3ph T-post thingamajig....

Freds · Mar 19, 2006

There ya go!

I was going to have a cap on the white receiver to prevent post slippage. I had even mentioned using a hand T-post driver, if you have one already like I do. After all, once you get one of these bad boys made up, who would use the hand operated model? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I just like everything hanging below the pivot rod. Don't ask me why... less stress on the receiver wall, all the weight is below the pivot rod, the rod adds strength to do the pushing with....
I'm sure both designs would work, but it's how I will make mine.

Definitely one on each side. W/O caps though. I think having the pipe always at the ready to slide a shovel handle or something into would be handy without having to remove a cap, but it's a nice touch.

Also, maybe a small eye bolt or two welded to the white receiver. One could be used to fasten or hold the T-post into place (I'm hoping a bungee hook can get enough bite on those **** that are on T-posts, but the hook could be modified). This would also keep the posts all facing the same direction, saying your tractor could always face the same direction.... And one to have a length of dog chain or similar hanging from to let you know when your posts are at the correct depth when it touches the ground.

Dang I wish this weather would get better so I could go and make one. I need a workshop! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

andyfletcher · Mar 19, 2006

Actually the old dock side pile driver system might work, and you can use various weights too. The 3PH would be secondary to the main lift and fall components.

Basically you would use a geared down system run off your PTO. It would turn a large cam type arrangement that would turn a spool wound with thin stainless cable. The cable would be looped over a high pole arrangement, I'll call the Jack pole, which has a pulley at the top that has a shroud over the top to prevent the cable from slipping off. This pulley is the Jack pulley. The Jack post could be channel or "T" rail, in order to have a well greased slide hammer attached to it, or, a well greased 6-9in well casing with a round hammer inside. The top of the hammer could have removable different weights applied. This pole has well has being the overhead attach point for your lift/fall arragement could also act to hold your post vertical.

Operation: 

The way it would work is that you'd use the 3PH to lift the whole unit to carry it to the job site, and that's all it would do.

You'd place the weight on your hammer and the hammer on your post. You engage the PTO that is geared down by belt reduction. An idler pulley acts as your clutch for fast release and you would man the operation from there.

Once the clutch is engaged, the cam turns the spool until it reaches the notch in the cam. At this point it lets go of the spool which unwinds the cable and the weight falls. The cam still turning, starts to raise the cable again dropping the weight.

Now once we drive the post down we need to slacken off the cable the distance the post has be driven, plus some, otherwise the only depth you'll reach is the first blow, and the cable would see a deadfall on the second drop and the hammer won't hit the post. This can be handled by having the Jack post top pulley on a slider that would decend has the fence post decends. A side rod that would "U" bolt to the fence post in some fashion, and connected to the Jack pulley at the top.

The PTO would have to be rigged for safety of course, and that could be done by having a "normally disengaged" idler pulley. In other words it can only work with someone holding the lever with considerable force.

I suppose a diagram would be better.

That was fun, might even try it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Andy

bota7800 · Mar 19, 2006

( I thought and have heard about the bucket method but I was just thinkin about carrying all the fencing "supplies" in the bucket and then using the 3ph pressure of putting them the ground. )

You could switch the tasks around. Use the bucket to place T-posts and use a carryall on the 3 point hitch to carry the supplies. I have seen several examples on this site.

tenacrewoods · Sep 16, 2006

Hello! Guys
Hope no one minds me bumping up this old thread but I really like this
T-Post driver idea but I wouldn't like the idea of getting off the tractor
to settup every single t-post so what if you ran lots of heavy wires in to the reciever, like the kind on a large Brushwheel and used it to hold onto the t-post (grapple like).Then you could pick them up from a upright postion and move them without ever leaving the tractor except when you first unloaded them from the rear bucket. Do ya'll thing it might work ???

Really bad pic below.

Mike120 · Sep 16, 2006

Steve, Save your time and effort and just get one of these....Rohrer Manufacturing Inc. :: Fence Post Drivers and Supplies

CurlyDave · Sep 17, 2006

Has anyone came up with any ideas for a 3ph T-post implement?

I always thought this is exactly what a "puff drill" or a "puff bit" for a post hole digger was for.

Options:

belltec

northerntool

Birdhunter1 · Sep 17, 2006

If the dirt is soft enough I've often used a front end loader to drive them down. Not pounding it in just a slow push into the ground.

I don't know if any of these smaller or larger compacts will be able to, last time I did it it was with a 986 International.

StevenPaul · Sep 19, 2006

Wow, cool, the ol' thread is still kickin'. For those interested, I'm in the idea stage of hopefully coming up with a multi-functioning attachment. I kinda have an idea about developing it and I'd like to make a prototype but I think I'm going to need the help of some engineering type thinkers, hydraulic guru's, a metal fabricator and if all goes well, an investor. So we'll see, winter's comin up and hopefully I'll have more time to put into it right now it's just drawings and wishful thinkin.

thanks for keepin the thread goin!
Steve

mikim · Sep 19, 2006

Mike120 said:
Steve, Save your time and effort and just get one of these....Rohrer Manufacturing Inc. :: Fence Post Drivers and Supplies

I've got bad shoulders so my wife bought me one of these -- works really well -- but you darn well better hang on to it -- I setup my carryall with a genset & compressor, carried the posts in the fel - and went down the line - rather quickly. wouldv'e been even faster if someone had been there to move the tractor along. I didn't like spending that kind of $$ - but we are going to have a lot of posts to drive and she figures it'll come out to less than 50 cents per post. Cheap enough to stay away from the Dr.