Post driver comparison - Shaver vs Danuser

[dd33]

Hello, new member here. I wanted to get some opinions from people who have used both a Shaver and Danuser Hammer post driver. Which one do you like better?

I purchased a very worn out Shaver HD10 and managed to drive a dozen or so posts before it needed to be welded back together. I have very sandy soil and the posts drove far easier than I thought. This thing is so beat up and cobbled together that I think I will need to replace it soon but I am not sure if I want another Shaver. It is hard to tell which one is better, both companies compare their products to each other on Youtube and both seem to think theirs is better. The "one man operation" of the Danuser Hammer isn't a selling point for me, I am too much of a perfectionist to eyeball the level with the plumb bob chain, I would have a helper leveling the post. I like the fact that the whole device sits up in the air with the hammer though and how much closer you can get to obstacles.

 

[DJ54]

Looking at the parts list for the Danuser Hammer, I'm seeing a lot of "consumable" parts. Hydraulic motor, roller chain, and sprockets. http://www.danuser.com/sites/default/files/E_Hammer EM-LM Manual_9MHAMEMLM2458877.pdf That vs. a hydraulic cylinder, and return springs on the Shaver would steer me towards the Shaver.

That being said, I have a Shaver HD8, and what posts I drove with it, I love it. I bought it used, but was in very good condition. I did however break 1 return spring on it, after driving about 50 posts but bought 2 new ones, thinking if 1 broke, the other may too, through Kencove Fence Supplies Electric Fence, High Tensile Fencing Supplies for 2/3 the price ea., then a local dealer had them for. Plus, was here in 2 days, rather than waiting a week through the local dealer. I took a quick look, but don't see any parts listed for Shaver drivers, so don't know if they still handle parts for them anymore or not. I drove another approx. 300 posts with not problem. Not many posts for many, but it saved this one man operationa lot of spudding, and tamping.

I also bought wire splices, and splicing tool through Kencove. I used Class 3, high tensil horse fence, with 2" stays. It made spicing the high tensil wire a lot easier to splice together, rather than the looped end twist like I splice softer wire fence. It's been up 10 years, and no failures to report, as of yet.

Your need for getting closer to objects may far outweigh the wear points that I see. That's up to you to determine.