Help selecting a Post Driver

52wej · Aug 24, 2016

Byrd, One option you may want to consider is renting a small 4" auger on a skid steer or a Dingo. They have hydraulic down pressure that helps keep the hole straight. Regardless of the model post driver you acquire, the pilot hole makes a tremendous difference. (Much straighter than a tractor powered auger) i live about 160 miles west of you in the central part of VA and the soil here is a hard red clay soil where a pilot hole is a must. Most folks here drill the pilot hole and then find a 977 cat loader to push the posts in. I have used drivers, pto and hydraulic powered; tamped posts by hand, and used the loader to install hundreds of posts on the family farm. if you are working by yourself then a driver is the best option. No one has mentioned the older pto powered drivers made by Danuser. Very simple and reliable units. I like them better than the hydraulic models. Good luck. Willie Jones

jbwilson · Aug 28, 2016

EddieWalker said:
Why would you use 4x4's for fence posts? Nothing twists or bends more then modern day treated 4x4's. Even 4x6's bend. Why not use round treated posts?

So true - you must have imported our treated timber from us.

byrd · Sep 2, 2016

byrd said:
As a side note, I noticed that Kencove sells what they call a PD-10H which is made by Shaver and is essentially identical to HD-10H. They also sell a PD100H which appears to have all the same physical specifications as the PH-10H/HD-10H, but it's a bit cheaper AND comes with the hitch mount. They do not specify that the PD100H is made by Shaver, so I don't know if is a lower grade driver or not. They are roughly the same weight by the info provided. I think I'll need to call them to get more information.

I recently received an email response from Kencove regarding the difference between their post drivers vs the Shaver drivers. I thought I'd pass the info along here since I had previously asked the question. I had specifically asked Kencove about the HD-10H (PDSHD10H) vs the PD100H, but it would be similar for smaller units and units with or without the hydraulic adjust.

The main difference between the two units is the manufacturer:

Shaver HD-10H (Kencove Part Number: PDSHD10H) - $4275 - Made in Iowa. Price does NOT include mounting bracket or shipping.
Kencove PD100H - $3975 - Made Pennsylvania to Kencove specs, but the specs are the same. Price includes 3 point hitch/secure stand base mounting bracket AND shipping.

Most of the parts are interchangeable between the two units (springs, cylinders, spring ends, bumpers etc.). The same quality of steel is used along with the same basic design.

I haven't seen anyone here who has mentioned using the Kencove units, nonetheless, I'm seriously considering the PD100H. I'm still a little nervous, however, about how level/plumb I can get the posts with a driver.

powerscol · Sep 2, 2016

"I haven't seen anyone here who has mentioned using the Kencove units, nonetheless, I'm seriously considering the PD100H. I'm still a little nervous, however, about how level/plumb I can get the posts with a driver."

I believe you will be surprised at how quick you learn. Ask them if they have any level options for the head. One of my contractors used one of those curved travel trailer ones to get started. It clipped to the head (magnet on back), he got set up, then it was taken off to drive. They only used it in tough spots or for training. He was a good teacher as most had the hang of it within a few hours. Good luck.

Barnbuilder · Sep 3, 2016

I rented a Wheatheart post driver on Monday and it was a major disappointment. As soon as we started using it, it began to leak fluid. We got one post in the ground in about twenty minutes. It was very crooked. The leak became worse. Beat on the second post for 15 minutes and it went in ground 8". We loaded it up and returned it. I think the only way I would own one is if it had a pilot auger. Trying to drive 5-6" round posts. I figured we could bore and set as fast as we were making time and not pay rental.