Electrifying a tractor

[KathyK]

I have searched the posts, but cannot find the information I need. I am planning on building a Salatin-style tractor out of EMT conduit. I would like to put a few hot wires around the pen (attached to it with insulators of course) to keep predators out. Is this possible? I thought I saw here somewhere, where someone had done this. This would be much easier to move than putting up an electric poultry net around it, or moving a multi-strand electric fence. Has anyone tried this? What was your experience? Am I crazy? I was thinking of a solar or battery powered charger on a post or attached to the tractor, and 2 or 3 hot wires wrapped around the sides with the bottom one as close to the ground as the lumpy-bumpy, weedy pasture will allow. This way I can just flip off the charger, pull up the stake that is holding it, and the grounding rod, and move the tractor.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Kathy

 

[dsqard]

What is the diameter of the conduit? There are insulators for hot wire that are made to clamp on to metal fence posts that stick out about four inches from the fence. Would that be long enough for what you are trying to do?
ETA - here is a link to what I am talking about: http://www.farmsupplystore.com/departments/round-post/pipe-clamp-insulator-black

 

[KathyK]

The conduit is 1/2". I'm not real worried about the insulators. I think I can screw a pipe strap/clamp onto a plastic one and make it work, if there isn't one available.

 

[Buster52]

I think it would probably be easier to electrify a larger area and run your tractor in that, using up that area (however large you want to make it) as you move your tractor within it. That way you don't have to move the fencing as often.

I do a variation on this with my netting. 40X40 feet of netting, keeping the birds in a tractor until they are large enough that they can't squeeze through the netting, at which time I open a door on the tractor. They then use the tractor for night time and heat of the day shelter, and are safe within you netting.

You could use plastic step in posts with three or four strands of electric around say a 60X60 foot square, using a battery or solar energizer, for not very much money. Rebar posts are even cheaper than plastic step in posts. You could also use electrified polytape instead of wire for ease of movement.

 

[bigredfeather]

Perhaps here is an alternative to using the electric. It would be much easier and is still effective as long as you use strong wire. I use 1"x1" cage wire on my tractors to keep any predator from breaking thru it.

Just a thought.

 

[KathyK]

Thanks Buster and BigRedFeather. I have considered the electric netting (expensive) or posts with hotwires in a larger perimeter. And moving the tractor within the fence.
I also thought about the apron. I have a 12 x 12 layer run with attached coop that I disconnect and move every 3 days. The run is chain link and I tried attaching an apron to it, but it rendered it extremely difficult to move, so I took it off. The hens get locked into the coop at night, and have been safe so far.
BigRed, I would be afraid of raccoon hands grabbing a bird through the 1 inch mesh. I can see where it would be stronger than hardware cloth, though, for larger predator protection, like dogs or coyotes. When you move this, do you have to raise the apron and clip it out of the way, or does it just drag along okay with the coop. If I was running it on a nice even lawn, like in that picture, I think it would work great. Unfortunately, the pasture is bumpy and uneven with lots of large diameter weeds. I am hoping to get it out before the big weeds get going for the spring which will make moving it, and keeping it electrified easier.
Thanks for your input, gives me more to consider.
So, nobody has tried attaching the hot wires to the tractor itself?

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
I have not , but have seen a picture of one somewhere . I thought [ and still do ] it to be an excellent idea ; however my tractor is now used only as a breeding pen and contained within another pen heavily protected by hotwires .