The forest fence serves numerous purposes, from drawing boundaries and protecting stands to deterring wildlife and potential trespassers. What was once a laborious, time-consuming process has been streamlined in recent years, but, while methods of construction may have changed, the fence still needs to be strong, durable and reliable. Here, Forestry Journal provides a snapshot of what is currently available on the market.
BSW TIMBER
ROUND POSTS AND STRAINERS
BSW Timber Group offers a range of peeled and stock fence stakes and deer posts, as well as range of peeled strainers to match the stakes and posts, which are ideal for farmers and fencing contractors.
Through a combination of the highest production and preservative treatment standards, BSW’s peeled fencing stakes and strainers are manufactured from locally sourced, FSC-certified pine softwood, carefully dried to the premium moisture content ready for treatment, pressure treated by BSW Timber using next generation Tanalith E wood preservative and meet ground-contact performance requirements of BS8417 for a 15-year desired service life.
Next-generation Tanalith E is a unique formulation product from Lonza Wood Protection. Industrially applied in BSW’s own high-pressure treatment vessel, it provides advanced long-term protection for Tanalised timbers against the threat of wood decay and insect attack.
For more information, please call BSW Timber on 0800 587 8887, email sales@bsw.co.uk or visit www.bsw.co.uk.
MCVEIGH PARKER
TRIPLE X FENCING
FOUNDED in 1979, McVeigh Parker has grown significantly in the 40-plus years since its inception in Berkshire, with eight depots covering the length and breadth of the UK.
McVeigh Parker keeps a very large stock available at all its depots across the country, from the revolutionary Triple X premium all-metal fencing solution to traditional timber fencing, electric fencing, wire and stock fencing, as well as security and domestic fencing.
Triple X Fencing is McVeigh Parker’s bespoke, long-lasting, high-performance fencing solution. This innovative product consists of the quick-clip steel post coupled with X fence premium Stiff Stay wire netting, steel strainers and a choice of either barbed, line or electric wire.
Triple X is an agricultural and commercial fencing system like no other: stronger wire, premium coating and easier installation, and it can offer up to 50 per cent cost savings over its guaranteed 30-year life.
For more information, visit www.mcveighparker.com.
TORNADO WIRE
TORNADO offers a range of high-quality fencing solutions for the forestry market.
R12/182/15 is a full-height one-piece barrier, which is ideal for the protection of areas of forestry from browsing deer. R12/182/15 is manufactured with high tensile galvanised steel wire which strains tighter than mild steel and so requires fewer intermediate posts, making it quicker to erect. Being of one-piece construction, it also avoids the time-consuming requirement for lengths of stock fence to be joined to make a full-height fence. It does not stretch with weathering, so does not need to be retightened annually. Solid vertical wires add strength and rigidity to the net.
This product uses Tornado’s high-pressure-bonded, smooth Torus knot, with a continuous vertical stay wire.
Another option commonly used in forestry is the R13/192/15, which is 10 cm higher and features an additional horizontal wire. This is available in a 100 m roll or a longer 250 m roll to aid quicker installation by reducing the number of joins needed on longer runs.
A further option is the T13/190/15 deer fence. This features the Tornado Titan knot, which is of a non-slip construction, incorporating a continual vertical stay wire. This deer fence comes in a 100 m roll.
For more information, please contact 01789 778 766, email sales@tornadowire.com or visit www.tornadowire.com.
HOME FORESTRY
RABAUD FENCING MACHINERY
HOME Forestry, based near Bridgnorth in south Shropshire, is the main agent for Rabaud forestry fencing and agricultural machinery in the UK. Rabaud equipment is built on the west coast of France, near Sainte-Cécile.
Rabaud’s production site has been established since 1980 in Vendée, on 10 hectares, including 22,100 m² of covered buildings. The Rabaud company employs 200 people on this site and manufactures 8,000 machines annually.
Rabaud has a comprehensive range or fencing equipment, from post cleavers, peelers and pointers to fencing wire, netting and post-driving machines.
The Range of biface pointers are extremely popular in the UK with both hard and softwood fencing producers. There are various power options and machine capabilities from 185 mm to 350 mm. For cleaving hardwood stakes, there are two machines: the Polycompact, which is adjustable in length; and the Trainee, which is available in various sizes, capable of splitting 3-m cleft rails.
There are two peelers available: the Robopel 150, a handheld peeler used by smaller producers and to clean cleft stakes; and the Robopel 250, a larger semi-automatic peeler with a high hourly output. Suitable for both hard and softwood stakes, there are many mills in the UK using these machines to produce quality UK fencing.
Rabaud’s post driver range consists of five different machines, from falling weights to hydraulic post knockers, tractor and excavator-mounted, with many operator options. Rabaud also has a wide range of fencing wire and netting equipment to mount to the driven posts.
For more information, or to arrange a demo at Home Forestry’s yard, contact Nathan Home. Tel: 07966365157 or 01746718456, www.homeforestry.co.uk.
EASY PETROL POST DRIVER
BEFORE petrol post drivers, the options for fencing in awkward locations were much more limited – either a hand-held rammer, a sledgehammer, or a hydraulic whacker.
10 years ago, the Easy Petrol Post Driver came on the market and made fencing that little bit easier. Easy Petrol Post Driver (EPPD) is the original Australian-made driver – designed and manufactured in Sydney by Christie Engineering. It will knock in all post types and profiles up to a 4” round diameter, with the most popular application being timber 3–4” stock fencing.
It is powered by the Honda GX35 4-stroke engine, which packs a powerful 1,720 strikes per minute from the hammer.
MAKING FENCING EASIER
Many fencing contractors will own a tractor-mounted post driver which quickly covers a lot of ground, and will install strainers in a few whacks. But what do they do when it gets too steep, the trees are hanging low, or the ground is too wet? The EPPD provides the answer, filling in the gaps in areas where the big machinery can’t get to. It has been tried and tested in rugged commercial environments worldwide, with new users saying goodbye to their drive-alls once and for all.
LIGHTER, FASTER, EASIER – AND WITH A 3-YEAR WARRANTY
Weighing only 15.3 kg, it is suitable for long days driving a large number of posts.
The vibration levels are measured at 9.24 m/s² which roughly translates to 200 posts per person, per day.
The manufacturers provide a 3-year commercial warranty as standard.
FOR A VARIETY OF POST TYPES AND GROUND CONDITIONS
Many accessories are offered, all of which are interchangeable. The most popular option is the Multi Kit, a 3-in-1 adapter set offering different size combinations to suit your posts. Different post profiles are also on offer including square, rectangle, angle iron, and a specific set for Clipex Beefy and Standard.
For very hard or dry ground conditions, an optional extra is the Pilot Core Tool, which removes a core of earth from the ground first.
Every machine comes in a plastic site box with spare fuel can.
For more information, call 0114 269 09119, email info@petrolpostdriver.com or visit www.petrolpostdriver.com.
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