Metal "T" Posts

[steveky]

Metal \"T\" Posts

I'm getting ready to plant a bunch of metal fence posts and will be using my fel to push them in with. Do they make or has anyone ever seen a device to plumb them with besides a level? I need something I can see from my tractor without having to get off and look at the post several times. The back side of my bucket will be my focal point. I've attached a 3" piece of pipe to the back side of my bucket to push them in with.

Thanks for your comments
Steve

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

How about a magnetic post level? Sears has one. http://www.epinions.com/content_181071613572

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

How about hanging a plumb bob from the bucket beside the post.

 

[sodamo]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

Steve

Are you doing this as a 1 person job? If so, please explain how so I can. I just helped a friend do about 1200 ft of fence and I held the post while he did the loader to press in. We just visually checked for plumb. Major problem was bending when we hit rocks. Got so we could feel when to stop, then used a post pounder to finish them.
Do you have a pic of your pipe attachment?

David

 

[TomPenny]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

back last summer I went over to a new neighbors to help put up a fence. I took my t-post pounder and some other tools with me.
This other guy brought his big ole JD FEL and said that he uses it to put t-post in. I thought well let me know how that works out, I ain't getting under your bucket for nothing!

This young dude, the neighbors son, said he'd do it.

So here he is wearing only flip-flops and gym shorts, he gets under the bucket and is holding this t-post with one hand.
The guy on the tractor mashes it into the ground no problem.

For a minute there I thought well okay I'm probably just too cautious. A few post go in and then it happens...

The t-post bows and is about to buckle, it's hit a hard spot, Then the bucket slips while applying who knows how much pressure, waps the guy right on top of the head.

I immediately thought I was going to have to call 911 but luckily he gets ups rubbing his head. No blood, no silly speech.

The only thing that saved this guys head was the flat part of the bucket. If a crease or bead had been there his head would have formed around it.

After a couple of words of warning from the tractor driver they began again. Later I watched this guy get into his pickup to leave and fasten his seatbelt. I thought "Well we can't be too safe now can we".... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PBinWA]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

I just pounded in 270 posts by hand. I'd say it took 4-5 hours. I couldn't see it going faster on the tractor. By the time you move the tractor and line everything up you could have pounded two in by hand.

Pounding them in by hand allows you to adjust them on the fly too.

I guess if your ground is really hard then doing it by hand might suck. Ground was pretty soft for me.

 

[TomPenny]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

no I agree. As a matter of fact me and Mr. FlipFlops brother started on another row and we could pound them in just as fast. Got a little upper body work-out to boot. To me there are certain things you just don't get under with or without a helmet.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I just pounded in 270 posts by hand. I'd say it took 4-5 hours. I couldn't see it going faster on the tractor </font> )</font>

Yea, you're probably right but us old guys tend to take a lot longer and hurt a lot more next morning.

 

[Highbeam]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

I noticed real quick while pounding t-bars with a pounder that you need some ear protection. I also noticed that they go in real nice if you have zero rocks. I adjusted on the fly but after a while the posts were all going in pretty level.

 

[beenthere]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

I used to 'talk' like that too, when I split all my firewood by hand. But I sure enjoy the task much better with a splitter that I finally could afford to get, and now rarely pick up the splitting maul.
Wasn't it ol John Henry, the steel drivin man, who collapsed after 'beating' the steam spike driver. He proved he could, but the result was a bit disconcerting.
Let us know in 20 years if you are still driving posts by hand. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[steveky]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

It's originally off of an old 10' satelite dish, I had this thing laying around the shop for years and thought I should be able to use it for something...lol. I put it on the back of the bucket so I could see it from the tractor seat. I'm thinking if I get it started, then I can finish it from the tractor. Another fellow suggested a magnetic post level. I may see if I can find one and give it a try. As for safety I would never get under a fel or ask anyone else to do so either.

 

[JustGary]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

<font color="blue"> "wearing only flip-flops and gym shorts" </font>

Did you look closely? They could have been steel-toed safety slaps. I have a pair that I wear all the time, but it's the Smilax vines that rip my legs open. I guess that's the fault of my gym shorts, not the flip-flops. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I agree with the hand post driving method. Around here in the Florida sand the only thing to slow you down is a root, so they usually go in without much argument. I can see how other areas might use a different method.

As for the pain the next day, take your aspirin or Ibuprofen an hour before you work. It's amazing how it keeps pain away even better than it removes it later.

- Just Gary

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: Metal \"T\" Posts

If you want nice straight fence lines, start with each corner. Then pull a line tight between them a few inches off of the ground. Park the loader and grab your post pounder and some buddies for back up. Set your posts as close to the string as you can without hitting it. I know it's hard to keep them perfect. Once set, follow up with a level and a tug on the post to plumb.