Gas Powered Post Drivers

[ericm979]

Some of the Chinese Honda knockoffs like the Lifans are not all that bad. Parts are available. I don't know if the ones on the ebay post drivers are good.

 

[gsganzer]

I'm looking at this exact same unit. Would appreciate any reviews ....

I've used the Rohrer Mansaver, but I think it was an earlier model, because I don't remember all the shielding on the one I used. In fact, the one I used looked like a hand injury waiting to happen. But it worked well, not overly fast, but definitely quicker and easier than a hand pounder and it was relatively light, so it didn't require too people. It was a simple device that you could probably troubleshoot and repair yourself if it had any problems. It pounded the post in a clap.clap.clap fashion. The soil I was on was relatively stone free, so the posts went in without much trouble.

I would like to hear from folks that have used the gas models. Their faster beats per minute seem like they might work better with stony soil by vibrating through/past the rocks. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[TheMan419]

Are you guys pushing in T-Posts or wood? For t-posts I have just used the tractor bucket with no issues. We have clay soil so all bets are off if it is dry out as then it is concrete and even using a manual post pounding tool is not going to work easily.

 

[two_bit_score]

I'm looking at them to. I keep going back and forth between the gas powered models or the pneumatic Rohrer. I'd really like to hear from some folks that have used the gas powered models. I know there're some cheap off-brands on Ebay with knockoff Honda engines, but I surmise they're junk and the cheap engines will just cause frustration, not to mention that repair parts are probably non-existant. So the Titan or Skidril are probably the models to have, but pricey. I've used the Rohrer before and it worked well, albeit a little clunky. Plus, I'd need to have my welder/generator to run my air compressor to run the Rohrer.

You could just bite the bullet and get one of these Propane Hammer Portability and simplicity

Might be a great tool but it's about $2,000 more than the ManSaver.

I already have a small compressor and a generator. But I'd like to set up a gas powered compressor and have everything on a small trailer.


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[Luke'sScreenName]

Whelp, I ordered a Mansaver 98E today. Need to get some more pasture fenced.

 

[oosik]

Hmmm........until today I've never even heard of a powered post driver of any kind. What MNBobcat has pictured has the same drawbacks as a PTO powered auger. Will only go where the tractor will go. In my situation that would eliminate, at least, one third of my fence line. Then you have all the fiddle/farting around - getting the tractor and pounder in the correct place. By the time you get everything positioned - I will have three T-133 already installed and be over the hill and out of sight.

When we came here in '82 I had to install one and a half miles of five strand barbed wire fence line around the 80 acres( 1320 x 2640 ). 670 - T-133 posts driven all with my 60 pound homemade manual pounder. With routine maintenance the fence is as good today as it ever was. Thank God that was 36+ years ago.............

 

[plowhog]

I bought the smallest Mansaver. Pounded a bunch of 6' T posts through rocky soil. Comments:

- Not perfect but WAY WAY WAY better than pounding by hand.
- Had trouble at first, a lot of trouble in hard rocky soil. Some posts would not start at all as the soil condition was really hard.
- Found that putting your foot on the "wing" of the T post to apply down pressure to start makes a huge difference. (that is in the instructions.)
- Operation was sometimes reliable and smooth, sometimes erratic. I was using a very small compressor and I think that is a compressor issue, not the mansaver.
- Marked the holes and soaked them a bit. Would run the hose over the "next" hole locations as I was installing a post. That worked much better.
- The comment about watching your hands and a potential hand injury is very relevant. Things are moving in a few directions at once and you need to be careful.
- In the end I had a nice looking fence installed.

I am going to put another fence up at another property. That property has really nice soil. I am guessing it will drive posts through that soil like going through butter. I would buy this again.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I bought the smallest Mansaver. Pounded a bunch of 6' T posts through rocky soil. Comments:

- Not perfect but WAY WAY WAY better than pounding by hand.
- Had trouble at first, a lot of trouble in hard rocky soil. Some posts would not start at all as the soil condition was really hard.
- Found that putting your foot on the "wing" of the T post to apply down pressure to start makes a huge difference. (that is in the instructions.)
- Operation was sometimes reliable and smooth, sometimes erratic. I was using a very small compressor and I think that is a compressor issue, not the mansaver.
- Marked the holes and soaked them a bit. Would run the hose over the "next" hole locations as I was installing a post. That worked much better.
- The comment about watching your hands and a potential hand injury is very relevant. Things are moving in a few directions at once and you need to be careful.
- In the end I had a nice looking fence installed.

I am going to put another fence up at another property. That property has really nice soil. I am guessing it will drive posts through that soil like going through butter. I would buy this again.

Very much appreciate those tips! :drink:

 

[kenmac]

Interesting thread. I have a few T post I couldn't get installed. I'm going to have to rent a large hammer drill with a 1.5'' bit to drill through rock.
The rock covers a large area. It's sand stone so I shouldn't have a problem drilling it enough to install T post

Good luck with your drivers. I installed mine by manual hand driver

 

[two_bit_score]

Very much appreciate those tips! :drink:

I am looking forward to your pictures and evaluation. :shocked: