Agricultural Fencing Tools

Some specialized tools are required for the proper construction of a farm fence. All fencing can be accomplished with hand-powered tools although optional power tools can make the job go faster and are especially useful in large fencing projects. According to the University of Florida Extension Service a basic set of fencing tools will accomplish most fencing tasks. Many of these tools have other uses around the farm or home as well.

  1. Post Hole Digger

    • A post hole digger or auger can be used to excavate a hole for wooden fence posts. Usually available in 6- or 8-inch diameters they can commonly be used to dig a hole up to 3 or 4 feet deep. Post hole diggers use a pinching action of two shovels to trap dirt and remove it from the post hole, while an auger is turned to cut loose soil to be removed from the hole.

    Tamp Bar

    • A heavy metal bar the tamp bar is used to compact the dirt around the wooden fence post when it is set in the hole. The tamp bar is sometimes made in the farm shop although they can be purchased from commercial outlets in a variety of sizes. The standard size is about 5 feet tall and weighs about 30 lbs. The tamp bar has one flat end of about 2 inches in diameter that is used to tamp or compact the soil that is replaced around the post set in the fence post hole.

    Wire Cutter

    • Available in a wide variety of styles, wire cutters are necessary for cutting the fence wires to length. Some also serve as pliers and wire twisters. Look for a wire cutter heavy enough to cut the largest wire you will be working with. Most fence wire cutters are larger and heavier duty than wire cutters than would be used by an electrician.

    Sledge Hammer

    • Heavy sledge hammers are used to drive steel fence posts into the ground. They can also be used to make fine adjustments to other fence posts that are slightly off level. Common sledge weights range from 8 to 16 lbs. and can be either long or short handled. Get a sledge hammer you can handle rather than the largest available.

    Hammer

    • Hammers are used to drive fence staples into wood fence posts. Some people prefer using a fence pliers--a tool that includes a hammer head surface--for driving staples reducing the number of tools they need to carry. Hammers are more general purpose and can be used for other tasks around the farm.

    Personal Safety

    • Leather gloves and safety glasses are necessary for personal safety while working on fences.

    Fence Stretcher or Come Along

    • This tool is used to stretch the wire or pull it tight from corner post to corner post. This device can use pulleys or a ratchet-type assembly to create a mechanical advantage to exert greater pressure on the fence. A pair of fence stretchers may be necessary for some woven wire projects.