viticulture

trellising sundries

Posts and Anchors

No 1,is used for tensioning at a metal end post. Thewire is pushed through the hole in the metal end post, and a Gripple No 1 is inserted at the tail end and pushed tight against the hole. The Torq Tensioning Tool (supplied separately, see below) is then used to tension the wire.

Tool deals are available if you require 2 or more packs of No1. The deal includes a quantity of No1 and the Torq Tensioning Tool at a reduced price, as shown below

Torq Tensioning Tool.
Under tensioning and over tensioning wire can shorten the life of trellis wire significantly. Often wire is over tensioned, reducing the elastic properties of the wire, resulting in shortening the wire’s life and, ultimately early wire breakage. Using the new Gripple Torq Tensioning Tool helps to maximise the working life of wire. The tool not only tensions the wire but regulates the load applied too, delivering consistent results each time. Click here to see an animation of the Torq Tensioning Tool in use.

Simply rotate the dial at the base of the handle to select the tension required, open the handles fully, position the mouthpiece of the tool against the Gripple and grip the tail wire with the cam, and squeeze the handles together and repeat to tension.  The tool will click when the required tension is reached

If the inside of the metal post is to face the anchor rather than the trellising system, Gripple recommend that the GP1 Adaptor is attached to the Torq Tensioning Tool to allow the tool access.

Anchoring/Bracing Kit (GPAK & EPAK).
A secure anchor post is key to the longevity of the vineyard and to the success of the crop. Gripple Anchoring/Bracing kits (GPAK & EPAK) are ideal for bracing end posts to anchor points in vineyards and orchards. The kit consists of a length of heavy galvanised wire rope with a preformed loop at one end, a Gripple Tensioner for securing the anchor and a universal end fixing for metal posts. Click here to see an animation of the Anchoring/Bracing Kit in use.

The double braced format ensures maximum load distribution. The Anchors can be re-tensioned year-on-year if required with the Gripple Torq Tensioning Tool.

The EPAK is recommended for any application where there is likely to be movement (e.g., a very windy site) and/or where the brace is likely to be under a dynamic load; it consists of a Lockable Gripple that will combat any movement of the brace resulting in a very secure lock and has a much higher breaking load.

Please note, GPAK and EPAK Gripple Tensioners cannot be released. Anchor not supplied with this kit.

(*) The GPAK also includes a universal end fixing for metal posts.

Anchor
The Gripple Anchor is an innovative and compact anchor, proven to perform in a variety of different soil types. It is lightweight to carry and can be installed quickly using the specially designed Driving Tool which ensures minimal ground disturbance, creating a strong anchor point from the outset. Tested in 51 vineyards across Europe it has demonstrated impressive load ratings in sandy, chalky, rocky and clay soils – please contact us for a copy of the results. Use with the Gripple GPAK3, as described above, for a complete anchoring solution, both above and below the ground – see APAK in the table below. Click here to see an animation of the Gripple Anchor and Drive Tool with GPAK in use.

Fenox Anchor with Anchor/Bracing Kit (GPAK).
The Fenox anchor is designed for use in hard, rocky ground as its ingenious internal spike system ensures a secure anchor point. Combine this with the fast and easy to install Gripple GPAK (as described opposite), to brace between the end post and anchor point, and the result is a fast, secure and durable anchoring solution. Per order, a minimum of one Fenox tool kit is required to drive the anchor into the ground and ensure the top of the anchor does not sink beneath ground level. Click here to see an animation of the Fenox Anchor in use.

Screw anchor
Screw anchors are ideal for unobstructed ground (e.g., not rocky) and provide good support to end posts. The anchor can be easily screwed into the ground by inserting a metal rod (not supplied) through the hook at the top of the anchor, then rotating the rod. Other sizes are available to order, depending on quantity required. Screw anchors can be used with Gripple Plus Anchor Kit (GPAK), as shown above, for a secure and durable anchoring solution.

Wire

When buying wire for the vineyard there are 4 factors that need to be considered:

• Elongation: the amount wire will stretch before the stretch is permanent
• Life-expectancy
• Tensile strength - the maximum tensile (strength) that the wire can resist before reaching the breaking load
• Breaking load is the load required to break the wire.

Compared to heavily galvanised wire, Palis-Clos vineyard wire has lower elongation (at 8%), lasts 4-5 times longer due to a higher concentration (10-20%) of pure zinc in the coating, and has more metres per 25kg coil. Other features include high tensile strength, high breaking load, smooth coating for comfortable handling and guided rolls.

Despite popular belief, there is no direct correlation between the thickness of coating and life-expectancy. With traditional hot-dipped vineyard wire, it is the thick layer of coating applied during hot-dipping that cracks when working with the wire, causing the wire to become damaged. The coating on Palis Clos wire, however, is applied using an alternative patented process which enables the thickness of the coating to be controlled, to ensure good adherence and a homogenous coating.

Dispenser wheel
Wire can be easily dispensed, without kinking, twisting or tangling, using a wire dispenser wheel which revolves as the wire is drawn off. Painted steel. Also available to order with three storeys, allowing 3 rolls on stacked ‘wheels’ to be drawn off.

Wire Cutters
Heavy duty wire cutters, manufactured by Gripple, with comfortable grips and handle lock. Will cut wire up to 4mm diameter.

Joiners/tensioners

wire joiners/tensioners.The Gripple Plus range of products offers a fast and very convenient method of tensioning and/or joining/repairing wire on vineyard trellising systems. The use of Gripples can reduce the cost of labour when establishing and maintaining a vineyard.

Most conventional tensioning methods involve tightly twisting the wire, which eventually weakens the wire, does not allow for tension regulation, and the effectiveness of which is solely reliant on the strength and endurance of the worker. The use of Gripples for tensioning eliminates kinking and tight bends, ensuring that the wire operates at full strength for its expected life, and takes the hard work out of tensioning. The tail end of wire is simply inserted through the Gripple and pulled through as required, then wrapped around the end post and secured back through the Gripple. The wire is then tensioned using the Gripple Torq Tensioning Tool (sold separately, see near top of page) and can be tensioned year on year, as required.

Gripples can also be used to repair wire, eliminating the need to replace whole runs of wire. Insert a Gripple at the 2 broken tail ends of wire, cut a generous length of wire to ‘bridge the gap’ and push each tail end into each Gripple, then tension with the Torq Tensioning Tool

Click here to see an animation of Gripple Plus Wire Joiners/Tensioners in use.  Gripple Plus also feature the following:

• Ergonomic design which delivers optimal load performance
• Withstands extreme weather conditions, temperatures, humidity, dynamics and impact
• Clever design of zinc, ceramics and stainless steel combine to produce a mechanism that absorbs the load and resists the effects of the environment
• The patented ceramic locking mechanism  delivers better grip, is stronger, takes higher loads and provides superior corrosion resistance, ensuring performance year after year
• Easier wire entry and smoother push-fit action
• The ceramic mechanism locks on to the wire, resulting in a bond that lasts season after season. The ceramic rollers are rock-hard and super-tough to deal with the extremely hard high-tensile wires in use today.
• Built-in positional setting key feature which allows a Gripple that has been pushed on too far to be brought back before the load is added.  A Gripple Setting Key (right) is supplied with each order for Gripples. 

The diameter of wire determines the size of Gripple required, as shown in the table below:

Tool Deals are available if you require 3 or more packs of Gripple Plus.  The deal includes Gripple Plus and the Torq Tensioning Tool at a reduced price.

twisters can be used to tidy away tail ends of wire.  Available in bags of 100.

The workbelt is designed to keep Gripple products and tools handy. Fits easily around the waist and includes belt adjustment. Lightweight and durable

Sundries

Nails, square-shanked, galvanised steel, for use with wooden end posts.

Chains for moveable wires, galvanised steel chain, applied to each end of moveable wires to permit height adjustment.

G Clips for moveable wires, galvanised steel, strong, for holding together pairs of wires.

Hook nails, galvanised steel, secures wire to intermediate wooden posts.

Twist wire, plastic coated, green, a quick method for securing vine supports to the first wire. For use with the twist wire tool.