A Guide to Net Suspension Rods

How to Customize Your Modular Net System

In this blog, we delve into one essential component of our offerings – the Net Suspension Rods.

Animal Equipment by Stoney is committed to delivering safe, light, strong, and versatile solutions. Our modular net system empowers customers to tailor their equipment for specific applications. In this post we explore the intricate world of nets and suspensions.

This comprehensive video guide outlines the diverse range of options available, from net suspension rod sizes to choosing the right shape and hoop sizes showcased in our demonstration video.

Polycarbonate Net Suspension Rod Sizes

Net Customization at Your Fingertips

Our Animal Equipment by Stoney nets are sewn with heavy thread designed to stretch with the net material, ensuring that the seams remain resilient. This attention to detail reflects the brand’s commitment to providing robust equipment where every component, including the stitching, plays a vital role.

We offer four distinct net suspension rod styles – Hoop, Pentagram, Ogive, and V – and ensure that each style is available in all size circumferences, without any difference in pricing for shapes of the same size and thickness of polycarbonate. Crafted from a robust Lexan polycarbonate plastic rod, our suspensions boast 16000 psi tensile strength and 19000 psi flexural strength, guaranteeing durability.

Choosing the Right Shape:

Hoop Shape: The Traditional Net

• Advantages: Maximum opening for a given circumference, ideal for open ground/tree flight capture.
• Disadvantages: Incompatible with corners, challenging to use in small cages.

Pentagram Shape: Best for Cages

• Advantages: Fits into corners and block angles, covers doors of different sizes, effective in blocking charging animals.
• Disadvantages: May snag or catch when swung parallel to the ground.

Ogive Shape: Best Multipurpose Net

• Advantages: Covers doors of different sizes, fit into corners, facilitates easier capture of larger animals with a smaller net. The sides bulge to absorb impact force, reducing the chance of snagging.
• Disadvantages: Less effective in corners than the Penta, not as wide an opening as the Hoop.

V Shape: Best for Delicate or Ground-Bound Animals and Multiple Captures

• Advantages: Allows the net to be pulled off with the animal inside, enabling rapid capture of multiple animals. Tension-supported front edge prevents impact injuries, and wands move independently, conforming to surfaces. Dismantles for tight storage during transportation.
• Disadvantages: Primates or dextrous animals can lift the tension support and crawl under, small-headed animals may scramble under the front edge, wear on the net is faster (additional hem recommended), and suspension flexibility can pose challenges in controlling animals.

Understanding Net Suspension Rod Sizes

Stoney, from Animal Equipment by Stoney LLC, introduces us to the crucial element of designing and developing nets – the polycarbonate rod sizes for net suspensions. These rods are custom-built in modular sections, offering flexibility and ease of replacement.

1/4-Inch Rod:

• Flexibility: Very flexible, suitable for small and light animals.
• Diameters: Available in two different circumferences.
• Use Cases: Ideal for delicate and small animals.

3/8-Inch Rod:

• Flexibility: More stiffness but retains flexibility.
• Diameters: Comes in 28, 36, 45, and 56.
• Use Cases: Suitable for a variety of animals, with 56 being ideal for delicate birds.

1/2-Inch Rod:

• Flexibility: Moderately stiff, suitable for common applications.
• Diameters: Available in 45, 56, 72.
• Use Cases: Handles more weight, a common choice for various animals.

5/8-Inch Rod:

• Flexibility: Less flexible, more stiffness.
• Diameters: Comes in 56, 72, 90.
• Use Cases: Offers stiffness, suitable for animals with more weight.

3/4-Inch Rod:

• Flexibility: Very stiff.
• Diameters: Available in 56, 72, 90.
• Use Cases: Ideal for heavy animals, provides maximum stiffness.

Choosing the Right Rod Size

Selecting the appropriate rod size depends on factors such as the animal’s weight, the net’s weight, and the net’s depth. Stoney advises starting with the weight of the animal and then choosing the rod size accordingly.

Additionally, considerations for the shape of the net (hoop, pent, ogive) depend on whether you’re working in open areas, cage doors, or other specific scenarios.

Expert Guidance from Stoney

With over two decades of experience, I encourage customers to reach out for assistance in designing their nets. Whether through a call, text, or email, I am ready to provide guidance and ensure customers make informed decisions. Animal Equipment by Stoney LLC not only provides top-notch animal handling and capture equipment but also valuable expertise to support professionals in their work.

Contact us today to discuss our comprehensive range of animal equipment and your equipment needs.