Corner posts - How deep?

[RussMan]

I am interested in any feedback regarding how deep to set corner posts for fencing. The fencing will be 3 strands of stretched smooth wire (horses). I do plan on setting the posts in concrete. Of course it depends on how tight I stretch, but interested in general rule for depth. Posts will be treated, I believe 6" - but maybe they are 8" posts. Is 24" deep sufficient? 30"?

 

[Western]

Russman,

I would say it depends allot on your soil. I put allot in (steel pipe) here where I live at 24" especially when I have several braced together, even "line" post at 24". I have gone less in rock, more in deep or softer soil.

Wood post I tend to go about 10% deeper if I can, but I like RR ties too.

 

[beenthere]

I wouldn't set a corner post less than 30", but closer to 36".

Being a corner, the braces tend to have a lifting force on the corners when the fence is tightened. On the farm, those are the posts that would work themselves out of the ground. Tying large rocks onto the posts didn't seem to help much either. A cross brace at the bottom of the post may add some sticking power. As mentioned, soil is a factor, and any freezing and thawing will work a post up too. That may not be an issue where you are in MO.

But that depth may be just me.

 

[moored4]

i would need more info. What soil type, how long a run. what type of line post and spaceings, how many post in the corner, and are you going to put bracing post in the run?

 

[Bison]

IMO the deeper the better,min of 3'.
On my fences I set 2 post 10-12' apart and 5' deep with a cross brace between at the top and a diagonal wire brace bottom cornerpost to top second post.

 

[MMagis]

Soil is important, but 3' is pretty standard for most places with freeze/that cycles. 4' isn't uncommon for folks with post drivers.

 

[SandburRanch]

In the sand at SandburRanch, when the moisture is right and the ambient temp. is 60, 6 trips with the Fiskars gets 3 ft. and that's good enuff. Stretch the top wire then the others medium. In the winter near 0 degrees it'll be tight and at 102 F it'll be a little loose. No need to make rocket science out of fence building because in a few short years it ain't gonna look so good.:laughing:

 

[dmay]

I am interested in any feedback regarding how deep to set corner posts for fencing. The fencing will be 3 strands of stretched smooth wire (horses). I do plan on setting the posts in concrete. Of course it depends on how tight I stretch, but interested in general rule for depth. Posts will be treated, I believe 6" - but maybe they are 8" posts. Is 24" deep sufficient? 30"?

How tall is your fence going to be?

Have you considered pounding your posts. No augering or concrete required. A heck of a lot faster and easier. Once pounded the post is set, ready to string your lines. In future fence changes can be made or broken posts can be replaced just by pulling out old and pounding in new.

You can either rent or contract a post pounder. All you do is sharpen posts with a chainsaw to look like a pencil and pound them into the ground with the post pounder. In this case a good general rule for a sturdy horse fence is to match the height with the depth. This is especially true if your fence lines are tensioned. Also if you are in a winter cold zone with frost line to deal with you need to get below your frost line.

For post size your corner posts should be 2" bigger then your line post size.

A 3 strand galvanized wire fence for average size 14/15hh horses is typically 4 ft high. Line posts are typcially spaced 20 ft apart and would be 4-6" x 8ft. Corner posts would be 6-8" x 8ft. Pounded 4 ft in ground.

For taller 17 hh horses you might go 4 strand, 5 ft high and 10 ft long posts. Pounded 5 ft in ground.

I personally don't recommend using galvanized wire for all strands as it can become too invisible for playful or spooked horses to see. As a minimum the top strand should be highly visible. Here I like to use a braided white electric line. As I have tall horses I go 4 strand 5 ft high where the top and middle are braided white electric to improve visibility and keep horses off the fence lines and posts.

 

[rgood]

4 feet

 

[MMagis]

No need to make rocket science out of fence building because in a few short years it ain't gonna look so good.:laughing:

Well said!