Cutting concrete posts

[flusher]

I plan to build one or two equipment sheds for my tractors and haying implements on the site of an old dairy barn on my property. There are a bunch of old concrete posts sticking about 2 feet above ground that I would like to cut off flush with grade level. I couldn't get the county building dept to OK using these posts since they've been in the ground longer than 60 years and the concrete is deteriorating.

The posts I need to remove are about 10" square at ground level. I prefer to cut them off flush rather than going through the hassle of digging out these posts that are buried about 3ft. Also I want to minimize the disturbance to the native soil, so cutting looks attractive. I'm sure there is rebar in these posts so I need something that cuts both concrete and steel without boggering up the blade.

Anyone out there done something like this before?
Any suggestions on the correct tool to use for this job are appeciated.
I'm hoping I can rent something to do the job myself.
Next option, of course, is to hire the work out.

 

[Dargo]

Until I saw your pictures I thought I had the right tool to suggest. I have an old Partner demolition saw that is made to cut through concrete and rebar. However, after seeing your pictures, you'd never get the job done with one. Maybe someone else has experience cutting larger chunks of concrete, but my only thought now would be 'backhoe'.

 

[Egon]

Chances are pulling them out will be much easier and much quicker.

 

[Western]

Chances are pulling them out will be much easier and much quicker.

x2

 

[Egon]

On second though perhaps some proper sized Termite cord would work well but of this I have no knowledge.

 

[raykos]

Hi flusher,

Just curious, if you dug out the old posts, couldn't you use the same holes to put in your posts?

 

[Lasgambler]

Quite a few to do. Labor intensive. Rent a jack hammer, you can knock them down to grade, Then use a smoke wrench to cut the rebar.

 

[Skyco]

Chances are pulling them out will be much easier and much quicker.

My thoughts too.....

 

[flusher]

Chances are pulling them out will be much easier and much quicker.

Good suggestion. My neighbor has a big wompin wheel loader. Maybe he could push sideways on the post to loosen it a little, chain the post to the bucket and pull upwards. Might work. Or maybe this approach would work with a big construction grade backhoe like this one.

Thanks for the input.

 

[flusher]

Chances are pulling them out will be much easier and much quicker.

x2

These posts are about 10" square above ground. However, about 18" below grade these suckers are about 18" square. That may make it difficult to pull these without a lot of spade work. I'm trying to minimize the amount of digging needed to get this job done.