Fence Installation and Stretch Apparatus

Abstract

A device for transporting, paying out, and stretching fence wire material is designed to be attached to a vehicle such as a tractor. The device has a spindle for supporting at least one roll of fence wire. The roll can be mounted on the spindle and driven to the fence site. The fence roll can be allowed to turn freely on the spindle, as fencing is being payed out along the fence line. It can also be braked so that the wire can be tensioned by moving the vehicle. Multiple rolls (e.g., hog wire and barbed wire) may be handled at the same time.

1 . A device for transporting, paying out, and stretching fence wire material from at least one roll of such material, said device comprising
 a frame,   means for attaching the frame to a vehicle,   at least one spindle supported by the frame, the spindle being adapted to support a roll of fence wire material installed over the spindle, and a support structure for supporting both ends of the spindle, the support structure being constrained to move linearly with respect to the frame between a release position in which a roll of wire mounted on the spindle can turn freely, and a clamping position at which the wire is squeezed between the spindle and the frame, whereby the wire material can be tensioned by moving the vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising a barbed wire dispenser attachment. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 2 , wherein the barbed wire dispenser comprises a spindle for supporting multiple rolls of barbed wire and independent tensioners for applying a braking force to each roll. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 3 , wherein each tensioner comprises a torsion spring having a tine which can be brought to bear tangentially against the surface of a barbed wire roll, to resist rotation of the roll. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal ram for driving the support structure between said release position and said clamping position. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical ram, having a portion attached to said frame, for driving and pulling fence posts.