Abstract: A gate holding device for holding an agricultural gate (1) during installation is disclosed. The device (7, 57, 207) takes the form of an elongate attachment member defining a first axis and having a first hinge member (20, 70, 270) connected thereto adjacent a lower end of said attachment member, an elongate foot piece (8, 58, 208) defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and having a second hinge member (21, 71, 121) connected to the foot piece intermediate the ends thereof and perpendicular to the second axis, the first and second hinge members being connected together to permit rotation of the foot piece relative to said attachment member between an initial position where the foot piece is substantially parallel to the gate and a final position in which the foot piece is substantially perpendicular to the gate. Preferably a pair of such devices is used. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An anchor for a bottom wire (2) of an agricultural fence is disclosed. The anchor (1, 100) has a length of wire (3, 103, 203) and an arrowhead (10, 310). The length of wire has two ends (4, 5), a bend (6) and a generally U or V-shaped configuration. The arrowhead has a leading (21) and a trailing (22) end with the two ends being connectable to the arrowhead approximately midway between its leading and trailing ends. The arrowhead has a drive connector portion (23, 29) to permit the arrowhead to be connected to an applicator (12, 62, 112) and by means of which the arrowhead can be driven into ground (19) below the fence. The applicator has an elongate rod (13,113) having a tip (11) and a head (41) at opposite ends thereof, the head being shaped to transmit an inertial impulse to the rod. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A parallelogram wire gripping apparatus (150, 250) is disclosed. There is a pair of distal arms (151, 152, 251, 252) and a pair of proximal arms (153, 154, 253, 254). The distal ends of the distal arms are pivoted to each other and are shaped to form a wire clamp (165). Each proximal end of the distal arms is pivoted to a corresponding distal end of the proximal arms. Each proximal arm is pivoted together at a midpoint thereof. A spring (130, 230) urges the wire clamp closed. A wire gripping jaws arrangement (165) incorporating fasteners (171, 172, 173) is also disclosed. A wire strainer incorporating two grippers (141, 142), a chain (144) and a winch (143) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A welding jig (3, 103, 203) for holding a horizontal member relative to a vertical member is disclosed. The jig has a base (5, 105, 205) having a clamp (8, 108, 208) able to clamp the base to the vertical member and constituting a first, coarse, vertical adjustment mechanism. A frame (11, 111, 211) is interconnected to the base by a first threaded member (12, 112, 212) constituting a second, fine, vertical adjustment mechanism. A pair of supports (21, 121, 221) is slidingly mounted on the frame and movable between predetermined positions to constitute a first, coarse, horizontal adjustment mechanism. First and second vise parts (43, 44, 143, 144, 271, 272) each threadably mounted on a corresponding one of the supports and movable towards and away from each other constitute a vise mechanism for clamping the horizontal member.

Abstract: A gate holding device for holding an agricultural gate (1) during installation is disclosed. The device (7, 57, 207) takes the form of an elongate attachment member defining a first axis and having a first hinge member (20, 70, 270) connected thereto adjacent a lower end of said attachment member, an elongate foot piece (8, 58, 208) defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and having a second hinge member (21, 71, 121) connected to the foot piece intermediate the ends thereof and perpendicular to the second axis, the first and second hinge members being connected together to permit rotation of the foot piece relative to said attachment member between an initial position where the foot piece is substantially parallel to the gate and a final position in which the foot piece is substantially perpendicular to the gate. Preferably a pair of such devices is used. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tension board (30, 130) for straining net style fencing materials (42) composed of a first plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal wires and a second plurality of spaced apart substantially vertical wires, is disclosed. The tension board takes the form of an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal extent at least corresponding to the distance between the first and last of the horizontal wires, and a plurality of wire grippers (10) connected to the elongate member at spaced apart locations. Each of the wire grippers (10) is configured to releasably grasp a corresponding one of the horizontal wires. This enables quick set up prior to straining and quick release once strained and tied off.

Abstract: A parallelogram wire gripping apparatus (150, 250) is disclosed. There is a pair of distal arms (151, 152, 251, 252) and a pair of proximal arms (153, 154, 253, 254). The distal ends of the distal arms are pivoted to each other and are shaped to form a wire clamp (165). Each proximal end of the distal arms is pivoted to a corresponding distal end of the proximal arms. Each proximal arm is pivoted together at a midpoint thereof. A spring (130, 230) urges the wire clamp closed. A wire gripping jaws arrangement (165) incorporating fasteners (171, 172, 173) is also disclosed. A wire strainer incorporating two grippers (141, 142), a chain (144) and a winch (143) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool (1) for loosening or removing a set (2) of barbs (3) from barbed wire (4) is disclosed. The barbed wire has at least one strand (7) of wire and a plurality of spaced apart sets of barbs wound around the wire. The barbs extend in substantially opposite directions from a wire helix (6) wound around the wire. The tool has first and second portions (11) each engageable with the wire and having an opposed levering element (8) that is radially offset from the wire for applying leverage to the helix. Rotation of the portions in a first direction abuts each of the levering elements against a corresponding one of the pair of barbs to unwind or unfurl the helix.

Abstract: A tool (1) for loosening or removing a set (2) of barbs (3) from barbed wire (4) is disclosed. The barbed wire has at least one strand (7) of wire and a plurality of spaced apart sets of barbs wound around the wire. The barbs extend in substantially opposite directions from a wire helix (6) wound around the wire. The tool has first and second portions (11) each engageable with the wire and having an opposed levering element (8) that is radially offset from the wire for applying leverage to the helix. Rotation of the portions in a first direction abuts each of the levering elements against a corresponding one of the pair of barbs to unwind or unfurl the helix.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) for a hinge (4) is disclosed. A latch member (11) engages with a lip (12). A positive drive means (20, 23, 24, 41) enables the latch member to be driven into and out of engagement with the lip. The driven engagement when the hinge is used in relation to columns (1, 101) prevents small movements at the hinge being magnified into large movements at the end of the column members. The driven dis-engagement enables the hinge to be opened notwithstanding mechanical loads, corrosion, insect nests and similar obstacles. The drive means preferably takes two forms, namely threaded fasteners (20, 23, 24) and a spring loaded rotatable actuator (41) with ramped surfaces (48, 49) which male with ramped surfaces (61, 62) on the latch member (11).

Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) for a hinge (4) is disclosed. A latch member (11) engages with a lip (12). A positive drive means (20, 23, 24, 41) enables the latch member to be driven into and out of engagement with the lip. The driven engagement when the hinge is used in relation to columns (1, 101) prevents small movements at the hinge being magnified into large movements at the end of the column members. The driven dis-engagement enables the hinge to be opened notwithstanding mechanical loads, corrosion, insect nests and similar obstacles. The drive means preferably takes two forms, namely threaded fasteners (20, 23, 24) and a spring loaded rotatable actuator (41) with ramped surfaces (48, 49) which male with ramped surfaces (61, 62) on the latch member (11).