LIGHTNING Product Guide

Fence Strength for the Long Run

Simple, Economical Design

Add years of service to your fencing and save money and stock. Lightning Fence Droppers are lightweight for maximum fence efficiency and low freight costs. They are easily removable, reusable, fire resistant, maintenance-free, and suit plain or barbed wire.

Heavily Galvanised Durability

Heavily galvanised spring wire keeps droppers flexible and weather-resistant. They spring back into place and won’t stay bent or break.

Proven Quality

Australian-made by an Australian-owned company using high-quality spring wire—backed by a track record “a country mile long”.

Complete Range of Sizes

Standard sizes suit 3 to 9 wires. Custom sizes available up to 120 cm overall length with minimum wire spacing of 7.5 cm*. When ordering, specify spacings from the bottom wire—or order standard sizes by colour code. See the website for standard size list.

*Minimum spacing between wires 7.5 cm.

Millions in use worldwide over 30 years attest to the durability of our heavily galvanised spring wire.

So Quick and Easy to Apply

Install a Lightning Fence Dropper in seconds with a flick of the wrist and a screwdriver—then forget it for years.

  1. Hold the dropper against the fence with loops parallel; engage wires with a downward movement.
  2. Rotate anti-clockwise to lock the wires in the loops.
  3. Wind tails onto top and bottom wires with a screwdriver/rod. To remove and reuse, reverse the steps.
Fire-proof & weather-proof. Economical. Suitable for plain and barbed wire. Wide range of standard sizes for steel posts; made-to-order also available. Order from your local stock & station agent or fencing supplier.

What’s on our Web Page?

Our site is regularly updated with useful information to help farmers and contractors build a better farm fence.

How-to videos & guides

  • Install a Lightning Fence Dropper in 8 seconds.
  • Install a Lightning Poly Dropper with one hand.
  • Measure & identify the right sized dropper for your fence.

For farmers

  • Build a Smart Farm Fence.
  • Save over $500 per kilometre and build a stronger fence.
  • How to “Dorper-proof” your fence.

For contractors & rural stores

  • How to win that quote.
  • Engineer’s Report on Lightning Fence Droppers.
  • Fact sheets on Lightning fencing products.

The internet changed marketing; manufacturing improved; but the Lightning Fence Dropper design has remained the same for 50 years—an engineering masterpiece.

The Lightning Fence Dropper Store Display

Make more sales with less effort. The display answers most customer questions, shows quick installation, explains features & benefits, and helps staff sell more.

  • Answers common questions.
  • Demonstrates quick & easy installation.
  • Explains features and benefits of Lightning Fence Droppers.
  • Helps staff sell more with less effort.
Want one? Free to rural merchandising stores across Australia.
Call 1800 177 615 or visit /page/lightning-fence-dropper-store-display/

How Does a Smart Farm Fence Save You Time and Money?

By replacing every second post with a Lightning Fence Dropper, you:

Save on Material

A quality fence post costs 2–4× a Lightning Fence Dropper.

Save on Labour

Over a minute to install/attach to a post vs. <10 seconds for a dropper.

Save on Transport

  • 1,000 star posts ≈ 3,400 kg.
  • 1,000 Lightning Droppers < 200 kg.

Help the Environment

Making dropper wire produces < 1/20 of the air pollution of making a steel post.

Save on Repairs

More droppers + fewer posts = stronger, more elastic fence that bounces back after animal strikes—lower maintenance.

Check the price comparison at fencedropper.com.

Lightning Wire Joiner

Description. Reusable wire joiner with alloy case and stainless steel spring for complete corrosion resistance. High tolerance build for reliability; saves time and effort joining wires. Easy to install—from the middle of a fence back to the strainer post.

Features

  • Reusable; corrosion resistant.
  • High-tensile steel locking mechanism.
  • Two sizes:
    • Medium 2.00–3.25 mm (400 kg)
    • Large 3.24–4.20 mm (600 kg)
  • Compatible with existing tensioning tools.

Includes front and rear view; Medium size (100/bag), Large size (50/bag).

Pneumatic C-Ring Fastening Tool Part No. C-7C

Description. Lightweight Woodpecker C-7C pneumatic ring fastener for attaching pre-fabricated fencing wire to line wires with C-Rings—designed specifically for the task. Zip through jobs in half the time and save wear on your hands.

Tool Features

Weight (no rings)
1.76 kg
Dimensions (H×W×L)
220 × 92 × 271 mm
Air Inlet
ZG 1/4
Load
100 fasteners
Air Consumption
0.112 m³
Operating Pressure
5–7 bar / 70–100 psi

Compatibility

  • Stanley SC7
  • Airco Mod 81 Pneumatic Air Ringer
  • Paslode A515 Ringfast
  • Waratah Ringmaster

Fastener Specs

  • C-Rings; ~10,000 clips/carton
  • Finishes: Electro Galv, Galfan, Stainless
  • Open length: 23.7 mm; Max flow: 4.8 mm
  • Wire Ø: 1.80 mm

Lightning Poly Dropper (LPD)

Features & Benefits

  • All-purpose poly fence dropper.
  • UV-stabilised HDPE for extreme flexibility—returns to straight after bending.
  • I-Beam shape (18 mm flange / 25 mm web) for high strength & low weight.
  • Dovetail notches every 25 mm along length.
  • Quick one-handed installation—no tool required.
  • Removable and reusable.
  • Suitable for electric fences up to 16,000 V.
  • ~⅓ lighter than similar products—cheaper to ship.
  • Lengths: 950 mm and 1,100 mm.

Applications

  • Strand wire fencing (low & high tension)
  • Prefabricated wire fencing (e.g., hinged joint)
  • Electric fencing
  • Temporary fencing

Includes front/rear/side/end views and nested packaging.

10" Lightning Fence Pliers

Description. Based on a standard design and made from top-quality hardened steel.

Application. For professional fencing contractors and farmers; built for years of reliable service.

  • Length: 10" (250 mm)

200 mm Lightning Mini Bolt Cutters

Description. Standard-pattern mini bolt cutters made from top-quality hardened steel.

Application. Professional contractors and farmers; reliable multi-purpose tool.

  • High-strength multi-purpose bolt cutters, 8" (200 mm)
  • Serrated gripping jaw
  • Use on plain or barbed wire
  • Hi-grade steel

Transport Statistics

Qty Description Average Price Size (Vol.) Weight
6,875 8-line galvanised Lightning Fence Droppers* $2.45 ea 1.5 m³ 1,150 kg
6,875 180 cm galvanised posts $7.95 ea 12 m³ 23,375 kg

*1 pallet of 6,875 8-line droppers = 17 slings of posts.

  • A galvanised post is ~ the price
  • ~ the transport size
  • ~20× the weight
1 pallet of droppers vs. 1 truck load of posts — choose lighter, cheaper freight.

The History of Lightning Fence Droppers

Fence Dropper. A light vertical component supported by fence line wires (not embedded in ground). Functions: keep wires spaced, make fences visible, minimise post use and save costs.

Almost 150 dropper designs were patented in Australia (1890s–1914); fewer than 50 were manufactured/sold in large numbers.

Lightning Dropper. A trade name for a wire dropper easily added to a fence. Manufactured by National Nails Pty Ltd (now Hi Tensile) since the late 1960s. The name is often used generically. (Source: Illustrated Glossary of Australian Rural Fence Terms – pp. 49, 50, 83)

  • 1966: First designs created.
  • 9 Oct 1968: Patent submitted by the late Roger Sachs (Mayne Industries, Brisbane).
  • Previous droppers were awkward/time-consuming; risked injuries.
  • 1992: Nick Sachs takes over National Nails/Lightning Fence Droppers.
  • 1998: Distribution expands; sales exceed 1,000,000 droppers/year across Australia.
  • 2016 (50 years): Same design, improved manufacturing with dedicated machines. Some clients have droppers working for 40+ years.

Contact Us

Hi Tensile Pty Ltd

45 Holland Street, Northgate QLD 4013

PO Box 77, Northgate QLD 4013

Phone: 1800 177 615  |  Fax: 1800 639 029

Email: info@fencedropper.com  |  Web: fencedropper.com

Hi Tensile Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for personal injury or property damage that may arise from the use of our products.

© LIGHTNING Fence Droppers — Product Guide (May 2022)