Extra leverage for pulling chain link fence posts(w/ concrete)

[legbuh]

Well, I've started a project of pulling up about 300 feet of chain link fence in our front yard. I started on the smaller side today and got them all up. About 10 in total. I have about 15-20 on the other side I'll start soon.

I found that just pulling them my BX1860 couldn't quite do the job. I tried the 3PH but there wasn't enough range.

I did end up getting them out by digging in front of and on the sides of the posts down a few inches. Then they came right up (some with a little more grunt than others). I'd say concrete was about 1.5' to 2' in depth.

I was wondering if there are any old farm boy tricks a guy could use to add some leverage to the bucket when wrapping a chain around a fence post and pull them up? I do have a neighbor with a bigger farmall that could probably yank them right up, but it would also tear up the "nice" grass. I don't mind tearing up in the fence line since I have stumps on either side to grind and then I'm going to till it all up and plant grass.

Thanks!

 

[hawkeye08]

perhaps some watering around each post would help? dig down so the edge of the concrete is exposed and soak it good...

 

[rdsaustintx]

We had a flood in our neighborhood a few weeks back. I bet I pulled 100 cyclone fence posts afterward. I have a heavy hook welded on the *back* of my loader bucket. It is on the center doubler near the curl cylinder. Works great, bend the post over and stop with the hook over the base of the post, bucket low and against the post, wrap base of post twice with chain and put on the hook. Lift and dump a little. They pop right out and you can put em down wherever you want.

But your 3PH should work for a few. Once you break them loose, most of the ooomph is done.

Wetting the soil probably helps in loam, but in clay (like here), the dry ones come out easier than the wet ones.

 

[legbuh]

Ya, we have a mix of clay/soil and just got a soaking of 7 inches of rain in 24 hours (probably saw it on the news here in south central MN... lol)

IT seemed like mostly black dirt that it was in, though, but a pretty dense dirt. I wonder if it wasn't hindering a little.

I also should mention I want to remove them in tact as a neighbor is taking the fencing for his yard.

 

[Chilly807]

Look for a thread on pulling small trees, there's an A-frame device there that works really well. I built one this spring and have used it for pulling stumps lately.

Sean

 

[funwithahoe]

Maybe stupid but how about a 4X6 for leverage - maybe 6 feet high. - Wrap a chain around the post then over top of a 4X6 (set vertically) and down to the tractor - I gotta think that would give a ton of up force! Of course start the 4X6 at maybe 10 degrees slant.

 

[rrab1]

legbuh, you will need a chain, car tire or truck with air in it not flat, the larger the better for this. just hook chain around the post at ground level and stand the tire up against the post run the chain over the top of the tire and hook it to the tractor and drive straight away, as you pull forward the chain is pulling straight up, you may have to have someone hold the tire up for you we use this method all the time up at the lake and it works great. Don

 

[jimbo64]

legbuh, you will need a chain, car tire or truck with air in it not flat, the larger the better for this. just hook chain around the post at ground level and stand the tire up against the post run the chain over the top of the tire and hook it to the tractor and drive straight away, as you pull forward the chain is pulling straight up, you may have to have someone hold the tire up for you we use this method all the time up at the lake and it works great. Don

we used a railroad jack or could use farm jack [harbor freight or tractor supply] took a bout five minutes a post-and didn't bend them either-

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

The easiest method I found was to use the hook bolted to the bottom/back edge of the bucket, as Rdsaustintx describes. One caveat - I've mostly done this to small trees. A rigid column won't give as much when you leverage against it with the back of your bucket, and may scratch paint/dent metal.

I lift of the bucket up and over the post, and lower it (so the post is protruding up between the lift arms, at the back edge of the bucket. Sling a chain around the post/tree, and hook it. By moving forward and backward while lifting, you can work it out of the soil. The back and forth motion is critical - lifting straight up without breaking the soil requires significantly more force.

However, do realize the dangers - insert all common sense warnings, e.g. counter weight, seat belt, move very slowly so that you don't end up tipping without warning, etc. If you back up with the bucket at a fair height, you will stand it up on its front wheels!

I found that this solution has worked best for me. Pulling from the back of the bucket provides a big increase in lifting power (shorter moment), and decreases the likehood of doing a front wheel stand. Further, in low range, it's amazing how much force the 'bota can put on the ground if you crawl forward slowly. (I don't know how good that is for your front axle... realize that I am pretty hard on my tractor.)

If you're worried about damaging your tractor's axle, Jimbo64 has the old tried and true method... jack. :thumbsup:

Jesse

 

[pdowling1]

The wheel trick works great, but it works best with JUST the wheel, no tire. Run the chain from as low on the post as you can wrap it, over the wheel to your drawbar. Now drive away and the post pops right up. Unbelievably easy, and one man can do it this way.