OT Fence Post Extraction OT

YukonRon

Well, another expense indirectly associated with the BGE topic "Wallet Genocide" has surfaced at our turn of the century, craftsman style, home AKA "MONEY PIT."
My Beautiful Wife mentioned the need to replace the fence, (the one that has been here since chain link had been invented) with something else. This, of course, means the removal of 24 posts set in concrete, along with about 184 linear feet of 48" fence.
This, of course is to enhance the look of our yard, since we spend so much time outside these days.
I guess the kitchen demolition an rebuild is just not quite enough, so, I need another project as well.
Anyway, I am thinking on buying a fence post extractor.
Anybody have any suggestions? I found this, and it runs around $375.00. I like it because it handles the post and plug after extraction, making it easy to transport anywhere.
Your skilled insight will be appreciated.
Also pulls stumps, which is good because I am losing a dogwood, and there are several 30 year old growth shrubs that have become part of the fence system. So the cost is around $12.50/use and turns the demolish into about 2 days instead of 2 weeks.

Biggreenpharmacist

I have a small tractor with a bucket that I use.  Wonder what it would cost to rent one of a day in your area?  You could probably get some other work done as well?  That thing looks like a pain in the @sgh if you ask me.  I'd wanna see it work before I bought it.  My two cents. 

Wish you were closer, I'd come do it for you for free. 

DoubleEgger

24 posts.... You could get your local $10/HR guy to tear it down. Probably will cost you $80. You don't have to break a sweat. Invest the $300 saved in brisket and booze. You're welcome. 

paqman

I used  2 car cricks when I removed the structure from an old deck (about 9 posts).  I attached 1 piece of 2x6 on each side of the post with lag bolts.  The cricks were then seated on pieces of wood underneath the 2x6.  It went surprisingly well except for one of the posts that was rotten.

WeberWho

Any place around you rent skid loaders? It would probably take less than an hour with some chains and a bucket. I just pulled out 4 lilac bushes and two pine trees with my dad's compact tractor with a bucket in under 20 minutes. It saved me a couple weekends worth of time and energy. 

Edit: @Biggreenpharmacist beat me to it

kl8ton

I think if you buy that thing, you will use it, use many swear words, and return it, then you will follow @DoubleEgger  advice.  

For this project I think a "go big or go home" mentality needs to be employed.  Find a landscaping company with a skid steer nearby that can pull those things out.  Or like @Biggreenpharmacist says, rent a tractor.  I think a one day rental of a large Kubota tractor, with trailer, bucket on frot and rototiller attachment was $200 for me.  You will have a lot more fun while doing it.  And you can save your back and swear words for more important things.  

I also would not count on that device above to do any stump removal.  Stumps suck.  Find the local guy on craigslist that grinds stumps out.  Discuss with him what you want it to  look like when done.  Agree on price before he starts hogging away.  I have removed many stumps.  It is crazy how the smallest ones can cause the most problems.



@WeberWho
beat me with skid steer idea

kl8ton

I wish you were next door to me.  we could try to pull them out with this.  My excavator has left it at my house for a couple months during construction.  We may be able to get 2 at a time out!

northGAcock

Ron.....just cause someone else gets them out for you....doesn't mean we want call you lazy

1move

I agree, I would probably hire a local guy with a bobcat for half the price of buying the extractor

BYS1981

Call 811

BikerBob

I found some chain link posts are sunk in concrete which leaves a big blob on the bottom. That puller looks pretty flimsy to handle that. What kind of soil?

Smokin_Trout

Look for a rental place that has one of the small Dingo track skidsteers. They will do the job and not tear up the yard as much as a full size skidsteer. for the cost of a couple SRF briskets you'll be done with everything. 
Good luck

fishlessman

it looks like they modified a hi lift jack. those are cheap at harbor freight. most dangerous jack i own. figure a sixpack per post

Lit

How deep below the ground does the concrete start? I know mine I could just cut the poles with a saws all and out dirt over the concrete.

YukonRon

https://youtu.be/WEclq-39n20
I think this is the tool in action.

tqracer53

find an old semi wheel without a tire. Stand it up next to post wrap chain around post a couple time run chain over rim and hook to truck. The rim forces chain to pull up and post pops right out. 

YukonRon

Biggreenpharmacist said:

I have a small tractor with a bucket that I use.  Wonder what it would cost to rent one of a day in your area?  You could probably get some other work done as well?  That thing looks like a pain in the @sgh if you ask me.  I'd wanna see it work before I bought it.  My two cents. 

Wish you were closer, I'd come do it for you for free. 

It does look like a pain to use. The posts are corrosion away and breaking off at the top of the concrete plug.
The tool is rated at 6600 pounds.
Clay soil and limestone.
I appreciate your kind words.

YukonRon

DoubleEgger said:

24 posts.... You could get your local $10/HR guy to tear it down. Probably will cost you $80. You don't have to break a sweat. Invest the $300 saved in brisket and booze. You're welcome. 

Great idea. Nobody wants to do it because there is plenty of work to be done in this old neighborhood, which means they are taking the easy work and skipping this. Can't hire this work out. I have tried. I can keep looking though, sure would like another SRF gold and a couple bottles of a southern Rhone blend.

YukonRon

paqman said:

I used  2 car cricks when I removed the structure from an old deck (about 9 posts).  I attached 1 piece of 2x6 on each side of the post with lag bolts.  The cricks were then seated on pieces of wood underneath the 2x6.  It went surprisingly well except for one of the posts that was rotten.

I thought about the same thing. I have a couple of blocks and some stout 2x6 lumber.
Thanks for the feedback.

YukonRon

WeberWho said:

Any place around you rent skid loaders? It would probably take less than an hour with some chains and a bucket. I just pulled out 4 lilac bushes and two pine trees with my dad's compact tractor with a bucket in under 20 minutes. It saved me a couple weekends worth of time and energy. 

Edit: @Biggreenpharmacist beat me to it

I have looked into it, $200.00 per hour, mileage to and from as well as pick up and drop extra.
Comes out to about $600.00
Man, if I could get one, that would be the way to go.kl8ton said:

I think if you buy that thing, you will use it, use many swear words, and return it, then you will follow @DoubleEgger  advice.  

For this project I think a "go big or go home" mentality needs to be employed.  Find a landscaping company with a skid steer nearby that can pull those things out.  Or like @Biggreenpharmacist says, rent a tractor.  I think a one day rental of a large Kubota tractor, with trailer, bucket on frot and rototiller attachment was $200 for me.  You will have a lot more fun while doing it.  And you can save your back and swear words for more important things.  

I also would not count on that device above to do any stump removal.  Stumps suck.  Find the local guy on craigslist that grinds stumps out.  Discuss with him what you want it to  look like when done.  Agree on price before he starts hogging away.  I have removed many stumps.  It is crazy how the smallest ones can cause the most problems.



@WeberWho
beat me with skid steer idea

I think you are right. My swear word vocabulary is extensive.
So far, I have not found the right contractor or rental for this. I will keep looking.

YukonRon

kl8ton said:

I wish you were next door to me.  we could try to pull them out with this.  My excavator has left it at my house for a couple months during construction.  We may be able to get 2 at a time out!

If I had that monster, I would drop the bucket and level the house.

YukonRon

northGAcock said:

Ron.....just cause someone else gets them out for you....doesn't mean we want call you lazy

I will do it for you. I am lazy. I have tried to get this done by others for a while now, no go. I got to do it. I hate that too.

YukonRon

1move said:

I agree, I would probably hire a local guy with a bobcat for half the price of buying the extractor

I am in total search mode. 

YukonRon

BYS1981 said:

Call 811

This will be done. Thank you.

YukonRon

BikerBob said:

I found some chain link posts are sunk in concrete which leaves a big blob on the bottom. That puller looks pretty flimsy to handle that. What kind of soil?

Clay and limestone mostly.

YukonRon

Smokin_Trout said:

Look for a rental place that has one of the small Dingo track skidsteers. They will do the job and not tear up the yard as much as a full size skidsteer. for the cost of a couple SRF briskets you'll be done with everything. 
Good luck

Thank you for the suggestion.

DoubleEgger

Where's Delton when you need him? 

YukonRon

fishlessman said:

it looks like they modified a hi lift jack. those are cheap at harbor freight. most dangerous jack i own. figure a sixpack per post

Yeah, at least.
Funny thing. When I am cooking, my neighbors are around all the time. When I am working, you could not find them with a search warrant.

YukonRon

I

Lit said:

How deep below the ground does the concrete start? I know mine I could just cut the poles with a saws all and out dirt over the concrete.

That is the problem. Code is not followed on this, so I rally have no one post deep as the others, and some of the plugs are above ground, which have to be pulled.

YukonRon

tqracer53 said:

find an old semi wheel without a tire. Stand it up next to post wrap chain around post a couple time run chain over rim and hook to truck. The rim forces chain to pull up and post pops right out. 

Everything is on the table at this point., great idea, thank you.

YukonRon

DoubleEgger said:

Where's Delton when you need him? 

Delton and I would get nothing done. We'd be in the shade knocking back bourbon slush it's all day.