The design deals with the nuisance of tangled pigtail posts, making it easier to store, carry and erect temporary electric fences.
Product manager Graham Johns says a key feature is its distinctive ring-shaped head. Made from heavy-duty glass-fibre nylon, the heads suffer no electrical shorts. And they are light and strong.
The company talked to many farmers and did a lot of R&D.
“We talked to farmers about what they liked and didn’t like about portable fencing and a common complaint about pigtail standards was entanglement during transport and storage,” Johns says. “Farmers were also frustrated about pigtail heads wearing through, resulting in shorting.”
Johns says feedback from farmers who have trialled the new post has been “fantastic”.
“We’ve run tests in Taranaki, Waikato and Southland, and farmers love them. Most said they wouldn’t go back to the old standards and one farmer said his staff members argue over who gets to use the new ring top posts.”
Gallagher has also redesigned the foot section for more strength and usability. Made from over-moulded glass-fibre for increased durability, the foot will withstand 200kg of tread pressure and will not bend out of shape like a steel foot.
The blade-type design of the foot prevents the standard from rotating when erected, and its profile reduces the risk of standards becoming tangled and entrapped during handling and storage. An extended insulated section also provides extra strength and better handling.
