6 Best Wire Fence Tensioners For Cattle That Old Farmers Swear By

There’s nothing that sinks a farmer’s heart faster than the sight of a sagging fence line. It’s more than just an eyesore; it’s a downed tree, a spooked cow, or a winter frost away from a full-blown escape. The difference between a fence that holds for decades and one that needs constant babysitting often comes down to one thing: proper tension.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Understanding Wire Tensioners for Cattle Fencing

A wire tensioner isn’t just one tool; it’s a category of tools designed to do one job: pull wire tight and keep it that way. A common mistake is thinking you only need one. In reality, you need a system involving two different types of tools working together.

First, you have your pulling tools. These are things like a come-along or a chain strainer. Their job is to do the heavy lifting, stretching the wire from one anchor post to another until it sings like a guitar string. They are temporary; you use them to get the tension, but they don’t stay on the fence.

Second, you have your permanent strainers or in-line tensioners. These are devices like ratchets or Gripples that are installed directly onto the wire. After you’ve achieved initial tension with your pulling tool, you use these permanent strainers to make the final connection, tie off the wire, and allow for easy re-tightening down the road. A fence without these is a fence you’ll have to completely re-stretch every time it loosens.

Maasdam Pow’R-Pull: The Go-To for Heavy Pulls

When you have a 500-foot run of high-tensile wire to pull, you need brute force you can control. The Maasdam Pow’R-Pull, or a similar quality come-along, is the workhorse for this job. It’s a simple, effective winch that gives you incredible mechanical advantage, letting one person do the work of three.

This tool is all about the initial setup. You anchor one end to your brace post and use a wire grip on the other to pull the slack out of a long fence line. Its value is in its versatility; you can use it for pulling stumps, moving equipment, and a dozen other farm tasks. It is not a permanent part of the fence. Its only job is to get the wire screaming tight so you can install your permanent tensioners and tie it off.

The key is to buy a quality one. A cheap, flimsy come-along will have gears that slip or a cable that frays under the immense pressure of tensioning fence wire. Look for one with a solid gear mechanism and a cable that won’t kink easily. It’s a foundational tool, not a place to cut corners.

Zareba Ratchet Strainer: For Year-Round Tightness

You’ve seen these on old farm fences everywhere. The Zareba-style ratchet strainer (often called a "spinner") is a classic for a reason: it’s cheap, simple, and it works. This is a permanent, in-line strainer that you install right in the middle of a wire run.

The mechanism is straightforward. You cut the wire, feed each end into the spool, and use a special handle to crank the ratchet, winding the wire and pulling it tight. This allows you to easily take up slack that develops over time due to temperature changes or pressure from livestock. A quick turn in the spring and fall keeps your fence drum-tight.

The tradeoff for their low cost is that they can be a bit clunky. The exposed ratchet mechanism can get clogged with mud or ice, and if you over-tighten, it can be a pain to release. Still, for budget-conscious projects or for adding tension to an existing fence, they are an unbeatable value.

Gripple Plus System: Modern Speed and Strength

The Gripple is the modern answer to wire fencing. It’s a deceptively simple device that uses an internal ceramic roller and spring to grab wire and lock it in place automatically. For anyone working alone, Gripples are a game-changer, turning a two-person job into a quick, one-person task.

To use them, you simply push the wire through one end of the Gripple. It slides in one way but won’t pull back out. You use your pulling tool to get the wire tight, then slide the other end of the wire through the Gripple to complete the connection. The speed is incredible; you can join or tension a wire in seconds instead of minutes spent tying knots.

The primary consideration here is cost. A Gripple is significantly more expensive per unit than a traditional ratchet strainer. You also need a special Gripple-brand tensioning tool to add tension later, although the initial pull can be done with any standard setup. It’s a clear tradeoff: you’re paying for speed and convenience. For quick repairs or for farmers where time is the most limited resource, they are often worth every penny.

Strainrite Chain Strainer: Unmatched Durability

If a Maasdam Pow’R-Pull is a trusty farm truck, the Strainrite Chain Strainer is a purpose-built tractor. It’s a professional-grade pulling tool designed specifically for fencing. Instead of a wire cable that can kink, it uses a smooth, heavy-duty chain that offers precise control.

This tool shines with its durability and smooth action. The chain won’t fray, and the grabbing mechanism is often more refined, allowing for a more secure grip on the wire. It feels solid in your hands and gives you the confidence to apply the thousands of pounds of pressure needed for high-tensile wire without worrying about equipment failure.

Is it overkill for a small hobby farm? Maybe. It’s more expensive than a standard come-along and less versatile for other farm tasks. But if you plan on building a lot of high-tensile fence, this is the kind of tool you buy once and your grandkids will end up using. It’s an investment in efficiency and safety.

Hayes Permanent Wire Strainer: Set It and Forget It

The Hayes strainer is another excellent permanent, in-line option that offers a cleaner profile than the clunky Zareba ratchet. It works on a simple cog-and-clip principle. You thread the wire, use a handle to turn the cog to your desired tension, and a small clip snaps into place to hold it.

These are incredibly durable, often heavily galvanized to resist rust for decades. Their smooth, enclosed design means they are less likely to get fouled by weather or vegetation. They provide a very clean look on the fence line, which can be important for pastures visible from the house or road.

They represent a great middle ground. They are more robust and streamlined than the cheapest ratchet strainers but generally less expensive than the Gripple system. For someone looking for a long-lasting, reliable permanent tensioner without the premium price of the latest technology, the Hayes design is a proven winner.

Klein Tools Haven’s Grip: The Essential Wire Grab

This tool isn’t a tensioner, but you absolutely cannot tension wire safely or effectively without it. A Haven’s Grip (or a similar product from brands like Channellock) is a cam-action clamp that grabs onto wire without damaging it. Trying to pull wire by wrapping it around the hook of a come-along is a rookie mistake that will weaken the wire and lead to failure.

You attach the grip to the wire you’re pulling, then connect the hook of your come-along or chain strainer to the grip’s metal loop. As you pull, the cam bites down harder, ensuring a non-slip grip. When you release tension, it comes off easily, leaving the wire’s galvanized coating intact.

Think of this as a non-negotiable part of your fencing kit. A good wire grip is a safety device as much as it is a tool. It prevents the wire from suddenly slipping under thousands of pounds of pressure, which can be incredibly dangerous. Don’t even think about starting a fencing project without one.

Matching the Tensioner to Your Fencing Project

There is no single "best" tensioner; there is only the best tool for your specific situation. Your choice depends on your budget, the scale of your project, and how much you value your time.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Building a long, new high-tensile fence? You need a powerful pulling tool like a Maasdam Pow’R-Pull or a Strainrite Chain Strainer, paired with a Haven’s Grip. For your permanent tensioners, Gripples will save you massive amounts of time, while Hayes or Zareba strainers will save you money.
• Repairing a single broken wire? Two Gripples and a short pull with a come-along will have the fence fixed in less than five minutes. It’s the fastest and easiest solution for spot repairs.
• Tightening an old, slightly sagging fence? You can often add Zareba ratchet strainers into the existing line to pull out the slack without having to completely re-stretch the wire.
• Working on a tight budget? A basic Maasdam Pow’R-Pull, a Haven’s Grip, and a bag of Zareba ratchet strainers is a classic, cost-effective combination that has built millions of miles of fence. It will take you more time, but it will get the job done right.

Ultimately, your fencing system is only as strong as its weakest point. A well-tensioned wire supported by quality tools is the foundation of a fence that gives you peace of mind, keeping your cattle exactly where you want them.

A good fence is a quiet neighbor, and a tight wire is the key to that silence. Investing in the right tensioning tools isn’t just about building a fence; it’s about buying back your time and ensuring the safety of your animals for years to come.