If you've spent any time moving livestock around, you know that taragate reels are pretty much a staple for anyone who doesn't want to fight with tangled wire all day. There is honestly nothing worse than being out in a paddock, losing daylight, and realizing your electric fence wire has turned into a massive bird's nest because your reel decided to quit on you. I've been there, and it's enough to make you want to leave the gate open and walk away. But that's exactly why people stick with brands that actually understand what it's like on a farm.
Choosing the right gear for temporary fencing isn't just about picking the cheapest thing on the shelf. It's about how much frustration you're willing to deal with six months down the line. Taragate has been around for a while now, and they've carved out a bit of a reputation for being the "workhorse" of the fencing world. They aren't particularly flashy, but they work, and in the world of electric fencing, that is high praise.
Why the geared mechanism actually matters
If you're new to this, you might look at a geared reel and a standard reel and wonder why anyone would pay the extra cash for the geared version. I used to think the same thing. I figured, "I've got arms, I can spin a handle, why do I need a 3:1 ratio?" Then I actually had to reel in 400 meters of polywire by hand on a standard reel. My wrist was killing me by the end, and it took forever.
The beauty of taragate reels with a geared system is that for every one turn of the handle, the drum spins three times. It sounds like a small detail, but it's a total game-changer for strip grazing or anyone moving fences daily. It makes the job three times faster. When it's raining and you just want to get back to the shed, you'll be very glad you spent the extra few bucks on that internal gearing.
Plus, the gears in these specific reels are usually fully enclosed. That matters because dirt, grit, and bits of grass love to get into moving parts. Once a gear gets jammed up with grit, it starts to grind, and eventually, it'll strip. Keeping those parts tucked away inside the housing means they stay smooth for a lot longer.
Durability in the real world
Let's talk about the plastic for a second. We've all bought those cheap, generic reels from the big-box hardware stores that look fine in the aisle but turn brittle after three months in the sun. It's a classic mistake. Taragate reels are built with high-impact, UV-stabilized plastic. This is important because electric fence reels live their entire lives outdoors. They are baked by the sun, frozen in the winter, and bumped around in the back of a quad bike.
If the plastic isn't high quality, the flanges (the sides of the drum) will eventually crack. Once those sides get a crack in them, the wire starts to slip through and wrap around the center axle. That is a nightmare to fix. You basically have to cut the wire and start over. From what I've seen, the Taragate build quality holds up much better against "UV rot" than the budget alternatives. The frame is usually made of galvanized steel, too, so you don't have to worry about it rusting out the moment it sees a bit of moisture.
The ergonomics of the handle and frame
It might sound a bit silly to talk about the "ergonomics" of a fence reel, but when you're lugging four of these things across a field, you start to care about how they feel. The handles on taragate reels are designed to be gripped even when your hands are wet or you're wearing bulky work gloves.
The frame design is also pretty clever. Most of them feature a solid "insultimber" or plastic-coated handle that allows you to carry the reel while the fence is still live without getting a nasty zap. There's also a hook or a loop system that lets you hang the reel directly onto the fence line or a dedicated post. It stays put, it doesn't wobble around, and it keeps the tension where it needs to be.
Choosing between polywire, tape, or braid
What you put on your reel is just as important as the reel itself. Taragate reels are versatile enough to handle a few different types of conductors:
- Polywire: This is the most common. It's lightweight and easy to wind. You can fit a massive amount of it on a single reel—sometimes up to 500 meters or more depending on the drum size.
- Polytape: Usually used for horses because it's more visible. It's a bit bulkier, so you won't get as much length on the reel, but the Taragate drums are wide enough to handle it without it bunching up too badly.
- Polybraid: This is like the middle ground. It's stronger than wire but not as catching in the wind as tape. It winds on very smoothly.
Whatever you choose, the key is not to overfill the reel. I know it's tempting to squeeze every last meter on there, but if the wire is spilling over the edges, it's going to get caught in the frame. Leave a little bit of breathing room at the top.
How to avoid the dreaded "birds' nest"
Even with a top-tier reel, you can still end up with a mess if you aren't careful. The trick to using taragate reels effectively is maintaining tension while you wind. Don't just stand there and spin the handle while the wire is slack on the ground. Walk toward the wire, or have someone hold it with a bit of resistance.
Another tip is to use the locking nut. Most Taragate models have a simple friction nut or a locking clicker. When you've finished setting out your line, tighten that nut. It stops the reel from "freewheeling." If a cow or a sheep bumps the wire and there's no lock on the reel, it'll just keep unspooling, and you'll wake up to a giant pile of wire on the ground the next morning.
Maintenance is easier than you think
You don't really have to do much to keep these reels going, but a little bit of care goes a long way. Every now and then, it's worth checking the center bolt. If it gets too loose, the drum will wobble, which wears out the gears faster. Just a quick tighten with a wrench is usually all it takes.
If you've been working in really muddy conditions, give the reel a quick spray with a hose. You don't want mud drying inside the geared mechanism. I also like to occasionally spray a tiny bit of silicone lubricant near the axle—not too much, just enough to keep things spinning freely. Avoid heavy greases, though, as they just end up attracting dust and turning into a sticky paste that slows everything down.
Is it worth the investment?
At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what your time is worth. You can find generic reels for half the price of taragate reels, but you'll probably be replacing them in two years. Or worse, you'll be fighting with them every single day.
When you buy a solid reel, you're paying for the peace of mind that it's going to work when it's 6:00 AM, freezing cold, and you have twenty other jobs to do. The geared action, the UV protection, and the sturdy frame aren't just "extra features"—they're the things that make farming life a little less stressful.
If you're planning on setting up a rotational grazing system or just need a reliable way to patch up a boundary fence, these reels are a solid bet. They've been tested in some of the toughest conditions in places like New Zealand and Australia, so they can definitely handle whatever your backyard or back forty can throw at them. Just keep them clean, don't overwind them, and they'll likely outlast most of the other gear in your shed.