Thunderbird
Australian award winning supplier of Electric Fence and Agricultural Weighing products and Livestock Management Systems
WHY CHOOSE
Thunderbird
Our company, is totally committed to the research and development of our products. This ensures continued product development and improvement in performance, enabling us to remain a leader within the industry.
39 years experience
We are dedicated to supplying Aussie farmers with quality reliable products to suit the needs of our market and environment.
Purpose built & designed PRODUCTS
We understand the harsh environmental conditions, we use this knowledge to develop products that perform at a high standard.
OUR Team
Thunderbird has been an award-winning supplier of Electric Fence and Agricultural Weighing products over a number of years.
Did you know that Thunderbird’s head office & manufacturing facility is based in Central West NSW
Thunderbird’s manufacturing facility is based in Mudgee, regional NSW, and are proud to provide Australian farmers with quality products, for the harsh Australian conditions. We are proud to supply high quality products to the Australian rural market. Look for the Australian Made logo on our products for items manufactured by our people in our factory.
High Quality Livestock Management Systems
Leader in Agricultural Weighing & Electric Fencing Industry
We Manufacture & Distribute to over 400 Retailers
Reliable Sales Team to Support & Assist you
Over 200 Tested & Compatible Products at an Affordable Price.
Leader in agricultural weighing
and electric fencing Industry
This is due to the in house tooling and die manufacturing teams working alongside the team of electronic design engineers. This formula delivers the best level of compatibility for all product components with consistent quality at the most affordable price.
01
Products
Browse our products ranging from Fencing, to Agricultural Weighing and Solar Products.
02
Instructions
Download Software for Programs such as Thundersoft.
03
Catalogue
Flip through our interactive 32 paged catalogue packed with exciting Thunderbird products.
04
Helpful hints
Browse all of our helpful hints, tutorials, diagrams, instructions and guides.
05
About
Find out how we became a Leader in agricultural weighing and electric fencing Industry.
06
Store finder
Thunderbird manufacture & distribute to over 400 retailers. View each and every single one of them.
07
Contact
Our Sales Team are here to assist you, the best they can. Get in touch for any product enquires.
08
Youtube
We have a Youtube channel with video tutorials and walkthroughs. Go give them a watch.
Featured
Products
Our
Catalogue
Helpful
Hints
Solar Powered Energisers
Position mounting post(s) securely into ground (concrete if possible) in an area free of shading or possible mechanical damage, near the middle of the fence line. Use galvanised or 8′ steel star post (galvanised is recommended).
Carefully mount solar panel and frame to post(s), tighten U-bolt securely. Face panels to the equator (face panel north if in southern hemisphere).
Connect solar panels + (red) to energisers (+) then connect solar panel – (black) to energiser (-) terminals. Then connect battery leads + (red) energiser (+) and connect – (black) to energiser (-) terminals.
Connect energiser to the earth system and insulated fence.
Radio Interference
Thunderbird energisers have radio interference suppression circuitry, however, problems can still occur from a number of causes.
Fault Finding Flow Chart
To start disconnect the energiser from the earth and fence.
Turn energiser ON
Does the Radio Click?
YES
The problem is the earth or fence line.
- Make sure no loose connections are present on mains plugs and sockets of energiser or radio.
- Earth Radio and provide a better aerial to the radio.
- The mains power supply earth needs to be adequate.
No
The problem is the mains power supply or the energiser.
- Improve energiser’s earth (see earth testing data sheets).
- Be sure the energiser’s earth is 10 metres away from the mains power earth.
- Make sure energiser’s earth or earth wire is not in contact with a large amount of metal above the ground.
- All connections must be clamped tight on live and earth wires and have good connections to eliminate arcing.
- Do not run live wires along or close to phone lines.
- Check for arcing insulators or other arcs.
Safety Requirements
- Only one energiser may be connected to a fence.
- Barbed wire MUST NOT be electrified.
- Energisers should, if possible, be installed inside a building in a position free from the risk of mechanical damage. If mounted outdoors, they should be mounted on a substantial structure in a position free from mechanical damage.
- Each energiser should be connected to a separate earthing peg, at least 10 metres away from any other earthing device.
- Fence lines crossing beneath overhead power lines should be avoided wherever possible. If such a crossing cannot be avoided, it should be made underneath the power lines and as nearly as possible at right angles to it.
If an electric fence has to be installed in the vicinity of an overhead power line, the vertical distance between any fence wire or connecting lead and surface of the earth should not exceed 2 metres. - Fence wiring should be so installed that it is well away from telephone or telegraph line or radio aerials.
- An electric fence, when installed in such a position that members of the public might reasonably be expected to touch it, should be identified by suitable signs clamped to conductor or fastened to the post at intervals at regular intervals. The signs should have a size of 200mm x 100mm. The inscription on the sign should take the form of either the symbol below of the words “ELECTRIC FENCE”. Any lettering should have a height of at least 25mm. It is recommended that the basic colour of the sign be yellow inscription.
- Where the energiser is to supply a system of conductors used for detering birds from roosting on buildings, no conductor should be connected to earth. A switch should be installed to provide a means of isolating the controller from all poles of the supply and clear warning notices should be fitted at every point where persons may have ready access to the conductors. The notice shall be the same as that described in No. 7 (above).
- In Bush Fire high risk times, it is advisable to power the energiser from the low power terminals or switch the unit off.
- DO NOT store flammable goods near an electric fence because if a fault is present a spark can be produced.
Strip Grazing
Get the most out of your crops and pastures
Benefits of Strip Grazing
- Higher producing pastures
- Higher stock rates
- No more stock camps
- Reducing worm infestation
- Faster pasture regrowth
Important
- Poly tape and poly wire are only recommended for short runs, for longer runs use 1.6mm gal wire.
- Always be sure to have a portable, moveable livestock water supply.
- Back fence the previously grazed area for early grass regrowth.
Training Livestock
In order for animals to realise the fence line represents a shocking jolt, they need to discover an electric fence in their own time in a holding paddock for several days. If done correctly, animals will respect an electric fence and stay clear of it. Use offset wires, install the fence around the height of the animal’s nose and earth the non insulated wires to earth stake system.
Helpful Points
- Use a large energiser in order to produce a powerful shock.
- Allow plenty of room for horses and deer to run.
- Allow time before taking out of holding paddock.
Wire Connections
- Cut out switch
- End strain insulator
- Wire joint clamp
- Underground live leadout wire
- Underground earth leadout wire
- Electric fence warning sign
To reduce voltage loss parallel all wires by joining live wires together as well as all earth wires together, at each end of the strain.
Wire Spacing
Post Spacing
The post spaces can vary on the type of country and number of fence wires used. The concept is to keep the wires the same distance apart from each other and the ground to avoid shorts.