Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705621
world fence news • august 2016 • 21 Know your field fence by eric carpenter master halco agricultural product manager Field fence is the most versatile and widely used fence for farm, ranch and government applications. It has a wide range of uses, but mainly as barriers to contain or protect livestock and roadways. What makes field fence so versa- tile is the many ways it can be con- structed. Heights can range from 32" to 96", and the mesh opening can be a square or rectangle with many config- urations. The end use will dictate the spacing. However, the most interesting item is the knot used to tie the hori- zontal and vertical wires. There are three common knots used in the construction of field fence: Hinge Joint, Square and Fixed. The Hinge Joint Knot (#1) is common in agricultural fencing and is the economical knot of choice. The knot is formed by wrap- ping the vertical stay wire pieces around the line wire at each intersection. This design can absorb animal impact without damage. This knot acts like a hinge, allowing the fence to spring back into shape and "give" under pressure. The Square Knot design (#2) uses a separate piece of wire to attach the line wire to the solid stay wire. The Square Knot is smooth to the touch and strong enough to re- sist animal impact. The square knot gives extra vertical strength to withstand impact from larger ani- mals, preventing buckling or sagging and allows flexibility when installing. The Square Knot is most commonly found on non-climb horse fence. The Fixed Knot design (#3) is the high end knot. The Fixed Knot is pri- marily used in wildlife/game and field fencing and is becoming very popular in the cattle fence industry due to the strength it gives the fence. The Fixed Knot utilizes solid vertical stay wires, which increase the vertical strength of the fence and allow for increased post spacing. The knot is a separate piece of wire tightly wrapped around the line wire and stay wire and cannot un- wind under pressure. The Fixed Knot is very resistant to animal damage. To make the best determination of which field fence knot is right for you, decide the intended use, animals to be contained, and the site conditions. All of these factors will help lead you to the field fence that is best for your needs. For more information or to pur- chase field fence and other agriculture fences, contact your local Master Hal- co distribution center at 888-643-3623 or visit www.MasterHalco.com. #1 #2 #3 Boss to employee: "Experts say that humor on the job relieves tension in this time of down-sizing. Knock, knock." Employee: "Who's there?" Boss: "Not you anymore." • • • Employer: "We need someone who can take responsibility for the job." Applicant: "Sir, your search ends here! In my previous job whenever something went wrong, everybody said I was responsible."