Best Mains Fencer

Sami23

It's probably been asked before but I need to buy a new Mains Fencer as I'm sick of buying batteries for the battery fencer I have and you never know when it will go dead.

Anyway I've narrowed my choice down to Cheetah(Super), Elephant(M65) or Gallagher(M550) so just wondering from your experience which brand would ye choose ?
Thanks

emaherx

Sami23 wrote: »

It's probably been asked before but I need to buy a new Mains Fencer as I'm sick of buying batteries for the battery fencer I have and you never know when it will go dead.

Anyway I've narrowed my choice down to Cheetah(Super), Elephant(M65) or Gallagher(M550) so just wondering from your experience which brand would ye choose ?
Thanks

All good makes.
What's the difference in prices?

They are all different power though
Cheetah super 7 joules
M65 6.5 Joules
M550 5 Joules
So from your list the cheetah will cover a bigger area.

Sami23

emaherx wrote: »

All good makes.
What's the difference in prices?

They are all different power though
Cheetah super 7 joules
M65 6.5 Joules
M550 5 Joules
So from your list the cheetah will cover a bigger area.

Cheetah - 280
M65 - 300
M550 - 280

Presume you hav to buy earth bars after that

emaherx

Sami23 wrote: »

Cheetah - 280
M65 - 300
M550 - 280

Presume you hav to buy earth bars after that

Ok, I'd say go with the cheetah, have on here ticking away for the last 20 odd years.

Sami23

emaherx wrote: »

Ok, I'd say go with the cheetah, have on here ticking away for the last 20 odd years.

That's good to hear about the Cheetah as I'd definately want it to last whichever I'd buy.

The one thing that I noticed about the Gallagher is that it has built in lightning protection in it - not sure if the others have that

emaherx

Sami23 wrote: »

That's good to hear about the Cheetah as I'd definately want it to last whichever I'd buy.

The one thing that I noticed about the Gallagher is that it has built in lightning protection in it - not sure if the others have that

No idea, wonder how good built in lightning protection is compared to an external lightning arrester? Nothing wrong with Gallagher units either I used Gallagher battery units on out farm until recently, but replaced this year with Voss solar unit .

hopeso

Sami23 wrote: »

Cheetah - 280
M65 - 300
M550 - 280

Presume you hav to buy earth bars after that

Yes, you have to buy the earth rods after that....And buy plenty of them! Good earthing is the most important part of the whole job. If possible, drive them in damp ground, at the correct spacings (which I can't remember at the moment)...

Sugarbowl

Considering a new mains fencer - around 50 acres but not covering the whole area. A few good large paddocks as hilly ground so more perimeter purposes. What output should I be looking at? Anyone come across one for good value recently?

emaherx

Sugarbowl wrote: »

Considering a new mains fencer - around 50 acres but not covering the whole area. A few good large paddocks as hilly ground so more perimeter purposes. What output should I be looking at? Anyone come across one for good value recently?

hopeso

emaherx wrote: »

That chart states that a mains fence needs 8 or 10 earth rods..... How many are people using? I have 3 on mine.

Water John

Using a Forcefield MX 18. It is 18 Joules and I think you'd need it. Leave it on always to burn off foilage. I think I paid around €450 on line for it.
I have four earth bars, maybe it isn't enough?

emaherx

hopeso wrote: »

That chart states that a mains fence needs 8 or 10 earth rods..... How many are people using? I have 3 on mine.

How many acres are you fencing? Is it 500 with a 36 Joule fencer? People seem to think 3 is the magic one size fits all here. (And probably does in most cases due to our wet soils and smaller farms)

The chart is a guide from a particular manufacturer showing their models forget about the mains or battery or solar bit and use the Joules and acres as a guide.

emaherx

Water John wrote: »

Using a Forcefield MX 18. It is 18 Joules and I think you'd need it. Leave it on always to burn off foilage. I think I paid around €450 on line for it.
I have four earth bars, maybe it isn't enough?

What sort of area have you fenced is it near the limit of the fencer? About 250 acres?

The chart is a guide probably figures are for dry soils. There is no completely right answer for every farm there are too many variables which cannot be captured in a simple chart. Does your fence work well and did it work well in the drought last year, if it did you are Grand.





There is another recent thread on fences and issues also.
https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057987842/8/#post110510521

Cavanjack

Have an elephant m65. Seems to be a great shock out of it. Also there is a digital display on it showing the volts which we find great. You’d know if there was a fence down by the volts dropping. Have 3 earth rods connected to it.

satstheway

Is the best fencer not the cheetah g303

emaherx

satstheway wrote: »

Is the best fencer not the cheetah g303

???
Depends on your need.
Probably not worth spending €900 on a fencer for a 40 acre farm. Also could be an expensive error for a 500 acre farm as it only covers 300 acres.

jntsnk

satstheway wrote: »

Is the best fencer not the cheetah g303

Have one burns through great on the ditch . Plenty earth rods is the key.

Water John

The Cheetah g303 is a 33 Joule fencer. Family member has one and it's very good. Cost around €900, a heavy duty unit and priced accordingly.

Nobbies

satstheway wrote: »

Is the best fencer not the cheetah g303

Considering that beast myself. 33 joules sounds exciting if you're into your mains fencing. Would be thinking she'd burn joins tied in any poly wire though??

Water John

Wrap the joint with a piece of wire, the wires in poly are light and you might lose power transfer.
I presume as fixed equipment VAT can be reclaimed.

_Brian

Just on the super strong fencers.

If you have a short like a briar on white wire it will burn through the wire before the briar 🙄