Torq Tensioning Tool

Tight wire is what makes a fence or a trellis hold. Set it loose and it sags, pull it too hard and you stress the wire, the fitting and the post. The Torq Tensioning Tool takes the guesswork out with a torque gauge that controls the load on the wire, so each tension point comes out the same.

The 6:1 gear drive does the heavy lifting. You can tension cable up to 880 lbs with minimal effort, and the tool is light enough to carry from post to post on a long run. It works on all Gripple units up to 6 mm in diameter, for fence wire and trellis wire rope.

Highlights

• 6:1 gear drive for less effort
• Integral torque gauge for consistent tension
• Gauge reads from 220 to 660 lbs
• Works on Gripple units up to 6 mm
• Lightweight for repetitive tensioning
• For fence wire and trellis wire rope

Why a torque gauge matters on a run

Hand tension is a guess. Wire that feels right on Monday can creep loose after the first storm, and wire pulled too hard puts stress on the fitting and the post. A tool that regulates the load keeps every point at the same tension, which is how a run stays straight and holds its line.

It suits a garden or orchard trellis, a long perimeter fence, a horse pasture on high-tensile wire and a farm that puts up new runs every spring. The gauge keeps every tensioning point to the same standard, so a single owner gets repeatable results without a second person holding the wire.

At a glance

How to use it

Fit the Gripple unit to the wire first, then use the tool to pull the wire to the tension you want. Keep the tool in line with the wire so the load runs straight through the unit, and watch the gauge as you work.

Work in short steps and check the gauge at each stop instead of cranking one end tight. A run tensioned gradually lines up more evenly along its length.

Stop when the gauge reads the tension you want. Going past the reading puts extra stress on the wire and the post, so keep to the number.

After a job, wipe grit off the gear and the gauge so the mechanism turns freely next time, and keep the tool in a dry place between jobs.

Good to know

• Check the anchors before you tension. A tensioner only works as well as the post or strainer it pulls against.
• Pair the tool with the Gripple units made for the wire you're running, so the fittings match the job.
• Keep the tool clean and dry in the truck box or the shop, so the gear stays smooth.

About Gripple

Gripple was established in 1989 as an original innovator of wire joining and tensioning devices. The company also builds anchoring, bracing and suspension systems.

Tension the run right the first time, before spring growth puts weight on the wire.