Pulling Fence Posts with FEL

DanielTerence · Apr 21, 2006

I plan on trying to pull out old fence posts this weekend with the FEL on my L2800. I have a tow strap rated at 10,000 lbs. Assuming the strap will work, should I position the bucket above the fence post OR near the bottom of the post - what will provide more strength? I'll also bump the post around a bit first.

Jimbrown · Apr 21, 2006

I have never used a tow strap but guess it will work I always used a chain. I put the chain at the bottom of the post. I am pretty sure the FEL has more power down low than it does up higher. I also find that the bucket curl is more powerful than the loader lift so I position it so I can curl the bucket up and get the first couple of inches of pull and then lift up with the whole loader.

MadDog · Apr 21, 2006

It probably depends a bit on what kind of post you are pulling. I have used a chain to pull 3-4" wooden posts without a problem. With metal tubular posts (like for chain link) the problem is probably going to be getting either chain or a strap to cinch up tightly enough so that it doesn't slip.
Either way, bumping it around a bit should help as long as you don't break it off short.

rdln · Apr 21, 2006

Assuming you have hooks on top of bucket put bucket just above post with curl cylinder half way out and wrap chain around post near top and use bucket curl to lift out.

If chain is at bottom post may flip over and smash something (chain attaching person /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) after it clears ground.

For a stubborn post, do what my grandpa taught me, lay another post on ground at base of stuck post so that one end of free post is twice as far away from stuck post as other free end and wrap chain around both then lift long end of free post.

California · Apr 21, 2006

( Assuming you have hooks on top of bucket put bucket just above post with curl cylinder half way out and wrap chain around post near top and use bucket curl to lift out. ...

For a stubborn post, do what my grandpa taught me, lay another post on ground at base of stuck post so that one end of free post is twice as far away from stuck post as other free end and wrap chain around both then lift long end of free post. -Steve )

Am I understanding the second method correctly - tie the midpoint of a loose post to the base of the planted one, then lift one end of it to compound the leverage?

I like both of your methods. I soon learned that a direct lift on even a t-post simply raised a rear wheel without budging the fencepost.

Your first method, starting with the cutting edge of the loader on the ground, provides a lot of needed stability.

rdln · Apr 21, 2006

no, on the first method, the whole bucket is above the whole post.

the second method uses a 2:1 lever ratio advantage not 1:1 but my grandpa and I were pulling posts by hand. if used with tractor loader and post was stubborn enuff a broken or bent free post may result so in retrospect use a lever that is strong like bull.

DanielTerence · Apr 21, 2006

Good ideas - thanks - they are wood posts by the way

JerryG · Apr 21, 2006

I pull several T posts every year. I hook a chain to my bucket hooks . Then let the loader bucket down low, wrap the chain around the post twice, hook it back on it's self and then lift. Works good for me anyway.

texasjohn · Apr 21, 2006

I've pulled lots of wooden cedar and T posts with my FEL using grab hook centered on top of bucket. Chain is at Bottom of post. I put FEL a little off of the ground and tilted so both the top and bottom edge of the bucket are within about 4-6 inches of the post. After some experience you'll get the feel for it. Lift vertically up.

AND, be prepared to put weight, weight, weight on the rear of your tractor... because even with liquid in the tires they can come off the ground with a stubborn post.

Two options for a truly stubborn post. After getting the rear wheels almost off the ground, thus much pressure upward, place a tractor jack under the bucket and jack up... watch out, the post can jump out quickly. Or, use your 3PH as the lifting force with some sort of implement/cross bar on the rear to tie the chain to. Don't try to use just one of the lift arms.

When all else fails, break the post off at ground level. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bota7800 · Apr 22, 2006

(
AND, be prepared to put weight, weight, weight on the rear of your tractor... because even with liquid in the tires they can come off the ground with a stubborn post.

)

No kidding! I just pulled a couple hundred t-posts. I was pulling a trailer to collect the posts so I did not have much weight back there. Most came out easy but a few (tough ones or slight slopes) made the tractor go for a ride. I went back and reinstalled my backblade.

I used a variation on the chain method. I got a Metal Post Puller from a local farm/tack store. It is just a 5 inch piece of steel with 2 holes in it. One hole attached to the chain, the other slipped over the post and grabbed on the up pull. Worked pretty slick most of the time. It was from Allen Tool Company, Hotchkiss, Colorado. I don't see a website on the packaging.

The posts came out in very good condition.