Ways to remove fence posts?

[Trophyduck]

Looking for some ideas on how to best remove fence posts. I have a "bunch" of 6x6 vinyl posts (horse fencing) that I want to pull out. I don't have a boom pole, just the bucket. I know I can figure a way but was thinking you all may have a great idea and save me some time/effort.....I tried the search option but couldn't find anything...thanks in advance!

 

[EddieWalker]

I just took some out a month ago using my hay spear. First I removed the rails, then I slid the hay spear into the opening for the rails, and lifted. I wasn't trying to save them, I just needed them out of the way, but surprisingly, none where damaged. They where packed in dirt, so no concrete to deal with.

 

[mddorange]

I used a chain with my bucket to remove wood and T fence post. It made it very easy to pull them out.

Do you have wood post inside your vinyl post?

 

[Trophyduck]

I'm not sure to be honest. The ones I have checked out are not. The corner posts and gate post have cement.
These posts do not have openings for a hay spear though. The boards are installed in brackets that are screwed tot he post.

I was just thinking of a rope or strap to go around the post and lift with the bucket. As I lift, it will tighten on the post....I am trying to keep damage to a minimum.

I guess there really aren't a whole lot of options.

 

[9973720wb19]

This
Tractor Forks, Bucket Forks, Loader Forks

bucket solutions - I pulled 1600 feet of fence posts set in concrete in a day. took a week to pick up the posts though...ha ha

 

[bcp]

If not in concrete, and to remove them undamaged, I would make this clamp.

Two 2x4's or 2x6's, about 2ft long, two bolts, and a spacer to keep the "jaws" parallel. Maybe sandpaper on the inside board, or a bunch of small nails with points barely through. If really tight, it might take two clamps.

Bruce

 

[Farmer495]

A length of chain with two hooks.

Wrap chain around bucket (between loader arms, missing QA linkage etc) so the hook on one end links to the "middle" of the chain. This will leave you with the rest of the chain dangling down with a hook. Drive to the post, lift loader so the chain is about centered on the post and dangling down beside it, wrap the chain around base of the post and hook it to itself.

Lift loader up, chain should grab and pull the post out. Have someone steady the post by hand it you think it could tip into the tractor.

I've removed hundreds of posts with this method. Have miles of barbwire fence here to maintain. Beats lifting them out by hand.

 

[PILOON]

Shucks I once removed 10 posts set in concrete simply using the hydraulics on my plow truck.
OK, had to make 2 pulls as the plow hydraulic lift distance was minimal but it worked just fine.
I simply wrapped a chain tightly and presto!

Using your FEL you may need so sit bucket on the ground and curl for maximum pull and repeat as I did with the plow truck.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I thought this site was full of "safety Sallys"... They should know, for safety reasons, you aren't supose to pull fence post with the loader, on a tractor!

You are supose to pull them using the 3 point hitch with a chain, to lift them out.

SR

 

[bcp]

I have a "bunch" of 6x6 vinyl posts (horse fencing) that I want to pull out.

I am trying to keep damage to a minimum.

Lots of good answers here for the kind of posts the OP doesn't have.

Bruce

 

[EddieWalker]

Mine slid out of the ground pretty easily. Since you don't have the holes in yours for rails line I did for mine, maybe try using a C clamp on the top of it, and then pull up from the clamp. The biggest issue with vinyl fencing, and why I'm going to get rid of all of mine, is it becomes brittle over time and it will shatter when it breaks. You might even be able to bear hug it and get it out lifting with your legs. I've done that with some of mine that sunk into the ground and needed to come up an inch or so to level out the fence. To stop them from sinking again, I pure a little ready mix concrete into the post, which seems to solve that issue.

 

[WM75Guy]

Your 3 point has more lift than the FEL, usually 2-3 times as much. I have used mine to get the post loose and the FEL to lift it free and move it where I needed it. I use a 6' web sling from TSC and make a lark's head knot. Slip it over the post and place it at ground level. I have a kwik hitch so I just slip the loops on the hook at the top and lift.

 

[Oldoak]

using the 3 point hitch with a chain, to lift them out.

That's exactly the way I do it. Works great.

 

[mddorange]

I thought this site was full of "safety Sallys"... They should know, for safety reasons, you aren't supose to pull fence post with the loader, on a tractor!

You are supose to pull them using the 3 point hitch with a chain, to lift them out.

SR

You of course are very correct. But I was wanting to pull it out and move it at the same time, so using the bucket was the trick.

 

[Wagtail]

I thought this site was full of "safety Sallys"... They should know, for safety reasons, you aren't supose to pull fence post with the loader, on a tractor!

You are supose to pull them using the 3 point hitch with a chain, to lift them out.

SR

x2. :thumbsup:

 

[EddieWalker]

The reason I didn't use a chain on my vinyl posts and the reason that I wouldn't suggest using a chain on a vinyl post is because they are vinyl posts. They are fragile and brittle. A chain will have to dig into it, or tighten around it to get a grip. Odds are good that this will not end well for the posts.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I used a chain with my bucket to remove wood and T fence post. It made it very easy to pull them out.

Do you have wood post inside your vinyl post?

that's what I do.

 

[mcfarmall]

Mill a 4x4 (or whatever) to a size that will fit closely inside the vinyl post and use a nylon strap or two opposite each other with a choker knot in it. You could also mill a short block to fit closely inside the post. Drill a hole centered in the block for an eye bolt or big enough for a piece of chain to fit in the hole. Put a bolt through a link so the block will stay on the chain. Insert the block into the top of the post and clamp outside with a C-clamp and pull straight up.

 

[Trophyduck]

Lots of good info and ideas.....thanks

 

[jdtractor]

I use Fel and small 1/4 chain with grab hooks.. with an extra hand if available to steady posts. Another option I致e also used is my dozer .. pulling or pushing out if not wanting to save posts or clearing row..