Powered T post driver

[Tractor Seabee]

I have the Roeher for T posts. They make them for up to 3" round wood posts. I believe if you get the big one they make adapters for all the smaller stuff. They have a web site.

Ron

 

[Summitsrule]

Has anyone used the Roeher 3.5" round driver for wooden posts? Web site recommends for pipe. Likely depends on soil condition...

 

[BukitCase]

I have this one

99E-M Post Driver 2 - 7/8" Max Diameter Recommended For Military Use and Drill Stem - Rohrer Manufacturing

bought it with 2" square and T-post adapters.

Took a 6" piece of .187" wall, 4x4 square tube, capped it with 1/2" plate, welded a similarly capped piece of 2" square tube on that, slide the 2" tube into the driver - works to drive 4x4 PT posts.

Clarification - I set up a jig to "pencil point" the posts with a 12" long taper on the end, then soaked the cut ends in preservative before driving - we have fairly heavy clay soil, very few rocks - couple of the posts went in almost before I could flip the kill switch, most took about a minute or two, one took probably 10 minutes.

If you were going to do very much of that, I'd get the largest model they sell.

After rotator cuff surgery, and complete biceps re-attachment, (but BEFORE doing a 3000 foot re-fence with longer T-posts) I'm looking at modifying a slightly broken engine cherry picker with a swivel base to fit a 3 point hitch - a longer boom and a cheap 12 volt winch with pendant will allow me to pre-set posts, and lift the 38 pound driver up over posts much easier.

For smaller jobs than re-fencing 10 acres, it's pretty easy to just slide the post into the driver horizontally, then tilt the whole thing up and drive the post. With the post driven, it's now about 18" shorter so not too bad to lift the driver off the post.

One annoying thing about this driver - the first cycle tends to jerk the post UP as it's getting started (or else I'm doing something wrong) - if you're trying to be precise on placement (straight fences comes to mind) you need to REALLY hold down on the driver while flipping the toggle to start it.

I'd still buy it again, sure beats the alternatives for us "semi-broken old farts" :=) Steve

 

[TomSeller]

Well my jackhammer with picket driver is just under 30 pounds. I have the generator in the back of my pickup. Wife drives pickup to position for pole. Holds pole vertical. I am on the tray of the pickup. Slip jackhammer over T post and press trigger. You need zero down force. wife drives to next post. Put 1000's of post in this way.

I would have to teach my dog to drive the pickup to the next post hole. I doubt the fence would be in a straight line.

 

[Kaliburz]

I have the Rohrer. I haven't used it much, but it seems to work fine. I have no other experience.

I bought a used Rohrer from a buddy who got out of grapes. He was using it to replace wood posts w/ steel T posts. He said it worked out fine, I haven't had the chance to use it. His place had lots of rock, but it would drive them in he said. I'm sure he didn't go more the 2 feet down with the T posts. He bought a Craftsman gas air compressor......

 

[BHD]

It has been very dry and the ground is dry and hard, I order it Post Driver, T Post Puller, Post Pounder - Rohrer Manufacturing, very fast shipping, got it last night and set up and pounded a few test posts in the drive way, and did it fine, drive way very solid,

will most likely go out and put some T posts in to hold up the barbed wire fence, a number of rotted off wood posts, Looks like on some of my old T posts that have been used a lot will need to cut off an inch or so as some of there tops are bent up, and to slip through the guide they need to be fairly clean. (many of my T posts are for tempory fence or use. to support until a wood post can be put in,

after using for a few days I will try to report back

 

[JJT50]

I'm also looking at the Rohrer driver for 2-7/8" pipe. What size did you get? Did you just drive t-posts as a test? What type soil? I have hard clay with large sandstone rocks. Look forward to hearing your report and opinions!

 

[BHD]

I bought the small one for t posts, Tee posts is all I envision to drive, the screw handle is the weak point of the system in my opinion, it takes some trial and error on how tight to tighten it, if it comes loose or slips it does not pound right,

I went out this after noon, and put in 30+ posts, in a fence line, I have been building, the soil is sand but very dry, and reasonably hard, we did get a little rain a day or so ago, so the top was a little softer, it seems to be hard hitting, and I was pleased, with it performance, the switch IMO takes a little bit to get use to, especially shutting off, I suggest some hearing protection, the pounding is a sharp sound,
I took me about an Hr, to put them in, working by my self, over 1/2 mile, (I had walked the fence and marked the spacing, with marking paint), I did not feel it was to bad, moving the truck and setting the post and attaching the wire to the post,
it did save the shoulders, at this point I would buy again, and think it will be a worth wile investment,

I ordered a in line pressure regulator, for the hose, (I attached a 15 foot hose to he pounder), so it would be protected if some one just plugs it straight in to the compressor, as the directions say 70 psi. the air use is minimal.

 

[wdgarrett]

I bought the small Rohrer and had similar experiences as BHD above. We have hard clay loam and tight sand with some rock. It works great unless you hit a rock. I also installed a pressure regulator and a lubricator inline. I feel the lubricator to be important to the life of the unit. I purchased the small unit because of it's weight and since I use a Shaver hydraulic driver for pipe corners and bracing. I have found by putting my foot on the T-post plate it helps to start the post on the first couple of strokes. These units do not require a lot of CFMs to operate.

 

[newbury]

Good timely (for me) thread.

Love the reviews!!

Bought the 99E-M , but was not able to drive it more than 10-11 feet, it stops and won't go beyond.

Tried few hole and lost 4 wellpoints.

Guess he thought he could drill for water or oil with a post driver!

I'm seriously thinking of getting the biggest with the smaller inserts so I can drive anything smaller. Most of my soil is clay and sand.