Today we’ll show you how to wire an end post and brace post together in a pasture fence for support before hanging a farm gate.
This is the second step in completing that entire project. So rather than pack it all into one long video, we’ve broken it down into three videos here on Tips Notebook, each covering a fundamental piece of the project. They are:
- How to replace an end post and H-brace
- How to wire an end post and brace post together, and
- How to hang a new farm gate
For this project we used a John Deere 5060E Utility Tractor (US CA), and a Frontier PHD395 Post Hole Digger (US CA).
We also needed several different hand tools and supplies. It’s a pretty long list, but you can find a downloadable copy of it right here on Tips Notebook.
Now, before we get started, let me make a very important point about wearing sturdy eye protection. When working around any kind of wire, maybe especially barbed wire, there can be a high risk of that wire whipping around in any direction when cut. So always protect yourself with sturdy protective eyewear at all times. Just in case.
After replacing the end post and H-brace, we waited until the next day to let the concrete mix set around the new end post. After replacing the dirt around the end post, we then removed the support brace.
The wire support between the brace post and the end post starts with adding a large fence staple at the bottom of the brace post on the side away from the end post.
Then, we started running the 12.5-gauge wire through the staple, then up to and over the brace pin we intentionally left sticking out from the end post. We keep running the wire back down and through the brace post staple and then back up and over the end post pin again to complete 2 full loops.
Then, run the lead end of the wire about halfway back down to the staple and insert that end into the wire strainer. Then using the strainer handle, wrap the wire securely onto the strainer roller.
Then, cut the tail end of the wire away from the roll so it overlaps the strainer by about a foot (30.5 cm). Then add 2, 12.5-gauge gritted wire crimping sleeves and run the wire through the end hole on the strainer. Fold the wire back to make a loop, close it with the crimping sleeves, and use a crimp tool to squeeze them tight.
Using the strainer handle, pull the wire from both directions, ideally ending up with a very taut wire support system between the end post and brace post.
But, this is where our team realized they made a mistake. When feeding the wire over the brace pin at the top of the end post, the loops overlapped creating so much friction the strainer couldn’t pull one side of the wires as tight as it should be.
The good news is there’s a workaround for this.
By placing a metal rod through the wire loops on that side and then rotating it several turns, we could literally twist the wires around each other until that line was as tight as it could possibly be.
Finally, stretch the top strand of barbed wire back to the end post using a wire-stretcher to make it as tight as possible. Wrap it around the end post and secure it with 2 heavy duty fence staples.
In the same manner, reattach the rest of the barbed wire strands you saved at the start of this project, and this step is done.
Next up, hang that 16-foot (4.9 m) gate.
One last tip. Don’t forget, always read the Operator’s Manual before storing or operating any piece of equipment and follow all operating and safety instructions.
And remember, if you’re looking for equipment that’s built to get the job done season after season, year after year, you’ll find it – and all kinds of advice on how to use it – every day at your John Deere dealer.
Helpful Links:
Frontier Post Hole Diggers (US CA)
John Deere Utility Tractors (US CA)
Replace a wire fence end post and H-brace