T-posts in hard ground - a hack

[oosik]

I had about 65 locations where the exposed bedrock made me use 2x4 - "L" posts. My neighbor has a commercial air compressor/jack hammer. This will be the final year where we replace the last "L" posts with T-145 steel posts. That jack hammer makes a 2" hole, about 16" deep, fairly quickly.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I had about 65 locations where the exposed bedrock made me use 2x4 - "L" posts. My neighbor has a commercial air compressor/jack hammer. This will be the final year where we replace the last "L" posts with T-145 steel posts. That jack hammer makes a 2" hole, about 16" deep, fairly quickly.

How big is the jack hammer? Do you have any info on model/cost.

 

[oosik]

Bill - the actual hammer is pretty big and it's heavy. The air supply comes from a three cylinder diesel mounted on a trailer. It's the type you see at highway construction projects. It is DEFINITELY not a homeowner model. He tows it around with his pickup. When he gets here - I tow it with my tractor. He let me try the hammer once. Got down about 6" and he took over. The major concern - getting the bit stuck in the hole you are drilling.

There is compressed air hissing everywhere - dust and rock chips flying all around. It makes quick work of our basaltic lava.

 

[beowulf]

Another hack. I didn't want to start a new thread just for this, and thought it would fit in here.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2582154182079138

 

[oosik]

That's pretty slick. A very cute girl and a slick way to pull a T-post.

 

[orezok]

I see powered post pounders for around $300.

Powered T-post pounder

Wow! Solar powered and 110v AC. They really know what they are selling.

 

[kenmac]

I have some exposed rock on my property. I bought the largest hammer/demo drill Makita makes (SDSmax) Purchased a 1.5'' drill bit and drilled the rock and hammered the T post into the hole.
No need to cement in as the 1.5'' hole is a very tight fit for T post.
You just have to knock the plate off the T post

 

[scootr]

Our clay soil doesn't give up a T post once shes been in the ground for a fw years. Takes a big tractor to pull em out and they take a lot of bonded dirt with them.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Another hack. I didn't want to start a new thread just for this, and thought it would fit in here.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2582154182079138

pretty inovated method... The way I always done it was with a chain, I wrap it around the post three time and use a farmer jack or FEL to pull it out.

 

[Rockbadchild]

That's pretty slick. A very cute girl and a slick way to pull a T-post.

that's a trick of the trade... if you want lots of views just use a pretty girl.

 

[beowulf]

BTW - the augers I used re the original post/hack (putting in T-posts in hard ground) were these from Harbor Freight - inexpensive and do the job.

18 in. Ship Auger Bit Set, 3 Piece

Amazing deals on this 18In Ship Auger Bit Set 3Pc at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[TheMan419]

pretty inovated method... The way I always done it was with a chain, I wrap it around the post three time and use a farmer jack or FEL to pull it out.

They make a T-post puller that works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/T-Post-Puller-Fence-Post-24/dp/B088SXY2J7/ref=asc_df_B088SXY2J7/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598239491232&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1321981992040445222&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016243&hvtargid=pla-1679542911723&th=1

 

[ponytug]

They make a T-post puller that works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/T-Post-Puller-Fence-Post-24/dp/B088SXY2J7/ref=asc_df_B088SXY2J7/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598239491232&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1321981992040445222&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016243&hvtargid=pla-1679542911723&th=1

I have one, and have used it a half dozen times. You need a 2' 2x6" as a base as well, or it sinks into the soil, and it often takes a couple of lifts to get most posts out. I keep it around for locations where I can't use a chain and the FEL, and I can't budge the T-post by hand, so it gets used about once every other year. YMMV...

All the best,

Peter

 

[Rockbadchild]

They make a T-post puller that works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/T-Post-Puller-Fence-Post-24/dp/B088SXY2J7/ref=asc_df_B088SXY2J7/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598239491232&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1321981992040445222&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016243&hvtargid=pla-1679542911723&th=1

pretty cheep I am surprise, good to know but I already own my chain and my farmer jack.

 

[fuchifarm]

I have one of the Agrisupply gas pounders. One of my better purchases. I've driven tposts through roots with it. I've had it 3 years. Only use non-ethanol fuel mixed with oil. Push the primer 3-4 times. Put choke on pull chord once turn choke off and pull cord to start. Only time it doesn't start is when I forget to slide the kill switch back to run.

It is heavy and it is loud. Hearing protection is a must.

If you have a helper and arms long enough you can drive them straight in through the hardest clay there is. Without a helper I start them with manual pounder lining up an entire string a few inches in the ground then go through with the gas pounder and drive them one after another.

Having them a few inches in keeps them from falling over while getting the gas pounder over the top of them. 6ft posts I can handle straight in the 6.5ft posts I need to get started. I will do 8 in a row then need to sit it down and rest my arms a bit.

I kill the engine rather than idle it anytime I am sitting it down. It always restarts first pull. It is also very fuel efficient.

 

[true temper]

For my rock hard clay pasture I rigged up a gas powered pressure washer, using a screw on tip I use it as a probe and go straight down and make a wet hole then the post drives easily into the wet hole.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I see powered post pounders for around $300.

Powered T-post pounder

Yeah, but if you scroll down to the 'specs' and 'compare'.... this one says it's "solar powered" and 110V ---- another says "wind power" ---- it must have something to do with the translation!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

For my rock hard clay pasture I rigged up a gas powered pressure washer, using a screw on tip I use it as a probe and go straight down and make a wet hole then the post drives easily into the wet hole.

Great idea!..... I bet it gets messy though!

 

[Egon]

Great idea!..... I bet it gets messy though!

A very good method. It’s also used to find underground pipe.

 

[ponytug]

A very good method. It’s also used to find underground pipe.

That's what I use it for all the time.

The prior owners on the ranch here put in pipes and electrical without reference to surface objects, e.g. not 2' out from a fence, or straight from a faucet. I've learned to get out the pressure washer and have a look-see before doing much underground. Wear gloves and solid boots, as pressure injuries are not a joke.

Oh, and yes, can be quite messy depending on the soil type, and whether you are doing a straight shot down for a T-post (not so bad), or excavating to find power lines (careful which way you point the nozzle).

All the best,

Peter