Fence Stretchers

Fence Stretchers

We know Life Out Here can have you repairing fences for fields and livestock pens as often as you build new ones. A fence stretcher can help you get the job done right. You can find the best option to help you get your perfect property barrier up in no time, in Tractor Supply’s wide selection of fencing tools.

How These Tools Work

Fence stretchers are used to tighten and straighten rolled fence wire, including barbed wire. They help keep the wire secure and at the right tautness. This helps avoid overtightening the wire, which can damage the fencing. It also helps reduce sag, which can affect how well the fence works containing and protecting property and animals. A stretcher can also help protect you from injury during assembly and repairs.

Five Main Types of Fence Stretchers

Some fence stretchers are hitch receiver attachments and intended for installation on trucks, ATVs or UTVs and other farm equipment. Some of these are three-point, making them easier to install on tractors. Others are hand tools or bars. There are five main kinds, including:

• Hydraulic stretchers are fluid-powered and can achieve higher tension quickly. They’re better choices for bigger projects such as flattening heavy-duty fencing for agricultural and industrial sites.
• Manual come-along stretchers use cables and ratchets, such as winches, to tension fence wires gradually. They’re often used in the construction industry.
• Manual ratchet stretchers have a mechanism that lets you tighten wire in increments by turns of a handle. They work with many different types of fencing.
• Pneumatic stretchers are powered by compressed air. As they’re lighter-weight and often portable, they can work best when building and doing repairs in less-than-accessible areas. They’re ideal for straightening chain link and electric fences.
• Puller and claw stretchers are also manual and have grips for securing wire better. They’re made for unrolling wire and barbed wire fencing.

Options for Chain Link vs. Wire Fences

Most stretchers accommodate fencing of different heights, though taller ones are ideal for unrolling chain link fence. Some have rings of different diameters and multiple removable hooks that work with various tug ropes. Together, they help evenly distribute tension during flattening.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Stretchers

Why do I need a fence stretcher?

For one, it’ll help make sure your wire is stretched tightly, so cattle and other wildlife are less likely to push through or get caught in it. Secondly, it’ll help keep a straighter fence line, giving your property a clean look. Lastly, it’ll minimize structural problems such as sagging, meaning fewer repairs over time.

How do I use one a fence stretcher?

Generally, start by stapling the bottom of the fencing wire to a post. Now, use the stretcher’s hook and ratchet to attach it to the top of the fence. Then, pull the ratchet handle, stretching the wire to the tension you want and checking it with a tension tester afterward. Be sure to follow any specific instructions from the manufacturer.

What tools do I need to go along with a stretcher?

Consider wire cutters, pliers, a hammer, a post hole digger, a tape measure and safety equipment such as gloves and glasses. Cutters can make snipping fencing to the right length, plus removing or trimming extra wire easier, while a plier can simplify twisting wire, tying it off, gripping parts and doing small adjustments. A hammer can drive staples or nails to secure the wire to posts or supports, and a post hole digger or hand auger can lessen the strain of digging holes of the right size and depth for posts. Don’t forget about a tape measure to help you get spacing right, as well as gloves to protect your hands from sharp or splintered edges, while safety glasses can help keep debris from getting in your eyes.

Find the Right Fence Stretcher for Your Project at Tractor Supply

Time to get started straightening and tightening your fence? Rely on the fence stretchers and other fence building equipment in our stock. Visit your local Tractor Supply store to check out one up to the task, or put in an order with us online.