Atlas Copco Post Driver

[Haoleguy]

Turns out that I have about 1400 vineyard lineposts(8 ft metal) to install pretty soon over a 5 acre area and I have been pouring over my options. If I can I may just push them in with a channel beam attached to my buddy's tractor bucket. However, with the stonyness of my soils(sandy loam) I'm planning for a backup plan which I think will need to be used. My first thought was renting a Rhino pneumatic PD55 post driver and the required diesel compressor to tow up and down the rows. At ~$800 for a weeks rental and the realization I need to do 200 post/day to keep the rental costs down I started to think I might need more days and thus higher cost. In doing a little web surfing I came across a very cool idea from Spika Welding ..... Hydraulic PowerPak | Agriculture | Industry Specific Solutions . Turns out they make a nice narrow ATV trailer to support metal fence post pounding which includes a hydraulic post pounder powered by a Honda run hydraulic pump system....cool idea by the Spika folks. In looking around a bit more I found that the Spika wagon is using an Atlas Copco hydraulic driver. In looking over Atlas' website I found the following driver which appears to be matched well for most of our tractor hydraulic SCVs ....... http://www.atlascopco.us/usus/products/product.aspx?id=1602195. In looking over past forum thread it appears someone else raised the question about the utility of these drivers but received little direct information. My question is does anyone have or used one of these directly from their tractor hydraulics? How did it perform compared to other drivers like the Rhino pneumatic drivers? Pricing seems to be pretty inconsistent between vendors and hits a wide range with the lower end approaching my potential Rhino-compressor rental costs. Again, please let me know if you have experience with the Atlas Copco drivers......Thank you, Gary

 

[oldnslo]

In reading the specs on the Atlas Copco site it shows flow rates over 300 GPM. Not sure if this is return flow rate from the hammer or just a typo. Also shows blows/min at 30 liters which is around 8 GPM. Atlas also states that they have control valves for open and closed center systems.

I would suspect that you will need a return line direct to tank for this like most other post drivers. If you can get your tractor close enough to where the posts are to be driven and this does not aerate the fluid to much your tractor hydraulics should work.

NOTE: I have no personal knowledge of this hammer though.

 

[JimRB]

For some reason I recall (15 years ago) 3 minutes a post driving 4x4 wooden posts in moist Georgia clay with occasional hidden rocks using a Shaver post driver. I had put points on the posts and that was not part of the math. I would hope that T posts would go faster. The other number I recall was an hour per 100 foot roll of wire which might have been weave, stretch and nail after the posts were installed.

 

[Haoleguy]

In reading the specs on the Atlas Copco site it shows flow rates over 300 GPM. Not sure if this is return flow rate from the hammer or just a typo. Also shows blows/min at 30 liters which is around 8 GPM. Atlas also states that they have control valves for open and closed center systems.

I would suspect that you will need a return line direct to tank for this like most other post drivers. If you can get your tractor close enough to where the posts are to be driven and this does not aerate the fluid to much your tractor hydraulics should work.

The high flow rate in gpm is a misprint. The unit for open and closed systems is 5-8 gpm. My concern is the max pressure of my little Landini hydraulics is 2600psi which is higher than there operating pressure. I do have a no pressure return setup if needed. ...Gary

 

[leonz]

Have you looked at the propane hammer for driving T posts?


Sign Post Driver | Propane Hammer



Either way using the atlas copco with an air compressor and hearing protection or the propane hammer would be the best way unless you invest in the high end Shaffer as it will have lots of power.

Please use ear plugs as they are the best for hearing protection.

 

[JimRB]

For my little JD I went to the hardware store and got a fitting that fits the hydraulic fill plug in the back of the tranny. I rigged up hoses to act as a return when using the Shafer post driver. Probably a bit too small but it still thumped the posts just fine. I rigged up a hose from my front loader quick disconnect and a bungie cord to tap a supply line. Plenty of ways to jerry rig something if you do not have hydraulic connections at the back of a tractor. Also if you were worried about pressure you just do not run the throttle high. Lower rpms and lower pressure.

 

[creekbend]

Have you looked at the propane hammer for driving T posts?


Sign Post Driver | Propane Hammer



Either way using the atlas copco with an air compressor and hearing protection or the propane hammer would be the best way unless you invest in the high end Shaffer as it will have lots of power.

Please use ear plugs as they are the best for hearing protection.

I like the concept, but I find the cost, somewhat prohibitive. Thanks for posting. I love to gain knowledge.

 

[Haoleguy]

There seems to be differences in the way in which many of these drivers/hammers take a stroke and recoil....many small blows or fewer bigger blows. I am leaning towards the fast small stroke type which can be stood up on post and has a hand control off the driver such that tall posts can be driven without being on ladder.....hard hat of course......Gary

 

[MarkV]

If your in a vineyard area I have to wonder if some of the other growers in the area would have a post driver you could rent. It is not like they use them everyday so there have to be a few sitting in barns.

MarkV

 

[Haoleguy]

If your in a vineyard area I have to wonder if some of the other growers in the area would have a post driver you could rent. It is not like they use them everyday so there have to be a few sitting in barns.

MarkV

One thing I did not mention is that I had the plants planted by a laser system which means the plants go in first and trellis later. Additionally, my planting is a high density(7 ft rows by 4 ft between plants) and are tall grafted plants(think 26 inch tall plants) which means that the only access for the line posts is by small "manual" driver or a larger driver with side shift capability....the Wheatheart trailer model which I can rent has the side shift capability but the trailer is too wide for my rows. For the black locust end posts I am indeed renting a Fairchild High & Heavy hitter from a local farmer but it does not have the side shift capability for going down the rows. I do have a number of feelers out locally to see who might have something that would work for my situation.........Gary