6 Best Portable Fence Unrollers For Rotational Grazing That Save Your Back
Boost efficiency in your rotational grazing system. Our review covers the 6 best portable fence unrollers designed to speed up setup and save your back.
You know the feeling. You’re halfway across the pasture, a tangled mess of polywire clutched in one hand and a bundle of step-in posts in the other, and your lower back starts screaming. Moving temporary fence by hand is one of those jobs that makes you question your commitment to rotational grazing. But the right tool doesn’t just make the job easier; it makes the entire system work better.
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Why a Fence Unroller is a Rotational Grazing Must-Have
A fence unroller, or geared reel, is the single biggest upgrade you can make to your temporary fencing system. It transforms a frustrating, time-consuming chore into a smooth, efficient process. Instead of fighting a bird’s nest of tangled wire, you get a perfectly spooled line that pays out smoothly as you walk.
The real magic happens when you’re taking a fence down. Winding hundreds of feet of polywire by hand is slow, tedious, and murder on your back and shoulders. A geared reel lets you wind up that same line in a fraction of the time with minimal effort. This speed is crucial. When you can move a fence in 15 minutes instead of 45, you’re far more likely to do it consistently, which is the entire point of rotational grazing.
Think of it as an investment in consistency. The easier the job, the more frequently you’ll move your animals to fresh pasture. That means better forage utilization, healthier animals, and improved soil health. It’s not just a back-saver; it’s a system-saver.
Gallagher Geared Reel: The Fast and Reliable Standard
When you see a serious grazier using a reel, there’s a good chance it’s a Gallagher. They’ve earned their reputation as the industry standard for a reason. Their defining feature is a 3:1 gear ratio, meaning for every one turn of the handle, the spool spins three times. This makes winding up long runs of fence incredibly fast.
These reels are built to last. Made from high-impact, UV-stabilized plastic, they can handle being dropped, kicked, and left out in the sun without becoming brittle. The transport lock is heavy-duty and reliable, preventing the spool from unwinding while you walk. It’s a simple, robust design that just works, day in and day out.
The Gallagher reel isn’t fancy, but it’s a true workhorse. It has a large capacity, easily holding 1,640 feet of polywire, making it suitable for almost any hobby farm paddock. If you want a proven, no-fuss tool that will speed up your daily moves, this is the one to beat.
Pasture PRO Post Caddy: For All-in-One Efficiency
The biggest hassle of setting up a new fence line is making two trips: one for the wire and one for the posts. The Pasture PRO Post Caddy solves this problem brilliantly by integrating a post carrier directly onto the reel frame. You can carry up to 15 step-in posts and your reel in one hand, effectively cutting your setup labor in half.
This all-in-one design is a game-changer for efficiency. You walk the line once, paying out the wire and pushing in posts as you go. No more backtracking or juggling multiple items. This is especially valuable when you’re setting up a completely new cross-fence rather than just leap-frogging an existing one.
The tradeoff is a bit more bulk. It’s a larger unit to carry than a standalone reel, but the ergonomic design distributes the weight well. For farmers who value maximum efficiency and minimizing trips across the pasture, the convenience of the Post Caddy is hard to overstate. It’s a system, not just a tool.
Stock-ade Wire Jenny: A Heavy-Duty Fencing Solution
Let’s be clear: a Wire Jenny is a different beast than a polywire reel. If your "temporary" fencing involves high-tensile wire for subdividing larger pastures for a season, a standard plastic reel won’t cut it. The Stock-ade Wire Jenny is designed to handle the tension and weight of real wire without buckling or creating a dangerous, tangled mess.
This tool is all about control. It allows you to dispense heavy-gauge wire smoothly and safely, preventing the coil from springing open into an unmanageable snarl. It’s built from solid steel and is designed for managing wire that you plan to tension properly.
For most hobby farmers using lightweight polywire or tape, this is overkill. But if you’re stepping up to semi-permanent subdivisions or using electrified high-tensile wire as part of your grazing plan, a proper wire jenny is non-negotiable. It’s a specialized tool for a more heavy-duty application.
Speedrite Geared Reel: A Solid, Versatile Performer
Speedrite is another top-tier name in electric fencing, and their geared reel is a direct and worthy competitor to Gallagher. It offers many of the same core features: a fast 3:1 gear ratio, a rugged, UV-resistant build, and a large capacity for polywire or tape. It’s a solid, reliable piece of equipment.
Where Speedrite often stands out is in its thoughtful ergonomic details. Many users prefer the feel of its handle and the smooth action of its winding mechanism. It also features a heavy-duty transport lock and a wire guide to help with level-winding, preventing the wire from bunching up on one side of the spool.
Ultimately, the choice between a Speedrite and a Gallagher often comes down to personal preference or local availability. Both are excellent, professional-grade tools that will dramatically speed up your fencing chores. You can’t go wrong with either one.
Worksaver UFR-480: The Ultimate ATV-Mounted Option
For those managing larger acreages, walking fence lines can still consume a significant amount of time, even with a good reel. The Worksaver UFR-480 takes efficiency to the next level by mounting directly to your ATV, UTV, or small tractor. This system allows you to reel in or pay out up to three lines of wire at once while you drive.
This isn’t a hand tool; it’s a piece of equipment. It’s designed for rapidly installing and removing long, multi-strand temporary fences. Imagine taking down a half-mile, two-strand fence in a single pass. That’s the kind of power this tool provides, turning a half-day job into a 30-minute task.
Of course, this level of efficiency comes at a price. It’s a significant investment and requires a vehicle to operate. But for larger-scale rotational grazers, the time savings can provide a massive return. It bridges the gap between hobby-scale tools and commercial equipment.
O’Briens Standard Reel: Simple and Budget-Friendly
Not everyone needs a high-speed, professional-grade reel. If you’re managing just a few small paddocks or are on a tight budget, the O’Briens Standard Reel is a fantastic entry point. It’s a non-geared, 1:1 ratio reel, which means one turn of the handle equals one turn of the spool.
Winding is slower than with a geared model, but it is still infinitely better than winding by hand. These reels are lightweight, simple, and durable enough for typical farm use. They get the job done without the higher price tag of their geared counterparts.
This is the perfect choice for someone just starting with rotational grazing or for managing shorter fence lines (under 400 feet). It’s a massive quality-of-life improvement over having no reel at all and proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your fencing chores more manageable.
Key Features to Consider Before You Buy Your Unroller
Choosing the right unroller comes down to matching the tool to your specific operation. A reel that’s perfect for your neighbor might be overkill or insufficient for you. Before you buy, think through these key features.
The most important factor is often the gear ratio. A 3:1 geared reel winds up three times faster than a 1:1 standard reel. For long fence lines, that time savings is huge. For short runs, a 1:1 reel is often perfectly adequate and more affordable. Don’t pay for speed you don’t need.
Next, consider the practicalities of daily use.
- Capacity: Does it hold enough polywire or tape for your longest paddock side? Always buy a reel with more capacity than you think you’ll need.
- Durability: Look for UV-stabilized plastic. A cheap reel that cracks after one season in the sun is wasted money.
- Locking Mechanism: A flimsy lock that lets your wire unspool is a constant source of frustration. Test it to make sure it’s solid.
- Ergonomics: How does the handle feel? Is it comfortable to carry? A well-balanced reel with a good grip makes the job much more pleasant.
Finally, think about your whole system. If you’re always setting up new fences from scratch, an all-in-one caddy like the Pasture PRO might be the most efficient choice. If you’re just moving one line back and forth, a simple, high-quality geared reel from Gallagher or Speedrite is probably the better investment.
Ultimately, the best fence unroller is the one that makes you willing to move your fences on schedule, every single time. It’s a small investment that pays huge dividends in saved time, a healthy back, and the success of your entire grazing program. Don’t underestimate how much a simple tool can improve your daily workflow and your farm’s productivity.
