Mobile Fencing System Makes Use Of Wheelchair

Mobile Fencing System Makes Use Of Wheelchair FENCING Fence Systems It looks funny to see a wheelchair out in the middle of a pasture but it’s an important part of a mobile fencing system used for grazing cattle on a national park “The wheelchair makes it easy to move fencing from field to field and it makes a nice stand for the solar panel car battery and photovoltaic controller ” says Joe Markley livestock manager for the Accokeek Foundation One of his jobs is caring for 30 head of Devon dairy cattle on the National Colonial Farm near Accokeek Md Because of restrictions on permanent fencing in the park he needed a fencer that could be easily moved yet still provide a strong shock After becoming frustrated with the poor performance of commercial solar chargers he decided to build his own When he found an old wheelchair he realized it was just what he needed “I attached the solar panel to the chair with pipe clamps attached to the handles so I can adjust the angle of it ” Markley says When cattle are moved to a new area to graze he removes the alligator clamp and wire from the fence pulls up the ground post puts them on the chair and pushes it to the new grazing location to set up again Markley notes that the solar power works very well The battery was only half charged when he hooked it up but the solar panel has been keeping it fully charged One change he may make is using a wheelchair with bigger wheels on the back that would be easier to push through the grass Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Joe Markley 380 Bryan Point Rd Accokeek Maryland 20607 www accokeekfoundation org; jmarkley@accokeek org

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