How to Install Continuous Fence

Before work begins it’s advisable to call “Dig-Safe, 811-Know what’s below”. They will have 48 business hrs. to have utilities come and flag your area before digging. Check with them to be sure ALL utilities will be contacted. In some cases, you may have to contact water companies yourself.

If your continuous fence-line has trees and brush in the path those will need to be cleared. The more level and even your ground is the better your continuous fence is going to look. Making sure your ground is as level as you can get it, even if this means taking the extra time yourself with a skid-steer or hiring a professional dozer it is worth it in the long run.

The next step is measuring the total linear feet, this can be done with a 300’ tape or measuring wheel. The continuous fence panels come in 20’ lengths. Don’t be concerned if you would need a panel shorter in length for a spot, you can cut and splice continuous fence to any length without any change in appearance.

Set your end posts - For 5 & 6 Bar Continuous Fence panels you will need 8’ tall posts, either pipe 2 3/8” or 2 7/8”. Wood posts may also be used, the diameter would be your preference. These posts need to be set at the correct height because you will use them for setting the remaining posts. The posts need to be level or plumb (perfectly straight/not leaning in any direction). Take a level and check one side for east/west and check another for north/south.

Run a string-line about a foot or less off the ground, from both end posts. You want your string-line on the same side of the posts your continuous fence panels are going to be on. Make sure it is straight and tight with nothing altering its line, caution in windy conditions that the line hasn’t been affected. If it is very windy and/or a lengthy distance between your two corners you can sight in a post in the center.

Marking out the remaining posts. Typically, we measure at 10’ spacing, this can alter depending on if it is a high-stress area in a working pen or alley. If it is a high-stress area you may want to go 8’ or less in between posts. If you have a length, not in even 10’ increments, make your allowances at the ends near corner posts. For example, if you have a run 72’ in length make your first two posts set at 11’, when you get to 22’ then use 10’ spacing. Next lay a tape measure in alignment with the string-line, normally a 100’ tape and start marking your spots with a spray-paint marker for each post. We generally use a 9” auger.

Dig each post hole 3’ deep for an 8’ post leaving 5’ above ground to attach continuous fence panel to. Make sure to clean out your holes so posts are setting on solid ground.

Setting your posts, we use the method of running two string-lines. This is why it is beneficial to have your end posts set at the correct height. You will place your top string line to the very top of each end post, again making sure the line is very tight. You will have your bottom string-line to line for position and your top for height. If you set your posts to height as you are setting them this makes installing the panels much easier and faster. Again, you will check each post to make sure it is plumb. When using two string-lines set the post with the top and bottom, then use a level for the side.

Fill each hole with a sack of concrete mix. We use 80 lb. bag sac-crete or any type of gravel/concrete mix. Tamp in the concrete mix, then put the remaining dirt back in the hole and tamp. You can also pour some water on the sac-crete mix if you are in dry conditions, the sac-crete will pull moisture from the ground around it.

If time is available, we let the posts set for 24 hrs before installing your continuous fence panels.

Mounting the continuous fence panels. If your fence is a road frontage fence and you are wanting the aesthetic appearance you may install with the continuous fence panel mounted on the outside of the post (closest to the road). Especially if you are not containing any livestock. The continuous fence panels will be placed with the verticals next to the post side and the tubing out towards the road. When you look at the installed continuous fence panel it will be tubing – verticals – posts. On all livestock fencing barbwire or continuous fence panels, you always want your fence inside next to the livestock for added strength. This helps hold the fence when the livestock is pushing on it. That means your posts will be on the outside and your continuous fence panels on the inside next to the livestock. If it is an interior fence adjoining two pens or pastures one side will be right, with the continuous fence panel next to the livestock, the opposite side will be the post.

Mounting and welding - This can be done by a single person attaching a come-along to the post at the opposite end of the continuous fence panel. You will then take your come-along line loop it under a lower bar of the continuous fence panel and ratchet the panel to top of post. Since the posts are set to height go back to first post, hold panel to top of post, and tack weld in 3 places. Move to next post and then do third post. When finished on first continuous fence panel insert connectors in each bar/tube. Take the come-along off this panel and move it to the end of the next panel, rachet up as before. This will make it easy to pick up the opposite end of the panel to align with the first panel and slide over the connectors. Both continuous fence panels should slide onto the connectors to the welded tit. Each continuous fence panel should be slid as close to the welded tit of the connector as possible. This is why and how these continuous fence panels go up so fast and easy. You are at the beginning of the second panel that is connected to first panel and is held to height by come-along, now you can begin to tack weld this panel the same as the one before. Don’t worry if a vertical aligns with a post, just go ahead and weld it to post. After we have the continuous fence panels installed we go back and weld every bar to posts.

Coming to the end of a line – cut your continuous fence panel off, it can be used in your next run of fence. Weld angle iron to end of continuous fence panel to cap the ends of the tubing. It gives you a nice finished look to the panels and inexpensive.

For more information please watch Tough Bar Fence video “Continuous Fencing Install – step by step”. Or don’t hesitate to call with any questions.

Dave 936-240-1217 Tee 936-707-3132

Tough Bar Fence