"cheap" FEL T-post Puller

[MotorSeven]

Just thought i would post this for those like me that hate pulling t-posts. I had about 50 to pull. so i came up with a quick & easy attachment to the FEL bucket. I took some scrap 2" angle & cut 2 sections about 3" long. Welded them together to form a box, then welded the box onto the side of my bucket.
It helps if the posts are leaning towards the bucket, so i walked down the line & bent them over a bit. Drive up to the post, raise the bucket then lower it so the "box" slips over the post. Lower the bucket half way down the post, then curl the bucket to lock the "box" on the post. Drive forward as you raise the bucket, pulling the post out of the ground.
I found that driving forward while raising kept the post from bending. Having a hydro transmission makes this really easy. Make sure you have a counter weight on the back of the tractor. If the post is really in there good, you can flip the tractor by side torquing the bucket so go easy. I welded mine onto the front side of the bucket, but if doing it again i would make the square bigger(3x3) and would have welded it to the rear so it is easier to see.
It took about an hr to pull the 50 posts.

[jjcc246]

simple but functional, nice job. will make life easier i'm sure.

[4720 OWNER]

What a great idea, simple and sweet. Cannot wait to copy it! Thanks loads.

[Texas Dodge]

Good design, but doesn't it take time trying to line it up with the post?

[MotorSeven]

Tex, yep, it does take a little finess. Making the box an inch bigger would help alot, but as it was i only took a short time to "engage". If i had a gear tractor, it would have taken alot longer.

RD

[Champy]

Maybe if you welded a larger skirt that was angled out on the bottom, it could act as a "funnel" and you would spend less time aligning the opening over the T-post.