How Do I Repair my Fencing?

[MossRoad]

I've got a paddock that held cattle but has been unused for several years. 6x6 PT posts are leaning badly. I can dig around them and use the tractor or a winch to pull them straight but how do I secure them and prevent this from happening again? Do I need to remove the rails and then reset them once the posts are plumb? I live in northern New England, so frost is an issue. Your experience and expertise is appreciated.View attachment 3252981View attachment 3252982

If it's only those 7-8 posts, and the ground is soft, I'd just use a hand post hole digger to dig a hole down straight along the inside of each post, then tip them back up to plumb. Temporarily brace them in place, straighten out the fence line, level the top rails, put some crushed rock in the bottom and enough dry concrete to fill the hole up to a couple inches. Then top off with soil.

 

[Skyfair]

If it's only those 7-8 posts, and the ground is soft, I'd just use a hand post hole digger to dig a hole down straight along the inside of each post, then tip them back up to plumb. Temporarily brace them in place, straighten out the fence line, level the top rails, put some crushed rock in the bottom and enough dry concrete to fill the hole up to a couple inches. Then top off with soil.

It is just those 7-8 posts. How deep do you think I should dig? I suppose I could reach the bottom of the existing posts...

 

[Carl_NH]

With this approach 2' deep, the bottom can be left alone. Get some rocks 6-8 inches and place behind each post then two come-along on the 3 and 5 post attached to tractor etc, Fill behind with the rocks to get straignt then pout in some loose stone then some concrete.

To get out the fence bow you may need to remove the rails on one or two posts,

 

[MossRoad]

It is just those 7-8 posts. How deep do you think I should dig? I suppose I could reach the bottom of the existing posts...

Yes, dig down to the bottom of the post. That way you can assess its condition, and, you can put crushed rock under and around it to facilitate drainage. You can also raise and lower it to the proper height by adjusting the rock under the post.

 

[Skyfair]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. This is such a great Forum!

 

[etpm]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. This is such a great Forum!

Yes, this is a great forum. I was telling my brother about it, how so many folks post about a problem they are having and how often one or more solutions are suggested. And so many times the problem is fixed.
Eric

 

[Snezzy]

I'd agree with "leave 'em as they are but add wire mesh" unless you train your sheep and goats to respect electric fence, which should be easy to add. Sheep will try to go under. Goats will go over if you are in the habit of tossing loose kids back over the fence, because they'll learn, "Goats can fly!" and will teach the rest of the herd to fly. Take them around the long way instead.

To test whether a fence will hold goats, toss a bucket of water at the fence. If the water goes through, there's a good chance the goats will, too.

If you install mesh or panel with spacing larger than 4x4 inch, goats will get their horns stuck. They'll yell until you come by and unstuck them.

For "northern New England" you'll already be thinking of the depth of frost. There is a reason why good NH roads are on an 8-foot crushed rock base and remain solid while the ones in Mass are on 3-foot or less and fall apart.

MORE; We put concrete around fence posts here in NC, and found that the stress of horses tended to snap them off, leaving a spot on the ground with a lump of concrete in it that now 30 years later cannot be easily repaired. We stick a T-post in nearby and tie the busted wooden post to it. Our newer posts are set directly into our rather clay-heavy soil, no concrete, and are easier to pull out if necessary. I'd do it differently 30 years ago, if I could reach back there. Franklin said, “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”

 

[Gord Baker]

Thre

I've got a paddock that held cattle but has been unused for several years. 6x6 PT posts are leaning badly. I can dig around them and use the tractor or a winch to pull them straight but how do I secure them and prevent this from happening again? Do I need to remove the rails and then reset them once the posts are plumb? I live in northern New England, so frost is an issue. Your experience and expertise is appreciated.View attachment 3252981View attachment 3252982

 

[Gord Baker]

I've got a paddock that held cattle but has been unused for several years. 6x6 PT posts are leaning badly. I can dig around them and use the tractor or a winch to pull them straight but how do I secure them and prevent this from happening again? Do I need to remove the rails and then reset them once the posts are plumb? I live in northern New England, so frost is an issue. Your experience and expertise is appreciated.View attachment 3252981View attachment 3252982

Sadly there is no 'easy' way . Remove the 6 boards on the post just past that gate with the wedge in it. Lift out the post and see what happened. Rotted off?
Not deep enough? IF it is NOT rotted off, dig the hole deeper and Invert the post.
Repeat many many times! Good Luck. If you don't really need the Fence, advertize the materials For Sale As Is.

 

[charris65]

Lots of good ideas here. My initial guess was that the posts were rotted off, but since they are solid, it must be some other reason. My guess then would be that strong winds could do that if the posts aren't set deep enough and/or the frost heave with soft ground. I set my 8' PT posts 3-4 feet in the ground. You could use 4Xs instead of 6Xs, but I'd use 6Xs with the gate. As someone else already suggested, I'd dig down the insides of each post to plumb them and check for depth. I'd use rocks to wedge the posts on the outside. It would be a real hassle leaving the boards on to plumb or reset the posts, so I'd take them all off. You're going to need more boards anyway and space them closer together. I set my posts 6' apart OC, so I buy 12' lumber in either 1X6 or 5/4X6, and stagger them. I agree with using at least 4 boards high, set about 6" apart, and the bottom one 6" off the ground. I also put my boards on the inside rather than the outside. That way, animals pushing on the boards results in a push on the posts which makes the fence stronger. Boards on the outside means pushing on the inside pops off the boards since only nails are resisting the pressure. Good luck, you have some work to do.