T-Post Fence Installation
T posts, steel fence posts with a T shape when viewed from the top, are often used in livestock fences. Builders drive the post into the ground rather than excavating a hole and compacting dirt around the post once it is set in place. The posts reduce the time or cost of fence installation. With the proper installation techniques, a T-post fence is effective and durable. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Cement
- Brace brackets
- Post driver
- Fence clips
- Wire
- Fence stretcher
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Install corner posts by excavating a block of soil 20 inches square by 42 inches deep. Place the T-post in the center of the excavation and fill with concrete. Allow the concrete to dry overnight.
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2
Place brace posts 5 feet from the corner posts along the lines of the intended fence. Excavate a block of soil 20 inches square and 24 inches deep. Place the T-post in the center of the excavation and fill with concrete.
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3
Fasten a brace from the bottom of the brace post to the top of the corner post using brace brackets. Farm supply outlets commonly offer the brace brackets with T-post supplies. Another option is to use wood posts for the corner and brace and fasten them in place with 8-inch pole barn spikes.
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4
Drive a T-post every 15 feet along the planned length of the fence. Use a carpenter's string to place the posts in a straight row or visually place the posts by sighting from corner post to corner post. Drive the posts into the ground with a post driver. This tool resembles a length of pipe with a closed end. The driver is lifted and lowered to strike the top of the post. Drive the posts about 30 inches into the ground or until the wide braces near the bottom of the post are below ground level. The flat side of the T-post should face the inside of the pasture.
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5
Wrap the end of a roll of wire around a corner post. Unroll the wire along the ground to the next corner post on the pasture side of the posts. Pull the wire as tight as possible by hand.
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Connect a fence stretcher to the corner post and the wire. The stretcher uses a mechanical ratcheting action to pull the wire tighter than possible by hand.
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Fasten the wire to the posts using fencing clips. This U-shaped wire clip rests on the wire on each side of the post with the bottom of the U around the post. Use pliers to wrap the ends of the clips around the fencing wires.
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Repeat the process of placing, stretching and fastening each strand of wire in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the wire on the pasture side of the posts. If any livestock leans on the fence it presses the wire to the post rather than pushing the wire away from the post. The flat side of the T-post includes knobs that prevent the wire from sliding up or down.
