Project Ranch Fence

[DT86]

Just open up the old holes with hand post hole diggers since it's soft ground.

Sure, but we're looking for as many excuses possible to drive our tractors.

 

[pokerboy57]

It was 80 degrees today. Got the last of the old fench post out and loaded in the truck today. They will be heading to the dump tomorrow. I was thinking of coating the below ground part of the new post with some kind of tar passed paint to slow down the water penetration. Has anyone got any suggestions what I could use for this ?

 

[DT86]

Are your posts not already treated?

 

[whistlepig]

I always string from the corners and mark the ground for posts first with paint on the ground. Then I dig all my holes at once so I don't have to get on and off of the tractor. It's quicker for me that way. I use a piece of round styrofoam to lay out the holes. I have two diameters of round styrofoam. One is 4" to simulate 4" line posts and one is 7" to simulate the corner posts. I lay the styrofoam rounds against the string, level both directions, then mark this spot with paint. I use a 9" auger for 4" line posts and a 12" auger for 7" corner posts. Any auger smaller than this will not allow me enough room to get the spud bar between the side of the hole and post for tamping.

 

[BeezFun]

It was 80 degrees today. Got the last of the old fench post out and loaded in the truck today. They will be heading to the dump tomorrow. I was thinking of coating the below ground part of the new post with some kind of tar passed paint to slow down the water penetration. Has anyone got any suggestions what I could use for this ?

It's only the part right at ground level that's going to rot, the part underground will stay like new. I think a few coats of a good latex paint might slow things down. I try not to put toxic things in the ground, eventually it ends up in the drinking water.

 

[pokerboy57]

So exactly what is "tamping" ?

 

[DT86]

So exactly what is "tamping" ?

Packing the dirt around the post with a heavy steel tool. Usually called a tamping bar, I've also heard them called a digger bar and a rail road bar.

 

[RxRatedZ71]

I just use broken shovel handles. Basically anything to compress/compact the loose dirt in the hole. I will sometimes add a bit of water to help it settle too.

 

[DT86]

I just use broken shovel handles. Basically anything to compress/compact the loose dirt in the hole. I will sometimes add a bit of water to help it settle too.

I forgot about using wooden ones. Amazingly you can tamp dirt pretty tight with them.

 

[pokerboy57]

Thanks guys you all have been invaluable. I'm going to paint the bottom part of the post prior to putting them into the ground and now I understand what tamping is..... 2 things in one day. It's time of a nap.