Abstract: A chain restraint for a pawl operated wire strainer is disclosed. The wire strainer (100) has a handle (11) with a walker bar (12) extending from the handle (11), and a pair of pawls (13,14) pivoted on the walker bar (12). The walker bar (12) and pawls (13,14) substantially define an operating plane (18,19) of the wire strainer (10), wherein said chain restraint (30) comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from said operating plane (18,19). A wire strainer (100) having at least one chain restraint (30) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tension board for straining wire mesh fences. The mesh has an apron that includes one or more longitudinal wires running substantially parallel to a fence and substantially in contact with the ground upon which the fence stands, and the tension board has a substantially L-shaped configuration. The tension board can take the form of a main board and an auxiliary board. The tension board can also include a bracing auxiliary board. The main board is adapted to strain the longitudinal wires of the fence and the auxiliary board is adapted to strain the longitudinal wires of the apron.

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 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.