North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Thomas Olenio" <tolenio@sentex.net>]

Hello All,

 

In my experience there is nothing better for keeping varmints out of areas than dogs.

 

If you are lucky enough to have a dog that does not wander you are lucky indeed.  Fences can be very expensive to erect and maintain.  However, a dog trolley is cheap and can give a dog a long range of protection.

 

In my experience you have to incorporate compression springs at both ends of the steel cable, and on the chain leading to the dog from the pulley.  This absorbs the force of the dog running and hitting the end of the lead.  It also helps in high winds if you are using trees to support the trolley.  I prefer two posts, or a single post and a building.

 

You also need to incorporated stops on the cable so the dog cannot tangle itself around either end of the trolley This stops the pulley roller from allowing the dog to get too close to the end of the trolley.

 

A dog in the orchard such equipped will not wander off, will protect the area, and can be provided with shelter/food/water for the night.  During the day, when you are around, take the dog off guard duty.

 

Just make it impossible for the dog to tangle around objects while on the trolley and give it proper shelter.

 

Later,

Tom