6 Best Electric Fence Reels For Market Gardens Old Farmers Swear By

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of exhaustion at dusk, followed by the realization you still have 500 feet of polywire to wind up by hand. You start wrapping it around your arm, creating a tangled mess that will cost you precious time tomorrow. A good geared reel transforms this end-of-day chore into a quick, satisfying task, giving you back time and energy for what really matters.

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

Why Geared Reels Beat Hand-Winding Every Time

The magic of a geared reel is simple multiplication. A standard geared reel has a 3:1 gear ratio, which means for every one turn of the handle, the spool spins three times. This simple mechanical advantage turns a slow, tedious job into a remarkably fast one. Winding up a long run of fence that would take several minutes of frustrating arm-wrapping can be done in under 60 seconds.

This isn’t just about saving time; it’s about saving your body. Repetitive motions like winding fence lead to strain on your shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Over a season, that adds up. A geared reel with a comfortable handle and smooth action reduces that physical toll, which is a huge deal when you’re already physically taxed from a day’s work.

Ultimately, a geared reel encourages better management. When moving a fence is quick and painless, you’re more likely to do it. This means more frequent pasture rotations for your animals, leading to healthier soil and better forage. It stops being a dreaded task and becomes just another quick step in your system.

Gallagher Geared Reel: The Heavy-Duty Workhorse

When you see a farmer using a Gallagher reel, you know they’re not messing around. These are built like absolute tanks, designed for daily, hard use. The construction is heavy-duty plastic with a robust frame and a large, comfortable handle that doesn’t feel flimsy, even when you’re reeling in a long, wet line of polytape.

The action on a Gallagher is incredibly smooth, and the locking mechanism is positive and strong, preventing accidental unwinding when you set it down. This is the reel you buy if you’re managing intensive rotational grazing for sheep, goats, or poultry, where fences are moved every single day. It’s an investment, but it’s one that will likely outlast every other piece of fencing equipment you own.

Think of it as a professional-grade tool. While it might be overkill for someone with a single 100-foot chicken fence, it’s the undisputed champion for anyone managing multiple, long runs of temporary fencing. The reliability means you spend zero time fixing your equipment and all your time farming.

Speedrite Geared Reel for Rapid Fence Movement

Speedrite reels are built with one thing in mind: getting the job done fast. They often feature high gear ratios and an exceptionally smooth winding mechanism that lets you retrieve fence line at a blistering pace. If your operation depends on moving multiple fences quickly to get animals to fresh pasture before you head to the market, Speedrite is a top contender.

While just as functional, they sometimes feel a little less overbuilt than a Gallagher, which can be a good thing. They are often slightly lighter, making them easier to carry across a large field. The focus is on ergonomic efficiency and pure, unadulterated speed.

This is the reel for the farmer who values every second. Imagine you have three different poultry tractors to move and a storm is rolling in. The ability to pull up stakes and wind in 400 feet of polywire in a flash is not a luxury; it’s a critical management tool.

Premier 1 IntelliReel: Smart Design Features

Premier 1 has a deep understanding of the frustrations that come with temporary fencing, and their IntelliReel reflects that. It’s not just about being tough or fast; it’s about the small, thoughtful details. The reel features a transport lock that completely immobilizes the spool, so it never unspools in the back of your truck or ATV.

The design also includes a much more robust crank arm and handle connection than many cheaper reels, which is a common failure point. Furthermore, the frame is designed to be stable on uneven ground and includes a convenient carrying handle. These little things add up to a much less frustrating user experience day in and day out.

The IntelliReel is for the farmer who appreciates smart design. It’s for the person who has sworn at a tangled reel one too many times. While it’s a premium product, the "quality of life" improvements make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who handles reels regularly.

Stafix Geared Reel: Unmatched Durability

Stafix reels are built for abuse. They share a reputation for toughness with Gallagher and are often favored by farmers in rugged environments. The materials used are UV-stabilized and impact-resistant, meaning you don’t have to baby them. Dropping one off the tailgate or leaving it out in the sun won’t spell its immediate demise.

The internal gearing is heavy-duty and designed to handle the high tension of a long, tight fence line without stripping or failing. This is the reel you can hand to a new farmhand with confidence, knowing it will stand up to inexperienced (and sometimes rough) handling. Its durability provides peace of mind.

If your farm has rough terrain, or if your tools tend to live a hard life, the Stafix is a fantastic choice. It prioritizes long-term resilience over flashy features, ensuring it will be a reliable part of your fencing system for many seasons to come.

Zareba Geared Reel: A Reliable, Accessible Choice

Zareba is one of the most common brands you’ll find at local farm and fleet stores, and for good reason. Their geared reels offer a fantastic balance of performance, availability, and price. They provide the 3:1 gear ratio that makes winding fast and easy, without the premium cost of the heavy-duty brands.

This is a true workhorse for the small market garden or homestead. It might not have the bomb-proof feel of a Gallagher or the smart features of a Premier 1, but it absolutely gets the job done. For someone moving a few hundred feet of fence once or twice a week, a Zareba reel is often the perfect fit.

Don’t mistake its accessibility for low quality. Zareba reels are dependable and will last for years with reasonable care. They represent a significant step up from non-geared or budget reels, making them a smart and practical choice for the majority of small-scale farmers.

O’Briens Econo Reel: Solid Budget-Friendly Option

Sometimes, you just need a tool that works without breaking the bank. The O’Briens Econo Reel is exactly that. It’s a no-frills, geared reel that provides the core benefit—fast winding—at a very approachable price point.

You are making some tradeoffs here. The plastic may be less robust, and the locking mechanism might be simpler than on premium models. But for someone with a small backyard flock or a single garden plot to protect, it’s more than adequate. It’s a massive improvement over hand-winding and gets you into the geared reel game without a major investment.

This is the ideal choice for a beginner or for a secondary fence that isn’t moved as often. If you have one long, primary fence you move daily, invest in a heavy-duty reel for that. But for the shorter, less-used lines, an Econo Reel is a perfectly sensible and cost-effective solution.

Choosing Your Reel: Gear Ratio and Spool Capacity

When you’re looking at a wall of reels, two specifications matter most: gear ratio and spool capacity. Understanding these will ensure you get the right tool for your specific needs.

The gear ratio, typically 3:1, is your speed multiplier. As we’ve covered, this means one crank equals three spool rotations. Higher ratios exist, but 3:1 is the sweet spot for power and speed. A non-geared reel is 1:1, which is why it feels like it takes an eternity to wind. For any serious temporary fencing, a geared reel is non-negotiable.

Spool capacity dictates how much fence you can fit on the reel. This is listed in meters or feet and will vary based on the material. Polywire is thin and takes up less space than the wider polytape. Always check the capacity for the specific type of fencing you use. It’s better to have too much capacity than too little.

Consider these factors when choosing:

• Fence Length: For runs over 500 feet, a large-capacity, heavy-duty reel is best. For shorter runs under 200 feet, a smaller, more budget-friendly reel will work fine.
• Fence Material: Polytape takes up significantly more space than polywire or rope. Double-check that the reel’s capacity is rated for tape if that’s what you use.
• Frequency of Use: If you move fences daily, invest in durability (Gallagher, Stafix). If you move them weekly, a reliable mid-range option (Zareba, Speedrite) is perfect.

A quality geared reel isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in your own efficiency and well-being. By choosing the right reel for your operation, you turn a dreaded chore into a minor task, freeing up your time and energy for the more rewarding work on the farm. Don’t suffer through another season of tangled, hand-wound fences—your future self will thank you.