Tractor electric fencing (quad alternative)

[Boso]

I've searched the forum to find cheaper alternatives to use with rappa like electric fencing for sheep.
Atm 125-150 ewes, which I rotationally graze on 50 hectares of old pp.
Have switched from grazing with electric nets, to four strand and now three strand electric.
I really need to find some more time, moving the sheep still takes to much time.
Looking at the Rappa setup I feel there is quite some time for me to gain if I'd be setting up my fences aided by faster transport.
However, with only 150 ewes the investment in a Rappa setup or adapting what I already have is substantial. I'm really looking into cheaper options, which are still as or almost as, practical as a quad.

I've found a thread on here where someone thought about using something like a jimny, however getting in and out of a car is not practical.
Have been considering a trike (kawasaki klt185), electric/petrol golfcart with at tyres, also looked into buying a moped and invest in tyres or maybe using my small Renault Super 3d tractor to use for fencing. Open to whatever works.

Terrain is pretty flat, but muddy sept till may.

Please share your thoughts?!

 

[NZDan]

I've searched the forum to find cheaper alternatives to use with rappa like electric fencing for sheep.
Atm 125-150 ewes, which I rotationally graze on 50 hectares of old pp.
Have switched from grazing with electric nets, to four strand and now three strand electric.
I really need to find some more time, moving the sheep still takes to much time.
Looking at the Rappa setup I feel there is quite some time for me to gain if I'd be setting up my fences aided by faster transport.
However, with only 150 ewes the investment in a Rappa setup or adapting what I already have is substantial. I'm really looking into cheaper options, which are still as or almost as, practical as a quad.

I've found a thread on here where someone thought about using something like a jimny, however getting in and out of a car is not practical.
Have been considering a trike (kawasaki klt185), electric/petrol golfcart with at tyres, also looked into buying a moped and invest in tyres or maybe using my small Renault Super 3d tractor to use for fencing. Open to whatever works.

Terrain is pretty flat, but muddy sept till may.

Please share your thoughts?!

We rotate ewes all winter, shift them twice a week, Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. I pre set up as many electric fence as possible in advance. I can have 8 weeks worth set up at a time. I run three wires at once on one reel which makes set up quicker and easier.

 

[NZDan]

I've searched the forum to find cheaper alternatives to use with rappa like electric fencing for sheep.
Atm 125-150 ewes, which I rotationally graze on 50 hectares of old pp.
Have switched from grazing with electric nets, to four strand and now three strand electric.
I really need to find some more time, moving the sheep still takes to much time.
Looking at the Rappa setup I feel there is quite some time for me to gain if I'd be setting up my fences aided by faster transport.
However, with only 150 ewes the investment in a Rappa setup or adapting what I already have is substantial. I'm really looking into cheaper options, which are still as or almost as, practical as a quad.

I've found a thread on here where someone thought about using something like a jimny, however getting in and out of a car is not practical.
Have been considering a trike (kawasaki klt185), electric/petrol golfcart with at tyres, also looked into buying a moped and invest in tyres or maybe using my small Renault Super 3d tractor to use for fencing. Open to whatever works.

Terrain is pretty flat, but muddy sept till may.

Please share your thoughts?!

What about a kiwi tech carry pack?

Kiwitech UK | Electric Fencing & Water Systems for the serious grass farmer

We are suppliers of FARMER designed electric fencing and livestock water systems developed specifically to help increase the productivity of the grass farmer.

kiwitech.uk

 

[HarryB97]

Drop the amount of wire to two strands and then treat yourself to a proper winder unless you set up permanent paddocks. It will be the best money you will spend and will last you decades, you will regret not buying one sooner!

 

[andybk]

If your handy with a welder can make a winder up with 12v golf cart motor , rebar and alkathene pipe for stakes , you really need a quad though (old trx300 will go on forever like a mf35 ) and 2 strand is enough with a good fencer .

 

[Tim W]

I'd just buy an old quad (paid £600 for the last one here) and a Rappa kit
Why mess around when you can have the best bit of sheep kit out there?

Mine is 12 years old i think and still runs like new----if i was to sell it now i bet i'd still get what i paid for it

 

[Boso]

What about a kiwi tech carry pack?

Kiwitech UK | Electric Fencing & Water Systems for the serious grass farmer

We are suppliers of FARMER designed electric fencing and livestock water systems developed specifically to help increase the productivity of the grass farmer.

kiwitech.uk

I use 500m of wire per strand. With a stake every 4 paces, the kiwitech carry pack is not big enough. Did look into the kiwitech kit, nice stuff.

 

[Boso]

Drop the amount of wire to two strands and then treat yourself to a proper winder unless you set up permanent paddocks. It will be the best money you will spend and will last you decades, you will regret not buying one sooner!

I'd like to do that. Went for four to three a few weeks ago. Plan on trying two strands soon. I graze in an area with a lot of wild boar, they tear up fencing in no time if they do not see it. Hope two stands is visible enough.

If your handy with a welder can make a winder up with 12v golf cart motor , rebar and alkathene pipe for stakes , you really need a quad though (old trx300 will go on forever like a mf35 ) and 2 strand is enough with a good fencer .

Will look into trx, thx.

I'd just buy an old quad (paid £600 for the last one here) and a Rappa kit
Why mess around when you can have the best bit of sheep kit out there?

Mine is 12 years old i think and still runs like new----if i was to sell it now i bet i'd still get what i paid for it

Just checked or local marketplace, only quad that go for that money are the 2wd, chinese, honda clone quads. You have used something like that?

 

[andybk]

I'd like to do that. Went for four to three a few weeks ago. Plan on trying two strands soon. I graze in an area with a lot of wild boar, they tear up fencing in no time if they do not see it. Hope two stands is visible enough.


Just checked or local marketplace, only quad that go for that money are the 2wd, chinese, honda clone quads. You have used something like that?

forget the clones , thats all i paid for my trx (£600) you just got to keep watching out for them across all selling platforms , or look for a dealer part ex , older the better for light non towing work , less issues with electronics , just watch the frames arnt rusted out , got a couple here that need work on engines etc when i have time

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I use 500m of wire per strand. With a stake every 4 paces, the kiwitech carry pack is not big enough. Did look into the kiwitech kit, nice stuff.

A stake every 4 paces is about 3x what use.
Level going I go for 1 every 12m, might be a bit less on undulating ground. Some people go wider than that.

 

[TomB]

Second hand rappa wheelbarrow winder would get you started. And keep you fit. Posts at 15m if going good.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

A stake every 4 paces is about 3x what use.
Level going I go for 1 every 12m, might be a bit less on undulating ground. Some people go wider than that.

Rule of thumb I use 1 every 7 paces and a post at every change of direction.

The only way I can see you fencing faster is with a quad rappa. Or even buy one of those rappa barrows. I wouldn’t be without our quad rappa nowadays. Resisted for years because “they are too dear” gave in, bought an A’s new second hand one. I can pick up 70/80 acre of 4 strand on my own in a day no messing at all and allowing for a stopping for lunch rather than sat on the quad scoffing!

 

[Tim W]

Just checked or local marketplace, only quad that go for that money are the 2wd, chinese, honda clone quads. You have used something like that?

i use any cheap quad i can find, it only has to poottle along at a few mph & doesn't get any stressful work
Have a Suzuki attached to the fencer at the moment , had a Kawazaki before that (that lasted 12 years and was probably that old when i bought it)

 

[Tim W]

Rappa machine is the answer IMO
When we started with sheep on military ground we had to fence off 80 acre blocks ----did it all by hand (no geared reels) , took 2 of us all day to put up a fence and 2 of us another day to take the fence down---once i had the Rappa & quad (1st thing i bought after selling the first lambs) i did both jobs in 1 day on my own and would be home for early tea

 

[Henarar]

I've searched the forum to find cheaper alternatives to use with rappa like electric fencing for sheep.
Atm 125-150 ewes, which I rotationally graze on 50 hectares of old pp.
Have switched from grazing with electric nets, to four strand and now three strand electric.
I really need to find some more time, moving the sheep still takes to much time.
Looking at the Rappa setup I feel there is quite some time for me to gain if I'd be setting up my fences aided by faster transport.
However, with only 150 ewes the investment in a Rappa setup or adapting what I already have is substantial. I'm really looking into cheaper options, which are still as or almost as, practical as a quad.

I've found a thread on here where someone thought about using something like a jimny, however getting in and out of a car is not practical.
Have been considering a trike (kawasaki klt185), electric/petrol golfcart with at tyres, also looked into buying a moped and invest in tyres or maybe using my small Renault Super 3d tractor to use for fencing. Open to whatever works.

Terrain is pretty flat, but muddy sept till may.

Please share your thoughts?!

I am not sure how much a Rappa set up for a quad is ?
If you are on a budget perhaps you could find a second hand Rappa Barrow at a sensible price, I would think they could be adapted to work with a lot of vehicles as well as a quad as they are ground driven,
We have one on a trike its set up to drive of the front wheel,
a lot can be done for a few quid if you are prepared to hunt around for the right thing and a bit handy with the spanners/welder to make it work

 

[Mc115reed]

i use any cheap quad i can find, it only has to poottle along at a few mph & doesn't get any stressful work
Have a Suzuki attached to the fencer at the moment , had a Kawazaki before that (that lasted 12 years and was probably that old when i bought it)

My quad doesn’t steer over 10mph, the brakes don’t work, it’s only got 1-3 gears, the starter motor has packed in so is pull start only, it leans over too 1 side and all 4 tyres have slow punctures I can’t seem too find but it is plenty enough for fencing sheep a couple days a week [emoji23] Honda TRX350 it has everything wrong with it but keeps going

 

[NZDan]

I use 500m of wire per strand. With a stake every 4 paces, the kiwitech carry pack is not big enough. Did look into the kiwitech kit, nice stuff.

How to you manage to run out 500m fences on 50acre? With 250 ewes I rarely go over 150m per fence. the Kiwitech spools will hold 600m easily enough, 650 if you wind it on tight.

 

[Boso]

How to you manage to run out 500m fences on 50acre? With 250 ewes I rarely go over 150m per fence. the Kiwitech spools will hold 600m easily enough, 650 if you wind it on tight.

50 hectares, not acres.

Location 1: 15 hectares, bushy, steep slopes, creek. You can't make square paddock, have to addapt to what the land allows.

Location 2: 25 hectares, relatively flat, no/very little bushes or shrubs. Very easy fencing. Can make nice square/rectangular paddocks. (1klm from location 1)

Location 3: 10 hectares, relatively flat as well. Easy fencing. (5klm from location 1 and 2).
Transport between grazing sites is done with a 1982 Ford Cargo and livestock trailer behind it so I can move them all in one go, lams included.

Location 1 is a pain to fence, however they pay me rather well to keep it tidy.

 

[Boso]

My quad doesn’t steer over 10mph, the brakes don’t work, it’s only got 1-3 gears, the starter motor has packed in so is pull start only, it leans over too 1 side and all 4 tyres have slow punctures I can’t seem too find but it is plenty enough for fencing sheep a couple days a week [emoji23] Honda TRX350 it has everything wrong with it but keeps going

Does give some perspective, that it doesn't have or need to be a 5000 euro/gbp 4x4 quad.

 

[Jerry]

Dont underestimate how a set of good geared hand reels can be useful for paddock grazing.

I have a rappa on my quad but also use geared reels to do the breaks between each paddocks as they are relatively short runs.

I have some of these and they are OK:

Heavy Duty 3:1 Geared Reel

Professional spec of fencing reel. This is for using in conjunction with our mounting post and ideal for strip grazing fields or temporary perimeter fencing. Big advantage with this reel is it's geared. For every one turn of the handle, the drum turns 3 times making it a lot less work when you...

www.ukcountrystore.co.uk

But I also have some gallagher reels which are twice the price but will last a lot longer.

Load with 250m poly wire and they are not too heavy.

I put the semi perm fence with the rappa and then used the geared reels to put in the paddocks. Putting in 200m runs withe reels is not much slower than using the rappa to be honest.