Farmshow Magazine
Farmshow.com 2018 - Volume #42, Issue #1, Page #25
Pipe Fence Great For Creek Beds, Culverts
Jose Pacheco used steel pipes to build a “low maintenance” fence across a creek that runs through his pasture. The idea worked so well for the Arizona rancher that he now sells a “pipe fence” kit.
“It solves the problem of trash catching on wire fencing,” he says. “It’s an easy, cheap way to keep livestock from escaping. There’s no gap underneath the fence where livestock can get out, or where predators can get in.”
His patented Kattle Keeper System works with the flow of water. A series of steel pipes (not supplied) fit through corresponding holes spaced several inches apart at the top and bottom of a reusable metal template. The template is designed to be embedded in the creek bed at a 45 degree angle away from the flow of water.
The operator holds the template down by driving a pair of hold-in-place pipes through corresponding rectangular slots on both sides of the template. Then he inserts the fence pipes through the top of the template and pounds them 3 ft. into the ground to start the fence. After driving all the pipes into the template, he removes the hold-in-place pipes and slides the template up and off the pipes. He then moves the template over and slides it down over the last 4 pipes, which leaves the template with 4 empty holes to insert more pipes. He repeats the process until the fence extends all the way across the creek.
“The design allows trash to rise and lower with the water level. The greater the flow and the force, the cleaner the fence stays,” says Pacheco. “If the water gets high enough, it’ll force the leading edge of the trash diagonally up and over the top of the pipes. If the water doesn’t reach that high, some of the debris will just float on top and the water will escape between the pipes. Once the water recedes, the debris will fall to the ground where it can be removed.”
His pipe fence can even be installed under an existing fence with a 1 to 2-ft. gap under it, in order to close the gap. It also works great to keep culverts from plugging up.
Another advantage is there are no above-ground cross members in the way to collect debris. “Without resistance from the fence or the debris, the water runs its course more freely, therefore creating less damage to the fence, the creek bottom and the creek bank,” says Pacheco. “If erosion does become a problem, you can easily expand or adjust the fence to fit the water gap at any time.”
Two different size templates are available - one with 8 holes that accepts pipe up to 1 3/8 in. in dia., and the other with 6 holes for pipe up to 2 5/8 in. in dia. “The pipe size you need will depend on the size of your livestock. For example, with cattle and horses the pipes don’t have to be as close together as with sheep,” notes Pacheco.
The 8-hole Kattle Keeper System sells for $109.99; the 6-hole for $119.99. Prices include S&H.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jose Pacheco, Mayer, Ariz. 86333 (ph 928 848-4991; sales@kattlekeepersystems.com; www.kattlekeepersystems.com).
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