Ultimate Fence Post Puller

[Glowplug]

I have a lot of 3-plank horse fencing that I need to remove. I've done a small amount with the FEL but I've mostly been avoiding it. It's slow going. I came across an ad in a farm journal for Grace Manufacturing. They specialize in heavy duty brush equipment. They had listed a few attachments for skid steer type loaders. I saw their Tree Jaws Tree Puller and thought it would be perfect for the job. I guess it would be but it's a bit specialized. After I was done would I ever use it? Maybe I would be better off getting a 4-in-1 bucket to do the job. That would be more versatile and could be used for landscaping as well. Truthfully though, I don't think I could get either right now due to lack of funds. All my money is with Uncle Sam now!

 

[FarmGeek]

Hi Chuck,

This is one mean looking tool! It would be great to play with but I agree it's a very limited use device.

I vote for the 4-in-1 combo bucket. I use mine to pull up trees frequently and with great success. Just sneak up on one side of the tree with the bucket open, slide sideways and snap it shut. Pine trees are my favorite to yank but poplar is pretty easy too. Sweet Gum is the worst! If the tree is small you’ll sometimes just bite it off but after a little practice you can grab without cutting all the way through.

When you're done making a mess the combo bucket would be useful in cleaning up, too. It just seems to be the most for your money.

Oh, and Uncle Sam appreciates your donation this year.

 

[Dieselmh]

If you've got someone to help, you can just do it with a chain. We've pulled up lots of fence that way. Just wrap the chain around the bottom of the post and hook it back onto itself. The other end is attached to the bucket, and you just lift up on it. The chain doesn't have to be wrapped too tightly if you're pulling up at a slight angle, because it'll kinda tighten itself. Works for us, anyway.

 

[deereguy]

I'm with Diesel- we used the chain method to pull any type of post. It has worked for us using a Ford 8N, skid loader, or bigger tractors.

 

[kennyd]

I vote for the friend also, A pizza and a case of beer is ALOT cheaper than that thing!

 

[JC-jetro]

I have used my home made 3-point boom and pulled out bunch of t-posts and 4" wood posts. I have also used draw bar on 3-point lower link where I could get closer to the post with the same result. I try to avoid hooking my chain or nylon choke (nylon choke grabs wood better than chain) to the tip of 3 point boom for lifting for obvious reason where and when I can do it... hate to lift the front of the tractor off of the ground when I encounter a stubborn post.

 

[jdgreg]

When I removed a lot of old 3 board horse fence, what I did was to cut the boards off even with the post (since I wasnt going to keep the old fence boards). This left 3 pieces of approx 6" x 6" on each post. After all the boards were cut and moved, I used the FEL and with the bucket fully curled, snugged the bucket lip under one of the board pieces that were still nailed to the post, raised the bucket and lifted the post right out. No need for a chain (though I've used that method as well).

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Even hint about pulling fence posts to my father or brother and they will rave about a 4-in-1 bucket's ability to do the job. The 4-in-1 bucket was the perfect tool. Here are the steps:
1. Drive up to the fence post with the bucket clam open.
2. Drop loader the bucket half-way down the post.
3. Clamp the post between the dozer blade and the clam.
4. Pull post out.
5. Drop post on ground by opening clam.
6. Move to the next post...all without ever leaving the seat.

Each fence post took about a minute to pull.

 

[EddieWalker]

I read this in Progressive Farmer magazine and have always thought it was about the easiest way to do it.

The guy used a piece of pipe large enough to slide over the post. He cut it to around 6 inches I think. Could be a little more or less, but I don't think it matters.

He drilled two holes though one side of the pipe and also throgh the side of his FEL bucket so the pipe would mount on the outside of the bucke going up and down.

He then drove to the post, lowerd the FEL so that the short length of pipe went around the post. In the picture, he went about half way down the post, then tilted the bucket to lock the length of pipe around the post.

Lift the bucket and the pipe has a grip on the post. It comes out, you straighten up the bucket, the post falls out of the pipe and you move on to the next post.

I personally do the chain method as it's rare for me to remove posts with my tractor, but if I had a bunch to do, this is what I'd build.

Eddie

 

[Glowplug]

Even hint about pulling fence posts to my father or brother and they will rave about a 4-in-1 bucket's ability to do the job. The 4-in-1 bucket was the perfect tool. Here are the steps:
1. Drive up to the fence post with the bucket clam open.
2. Drop loader the bucket half-way down the post.
3. Clamp the post between the dozer blade and the clam.
4. Pull post out.
5. Drop post on ground by opening clam.
6. Move to the next post...all without ever leaving the seat.

Each fence post took about a minute to pull.

SWEET!!!!!! I actually contacted W.R. Long yesterday to get a price quote on a 4-in-1 bucket!

I read this in Progressive Farmer magazine and have always thought it was about the easiest way to do it.

The guy used a piece of pipe large enough to slide over the post. He cut it to around 6 inches I think. Could be a little more or less, but I don't think it matters.

He drilled two holes though one side of the pipe and also throgh the side of his FEL bucket so the pipe would mount on the outside of the bucke going up and down.

He then drove to the post, lowerd the FEL so that the short length of pipe went around the post. In the picture, he went about half way down the post, then tilted the bucket to lock the length of pipe around the post.

Lift the bucket and the pipe has a grip on the post. It comes out, you straighten up the bucket, the post falls out of the pipe and you move on to the next post.

Eddie, that's sounds like a great idea! It MAY actually make pulling fence posts enjoyable. I don't know about drilling a pipe to the side of my bucket though. What I could do is get a skid-steer type blank plate for a little bit over $100 and attach a piece of pipe to that. Then I would have my own stand-alone fence post puller! Hmmmm.

The only problem is, after the posts are all pulled only half the job is done. Then you gotta dispose of them and fill in the holes!!