Seasonal Mainline and Wire

[SeanD]

Unfortunately, I have to take down any mainline and wire I put up at the end of the season. This is my first time working with high tensile wire.

I'm going to wrap my end trees with a protected loop at at each end. I'm going to use a ratchet tensioner at one end and the other end will be fixed. If I twist and coil the wire to anchor each end, will it uncoil and be reusable year to year or will I have to cut the twisted part and shorten the mainline every year? I suppose the same will be true of the part of the wire that goes into the drum of the ratchet.

Is there a better fitting out there that I can use year to year. I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Sean

[foursapsyrup1]

They make connectors that splice the wire for the end loops that are easy to use. I take down 500 feet of 1 inch mainline / with high tension wire after each season. Have to be careful not to bend the wire or it will weaken it.
I have some extra connectors that you can use. Also pick them up at tractor supply.

[jimsudz]

I just started using a two piece wire splice on the ends of my mainlines. If you use these you would have to replace them every year but you wouldn't be ruining the end of your main with the tensioner and shortening the main every year. You will have to tension the main with a ratchet strap and a cable puller and put on a new wire splice. If you need more tension get it with your side ties. I got my wire splices from Jason Groosman but all the dealers can get them.The do make a nice clean looking mainline end

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

If you are taking down every year and have some slope, you may be able to use CDL Rapitube or regular maple mainline and use tension grips on each end of it and side pull it with CDL Rapifix strap. This way you can forget using wire.

[SeanD]

They make connectors that splice the wire for the end loops that are easy to use. I take down 500 feet of 1 inch mainline / with high tension wire after each season. Have to be careful not to bend the wire or it will weaken it.
I have some extra connectors that you can use. Also pick them up at tractor supply.

Thanks for the info and offer. I thought you left yours up all year.

Is it called a gripple? I couldn't tell if those will release the wire. I may be needing a bunch, so I'll probably just try to find them in bulk. A new property I'd been waiting to get into just opened up for me.

[SeanD]

If you are taking down every year and have some slope, you may be able to use CDL Rapitube or regular maple mainline and use tension grips on each end of it and side pull it with CDL Rapifix strap. This way you can forget using wire.

I thought of that route when I first started looking into using a mainline, but I don't have a lot of slope in a few areas. I already bought the wire and the mainline when it was on sale last spring.

Thanks,
Sean

[BreezyHill]

I use Gallagher Electric Rapid Tighteners for my tensioning. I would attach the fence wire to a carabineer and use it to attach to the tension grips. J Hooks into the tree to attach High Tensile wire and you are good to go. Use heavy enough carabineers and you should have an easy go of it.

I use threaded repair links but I put a lot of tension on my lines. Both will work just fine.

Ben

[lpakiz]

I make home made J hooks from a 1/2 by 5 lag bolt and weld a 3 inch piece of 5/16 across the head. Then I use a white porceline corner post insulator, which just slips over the 5/16.
The wire is looped around the insulator and fastened with a double sleeve that you crimp, or a 1/8 cable clamp or 2.
Build in an extra loop (cable clamps) 6 feet from the end, then use a come-a-long to get it re-attached each spring.