Post driver (pounder) for small compact tractors?

[Verticaltrx]

I'm looking for a post driver that will fit my B3200 Kubota. I've been using my fathers Munro digger-driver for the past couple years, but have to use it on his 65hp tractor, which is too big for me to haul. It's a very nice unit, it drills a pilot hole perfectly straight, even in light to moderate rock, all hydraulic, etc. I would purchase one for myself, but it's about 1100lbs and requires about 13gpm hydraulic flow, which is beyond the capabilities of my tractors.

So, I'm looking for opinions and first hand experience with different types of post drivers on compact tractors, especially B-series Kubotas or other small compacts. I would prefer a 3pt hitch model, something with hydraulic tilt. I'm a little hesitant over these small cheap post drivers, because it seems like it's hard to drive a post straight with them unless the ground is just right, maybe it's just the operator. I drive 5-6"x8' posts for braces and 4"x7' posts for line posts, I don't mind putting a point on them if needed.

Any input would be great, thanks.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Anyone use a Shaver HD-8 or Worksaver HPD-16 on a tractor this size? I think it would fit fine, just looking for some first hand experience.

 

[ManAtArms]

I'm not sure if i've seen too many posts on drivers on TBN. I'm currently renting a Wheatheart High and Heavy side mast 3-point driver, but im having problems with driving 4x6x8 posts...they keep twisting on me. Anyway this sucker is very well built and weighs something like 2300 lbs.

I think Wheatheart makes the S2000 for smaller tractors...which I think is like 6 or 7k and I think it weighs like 1000 lbs. Here's the link:

Wheatheart - Products - Fencing Equipment - Product Information - S2000 Post Pounder

-Mark

 

[leonz]

You might want to consider a propane powered
post driver for your tractor and have no issues
whether its big enough for the implement.

The folks who make the propane powered
T post driver unit handle larger posts of
3.5 inch wood.

Post Driver Fort Wayne Indiana | Post Driver Indiana | Post Pounder | T post Driver

 

[Cold Camel]

I have a manual adjust Shaver for my Kubota L39, it is the mid level for 8" posts. The advantage is the posts are set when you drive away, mine would break rather than wiggling out of loam.

Forget unsharpened posts, they don't drive straight. Sharpening posts is a bugger, if you aren't darn perfect they drive crooked, which is worse then not straight. 7" sharpened posts wouldn't start without a 4" post driven till I could just wiggle it free. Then the big post started fine, but took foreve ... as in cut the top to height.
Pounding is a primal pleasure. I want to obliterate post after post, that is fun. But if I do ... it ain't pretty.
So I need (but don't got) two spotters to keep things straight. And I have to remove the pounder from the post to see which way it springs, then pound accordingly. Up, down, adjust, pound three times, repeat until it doesn't need adjustment, then drive it home. Hydraulic controls wouldn't help much.
In hindsight, I paid too much, but now that I own it, I'm going to buy an auger also.
Never had an auger. I'll run a small straight bit to depth and come back a second time to pound them in. That will be faster and fun. If I enjoy the process, I wake up and go to bed happy.
Don't buy a small pounder, it won't work. And don't worry about your tractor, the stress is minor, in fact smaller would be better, manouvering is the hard part.
I have seen a pounder with a pilot auger mounted on a pickup with a bed of posts. Meow....

Cold Camel

 

[Verticaltrx]

Thanks for the replies.

As I mentioned before this is the machine that I have been using for the past 3yrs: Fence Post Driver Hydraulic Steel Wood Plastic Fence Post Drivers

It has kinda spoiled me, you can drive a post perfectly straight and in line in nearly any conditions. My customers demand perfectly straight fences, which is why I'm a bit hesitant about these smaller post drivers without a pilot auger. There are several fencing companies around here that use the Shaver type post drivers and their fences are as crooked as a 50 year old fence with half the post rotten off. What I don't know is if it's a result of the equipment they are using, or they either just don't care or can't properly operate the equipment. Maybe I need to borrow or rent a post driver of this type and see just how good or bad they are.

Keep the input coming. :thumbsup:

 

[leonz]

I'm looking for a post driver that will fit my B3200 Kubota. I've been using my fathers Munro digger-driver for the past couple years, but have to use it on his 65hp tractor, which is too big for me to haul. It's a very nice unit, it drills a pilot hole perfectly straight, even in light to moderate rock, all hydraulic, etc. I would purchase one for myself, but it's about 1100lbs and requires about 13gpm hydraulic flow, which is beyond the capabilities of my tractors.

So, I'm looking for opinions and first hand experience with different types of post drivers on compact tractors, especially B-series Kubotas or other small compacts. I would prefer a 3pt hitch model, something with hydraulic tilt. I'm a little hesitant over these small cheap post drivers, because it seems like it's hard to drive a post straight with them unless the ground is just right, maybe it's just the operator. I drive 5-6"x8' posts for braces and 4"x7' posts for line posts, I don't mind putting a point on them if needed.

Any input would be great, thanks.

short of using B-E spudder drill to pound posts you dont have a lot of options
where you could use it to drive the posts and its all mechanical and you can spud the hole and then drop the post in and then pack dirt around it.




Why not bypass the capacity issues and buy an independent hydraulic reservoir/pump and use the rear PTO of your tractor by mounting the driver on a steel skid wheel set to haul the pump reservoir and driver and solve the issue with your tractor?

 

[Verticaltrx]

short of using B-E spudder drill to pound posts you dont have a lot of options
where you could use it to drive the posts and its all mechanical and you can spud the hole and then drop the post in and then pack dirt around it.




Why not bypass the capacity issues and buy an independent hydraulic reservoir/pump and use the rear PTO of your tractor by mounting the driver on a steel skid wheel set to haul the pump reservoir and driver and solve the issue with your tractor?

Building a trailer type post driver is another option, then I could mount the driver I want to it. The thing that's been holding me back on that is that a lot of the terrain where I work is pretty steep and rough, and I imagine maneuvering a trailer would be pretty tough in those situations. If I were doing all open fields that would work great. My hope is that the small Shaver type post drivers aren't really that bad, and its just the operators around here that make them not work.

 

[Cold Camel]

You won't be happy. Without the pilot, it takes English to pound straight. I described the process. If you fence for a living, time is money. Buy the right device and get a vehicle to suit.

I couldn't imagine pounding with a trailer.

 

[Verticaltrx]

You won't be happy. Without the pilot, it takes English to pound straight. I described the process. If you fence for a living, time is money. Buy the right device and get a vehicle to suit.

I couldn't imagine pounding with a trailer.

Even with a pilot hole a fair bit of 'english' is required to get the posts the way I want them. I also point every post regardless of size or ground condition. The digger-driver I've been using comes with a 4' pry bar that engages on a slot or chain to push the post the way it needs to go while driving. Fencing is one of the services I offer, but probably only accounts for 30% of my business at most, so spending $8,000-10,000 on a post driver wouldn't be fiscally responsible IMO.