Removing t posts

[Soundguy]

I had to believe he was making a joke.

One would hope.. But.. I didn't see any smiley's or other emoticons to infer that he was..??

Soundguy

 

[texasjohn]

Shucks, when I drive T posts, a giant pipe wrench is my friend. When the post hits a rock and twists out of line with the fence, I wrench it back into line so the electric insulators and T-post clips line up properly with the fence wire.

Now, for removing the post, I wrench it up out of the ground with FEL Someday I may build myself a T-Post popper now that I have learned how wonderful they are!

 

[hazmat]

what no-one has mentioned a 4 in 1 bucket yet.

 

[jinman]

what no-one has mentioned a 4 in 1 bucket yet.

...except shasta on the previous page.

 

[hazmat]

...except shasta on the previous page.

 

[jimg]

Id like to revisit this...Im removing some X-fencing and so far every post (wood & T) has come out using the popper or 3pt on my tractor. However, Ive run into a series that just wont come out. Ive chained a few and pulled them but they dont come out in one piece. The ground in this particular area is *really* hard b/c its so dry (given the extended drought we're experiencing). I wonder if it would work to rehydrate the ground around the post and so soften the ground. Id really like to reclaim these posts but mostly not leave pieces still buried. Im thinking that each post would need at least 5 gals of water to do the job. Do you think Im going in the right direction w/ this?

 

[texasjohn]

I definately think that putting water right at the base of the post will help. I have experience with this. For your hard cases, you need a system for post pulling. I recommend.

Here's what I do... you may have to adapt if you don't have FEL and only 3 pt

3pt carry all for carrying buckets of water

weight on carry all so when FEL lifts rear tires (almost) off the ground you have serious vertical lift

chain post and apply max vertical lift possible without destabalizing tractor
pour water around base of post, maybe several times

use an tractor jack and chain and ALSO apply this to the post with board to keep base of jack from digging ito the ground.. jack adds additonal pressure, perhaps at different angle from the chain on the tractor.

keep pouring water and gently sway tractor back and forth (not enough to break the post) until you prevail.

This will work.... just takes preparation and time.

By the way... we have droughts in texas too... in fact, most of the time it's a drought

 

[jimg]

OK, thanx...good to know Im on the right track. Does it work to pre-soak ahead and then pull as normal? I was thinking Id soak right around dusk and then pull the following morning.

 

[texasjohn]

whatever works for you... me, I just keep messing with a post once I get hooked up to it until it comes out of the ground. Sometimes a post will come out with only a little extra help/water, sometimes it takes a lot of time/water, etc...

Since with the tractor you can rock the post slightly back and forth, this creates a channel for the water to run down .. right to the heart of the problem. You're not trying to soak the entire area, just get the ground loose enough for it to give way from grabbing on to the post... so water immediately at the bottom of the post and running down next to the post to the point of clinging dirt is what you need. I find it helps to have a trusted buddy helping. One driving the tractor/hydraulics, the other working chains, water bucket, tractor jack, etc.... 2 people are about 6 times faster than one on this task... with one you are always jumping in and out of the tractor.

I will admit that there have been occasions when frustration sets in and I just break the post off at the ground.. depends on quality of post and level of frustration.

 

[jimg]

>>Since with the tractor you can rock the post slightly back and forth, this
>>creates a channel for the water to run down .. right to the heart of the
>>problem.
Ah, missed this when I read your posting. OK, Ill give that a try tonight then.

>> 2 people are about 6 times faster than one on this task... with one you are
>> always jumping in and out of the tractor.
Right...when my son isnt available to help it does take a long time b/c of all the jumping up/down.

>>I will admit that there have been occasions when frustration sets in and I
>>just break the post off at the ground.. depends on quality of post and level
>>of frustration.
I can REALLY understand!!! T posts and barb wire arent on my good list.

 

[texasjohn]

I'd be a little surprised if you are having LOTS of trouble pulling T posts... particularly with a tractor.... do you have a post hole digger? If so, I remove all but the supporting yoke and use that as a extension behind the tractor..on the 3pt hitch.... lower to near the ground, chain to T post.... raise 3pt hitch... entire weight of tractor is now vertical lift on T post.... never had one refuse yet... if this isn't clear description, let me know.

 

[Chuck52]

I've got a few old t-posts in what are now tree lines. Those posts aren't coming out. I've used my 3-point on them and lifted the front of the tractor. I assume the blades are entirely encased in roots. Must have been quality posts when they were put in because they don't seem to break easily 50 years later!

Chuck

 

[texasjohn]

Agreed.... if you are trying to lift a T post by the roots of surrounding trees, not a pretty sight... just let it be. Maybe all your T posts that have taken root will start having little T posts and you can pick them up when they fall to the ground before they root again

 

[jimg]

I'd be a little surprised if you are having LOTS of trouble pulling T posts... particularly with a tractor.... do you have a post hole digger? If so, I remove all but the supporting yoke and use that as a extension behind the tractor..on the 3pt hitch.... lower to near the ground, chain to T post.... raise 3pt hitch... entire weight of tractor is now vertical lift on T post.... never had one refuse yet... if this isn't clear description, let me know.

Dont have a PHD... I rigged up a draw bar (the type that goes between the arms) and put a clevis on that. Along w/ a chain and grab hooks I pulled quite a few that the popper wouldnt pull. Then there are those that Im running into now!!! The 3pt isnt pulling them at all. As I said I can wrap a chain around them and use the tractor to pull them out but that causes a break leaving steel in the ground. Its almost as if theyre set in concrete (which they arent). The ground is very compacted and dry.

 

[Podunkadunk]

If you a have a boom pole and a piece of chain or nylon pulling strap...works good, last long time.

 

[texasjohn]

Yep, that'll work... same idea as the yoke for a PHD... such a device has numerous uses.

One benefit over using an attachment right at the 3ph is that the lift is vertical for a longer time..longer arc... so less sideways pressure and more straight up pressure...

Let us know how water helps in your situation, jimg.

 

[California]

Invention wanted:

I already have a Quick Hitch. It would be helpful to have a QH attachment shaped like the mouth on a Post Popper. Maybe with a rod up to the operator seat, to reach back and get the opening around the post.

Has anyone ever built something like this?

 

[JC-jetro]

If you a have a boom pole and a piece of chain or nylon pulling strap...works good, last long time.

View attachment 87322

That's exactly how I do it with my home made boom pole. It can pull out 6" wooden post buried in the ground for 40 years with ease. T-post is much easier.

Jc,

 

[Willl]

Speaking of T-posts.....

Many years back during a wind storm, lost a large fir tree limb (5"-6") on top a fence line.
Landed dead center on a t-post.
Drove that sucker down till only about 8" sticking out above dirt level.

 

[jimg]

Meant to post this yesterday...but forgot.

The water 'trick' worked really well. While the popper still couldnt pull the posts I was able to get the tractor to pull them. Water made a huge difference, from snapping posts off to being able to get them out in one piece!! I also tryed this w/ a large piece of phone pole and it worked well there too. I just as soon not have to pull posts that are this well anchored though.

Having a boom pole may have helped some but in other cases there wouldnt have been enough room. The popper and chain could go everywhere as could the tractor and chain. I guess I dont have a good enough imagination to understand what else a boom pole would be handy for that I need to do. In fact Ive never used a boom pole...

A bit of a side note...I also had numerous land anchors to remove some of which came out 'nicely' and others which would only spin. I did attempt to apply upward force but there were a couple that just refused to come out. Not sure what was up w/ that but I had to dig one out which wasnt fun at all. I think having a PHD would have made that job much quicker and perhaps all would have come up. I assume PHDs are reversible so does anyone have an attachment to remove land anchors? It would be a hook type affair.

Just a plug for my Post Popper...I moved a Martin house which was anchored w/ a large slug of concrete and was thinking along the line of having to dig it all up. Then it dawned on me that I only needed to dig deep enough to get a chain around it so I could apply the popper. Oh yes!!!! That worked out SOOOOO well. Out came the concrete slug w/o much messing about. The popper is built like a tank and can take some major abuse w/o failing/deforming. There was a time or three I stuck a long pry bar into the popper handle to gain some leverage.