Gas Powered T-Post Drivers-Any Recommendations?
So, I'm about to start installing about 10,000 linear feet (to start!) of field fencing, using T-Posts.
I don't want to drive those posts by hand, of course, nor do I want to spend $2k on a piece of crap gas T-Post driver.
Anyone used one of these machines? Any recommendations?
Let me know! Thanks.
Merc
I don't want to drive those posts by hand, of course, nor do I want to spend $2k on a piece of crap gas T-Post driver.
Anyone used one of these machines? Any recommendations?
Let me know! Thanks.
Merc
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always used the handheld, now there are gas powered from about $400 on up...i have used a tractor loader bucket to push em in while another held them in place..seems like a gas powered driver hung from a loader bucket and the ground man could operate and guide it without carrying it around would be easier...way back in high school i helped build about 15 miles of barbed fence...that got old and we had a 3 point mounted pto powered driver(Danuser) for wood posts on an old M farmall 0 -
I handled one of these a couple years back at the Farm Progress Show. About the only thing I remember was the color (red). It did work quite well considering it's surprisingly light weight.
I've used a "ROHRER" brand air powered driver for 10 years and it's a heavy beast (65#)and requires a sizable compressor but I've not found anyplace (other than hitting bedrock) that it won't drive a T-post.
In comparison, the little gas powered post hammers are much more user friendly but "lack the whack" to drive 6 1/2-7' posts in tight clay soils.
IMHO, you're overrating the little guys as 10,000 feet of fence is a LOT of pounding. With this level of expectation, maybe you should be looking at a hydraulic driver on a skid loader. This is what I'm using these days since my shoulder no longer allows hand driving or even lifting the Rohrer off the driven posts.
Get the lines laid and posts spaced and rent a driver. It'll take a day to drive 1000 posts but you'll still be able to lift your arm high enough to drink an iced tea at dark.0 -
I?ve never used one, but would a ground rod driver do the same job? You may be able to tent one from an electrical supplier or contractor. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
I?ve never used one, but would a ground rod driver do the same job? You may be able to tent one from an electrical supplier or contractor.
Two miles of fence, to start? I'd consider the loader. Overseas they use a small, bobcat cat sized loader with hydraulic pack mounted on the bucket to break up concrete streets. Was amazed at how well it worked when I saw it in operation
Lower the bucket until the front wheels go about a foot of the ground , turn on the hydraulic unit, (loud brrettt, brrettt) break a piece, move over and repeat. Goes very quick.
Lots of DIY ideas on YouTube, search t-post driver, maybe other searches. Make a line, spread out the posts along side drive the loader in reverse, maybe 500 feet an hour? two person job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNd5VMcql0
Wood postshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6hD1vS3JAk0 -
We have a T-3(older version but same unit) that we run on a JD 260 loader. Drives T-posts in a few seconds. Can drive them faster but I go easy to prevent buckling the posts and/or endangering my ground person.
It also drives 2 7/8" pipe quite well but struggles with 3 1/2" pipe going 4' deep in dry clay soils. Adding 500# to the bracket would help but then you have 500# of cast iron weights hanging over your helper(s).0 -
Find a teenager and pay him to do it. 0 -
The main problem is that 80% of these posts are on hillsides, so no tractor access there. I don't have a bobcat anyway. [:(]
So, lightweight hand-held unit it is.
I wish I had a bobcat, they are very handy, but out of my budget.
Renting one right now won't work either, as where I am using it is 6.5 miles off the paved road, and 65 miles from where they rent them.
Merc0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mercury
The main problem is that 80% of these posts are on hillsides, so no tractor access there. I don't have a bobcat anyway. [:(]
So, lightweight hand-held unit it is.
I wish I had a bobcat, they are very handy, but out of my budget.
Renting one right now won't work either, as where I am using it is 6.5 miles off the paved road, and 65 miles from where they rent them.
Merc
For $ 25.00 you can get a 17 Lb. hand driver.
(You will spend more than that buying material to build one yourself.)
If you are fencing in hilly terrain that cannot be accessed by a tractor, you are not going to want to lug a gas powered unit around with you.
A 17 Lb. drive will make quick work of a T-post.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/speeco-deluxe-post-driver-3609617?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-3609617&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyLbyierZ3gIVmR-tBh0EcgKKEAYYBiABEgJmKvD_BwE0 -
I made a manual driver out of 6"well casing for 4"treated posts. I drilled a pilot hole with a 4" auger and drove the posts in by hand.
Alas, i got too old to lift it onto the post.0 -
my neighbor an i team up and push them down with the loader bucket on a tractor. 0 -
"as where I am using it is 6.5 miles off the paved road, and 65 miles from where they rent them."
And the point is?? Rental places aren't "just around the corner" here, either. That's one of the reasons we can justify a $10K loader that doesn't require an appointment to use.0 -
Not sure what you are saying. The point is that they want $400 to deliver anything out there, plus rental fee of $400-500 per day. For that much, I can buy a gas powered driver. I can't get to most of the places I need to fence with a tractor, loader, or skidsteer anyway.
Merc
quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
"as where I am using it is 6.5 miles off the paved road, and 65 miles from where they rent them."
And the point is?? Rental places aren't "just around the corner" here, either. That's one of the reasons we can justify a $10K loader that doesn't require an appointment to use.0 -
At those prices and that sort of terrain, yes you can justify one of the small gas powered drivers. You may find that the unit is worn out by the time you finish the job you described.
The point is: it's 40-60 miles from my place to the nearest rental place and their prices are about the same as you stated. Even with a pickup and trailer suited to haul a skidloader, I determined that I might as well be spending that $400-500/day + $100 per trip to OWN a loader.
I just put my google-phoo to work and the first thing that came up was the unit I handled:The lightweight Rhino GPD-30 Gas Powered Post Drive0 -
Sounds like the money would be better spent on hiring a couple of young folks who haven't learned the value of hard work[:D]
I thought I was through building fence when I left the family farm -- then I married a Kentucky gal who loved horses [;)]0 -
around here every 4 or 5 post is a wood one, rest are metal T posts...helps keep the fence up in our prairie winds...there are one man gas powered augers that could be used for the wood posts... 0 -
Of course much depends on long term use, future installations, maintenance, etc. Initial cost and upkeep factored in. If there are a couple of healthy hands available that could use some work/money it may be cost effective to just hire them. They get the work and you get your fence. It's most likely would be cost effective. You do the math.
Another factor is, can you sell the driver when you are done and what would the loss be. May not be much and may be cheaper than hiring labor. Again, math.
Just driving a post now and then for maintenance isn't worth dragging out the driver. A few licks with a hand driver is easier then fooling with the equipment. But you may have a sustained use for one and it may be worth hanging on to.
None of this answers your question, just thoughts I had.0
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