Deciding to put up a new fence on your property not only means selecting a practical fence style, you’ll also need to determine what to use for the foundation. The two most popular post materials used to construct a wire fence are treated wood and steel t-posts. Many times, property owners choose to use a combination of these materials.
Goats are notorious escape artists, maybe more so than any other farm animal. They are naturally inquisitive and mischievous animals and will try to remove, climb over or get around any obstacle in the way. Their determination to push boundaries makes protecting goats a huge challenge. A secure enclosure is essential in order to keep them safe from themselves as well as from predators.
The relationship with our canine friends is unique and complex. It seems the more we express affection and demonstrate care, the greater the bond. Domesticated dogs have come to rely on their human families for food, socialization and protection. When we provide these essential elements, our reward is unconditional love and loyal companionship.
As a sponsor of our hometown collegiate engineers in Peoria, Illinois, we’re extremely proud of this determined team from Bradley University! With only six members and a very limited budget, the group did an amazing job at the recent BAJA SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) intercollegiate challenge.
The engineering students were to design, analyze, fabricate, test, and compete with a single seat off road vehicle. Each team was required to use the same 10HP Briggs & Stratton engine. Therefore, much of the challenge in achieving vehicle performance came from engineering a light weight vehicle with capable suspension.
Each year, three host locations are selected for the competition throughout the US. Up to 100 college teams from around the world participate at each contest. The event consists of the following:
The Bradley team participated in the Baja SAE at Pittsburgh, Kansas from May 17-20. Overall, the competition went extremely well for the team. They passed the rigorous technical inspection on the first day. No vehicle failures occurred during any of the races. The dynamic events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday were hampered by two severe weather evacuations on Saturday. Over two inches of rain fell, resulting in extremely muddy racing conditions. Many vehicles suffered from mechanical issues under these conditions. However, the Bradley vehicle performed exceptionally well, placing 11th in the endurance race. The vehicle weighed in at 750 pounds after the race – including 300 extra pounds of mud! In addition to that, 35 pounds of mud was removed from the clothes and helmet of team member and driver Kyle Caudill.
Ninety-two top intercollegiate teams from across the globe competed in Kansas. Bradley finished 61st in acceleration and 47th in sled pull. Moreover, they placed 27th in maneuverability, 12th in suspension, and an astounding 11th place in the endurance race. The suspension event and endurance race are arguably the two most difficult of the entire competition. Understandably, the team was extremely proud to have engineered a vehicle to perform so well under difficult conditions.
The team ranked among some of the best engineering universities that the world has to offer. Some of these teams were comprised of 30 members or more. And several enjoyed budgets well into the five and six figure range. Many also have several years of research & development invested in their cars. In comparison, the young Bradley team has just one prior year of experience.
According to the team, this year’s goal was to simply finish the endurance race, with hopes of breaking into the top 20 finishers. Not only did they finish in 11th place for endurance, they came home with the 19th overall spot for the weekend competition.
According to Caudill, the team recognizes the help and guidance of many behind the scenes, and are grateful for their support. Keystone Steel and Wire’s contribution helped the team purchase a new set of Fox Float 3 Evol RC2 Air Shocks for the front suspension of the car. According to Caudill, “these shocks offered an increased range of adjustability, which allowed the car to be easily tailored to each individual driver on the team. Additionally, these shocks were a few pounds lighter than the ones they replaced. The shocks performed very well at competition and will be used for years to come.”
Keystone Steel & Wire and Red Brand congratulate the Bradley Baja SAE team. Indeed, their dedication, teamwork, determination and preparation all led to their success in Kansas. Way to go!
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Red Brand is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 FFA Fence Giveaway. Chapters were invited to tell us how they would use Red Brand Field Fence and/or Barbed Wire on school-sanctioned, FFA designated plots. As a result, we heard from dozens of chapters from all over the country. Advisors submitted letters, student-produced videos, power point presentations and photos.
Dogs can be tricky animals to fence in. Small breeds can easily slip through fence gaps and end up in dangerous areas. On the other hand, large dog breeds can weigh 100 pounds or more and a flimsy fence won’t stop them from going where they want to go.
U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos recently visited Keystone Steel & Wire Co., producer of Red Brand wire products.
70 years ago, Red Brand was a small, but quickly growing steel mill in Illinois. Our red-topped fence was gaining popularity with the American agriculture community. As a result, the company began to look for ways to give back to the families who trusted us for their animals’ protection. Red Brand quickly recognized the Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a good fit. That was because the organization was deeply invested in the future of agriculture. Through the support and nurturing of our nation’s youth, this commitment closely aligned with the goals set out by Red Brand. Thus began our proud history of FFA sponsorship.
With hundreds of different options, selecting the right fence for your farm can be a challenge. An easy way to start a fence project is to understand fence basics by talking to a local Red Brand dealer. Speaking face to face with an experienced representative will ensure that your animals are contained with the best fence possible. They can even provide helpful tips if you are installing your own fence, or point you towards the closest Red Brand Certified Fence Installer. (Check out our previous blog, “A Red Brand Certified Fence Installer Assures Quality Installations” to learn more about our CFI program.)
Sturdy rolls of woven wire and thick timber posts are clear components to any quality fence project. But an often-overlooked element to a successful fence installation is the staple. Properly installing quality staples will increase your fence’s durability against pressure from the outside.