Instal T-post with FEL or Backhoe

[rockslab]

Hi folks. I am new to the forum. I have 40 acres to fence and an tired of pounding T-posts. Does anyone have any experience setting T-posts using an FEL or backhoe?

I have a JD 870 with a 420FEL and 8B hoe.

Many thanks!!

 

[MikePA]

I don't have a backhoe, so I can't comment on that. I have tried using the FEL. In my soil, rocky clay, the FEL didn't work well often enough to be of benefit, so I ended up buying a hydraulic post driver. Using the FEL also required;

2 people, one to hold the T post perpendicular, both to the ground and the FEL, and one to lower the FEL.

I didn't care for having someone (me wife) standing near/under the FEL.

No good way to pound with the FEL.

I imagine using the backhoe would have similar issues with the advantage of down pressure.

 

[MF1455v]

Like MikePA I don't have a backhoe. But I do use my FEL. I get my post aligned and started with a hand driver. Then I string line where I want the top of post. Of course this can only be done every 100' or so or the string will start to sag in the middle. Then push the posts in to the desired hight with the FEL.

The results may very depending on ground conditions. I like this way because I usually work alone. It also keeps a helper away from the FEL if you do have help.

 

[TBAR]

Load the FEL with a bundle or two of T-Posts and use the weight to sink them in the ground. That or a load of rock or dirt will work also.


TBAR

 

[Boondox]

Man, how I envy you people with soil so perfect you can just press fence posts into position! With me, it's the old sawed off, weighted end of a driveshaft slipped over the post and POUND, POUND, POUND them into place! And invariably I'll get several posts in a perfect line...then hit a huge boulder hidden under 2" of dirt that forces me to rearrange things! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Pete

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I use my skid steer to place t posts all the time.

I like to use added weight in the bucket when possible. And with my JCB there's a flat area on the arm that has the quick attach. I try to use the arm. And I've found pounding doesn't work good for me. It's either push it down smoothly or bend the post when attempting to pound.

I believe the bending comes because my bucket works in an arc lift. I'm not good enough to move the tractor as the bucket comes down to compensate for the movement forward or backward of the bucket caused by the arcing motion. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

We're talking about doing forty acres for a customer with three sides using t posts. I'll be doing it by myself as usual. And I'll bet if I get the job by the time I get done I'll have it worked out, how to do t posts by yourself with a FEL. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But my experience so far in our clay is pounding with FEL equals bent t post. The only thing worse than doing it wrong is to destroy it in the process. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[dliston]

Check out this post... They had some good ideas about how to set the posts by yourself with no helper and no pounding... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Driving Fence Posts with FEL

As soon as I've got a few posts to try, I'm gonna put together a PVC holder like they describe.

Doug

 

[Charolais]

I'm blessed here to have few rocks and sandy soil. With the t-ee post I just press them in without pounding with the bucket. I can sharpen a 5" wood post and drive it in 3' with the fel bucket but I have to get about a ton of gravel in there for weight. I do use a Shaver post driver if running a new fence. I will use the loader to drive one in an emergency. When it's dry none of this works. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If you use the bucket and have to add weight. Use sand or gravel. I have a friend that used some large rock and the wood post put a big dent in the bucket.

 

[MF1455v]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Man, how I envy you people with soil so perfect you can just press fence posts into position! )</font>

Boondox, I can press my post in place with the FEL without pounding. But my soil conditions are far from perfect. It is black gumbo and swells and shrinks like a sponge. Nothing like spending all day setting 990 ft of t-post, getting them perfect. Then a week later start to string wire and some post have dropped 6 inches or more because a dry weather crack opened where you post is.

So, when one problem is not present another problem most likely will be. Adjust your methods (getting taller posts on reset of fence) or get a new method from friends on TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif