers and they were dangerous. When letting off the tension often times the shock on the splice would cause it go loose.
Click to expand...
There's now a version of the Goldenrod stretcher (model 405) with a controlled release mechanism. I'm still using the original version and, yes, the let-down is violent, but I personally haven't had much trouble with splices loosening due to the sudden tension release.
 
Goldenrod and barbwire is only for young guys. Old folks might take a low dose aspirin every day per doctor's orders. If they used the goldenrod and barbwire, they would need a well stocked first aid bucket with gauze, bandages and a roll of paper towels.

The challenge for repairs to older fence is finding and applying the right tool that won't overload the existing wire and posts that you are connecting to.

Strainrite makes high quality fencing equipment.
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simme said:
Goldenrod and barbwire is only for young guys. Old folks might take a low dose aspirin every day per doctor's orders. If they used the goldenrod and barbwire, they would need a well stocked first aid bucket with gauze, bandages and a roll of paper towels.

The challenge for repairs to older fence is finding and applying the right tool that won't overload the existing wire and posts that you are connecting to.

Strainrite makes high quality fencing equipment.
View attachment 68437
Click to expand...

Does the grab/jaw on that Strainrite stretcher hold barbed wire well? All the photos I've seen show it being used with smooth wire.
 
I use the Strainrite style stretcher on hi tensile barbed (Bekaert Cattlemen Pro 14 ga.) and occasionally on regular barbed wire. The goldenrod is just easier and faster most of the time for regular wire. I have hammered the tabs down tight on the goldenrod and added a pipe cheater and it will pull pretty hard.
 
simme said:
Goldenrod and barbwire is only for young guys. Old folks might take a low dose aspirin every day per doctor's orders. If they used the goldenrod and barbwire, they would need a well stocked first aid bucket with gauze, bandages and a roll of paper towels.

The challenge for repairs to older fence is finding and applying the right tool that won't overload the existing wire and posts that you are connecting to.

Strainrite makes high quality fencing equipment.
View attachment 68437
Click to expand...

That’s a lot of moving parts. Looks more complicated than it needs to be for most of my fence repairs.

For repairing existing fence, I’ve found the Texas Fence Fixer to be pretty handy. Simple and doesn’t require three hands to operate. I use it more for tightening stretched barb wire than I do splicing. I share a mile+ with forest service and those trees don’t like me.

 
Ouachita said:
That’s a lot of moving parts. Looks more complicated than it needs to be for most of my fence repairs.

For repairing existing fence, I’ve found the Texas Fence Fixer to be pretty handy. Simple and doesn’t require three hands to operate. I use it more for tightening stretched barb wire than I do splicing. I share a mile+ with forest service and those trees don’t like me.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the chain strainers are probably best for installing new fence. Where there are good posts, good wire, long runs and a hope to get it tight. Texas fence fixer and goldenrod are handy for repairs when the goal is to get the fence joined back together before the cows get back out. Gripples and the long handle gripple tool are my go to for repair of fixed knot mesh or other smooth wire, but not for new installations. There are even gripples that can be used on barb wire. Might have to strip a barb off, though. The long handle gripple tool will stretch wire pretty tight.
 

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