WIRED
Issue 24 December 2011
Publication theFencing FencingContractors Contractors Association of New Zealand Publication ofofthe Association of New Zealand
Issue June2012 2011 Issue 2326ďż˝ September
IN THIS ISSUE: Field Days Review PSA Risk Management Protocol System Stays Profile on McLenaghan Contracting Good v's Bad Northland Basalt
THIS ISSUE...
Presidents Report Do you deserve the money you charge? Post and rail fencing Plus much more ...
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT Hi all, Its that time of the year, when you dig your warm jacket out of the cupboard and find which one of your vehicles has weak batteries. Also a good time of the year to ensure antifreeze is present in all your vehicle radiators. Fencing wise, its seems that most people have had a good autumn, with mostly steady weather, contractors have been able to get good work flow through the last couple of months.
FCANZ would like to acknowledge the significant financial contribution that WIREMARK makes towards meeting the costs associated with the publication and distribution of
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Sincere thanks to our contributors: Nigel Broadbridge Andrew Cave Peter Gregory Lance Hare Peter Hill John Noakes Michael Renner Mike Samuel Malcolm Webster
We personally have produced more in autumn than in summer. There seems to be a good amount of work out there and most contractors are reporting a full schedule of work ahead of them. This is healthy for the industry, as steady work means we can forecast and plan with more certainty. Plus it always helps to go into winter with a bit of a surplus. FCANZ has been approached by AgITO to have input into the agricultural qualifications review, this is a mandatory review, of all agricultural qualifications. We see this as a huge step forward, we as contractors are at the coal face of the industry. It is comforting that they have asked FCANZ for our input into qualifications that will
directly affect us. In particular the way we and our staff are trained and qualified. We will be asking for your input on specific areas, as we move through this lengthy process. A copy of the first draft report is available on our website under the news tab. Please take the time to have input into this, as it is unlikely that we will get the chance for another overhaul within this decade.
and I hope you have all booked the time off and are keen to attend. I am looking forward to catching up with regular faces and hope to meet some new faces as well. As always please consider our partners when making purchasing decisions, lets give something back to those that help us out. See you all at Fieldays. Nige
We are proceeding along with our boundary fence template. It is currently being reviewed to ensure that it is legally correct and will stand in a court of law. Our campaign with the fencing act review is also moving along. Once again we would value your input. Please read the fencing act (available on our website) and comment on what you believe needs to be updated, scrapped or reviewed. We have some new tools underway that will be of great benefit and for our members only. These tools will assist in working out the costs of running tractors, vehicles etc. We believe that these will be a very valuable tool in the running of your business.
Cover photo: Courtesy of Peter Gregory, Beltaine Rural Ltd, 09 946 0705
The conference date is nearing
Disclaimer: WIRED takes all due care in the preparation of this magazine but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes or omissions. Articles that appear in WIRED do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FCANZ. WIRED welcomes contributions but reserves the right to edit. Material sent in will not be returned unless requested and we are sent a self- addressed stamped enveolope to help with processing.
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FIELD DAYS 2011
Spare time without the time and pressure of being president
By Andrew Cave
Hi all members I thought it was about time I let you know what I have been up to since I stepped down as president of FCANZ. At last year’s AGM I stepped down from the role of president of FCANZ to spend more time in a second business I have slowly been working away at. The board decided that when a president steps down, that they are to remain on the board for one more term. This is to help the new president come into their role and also to advise the new board on proceedings. This has allowed so much more time for my own business.
So what have I been up to?
Well Janene and I still have our fencing business operating with three great team members looking after that. I have been concentrating on the Earthmoving business that we have set up.
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It’s really been an exciting time for us and with more time for my business I can now chase up better opportunities for us. Some of the work we have been doing is different and varying which is great.
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We have been constructing crib walls where roads have slipped out. This involves cutting a bench on solid ground and stacking ½ round post interlocked together and nailed. We then tipped virgin fill into the centre of them and compacted with a foot compactor. Some of these walls were 15 meters long and 4 meters high with the biggest taking 800 ½ rounds and 160kgs of 6 inch nails. Poor Dan’s right arm was buggered after that day. (see photo’s 1, 2 & 3) In January we were asked to place new power poles for a pole replacement job. This involved flying out 1.5 ton concrete power poles to various site on a power line route. We then needed to dig a hole beside the existing pole and stand up the new pole with the digger. (see photo’s 4 & 5 on next page) The tricky part was that the new poles were longer than the existing poles. They needed to be stood up between existing wires with only about 200mm gap between the new pole and the power wire. Some of the locations were on very narrow ridges which made it extremely difficult to swing in
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these poles that were 12.5 meters long. By the time we had placed the 85th pole we had it down to a fine art. Some days we would only get in 1 pole by the time we cut in a track and placed the structure. We have been constructing farm stock bridges for a supplier that wanted a contractor to do their construction work. This has been great trying different ways to get gear on site and construction methods. The first bridge we carted the gear out with tractor and trailer but the second was 9 kms from the road and larger so we flew it in with a chopper, this actually turned out cheaper then carting with the tractor and trailer. (see photo’s 6 & 7 on next page) Some of the sites have been very steep and difficult terrain which tested both men and machinery skills. Anyway who knows what we might be doing in the next 12 months with the economy starting to move again and farmers spending. We are looking forward to the good times again.
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Do you deserve the money you charge?
By Mike Samuel
A while ago whilst chasing money national certificates in fencing are owed, a client acknowledged he available. had the account. Only 20 days overdue and no courtesy call. Do you have clients that treat you like the bank? After a brief conversation he informed me he was taken aback You pay tax, PAYE and ACC levies. by the hourly rate I charge, and in short he firmly believed FENCERS I point this out as my argument are not worth that. was “I’m $20 an hour cheaper than mechanics, plumbers, builders and I want to put a stop to this engineers and he was getting a very misconception. fair and reasonable price”. Do you get up and work hard every He then pointed out to me we (as day? fencers) are not qualified, don’t have the same running costs and Do you still answer the phone past are not trained professionally 5pm and organize work well after like the above. Essentially the you have earned rest from the day? skills we have are remedial as opposed to a mechanic. Bet you look at jobs in weekends? RUBBISH! – I know myself (and Offer free quotes? I’m sure many of you are the same) have more outlay in tools and Run tractors, trucks, trailers etc? machinery than most builders, there is a lot of outlay to service mechanics and plumbers. We offer your clients. and have to comply with the entire above list like any other tradesman. Do you have public liability and business insurances? I was proud to point out that not anyone can fence properly, that we Employ staff? had Health and Safety plans, are trained, run modern machinery Have to pay public holidays, sick (for your client’s best wellbeing) and holiday pay? and have competent staff.
to anyone else. A mechanic is trained to fix motors and I admit I don’t mind paying someone who has this field of expertise to fix them. We build fences, if I tried fixing motors I’m sure #8 wire would feature, probably not best practice. If the mechanic wanted a good fence built, i’d hope they would contact a professional fencer. Essentially in my mind we are just two blokes who have made it our business to specialise in a trade, is it really too silly to think that we are not equal in our own rights? Remember not everyone can fence. Don’t feel bad for charging for your time and effort for doing a good job. In reality if you are good at what you do good clients will get you any time and the ones that don’t feel the same way are probably not worth having - plus I bet you have to chase their money too! Stand up, make sure you fence well and be confident you are worth what you charge - we do deserve it.
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Our philosophy is a “fair and honest price for a fair and honest Are you training staff? – remember So why should we not be considered job” cover your costs and make an the association has training as an equal, running your business honest dollar – available through our partners and is not easy and you are no different
Samuel Fencing, 03 448 9339
Behind the scenes at the Wiremark factory
We take fencing seriously
Being a FCANZ Silver Partner means more to us than just supplying quality timber, fencing products, pole sheds, drainage and tools. The ‘Partner’ bit means that we will always work together with all our rural customers to ensure that you receive the full benefit of our extensive experience and expertise in the trade. There are plenty of other reasons why adding us to your supplier list is a good idea too: • We offer heaps of great deals • We’ve got an awesome loyalty programme called Advantage • We’ve got over 50 branches dotted across the country • One account – same discounts across all Carters branches So, if you’re planning work on the farm call us on 0800 CARTERS and let us make fencing easier for you. www.carters.co.nz
Noksee’s News
From the top to the South everyone seems to be really busy, which is great. The FCANZ Conference and AGM at Waipuna Lodge, Auckland 27th -29th July 2012, is progressing well and Conference Packs will be out in early June. Make sure you fill them in and post as soon as possible if you want to participate in the tour of Pacific Steel. There are only 60 spaces available due to Health and Safety requirements and the time frame available. Don’t forget to support our partners and sponsors as they put a lot into FCANZ, which is much appreciated, and they enjoy feedback, good or bad. Moving on from fencing - there are interests in life that some of us get to do and over the last couple of months I have been to Stewart Island and South Westland. I took a party of 18 down to the bottom of Stewart Island
hunting, fishing, snorkling and photographing all around North and South Pegasus. An AWESOME place to go. The weather was great, except for 250mm of rain one night. We split into 2 groups and stayed in hunter huts. Took 6 runabouts to get around and dined on scallops, paua, blue cod, oysters and white tail deer. What a bugger hope you are not getting hungry! Caught up with the history of the place, from Captain Cook to the old village and the tin mine etc. A great adventure into the past. Will just have to dream about it now until next time. The other trip was Thar hunting in South Westland, into the Mahataki. We flew with James Scott and camped at 1200mts. We only had 1 day of rain in the week
By John Noakes we were there. Snowed on the tops the night before we came out. We managed to shoot a couple of good bulls and brought the skin and heads out with us. Saw a few animals while we were there, which was good, considering DOC had shot 80 animals in the valley 2 months before the Wilderness Zone was opened up to hunters to fly in. It was pleasing to see one mob of 20 Kea even though they were trying to uplift my rifle at one stage. Awesome mountain country for those that like heights, glaciers and mountain streams and a bit of an adrenalin rush. I recommend it. Get out and do it while you can, fitness is paramount. All the best out there and I will see you all at the Conference.
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Pictured below: John Noakes and Kim Rowe
Noksee Fencing Contractor, 03 528 6388
High Country in South Westland Inset John Noakes after a successful Tahr hunt!
Sureflex Irrigator Springs
The fencing industry is constantly developing in tune with the latest farming methods and fencing contractors are very often at the coal face of developments. There have been significant developments focusing on maximising pasture management, with fencing and irrigation systems proving to be key components.
wire is not pulled up with the irrigator tyre. The Sureflex springs are designed to extend up to a fixed length, controlled by internal restricting wires. This both protects the springs from over extension and ensures tension balancing for fence lines with multiple springs. (Picture 1)
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In line with this, there has been a significant increase in installations of centre pivot irrigation systems. Strainrite have developed a new range of Sureflex fence system, to enable permanent fences to lay over for the irrigator wheel and return to the upright position once the wheel has past.
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The Strainrite system provides for easy installation with options for both end installations and midpoint installation. Correct installation tension is achieved by tensioning the fence wire until the spring is at a set length, no requirement for a special tension meter. Tests have shown that controlled expansion is “key to reliability�. However maximum flex length is also important to insure the fence
As a clean electrical joint is paramount to ensure optimal electric fence performance, the Sureflex springs are designed to enable the use of an L-joint clamp on both ends. As such an undergate / leadout wire can be joined connected at the insulated end and a bridge wire can also be installed at the strainer end. The crossing point design for the irrigator wheel is also extremely important and Strainrite recommend the design detailed in picture 2. Note; the vertical wires are 4mm nylon wire. This provides effective insulation along with controlled flex. These wires are joined using Strainrite Ezepull 5mm crimp sleeves as shown.
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POST AND RAIL FENCING By
I have recently taken on a job that consists of erecting a post and rail fence. The rails are 2.4 metres long and number 1 machined full rounds. The posts are 2.9 metres long with an average diameter of 350mm. 8 posts to a tonne. 2 rails are checked into a mortace of around 50mm deep. Length of total fence line is 2.5kms. The job also includes mortacing in the holes into all these heavy posts. This part of the job took some pretty serious thought. With the help of my fathers engineering skills, we came up with the idea of a roller bench with 2 big heavy duty drill presses in the centre.
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Total length of this conveyer belt is 6 meters long with a loading and off loading bench. The tractor loads posts onto the bench, where they are manually rolled onto the rollers to be pushed along to the drill presses, where the post hits a stopper which gives correct placement for the mortace holes. These are drilled by a 116mm drill bit. Once one side is drilled the post has to be turned 180
degrees with the aid of a chain and hook to allow drilling of the holes on the other side of the post. On completion of the holes being drilled the posts are then rolled down to the off loading ramp where I router the ends to chaffer. After this they are rolled down to the end of the bench where they are lifted with the forks of my tractor and taken out to the fence line. I have the use of a big implement shed for this part of the job. It is very time consuming with 6-8 posts being completed in and hour. I got into a system of starting early in the summer months for the outside erection of the fence and into the shed in the afternoon, for post preparation, works great to escape the summer heat then laying materials out for the next morning. For erecting the fence I mark where the posts should go, I then put my strainer orga down full depth and square out the hole allowing for room to ram and plum the bottom of post both ways. I have 1-2
minute shovel work to complete the hole ready for the post to be dropped in. As mentioned these posts are too heavy to be lifted manually so I use my King Hitter Side Shift Post Driver for this. I had an engineer make up a set of cups which fit into the holes in the post. I then disconnect my donkey, with the aid of a snap clip, and connect the cable onto the cups. The post is lifted into the hole easily with the bank of the postdriver. I then fit the rails into the mortaces and pull them up tight with the aid of deer strainers and chain from my deer netting board sets. The post is then plummed from bottom-up both ways using a crow bar levering on bottom of posts. Then I ram the post up about half way. My hole depth is dug all 100200mm shallow. Now I disconnect the cups and connect the donkey back on and thump the post down to the required height. This enables me to eye the top of posts to keep perfect height with the other posts.
Its very important to keep in mind ground contures as well, as a few humps and hollows can easily alter the smooth look of the fence. I then complete ramming the pummice soil around the post. On a good day I find I can do around 30-35 metres, this includes 2-2.5 hours a day in the shed. I thought about taking a another person on but I like the simplicity of working on my own. Its a good steady job and very rewarding to see it grow a bit every day. As this is a roadside boundary fence there are 3 hot wires and 1 dead wire on the bottom. The top 2 hot wires can not be seen as they are behind rails. It is a heavily constructed nice looking fence on completion. There were 11 truck and trailor units delivered outside the shed and I really wondered what the hell I was getting myself into, but so far so good.. It is good to have a challenge and have a new style of fencing. I am on contract for erecting the fence and hourly rate for drilling hole and laying out materials etc. There are 4-5 massive gate ways to be done and also building of the gates. Galatea is not such a bad place to live. I can shoot a deer in the morning and catch a limit of snapper surfcasting on Whakatane beaches in the evening. Fencing keeps me fit and I am my own boss. How good is that! Peter Hill Fencing, 07 366 4001
High Country Fencing Thanks to Pete Gregory for these great photos. Pete’s wife asked how the high country job was going in Northland, so Pete decided to show her! Pete’s wifes reply was: I worry about you enough as it is, DON’T EVER show me photos like these again...
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New Zealand Competition Law and Collusive Agreements This article is intended to help ensure that you don’t breach the Commerce Act. Breaching the Commerce Act can lead to large fines and reputation damage. You may have some good reasons to talk with your competitors, for example to discuss industrywide issues and practices, or to share knowledge and technical information. These discussions are fine. However, you need to remember that you are competing for customers, tenders, and contracts; and you should be careful to avoid colluding with your competitors - this would be illegal. In a competitive environment businesses strive to produce better goods or services and to produce these more efficiently and this benefits the economy and overall welfare in our society. Collusive agreements breach the Commerce Act 1986; they involve behaviour that directly or ultimately affects pricing - this harms competition. Any decision that affects pricing should be a decision you have reached independently and competitively.
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It is okay to get input from advisers, such as your accountant. But you should avoid any discussions with your competitors about prices (including any components of price such as discounts, margins or surcharges), allocating customers (including by geographic area), tenders, and output (e.g.
production volume). Agreements in these areas are likely to breach the Commerce Act. A nod or a wink is enough You don’t have to have a formal written agreement with a competitor to be in breach of the Commerce Act. It can be just an understanding reached between two or more competitors about how at least one of them will act, or not act. So beware - the Courts have a found a “nod or a wink” is enough to constitute a collusive anticompetitive agreement. There are heavy civil penalties for breaching the Commerce Act - up to $10 million for companies and up to $500,000 for individuals per breach. Even private indemnity insurance won’t help. Adverse publicity will make matters worse and it could result in your customers choosing to go elsewhere. Even an attempt by one party to make a collusive agreement breaches the Commerce Act. Parties who are not in competition but involved in the agreements (e.g. consultants) are also liable if they facilitated such agreements. Exactly who competitors?
are
your
Make sure you understand who
your competitors are in the eyes of the law. Under the Commerce Act, a competitor is a business that can bid for the same work and customers as your business - this includes any businesses that are not currently bidding for a type of work or customer but could do so if they wanted to. If you are involved with subcontracting work in any way you need to be extra careful, as businesses that are your customers can also be your competitors and even bid for the same tender or contract. You should avoid discussing anything about the pricing or bidding for the main contract with any persons who are, or who may be, your competitors - keep your discussions strictly to the subcontract work only. Where to find information
further
The Commerce Commission enforces the Commerce Act and for more information about collusive (illegal) agreements see the Commission’s website http:// www.comcom.govt.nz/avoidingillegal-agreements/ The Commission also has a Leniency Programme that offers immunity from any civil court proceedings brought by the
Commission. This immunity is only available to the first party involved in a collusive agreement that applies for immunity and satisfies the relevant criteria - see http://www. comcom.govt.nz/cartel-leniency-policy/ If you have been party to a collusive agreement it is your opportunity to get out of it. If you are aware of collusive conduct that you are not involved in and wish to report it to the Commission you can do so on 0800 94 3600, by emailing contact@comcom.govt.nz or by completing the online complaint form at www. comcom.govt.nz
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The Commerce Act The purpose of the Act is to promote and maintain competition in markets in New Zealand. To promote this purpose, the Act prohibits a number of anti-competitive activities, including: • agreements which have the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition (s 27); • agreements to fix, control or maintain prices (deemed to be a breach of s 27 via s 30); • taking advantage of a substantial degree of market power to restrict, prevent or eliminate competition (s 36); and • suppliers or other parties trying to enforce a minimum resale price (s 37). These provisions together are referred to as the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Act. Breaches of the Act can attract pecuniary penalties of up to $10 million for companies and up to $500,000 for individuals.For further information about above provisions, please refer to the enclosed guide to Anti-competitive Practices under Part II of the Commerce Act. Additional information can also be viewed in the Business Competition section of the Commission’s website: http://www.comcom. govt.nz/business-competition/
See us at Fieldays
Site C52
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The Horizontal Stay Assembly
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The horizontal stay assembly, H brace, or the box end assembly as its often called, is certainly a handy alternative to the diagonal stay assembly which I see more widely used in the area where I fence. Although, I have noticed by the number of horizontals I have seen while driving in some parts of the south island, that I suspect it may be the opposite. I prefer to use a diagonal stay assembly, there are occasions where it is not practical, for example, when the fence line drops away steeply from the end strainer, or perhaps where you have an angle strainer on a steep decline - the diagonal becomes inefficient due to the increased angle of the stay - in this case I would certainly use a horizontal. It can also be a better option in swampy conditions. I have chosen to write about the horizontal stay assembly as I have seen so many that have been done without a complete understanding of the stresses applied to them.
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First to consider are the strainers, I would recommend that the second post of the end assembly should be at least a 2.1m strainer but have a smaller diameter than the end strainer, so as to allow you to tie your guide wires at the recommended one fifth of the diameter of the strainer and maintain the stay in a true line with your fence. See diagram 1.
By Rob Best
Diagram 1
If the strainers are the same diameter then your stay will be running off at an angle to your fence and could deflect the second post as the load of the fence is applied, which can also happen if the second post is not long enough. See diagram 2.
Photo 2
Diagram 2
20mm is usually enough to give you a good face – too much will expose the softer fibres near the centre of the strainer which weakens the post. Leaving it vulnerable to rotting where the treatment will not have penetrated.
When it comes to fitting the stay there are a few opinions. I think if your end assembly is on flat ground, it is probably not necessary to mortice your stay into the strainers, a simple facing of them will do. When using this method it is important not to cut too much out of your strainers. See photos 1 and 2.
To fit the stay, I firstly find its top which would be with the bow, if any, facing the sky, then measure the diameter top to bottom at either end and add 60mm to each of those which will give the length of the face. You will now cut down the strainers, his will ensure that even if your stay is tapered it will finish parallel to and clear of the top wire. See photos 3 and 4.
Photo 1
Photo 3
Photo 4
Then simply lay the stay across the top of the strainers and bring the saw up from below it, using the scarf you have created as a guide. To make the second cut at the other end, slide the stay so it overlaps the strainer at the first end by about 20mm then cut the second end as you did the first. This should give you a firm fitting stay that you can now hit down until it rests on the ledge at the bottom of the scarf (see photo 3). Morticing the stay is more difficult but I think it is necessary if the stay assembly is on steep ground to avoid the stay sliding upwards as the load of the fence goes on. See photo 5. Photo 5
I won’t go into detail of how to fit a morticed horizontal but if you apply the same basic rules as the scarf version you won’t go far wrong. The only thing I would say is that if your horizontal is on steep ground, the second post should be on contour or perpendicular to the ground as any of the line posts would be (see photo 5).
The brace wire is often compromised by using the wrong type of wire, incorrect knots and/or bad techniques. A good choice of wire would be a 3.15 mm to 4mm high tensile wire with at least two circuits of the horizontal.
When fitting the brace wire, it is stapled approx 100mm above the ground at the strainer end, and 50 – 70mm from the top of the post at the other, and should run in a true line and not be kinked by the incorrect placement of locating staples.
Mild steel wire should be avoided because of its tendency to stretch. Another bad practice is to use the outlawed double loop knot (see photo 6) in the brace wire as it holds less than 47% of the breaking strain of the wire. Crimp joiners, since their inception, are a far better option as they match the breaking strain of the wire.
The brace wire should be strained tightly and evenly enough to deflect the strainer post back 30mm or so to allow for the strainer moving forward as the fence is strained. An option I like to use, particularly when using deer netting, is to run the brace wire in a figure 8 between the strainers which gives clearance to the netting and allows you to tie off at the correct one fifth, which is not possible with a circuit type tie off. See photos 8 and 9. Photo 8
Photo 6
The use of permanent wire strainers is not seen as best practice as they are not designed to take the sort of load required and I have seen them blow to bits under high loading. An old favourite of the dairy farmer was to use a part batten to twitch the wire to tension and apart from looking terrible it does damage the galvanising causing corrosion. See photo 7.
Photo 9
Photo 7 Using this method, you may have to remove one or two sections of the vertical stay wires (see photo 9). I hope that some of you have found this information useful and can either use or avoid the methods described in your own fencing practices.
R J Best Contracting, 09 238 4833
Fencing Standards
By Lance Hare
I was recently asked to be involved in a dispute between a FCANZ non-member and his client. I was involved in the mediation process that eventually made it to court. The judge awarded damages to the client that involved full repayment of the disputed costs but also the full cost to pull down and replace the original job. Note this ‘contractor’ is still working in his region and calling himself a ‘master’ fencer…. Although this was the job of a nonmember the issues of disputes is very relevant and the need to keep practising the best standards in today’s compliant world has not been more important!
Note re battens (right hand) – Staples are skewed to the furthest outside edge of the batten without compromising the integrity of the batten. This allows for a locking effect on the wire and ensures the batten does not drift off centre…also note the correct photo (right hand) shows the double locking effect on the second wire down; this will ensure extra security of the batten.
I have been asked by the client to make further comment towards the standard of Fencing on his property which was conducted by the contractor. I had indicated to the client that the best comment that I could make would be to submit comparison photos to what is a National accepted standard and what the ‘contractor’ presented. Once again this job has not met Industry Best Standards and the photos illustrate accurately the difference of this job and what is accepted… also note that the photos are the work of 3 contractors from the North and South Island….
PAGE 22
For the record the photos on the left are ‘contractors’ and the ones on the right are the actual Industry best standard.
Note: The staple placement is very important: the staples are required to be presented at a 30 – 40 degree offset angle – this enables the insulator to actually lock onto the post and the staples are not in the same grain. Note: ‘Contractors’ bottom Staple is straight up and down and you can already see the crack running down the post, this will weaken the holding of the staple and eventually the insulator will fail.
Note: The Hi End Strain Insulator on the left shows very poor and dangerous wire wraps. There should be no tag on the wire as this will create possible eye and pelt damage to stock. The insulator on the right has 5-6 wraps on each end, the insulator will now be locked onto the wire and be able to be strained to 90 kilos.
Fencing Standards continued....
Note: The stay on the left is not centred nor is it dressed, nor mortised properly. With rough sawn stays [as the left] excess water is allowed to pool and ultimately decrease the age of the stay, dressing the stay allows for water run off and an accurate fit to the mortise.
Note: The stay block on the left is no longer than 450mm and no lower than 75mm, half of the expected length and depth of a accepted stay block. The photo on the right has not been staged; it has been dug on a normal fence job, this contractor as with 90% of contractors in the region dig there stay blocks in this manner. Note the stay has not been set yet – but it illustrates accurately the correct centre of the block.
These two photos speak for themselves……
LB & T Hare, 06 379 8567
FCANZ Accredited Fencers Agricultural Forest/ Fence Services (Amberley)
Barakat Contractors Ltd (Te Kauwhata)
Central Fencing (Canterbury)
Contract Fencing Ltd (Manawatu)
CPC Contracting (Kerikeri)
Craig Sergeant Fencing (Waipukurau)
Glentui Farm Services (Feilding)
Grant Macdonald Fencing Service (Tauranga)
Grant Scott Fencing Ltd (Te Awamutu)
Greg Burton Fencing (Cambridge)
Gregg Holmes Contracting (Papakura)
Ground Up Services (Katikati)
Ground Up Solutions (New Plymouth )
Hadley Fencing (Whakatane)
Higgins Fencing Contractors (Wakefield)
C: John Hay P: 03 314 9388 M: 027 450 7580
C: Andrew Cave P: 06 376 5992 M: 027 296 3504 E: andrew@contractfencing.co.nz www.contractfencing.co.nz
C: Mike Billinghurst P: 06 328 8118 M: 027 695 662 E: billinghurst@farmside.co.nz
P: 07 827 8765 M: 027 427 8765 E: mazgreg@xtra.co.nz
C: Clayton & Sue Horton P: 06 758 2217 M: 021 710 712 E: clayton@groundupsolutions.co.nz www.groundupsolutions.co.nz
C: Dale & Raewyn Barakat P: 07 826 4461 M: 027 473 5513 E: dale@barakatcontractors.co.nz www.barakatcontractors.co.nz
C: Phil Cornelius P: 09 407 1160 E: cpccontracting@xtra.co.nz
C: Nigel Broadbridge P: 03 325 7779 M: 021 433 623 E: central.fencing@xnet.co.nz
P: 06 858 9759 M:027-243 7334 E: sargey@xtra.co.nz
P: 07 5433486 P: 07 870 6541 M: 027 494 2251 E: k.tautari@xtra.co.nz E: grantmacdonald@mclarenfalls.co.nz
P: 09 296 9984 M: 027 440 4247 E: oakend@xtra.co.nz
C: Peter Hadley P: 07 312 9069
C: Darryn Astill P: 07 552 0238 M: 027 586 9227 E: darryn@groundupservices.co.nz
C:Philip Higgins
P: 03 541 9292 M: 021 222 5033 E: info@farmfencing.co.nz www.farmfencing.co.nz
Jeff Joines Fencing Contractor Ltd (Raumati South)
John Baldock Fencing Ltd (Katikati)
N & T Higgins Fencing (Ngatea)
Phillips Contracting (Edgecombe) Renner Contracting Ltd C: Joshua Phillips (Seddon)
P:04 905 1013 M: 027 484 4481 E: jeffjoines@paradise.net.nz
PAGE 24
C: Nigel & Teresa Higgins P: 07 867 8332 M: 027 243 8650 E: nigel.teresa@xtra.co.nz
P: 07 552 0763 M: 021 176 4719 E: john@johnbaldockfencing.co.nz www.johnbaldockfencing.co.nz
P: 07 323 6666 M:027 587 3551 E: phillipscontracting@xtra.co.nz
Lake Contracting (Omakau) C: Ken Lake P: 03 447 4031 M: 027 224 0302
C: Terry & Karen Renner P: 03 575 7080 M: 027 226 7238 E: rennerfencing@hotmail.com
FCANZ Accredited Fencers Neil & Raymond Roberston (Fensin) (Waitetuna) C: Neil Robertson P: 07 825 5747 M: 027 474 6335 E: robertson.nd@xtra.co.nz
Samuel Fencing Ltd (Alexandra) C: Mike Samuel P: 03 448 6949 M: 0275 245 4090 E: mikesamuel@clear.net.nz
Steve Locke Fencing Ltd (Blenheim)
P: 03 5781927 M: 021 37 1971 E: steve@stevelockefencing.co.nz www.stevelockefencing.co.nz
Steve Williamson Fencing (Timaru) P: 03 686 4779 E: shwilliamson@actrix.co.nz
Taihape Contract Fencing (Mangaweka)
C: Alan Rennie P: 06 382 5555 E: taihapefencing@hotmail.com
Todd Sherburd Fencing (Morrinsville) P:07 887 5549 M: 027 494 2251 E: todd@fsw.co.nz
RD1 – proud to be a
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West Otago Fencing 2001(Tapanui) C: Grant & Wendy Harris P: 03 204 8285 M:027 286 6576 E: harris@esi.co.nz
White Fencing Ltd (Papakura) C: Tony White P: 09 292 8064 M:027 495 7868 E: admin@whitefencing.co.nz www.whitefencing.co.nz
Wilson Fencing (Havelock North) C: Brendon Wilson P: 06 877 9844 M: 027 657 4588 E: b.m.wilson@xtra.co.nz
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FOR THE FARMYARD AND THE BACKYARD
Clever Wire Strainers
Courtesy of Malcolm Webster
There were some clever old buggars trying to improve their equipment and methods. Here’s one I found on a fence we are replacing, it had been there about 30-40 years. Simple and probably used before permanent wire strainers became affordable and common use
GIVEAWAY! We have very kindly been given 3 jackets from Line 7 to give away to lucky FCANZ members, we will be giving away one of each of the below jackets‌. draw to be made at the next meeting, winners will be announced in the next E-news, good luck and keep warm this winter with Line 7 High Country: Our premium range made from a highly durable 3-layer fabric. 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable with numerous functional features that make each garment a leader in wetweather clothing.
8PAGE 26
Terrain Breathable: The new improved Terrain range combines the effectiveness of a hard-wearing abrasion-resistant garment with a technically advanced 3-layer system providing superior breathability and 100% wind and waterproofing.
All Rural Fencing, 09 425 4300
Forest: Made from a 3-layer system combing the effectiveness of a technical water-resistant fleece with a breathable membrane which allows heat and perspiration to dissipate.
Technically superior, all-condition gear that’s designed to last. Give it heaps.
line7.co.nz/terrain
Fitting a stay block with a post driver
Courtesy of Malcolm Webster
Shaping your stays The stay is best held on the footrest of your spade dug into the ground on an angle, if you are only doing a one off on the fence line. Better still before you take them out on to the fence line all your end blocks can be cut to length (half of a 1.8m no1 half round post). Stays can be cut to shape while the other posts are all laying flat on the ground. You can lay these stay posts parallel and on top of them in the grooves between posts, this holds them more securely while you shape them see picture 1.
Repeat this to each cut face for great finish (this can be done in batch lots by turning all the stays to one side then doing them all before turning all again for the next side) Marking where the stay is to go Marking where the stay will enter the strainer or corner post can be so easy. Use your wire spacing batten and lay it across the top of
Picture1 - preparing stays post dump site
2.5mm High Tensile Wire 25kg • Premium grade wire-protected by zinc aluminium XTRALIFE coating, offers twice the life of class 3 galvanisation.
You should cut your stay end to shape with the chain of the saw pulling with the timber grain towards the end of the post.
8PAGE 28
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While still standing off the end and with the chain of the saw running fast, gently move across the face of your cut side-to-side and you will get a finish nearly as good as a wood plane.
You should now have a “V” drawn there see picture 2.
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At the end of your stay post draw the same sized end as your mortise which will be (about 100 x 50mm) then cut it to shape using your chainsaw.
After cutting each side to achieve correct end shape, roll the stay post so that one cut at a time is flat upwards to you.
the corner post with the outside edge of the batten level with the outside edge of the corner post. Get a straight sighting along the outside of the batten towards the next corner or end, then draw a line on the top of the post along the inside of the batten, now repeat this same process looking the other way to the next corner.
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Picture 2 - marking out where stay is to fit)
Picture 3 - digging stay in and fitting block
Now stand behind the point of the “V” and draw a line exactly half way between the two lines. At the inside of this line now drop the wire spacing batten vertically to the ground. With the batten held plumb and centre down from this line, now draw a line down each side of the batten about halfway down the post. Then draw lines across the two vertical lines about 100mm apart and between your wire spacing’s. Next chisel out your mortise to those lines. Fitting
Next get your side shift post driver parked directly off the end of the stay post (you can use a rear mount if you have enough top link adjustment). Raise the weight then carefully place your stay block (900mm of NO1 half round post) at right angles to the stay angle vertically underneath the post cap, then gently lower the weight on to it. Remove the cap rope or chain and give the block a light tap to make sure the cap pin beds into the block, see picture 4. Picture 4 - fitting stay and starting to drive block
Fit the shaped end of your stay post into the mortise checking the end is cut to the correct angle, (meaning when it will be in its final position with end down in the ground) to contact the most of the post inside your mortise hole. Next check your stay is on the same line as your pencil mark you made on the top of the post If all correct start digging the ground end of the stay in so that the top side of the stay end will be about 150mm below the ground level when finished. (Be careful to take the top grassy clods of soil out in a way you can set them back in the same order as you took them out).
With this spacer just keep driving the block down until its top is level with the top of the stay. Remove the post driver.
Clean up.
Now work the hydraulic side shift to push the block hard against the end of the stay and push the mortise in to a tight fit. Give the block a good hit then make the side shift push the stay hard enough to slightly move the corner/strainer post away or over a little bit.
Malcolm Webster –All Rural Fencing Ltd Warkworth 09 425 4300 Come and talk to me about fencing methods:
PAGE 30
Keep driving the block down until the driver weight can go no lower. Next raise the weight and cap so you can fit a spacer post on top (Caution this spacer post should only be about 500mm long and have a pin fitted in the bottom end to make sure it does not slide off when being hit). The pin can be a 100mm piece of 10mm rod driven into the end after its had a large flat washer welded to it about 25mm from the end to stop it going too far into the spacer post see picture 5. Picture 5 - using spacer to drive block below ground level
At the Mystery Creek Fieldays, I will be on the Fairbrother - Kinghitter stand Site B41 near the fencing competitions.
Now throw any wood chips and cut offs into the hole you dug out for the stay then replace the soft soil ram it in tight then replace the grass clods in the order you dug them out and finally use your rammer to pack them down so the grass grows back easily Well done a nice looking tight fitting stay which won’t let you down when you have strained up all the wires.
FCANZ BOARD MEMBERS Nigel Broadbridge President 03 325 7779 021 433 623 president@fencingcontractors.co.nz
Paul Fitzsimmons 03 374 3510 027 432 9381
paul@kcfencesystems.co.nz
Robert Best (Accredited fencing contractors) 09 238 4833 027 282 7090 rob.best.fencing@live.com
John Noakes 03 528 6388 027 446 4413
andrew@contractfencing.co.nz
mikesamuel@clear.net.nz
Suzy Alsop 0508 4 32269 021 955 958
operations@fencingcontractors.co.nz
noakesjc@gmail.com
Andrew Cave 06 376 5992 027 296 3504
Mike Samuel 03 448 9339 027 245 4090
Alan Rennie 06 382 5555 027 450 6420
taihapefencing@hotmail.com
Administration 0508 4 FCANZ (0508 4 32269) info@fencingcontractors.co.nz FCANZ PO Box 19 389 Hamilton, 3244 www.fencingcontractors.co.nz
Why Join? • • • • • • • •
Support the industry and help lift the profile of fencing as a profession Opportunity to network and communicate with like minded people throughout the country Access to training including ATV and chainsaw courses Access to assessing & NZQA qualifications National Certificate in Fencing Free copy of WIRED publications (4 issues per year) Association Days around the regions Support from industry providers Annual Conference
The FCANZ committee is predominately governed by Fencing Contractors who are volunteering considerable amounts of time to help the industry as a whole. By joining you are assisting in this effort and we would welcome you on board. We have various forms of membership: • General member $100 + GST • Employee $50 + GST • Wired subscription only $35 + GST All above members get a free subscription to WIRED. Email Suzy at operations@fencingcontractors. co.nz for your application form.
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