T-posts in hard ground - a hack

[beowulf]

I am in the process of cross-fencing a part of our property (T-posts and barb wire). The ground is a bit hard now (and the area is steep) and after pounding in about 15 of the estimated 90-100+ posts I will need, I decided that my 78 year-old arms and shoulders needed to find a better way. I started using my cordless drill with a 1" bit (the extra long ones) and along my string line I drilled down about 10" first for each post. Then pounded in the posts. I also brought out some water to pour into the holes but it was not needed. It still took a bit of effort but was so much easier. A smarter guy would have put the posts in earlier in the year, but that guy was late to the party.

 

[tacticalturnip]

It's odd how that smart guy always shows up after the fact, right?

Glad to see the drill helped as much as it did.

 

[newbury]

Hasn't anyone come out with a battery operated T -post pounder?

 

[rgr33]

Careful with the post pounding Beowulf, I tore a rotator cuff doing exactly the same thing.
recovery took forever.

 

[ovrszd]

Adapt and overcome. You have a challenging task. No way I could manual drive 100 T posts in any amount of time considered efficient.

 

[ponytug]

X2 on the water hack. I even put a quart or half a gallon on the soil the day before pile driving 8"x8" posts. It makes a world of difference to dry clay soil, which is rocklike around here.

I can't wait to try the drill method for T-posts. Thanks!

All the best,

Peter

 

[turnkey4099]

Hasn't anyone come out with a battery operated T -post pounder?

Or at least one with a pull cord on it.

 

[Rockbadchild]

you didn't want to press them down with your bucket? also I have seen some people who bolt a spear on their bucket and they sink it in a foot or so then you put your post in the hole and press it some more with the bucket.

 

[hosspuller]

An improvement over most of the typical t-post drivers is one with a spring in it. Get a rhythm going and gravity works with you.

Spring Post Pounder | Agri Supply 68849

 

[Hughman]

I've used the bucket to put them in, but with dry rocky clay here in the sierra foothills, the t-posts tend to fold up like pretzels

 

[5030]

Hasn't anyone come out with a battery operated T -post pounder?

Agri Supply sells a gasoline powered T post pounder inner.

 

[beowulf]

you didn't want to press them down with your bucket? also I have seen some people who bolt a spear on their bucket and they sink it in a foot or so then you put your post in the hole and press it some more with the bucket.

Very steep - no way to get a tractor near there - it was even hard to stand as I pounded.

 

[beowulf]

Adapt and overcome. You have a challenging task. No way I could manual drive 100 T posts in any amount of time considered efficient.

Yeah - very challenging - without the drill hack I would have not gotten this far - I think I have about 55-60 or so in already. The good news is that from now on the ground is a bit more level - not level - just not so steep. I will get back at it in a few days. I need to pick up some more posts. And they are costing about $1.50 more per post (6') than I recall.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Very steep - no way to get a tractor near there - it was even hard to stand as I pounded.

ha makes sense now ...

 

[ponytug]

That's tough work. Way to go @beowulf!

All the best, Peter

 

[tfuller]

They do make a drive with a pull cord. Just going to cost you $919 Titan Post Driver 30-Lb. Driving Head, 1.3 HP Honda GX35 Engine, Model# PGD2875H | Northern Tool

 

[civilian]

They do make a drive with a pull cord. Just going to cost you $919 Titan Post Driver 30-Lb. Driving Head, 1.3 HP Honda GX35 Engine, Model# PGD2875H | Northern Tool

Draagging that pounder weighing 30 pounds plus the Tposts, beowulf would be exhausted. Jon

 

[5030]

The one Agri-Supply sells is hundreds cheaper. I won't buy squat from Northern Tool, all their offerings are overpriced.

 

[tfuller]

Draagging that pounder weighing 30 pounds plus the Tposts, beowulf would be exhausted. Jon

A standard t-post driver weights about 20 pounds so 10 more pounds and you don't have to repeatedly pick up and drop it. I think its a clear winner other than cost.

 

[tfuller]

The one Agri-Supply sells is hundreds cheaper. I won't buy squat from Northern Tool, all their offerings are overpriced.

Didn't price shop just a quick google search out of curiosity. Your are correct it is less than half the cost Fence Post Driver-T-Post Driver | Agri Supply #102729