Post Driver

sab5948 · Feb 12, 2005

Since this seems to be the right place for opinions and information, does anyone have any input on post drivers? I'm going to start putting up fence on my farm this year, and I'm considering buying a post driver for setting the posts. I have never used one, so I have several questions.

How well do they work (I have clay soil with very few rocks)?
Will I be able to run one on my tractor (JD 4410)?
What brand names should I look for (or avoid)?

Thanks in advance for the help!

-Scott

5030 · Feb 12, 2005

Send a quiery to Mike PA (moderator). He has a worksaver I believe.

Jim_Fisher · Feb 12, 2005

Scott,

( How well do they work (I have clay soil with very few rocks)? )

I've driven several hundred posts with my Shaver HD8. I only ever ran across one spot where I was unable to drive the post as deep as I wanted to. It stands about 6" higher than the rest of the posts. If you drive three hole sawed locust for split rail, you will occasionally split a post. Ordinarily I drill and bolt the ones that split.

( Will I be able to run one on my tractor (JD 4410)? )

I originally ran mine on a John Deere 4200. Currently I use a 4300. Your 4410 shares the same frame as those tractors and has more than enough hydraulic flow to run the driver. You will need a power beyond and will probably have to pipe the return directly back into the sump (I use the fill at the rear of the tractor). In order to lift the three point hitch, I use a patch between the third SCV and the three point supply to which the power beyond is connected when not in use. It sounds like more of an inconvenience than it really is.

( What brand names should I look for (or avoid)? )

Shaver and Worksaver are popular in my area. I see a number of others advertised by the fencing suppliers in the local farm paper (Lancaster Farming). It might be worth your while to do a google search on post driver.

I am not aware of any that should be avoided. Hopefully, if someone has had a bad experience, they'll give you a heads up.

Jackrabbit_Slim · Feb 12, 2005

I run an Ezee-On 1400 on my Kubota B2710. (See attachment) 3pt hitch mount with the hydraulic off the PTO. I'm good for a 9 foot stroke, and the option is there to add an OEM mast extension to just over 11 feet. The hammer weighs about 375 pounds, and the only drawback is that you can't beef it up with any ballast.

Slim

Jim_Fisher · Feb 13, 2005

Slim,

Nice looking setup! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JerryG · Feb 13, 2005

Scott,
If you have few rock, you should have few problems. I have a Danuser driver and also have very many rock. The driver has worked out very well for many years.

MikePA · Feb 14, 2005

I run a Worksaver HPD-16 on my New Holland TC25D so your tractor will be fine. Even though many driver specification list the horsepower of the tractor required, horsepower is not the issue. The issue is GPMs from the tractor's hydraulic system. Even then, all the GPMs determine is how fast the driver rises when you lift the joystick. When you push down on the joystick, the hydraulic fluid is dumped back into the tractor's sump and the driver drops. There are only 2 connections for a driver (in addition to the 3ph connection). A remote to supply the hydraulic fluid and a return line connection.

Wherever you buy your driver, get the dealer to set the return line up with a quick connect. The default supplied by Worksaver (see attached picture) is a hokey arrangement that you sit in your hydraulic fill hole. There's nothing to keep the return line in place, plus it doesn't go very far into the fill hole. The instructions recommend you use bungee cords to secure the hose and to wrap a rag around the fill hole. It doesn't work. The sump fill hole on each tractor will be different, so the tractor end of the quick connect will be different, so it's something the dealer (or you) have to create on your own.

sab5948 · Feb 14, 2005

It sounds like my tractor won't have a problem. Now I just need to locate a driver.

Thanks for all the info!

-Scott

5030 · Feb 14, 2005

Mike:

I guess your modified fill plug works good.

sweettractors · Feb 14, 2005

We have a used Danuser 8 inch hydrauilc driven and 3 point hitch for $1500 + shipping (needs jackstand legs)--Ken Sweet
Email sweet@scrtc.com or call 270-528-3323-Mon-Fri-8-5-CST