Anybody have a non-machine method of pulling fenceposts set in concrete?
I have a couple fences to rebuild and thinking of ways to pull the old fenceposts and concrete for my new installation.
I thought of building a 2x tripod of sorts with a come-a-long up top to pull with.
Anybody done anything like this?
Replies
I have used my Proctor wall jacks for this exact task.....Set the stop hook at the top, nail or bolt two 14' 2xs together to make two sides of a t-p. Wall jack makes the third leg of the tripod. Come-along on the jack pulls the post straight up...Would think it would be simple enough to do with three 2xs and a cheap come-along from HF or the like, if you don't have access to a wall jack.
Bing
Hmmmmnnn.....
I have qualcraft wall jacks and pump jacks.
I don't think the pump jacks have enough leverage.
I'll probably end up with the come-a-long.
anybody else?
I've used bottle jacks & auto scisoor jacks pushing against a wedge that is trapped by chain wrapped on the posts for ones w/out CC. If I was doing it, I might try somthing like this but using a 4x on blocks on one end and the other on the jack outside the CC slug.
Unless the concrete ball is small it's going to be tough. I've tried all kinds of things but usually end up getting out the excavator. It's weird how hard it is to pull those %*&# things out...
LOL!
Awesome drawing. SPot on!
I just use a rope and a 2x4 as a lever. Haven't lifted any really big ones yet, but I guess I would just use thicker rope and a 4x4.
If the post is intact, a couple of nails will keep the rope from sliding. If it's rotted, I drive a giant lag bolt into what's left of it and tile to the bolt.
See my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Buy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
Please update your profile! Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we look at your profile to see where you are writing from. So at the very least, tell us were you're writing from!
How about not pulling them at all?
I've done a couple of fence jobs where I just set first post a foot, or so, closer to the corner then dug fresh post holes. That's sure easier than trying to dig a big, honking, wad of concrete out of the ground. - lol
I'm with Dave - leave them and set new.
Or, for fun, cut off at ground level, core out wood, stick of dynamite and RUN!
(just kidding)
Jeff
Yeah... I've done that too, but I don't like leaving all that concrete in the ground. I've come to usually pulling it all out and starting fresh.
I've used one of these to pull the metal fence posts that are used for silt fence. I think they are called 'T' posts. I don't see why it wouldn't work on 4x4s set in concrete as long as the concrete isn't too extensive.
When I said wall jacks, I'm referring to the type that pick up walls, not pump jacks....I agree, that would be a bad idea.
Another thought....if the posts are wood, could you nail a block to the side and just use a long 4x4 on a concrete block for a fulcrum? Really depends on the amount of conc naround the post...most fence posts aren't surrounded all that deep, from what I've seen...........
good luck
Bing
I second the farm jack. Short piece of chain, maybe a block to set it on . . . done.Greg
good excuse to buy the farm jack!
"When I said wall jacks, I'm referring to the type that pick up walls, not pump jacks....I agree, that would be a bad idea."
Yeah, I know. You've got proctor's, I've got QualKraft--the ones that climb one 2x4--and I also have pump jacks for scaffolding, that climb 2 2x's or a 4x4.
The block and lever trick is what I usually do and works just ok. I'm looking for the 'low effort -- high reward' method.
I think the tripod and come-a-long is it.
If the post is solit wrap a chain around it a couple of times and hook it tight ... take a 15 or 16 inch car wheel rim. wrap the chain around it and roll it up tight to the post. chock the rim then use the pull with the truck method, it won't lift it very far each pull but the rim is stronger than wood tripods
Yeah--and some bracing to keep things going plumb...
I've used an old 4x8 (10') and bolted it to the old post with a 1/2" machine bolt.(assuming there's some meat left) and then set blocks under it as a fulcrum. get a few sacks of concrete and a guy on the far end, and pop goes the weasel.
k
I pulled a very stubborn steel post (not set in concrete) with one of these, some chain, and a heavy-duty sawhorse for a "tripod".
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/scroogeclamp.php
If you can get a pickup, car or even heavy riding mower near the posts, do this.
Fasten 2-5 ft 4 x 4's securly together near one end.
Seperate the ends of the 4 x 4's about 3'.
Set them on the ground about 2' from the post and lean the top against the post.
Wrap a chain around near the bottom of the post so it can't slip.
Run it over the joint in the 4 x 4s with out attaching it.
Run the chain to the front bumper of the vehicle (about 15-20') then back up the vehicle.
Jim
thats pretty clever.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
I had thought of something similar to this too. I can totally see this working.
On the job I'm thinking of I can't get close enough... but perhaps with enough chain.
I love to use the truck to pull things out, down or over!
You might get by with a 10' length of chain then a doubled length of 5/8 rope. Pull don't jerk.
Sometimes you can get this to work with 30' of rope by tieing the truck end taught and snug to a tree then getting in the middle of the rope and pulling down.
Jim
Sounds like a fun project. In the past we used a chain around the post put it over a truck rim placed close to the post. We couldn't get the truck close enough so I attached a tow strap, ran it through a pulley to get around the corner of the house to the truck.Presto!
If the post is rotted out, drive the biggest, baddest eyehook into the remaining wood and lift it out with a lever. Plain and simple.
View ImageSee my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.
2 digging bars and 2 gorillas. You will probably have to dig around them to get them loose. Then pry up from both sides, or one of the other methods mentioned.
We have run into this when digging in footings for decks or porches.
Or.... never tried it but how about a portable engine hoist?
Make a water drill, like what you'd use to bore a horizontal hole beneath a walkway. I use a piece of 3/4 steel pipe about four feet long threaded at one end. To that end attach a ball valve and to the valve a hose-thread adapter. The opposite end of the 4' pipe gets flattened with a hammer, this will create a nozzle that'll shoot two jets. Once attached to a hose with good pressure, this becomes a handy precision excavator. Jet the earth away from around the concrete and you'll be able to lift the posts and concrete right out. Or, do a partial job and hitch up to the truck and they'll pull out once some of the surrounding earth is softened/removed.
Good excuse to buy a backhoe witha thumb.
I've pulled up to 12" dia stumps straight out with that setup, fenceposts the BH does not even know it is pulling.
Chain around the post and a front loader works also.
Your original post mentioned "non machine". Everything everybody mentioned uses some type machine, be it a simple lever or a shove.
Only true non-machine method I can think of is to get a couple of terriers, pour some essence of rabbit around the post, and let the doggies dig them out.
Edited 11/25/2008 4:49 pm ET by junkhound
why buy when you can rent? Saw one of the not-so mini excavators (but not full sized) with a powered thumb at the rental yard. Might be the trick for this.
What type of posts and how well set in 'crete?
For something like a 4x4 in an 6" or 8" post hole, I used a tamper bar, the pointy chisel end, to loosen the post from the setting and they come right out. If it is a wire "t-bar" fence post set in the same size or larger hole, the sheepherder jack and a small chain is about the best you can do. I've done both.