Trellising Division of Spec Hardware - Vineyard Trellising and Trellising Hardware

Why use Metal Vineyard Posts??

Ease of installation compared to wood posts
Ease of use compared to wood posts
Ready to use once their driven into the ground, just string your wires
Increased versatility compared to wood posts (lots of built-in options for placement of wires, thanks to wire slots)
Better for grounding lightening strikes then wood posts
No need for wire clips, staples, etc....
More efficient harvesting with mechanical harvesters compared to wood posts (more fruit harvested with less beater power of harvester, and less damage to costly vines)
More consistent quality then wood posts

In addition, for those concerned with vineyard aesthetics,
nongalvanzed steel posts turn dark and look as natural as wood posts

Things to consider when selecting a steel vineyard post
When comparing steel posts, it is absolutely critical that like comparisons be made with regards to steel thicknesses AND grades of steel. Just as all wines are not created equal, all steel posts are not created equal.


•	Metal to Wood Comparison
•	Mannwerks® Vertical Line Posts
•	VinStake® Extenders
•	Rib-Bak U-Channel End Post

Steel Gauges
DO NOT MAKE COMPARISONS BASED SIMPLY ON GIVEN STEEL GAUGES!

Many suppliers 'fudge' steel gauges in an attempt to purposely mislead customers. When comparing the Mannwerks steel post to other posts, be certain to push suppliers to provide specifications as to the ACTUAL thickness (not theoretical) of their posts that you would receive should you order their post. Be certain to obtain specifications in inches. (ie .104 inches). Listed to the right are steel gauges and their appropriate decimal equivalent:

GAUGE	MIN.	NOM.	MAX.
12 gauge	.0967	.1046	.1126
13 gauge	.0827	.0897	.0967
14 gauge	.0677	.0747	.0817

The Mannwerks steel posts ALWAYS measures well within the ASTM tolerances provided above, usually falling on the thicker side of the range of the quoted gauge.

While the actual steel gauge for any given post is important, the grade of steel is another factor one should consider when choosing a vineyard post.

Steel Grade
All Mannwerks steel posts are made from the highest quality steel available for use as a vineyard post. All posts are made from 100% US domestic C1018 high strength steel. All material is continuous cast and silicone or aluminum killed. This process ensures that the steel has a more consistent grain structure and chemistry. In addition, this process inhibits the formation of internal imperfections, which can impact the integrity of the stake. The more imperfections contained in the steel, the higher the chance of failure when a given load is applied. All Mannwerks steel posts contain a minimum yield strength of 50,000 PSI and minimum tensile strength of 65,000 psi. No secondary or ungraded material is used for the manufacture of the Mannwerks steel posts.

Mannwerks® Vertical Line Posts*
12 gauge Mannwerks Stake - The Ultimate in Metal Line Posts
*The Mannwerks Vertical Line Post is an insured patented product

12 Gauge Mannwerks Stake
The Ultimate Metal Line Post!

Hi-Strength Hot Rolled Steel
Minimum Tensile Strength: 65,000 PSI
Minimum Yield Point: 50,000 PSI
Choice of Gauges and Lengths
Alternating Slot Pattern Available

Steel Characteristics:

Hi-strength, hot rolled steel
Cold Formed
Minimum T/S: 65,000 psi
Minimum yield point: 50,000 psi

Design features:

Designed to be gentle on mechanical harvesters
Extremely stable in soil
User friendly

Options:

12, 13 and 14 gauges with a wide range of lengths.
G90 galvanizing
Choice of alternating wire slot pattern or paired wire slot pattern (shown in photos)

ROLLED EDGES
MECHANICAL HARVESTER FRIENDLY

Pull Test Performed on 12 and 13 gauge posts (SHOWN BELOW)

Ease of installation and use.
Ready to use, once driven into the ground, simply install wires.
Eliminates the need for staples, wire clips, etc.
“Built-in” wire slots (placed on 4” centers) provide for a versatile post with a lot of ready-to-use options for placement of trellis wires.
Strong and long lasting.
Machine harvester friendly: The inherent built-in flex of the post enables harvesters to harvest fruit more efficiently, while rounded edgest protect harvest beater bars from damage.
Steel posts create a direct path to ground for lightning, significantly reducing lightning damage to vines
Ability to install posts by hand, without a costly hydraulic pounder.
Wire slots (shown previous page) are cut at an angle to ensure complete control of trellis wires in flat or undulating terrain.

Durability
Top Quality
Longevity

Mechanical Harvester Friendly Rolled Edges

P U L L T E S T All line post samples were 13 gauge x 8' stakes, pulled at 24" below the top (48" above the ground) with 24" of stake in the ground
Cal-Line Rolled Edge		"Top" Competitor	Mannwerks Grape Stake
No. of Lbs.	Deflection	Deflection	Deflection
25	0"	1/2"	0"
50	1/4"	1"	1/4"
75	3/4"	1 1/2"	1/2"
100	1"	1 3/4"	3/4"
125	1 1/2"	2 1/4"	1 1/2"
150	2 1/4"	2 3/4"	1 3/4"
175	2 1/2"	FAIL	2"
200	3"		2 1/2"
225	FAIL		3"
250			3 1/2"
275			4 1/2"
300			5 5/8"
325			FAIL
	3 5/8" PERM. DISTORTION	3 3/4" PERM. DISTORTION	3 1/2" PERM. DISTORTION
NOTE: PULL TEST PERFORMED IN THE SUMMER OF 2000. WE NOW USE AN IMPROVED WIRE SLOT THAT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES THE STRENGTH OF THE STAKE.

P U L L T E S T All line post samples were 12 gauge x 8' stakes, pulled at 24" below the top (48" above the ground) with 24" of stake in the ground
	12 ga. "Grande"-domestic	12 ga. "Grande"-import
No. of lbs.	Deflection	Deflection
25	1/2"	1/2"
50	1"	1"
75	1 5/8"	1 1/2"
100	2 1/4"	2"
125	2 5/8"	2 3/8"
150	3"	2 3/4"
175	3 1/2"	3 1/4"
200	FAIL @ 208 lbs.	3 3/4"
225		FAIL @ 220 lbs.
250
275
300
325
	3" PERM. DISTORTION	4 1/2 " PERM. DISTORTION
*NOTE:* AS INDICATED IN THE ABOVE TEST, THE 13 GAUGE MANNWERKS STAKE IS SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER THAN EVEN THE 12 GAUGE POSTS TESTED.

VinStake® Extenders
VinStake® installations to up-grade existing vineyards

Installing Vinstakes between existing posts to the new required height
Vinstake drive-in extensions on existing wood posts
Vinstake trellis extensions bolted or TEC screwed to existing wood posts
Vinstake trellis extensions for star type posts

Click here for information on
how to apply VinStake® for existing vineyards

Rib-Bak U-Channel End Post

4.0 LBS/FT
5.94 Kg/M

Engineered for Strength
Rib-Bak™ sign supports are engineered with a patented ribbed back design - adding strength to crucial load-bearing points.

100% Recycled Steel
Rib-Bak™ is manufactured, top to bottom from the finest high-carbon new billet steel (Grade SP-80: 80,000 PSI min. yield 100,000 PSI min. tensile). Rib-Bak steel conforms to the mechanical requirements of ASTM A-499 and the chemical requirements of ASTM A-1. Other u-channel manufacturers reuse rail steel of domestic and foreign origin.

Fast, Easy Installation
Regardless of the method you chose, Rib-Bak™ installation is quick, easy and inexpensive.
  >> Installation in minutes (one or more trained installers)
  >> No post hole digging required
  >> Easily driven with conventional tools
  >> Tapered ends upon request
  >> 3/8" holes on 1" centers

Colors & Finishes
Rib-Bak™ sign supports are available in green and black (Other colors by request), with your choice of finishes:
>> Baked-On Enamel
>> Hot-Dipped Galvanizing (ASTM A-123)
>> Polyester Powder Coated

Spec Trellising . . . When Quality Counts!