How to Build a Self Tensioning Bushman's Wire Gate

[@apiletal]

Fantastic gate. I really love the simplicity.

[@jimnauber2627]

Great video tim stepdad was using them when my mom got together with him 46 years ago and we still use them today in the US

[@I_must_get_a_van]

Good one Tim. Cheers Steve

[@petemacfarlane6478]

Thanks Tim. Built a few of these just last week, using 11/90/15 mesh. Goodbye Wallabies, hello grass.

[@alantough9554]

My old Dad used the lever latch. Great to see it again.

[@easttexan2933]

very common here in East Texas. Almost all wire gates have them on farms and ranches. But I have to say, wire gates are getting more scarce. Going to the metal gates cause they are cheap and easy to install and last forever. great video and info.

[@joenyari7300]

I’ve been racking my brain how to tighten and I’m going to use this thanks for the tip! 👍🏻

[@jarelandrews9050]

Your video has been very helpful thank you

[@grantbloxsom6414]

I have made those before but I do the strainer the other way around.. handle back on to the gate. Great tips

[@jillbarnes4847]

Me too & I use a small linked chain with a little D shackle for adjusting.

[@danwilliams4877]

Thanks for sharing that great tip. Very informative and clearly done. Safety absolutely first. Great points

[@brewsterly2927]

We use a battery drill with a speed bit to drill holes in all the uprights, this prevents the twitched wires from slipping down as you see here. Great video as usual though Tim, thumb up.

[@johndon74]

Great video again Tim. I really live watching your channel and learn something every time. You also do a really good job in making it so easy to follow- very clear and well explained.

[@42lookc]

We were using those gates (with barb wire) and tensioning system 50 years ago in Ontario, Canada. Of course we didn't call them "bushmen's gates". We just called them wire gates. The tension pole we called a 'swifter pole'. We used another form of swifter poles to lash down loads of logs and other materials. I hated wire gates because I wanted solid steel gates on hinges, but with our soft clay ground combined with frost heaving that wasn't always feasible. No matter how big the anchor post hole you made and how well you stoned the post in, the post still moved and messed up the swinging of the gate, so wire gates it was.

[@JoLynch0]

that's bloody excellent. I'd seen it done before but it was with welded steel attachments so this is far more accessible when you're in the bush.

[@Quadflash]

Good, solid fence construction. Thanks for a useful idea.

[@kenerickson4851]

Good videos, I think. In Saskatchewan (Canada) the tensioning device is very common but mostly, instead of mild wire, ranchers / farmers use rope or chain, either link chain or drive change (as you might find driving gears). With chain a headless (or small-headed) nail may also be used as the final ‘hold’ on the chain after it has been tightened but before the leverage stick is retained by a loop of wire.

[@downunderfulla6001]

We do the exact same build but use the tip for tension and the handle goes across top wire (gate) with a circular wire sliding over handle end. 🍻🍻

[@RnDRace]

And the little circle wire runs away out of arms length :-) We used pipe and just hook it over the tight top wire some welded a hook on the end of the pipe to hook the wire for our classy gates.

[@miguelangelsimonfernandez5498]

That type of makeshift gate used to be quite popular in Spain

[@trdperformance1203]

Never knew it had a name, do it all the time

[@nigelmchugh5541]

Great idea Tim. Common to see "wire gates" here in Ireland, but they would always be made with barbed wire. Was in France once and saw a similar gate with a special store bought tensioning latch.

[@cheryl4729]

AWESOME video!

[@oldoldpilgrim1885]

For the end post on the movable part of the gate I sometimes use a pole as tall as I can reach and attach the latching bale permanently to it. The tall pole gives me enough leverage to pull the gate tight and drop the bale over the fence post.

[@slvalleyboy]

Many years ago I nearly lost an eye because I got hit in an eye with a loose unsecured wire. Safety glasses would have save me a lot of grief.

[@michiganhay7844]

Would you electrify that gate? Curious how much wood you can direct attached to non-insulated and still have good electrical connectivity I’ve made some fence stays out of twigs and just tied them right to the wire and it seems like the fence chargers are able to thrower current without much reduction at all and voltage kind of curious on your opinion on that Like do we really need insulators on wood post?

[@FarmLearningTim]

Hi mate. I would not electrify that gate. I would instead use a bugee or spring electric gate kit like this one store.am.gallagher.com/am/au/en_AU/animal-management/electric-fencing/permanent-fencing/electric-gates-%26-accessories/electric-galvanised-spring-gate/p/G64000

[@jayjamie9670]

Thx...great video and great tips....I'm thinking now, after watching that, that I could build my whole goat pen as a series of these self tensioning gates? Considering my lack of tools for pulling the fence tight and my zero experience...is that a reasonable option in anyones opinion?

[@jayjamie9670]

@@FarmLearningTim Thx for the reply, I appreciate the advice...and the joke! I'll see if I can wangle some xtra spending money for strainers! Take it easy

[@samuelgraham4071]

Nice video those gates work best with a short or broken off star picket instead of the sapling

[@simoncampbell5802]

I thought of tossing those half pickets away but have found many uses since watching this channel.

[@MikeJones-vt9fu]

1/2 star pickets are good for tie-downs at dips in the fence where the in - line star picket wants to pull up out if the ground. Also good for anchor pickets on Waratah Ezyslots, Cyclone complete strainer assemblies and Southern Wire angle steel strainers.

[@JaydLawrence]

Love the tensioner idea. I want to do a similar gate with page wire fencing. Any particular tips for doing it with the different type of fencing? I imagine it would be similar, but I might not need the uprights in the middle and the tensioner would have to be at the top as it wouldn't go easily through the wire in the middle.

[@davidfricker3258]

slick, very slick.

[@allanhoskins9895]

Ripper idea mate, been great watching all your videos. All the best for the New Year and look forward to our next lesson. Cheers mate

[@peterjackson4863]

Always remember to make the bush mans gate so that the smallest person on the property can open and close it

[@MrBusdriver63]

I use the bushman's a lot I and I like that lever idea I use a chain and a "D" I am going to convert them all to the lever system the only difference I have done was to electrify the gate.

[@-fakenews]

It's a nice tensioning latch, but I fail to see how it is "self tensioning"

[@jamesbounsall5478]

If you have time to answer, what sort of pliers or cutters are they?

[@FarmLearningTim]

They were Maun electric fencing pliers mate. I’ve since switched to Knipex cutters as they are a bit better but the old Maun still makes a handy backup

[@andreabond3501]

Cool seen one before

[@CodPlaya68]

Hello tim, quick question how do i remove goathead weeds or punturevine. Its all over my property and ive seen many videos but figured id ask you. Thanks Andrew.

[@Jase-so2tm]

Hi Tim what's ur opinion on roo fence is it worth the extra dollars?

[@Jase-so2tm]

@@FarmLearningTim yes I agree I'm about too seed new pasture. But I'm finding it hard to justify the extra cost of roo fence??? Any tips

[@Jase-so2tm]

@@FarmLearningTim I had just thought about NOT getting roo fence and pinning it down some how

[@alisalma6668]

Always 4 dislikes, who the fack is disliking this! Keep up the good work mate, love you vids and keep em coming

[@MH-qc6hp]

How long is that gate on your video ?

[@FarmLearningTim]

About 12 foot

[@MH-qc6hp]

@@FarmLearningTim ok thank you. I will be setting one up for myself on my land that same length

[@richo1177]

Remind me of Russel Coit

[@soyoucametosee7860]

Yes always wear safety glasses. I would be blind in one eye if not. The wire slipped out of my hand and came around hitting dead center of where my eye was behind the safety glasses. Fast as a snake.

[@devriescustomleather1109]

Good!

[@SunnybraeCroft]

So simple you wonder why you haven’t done it before

[@gonegolding]

They call that a "Panel" in outback Qld, not a "Gate". I was using this same system to close them 40 years ago when cleaning out station dams around the Cunnamulla/Charleville area.

[@joeroberts9502]

Where I live in Queensland they call this a "Bogan Gate."

[@joeroberts9502]

@@FarmLearningTim I've made them with the lever going around the post then back onto the gate itself. Same trick with the wire loop though.

[@gregausit]

Hey Tim, you know this one could be classed as a Russel Coit rip off...lol :)

[@gregausit]

@@FarmLearningTim The hat, the angle etc.....you could have done a comedy version ..... :)

[@craigwillis3372]

Great stuff Tim...did you get permission from The Greens to chop down a tree? Great stuff!!

[@BacktotheBasics101]

👍🏼

[@johnhelton457]

Woodglut is nice for that.

[@robbrowne8814]

We call the cocky’s gates. Horrible things!

[@FarmLearningTim]

😂