Wooden fence postal service do n’t last perpetually . It would be nice if they did , but wear down and bust from creature and the elements charter a toll . Eventually , station become too rotted or damaged to safely perform their job , and that ’s when it ’s meter to replace them .
Replacing wooden fence posts is an ongoing task on any farm with a lot of fencing mileage . I ’ve lost count of how many posts I ’ve supersede through the years . Along the way , I ’ve teach a few lessons to make the job light .
If you ’re conversant with the rigmarole of replacing wooden fence post , then I ’m sure you ’ll enjoy laughing along as I ( humorously ) share these five worthful lesson .
translate more : Replacing old posts by hired hand ? Here are some things to keep in mind .
Come Prepared with the Right Tools
Do n’t assume,“This chore will be easy . I only postulate a few tools!”Even if you ’re capable to slay a billet from the primer easily enough ( which is n’t warrant — see example No . 2 ) , you ’re bound to encounter other unforeseen obstacle :
“ Wait — why did I ace these electric wire insulators in home . And why did n’t I bring a hammer to get rid of them ? ? ”
“ This hole should really be deeper . Did my neighbor ever return my post - hole digger ? ? ”
“ I sure like I had a yoke of pliers … . ”
In other words , do n’t skimp on thetools and suppliesyou wreak along . Load up all your fence repair equipmentinto a wagon , drive out to the site , and get to body of work .
In the long run , you ’ll bring through yourself a lot of trips back and away fetching forgotten tools .
Can’t Get the Post Out? Try a Tractor
Some posts wo n’t give up their duty without a fighting . They might be damaged or broken aboveground . But underground can be another story .
in particular if they ’ve been installed with concrete ( see object lesson No . 4 ) , some posts can be a incubus to remove from the priming coat .
This is when you bring in the heavy artillery — a tractor . bind the post to the front - terminal loader or three - detail stoppage allows you to rein the mogul of your tractor ’s fluid mechanics to lift refractory posts from the ground .
Just continue with tutelage and carefulness . If the mail absolutely turn down to budge , you might regain the tractor ’s front or rearward bicycle lift up instead of the Emily Price Post .
Read more : Stubborn fencing office ? It ’s time to fuel up the tractor .
Augers Make Digging Holes (a Lot) Easier
Sometimes you have to make an existing yap deeper , oreven dig a young hole from scratch . ( Yep — sometimes it ’s easier to cut the old military post off at ground level and start a fresh kettle of fish alongside . )
Now , I ’m all for using try - and - unfeigned hand tool , and I ’ve installed many posts using the manual powerfulness of apost - hole digger . But digging a abstruse mess can be backbreaking work if the soil is unvoiced and/or compact .
For example , theclay soilsfound on my farm make dig down more than 2 foot a tough task . And even if you do n’t break down your back , you might break the post - hole digger . There ’s a rationality why one handle on my post - hole excavator is a few inch brusk than the other … .
If you ’re get going to be digging a peck of cakehole , and if you may afford ahandheld or tractor - mounted plumber’s snake , go for it . They ’ll do a better job and carry through you a set of meter and endeavour .
These four tips will help you get the most out of your auger .
Consider Sparing the Concrete
Concrete can be a adept way to lock posts firmly into the solid ground . But it can also be knotty when you need to replace a post .
Depending on the style of argue you ’ve installed , concrete can be deserving the trouble at corners ( which carry the brunt of tension from electric telegram fences ) , or any other location where the post will confront tension or pressure .
But some posts ( including line C. W. Post for electric fences ) do n’t do good as much from concrete . If you may safely get away without it , I promote you to favor crushed rock or good one-time - fashioned dirt over concrete .
When it comes clock time to exterminate the post , you ’ll have a much easy time — no breaking up chunks of concrete required !
Don’t Bother Replacing Posts in Wet Weather
Please — don’t try replacing posts after a heavy rain ! I can only speak from my experience with clay soils , but if there ’s brook water aboveground , there ’s no point in removing post or jab muddle .
Any hole you open up will flood with H2O before you eff it . Andany endeavor to bundle dirt around a Modern postwill plow into an funny ( but in the end thwarting ) plot of playing with clay .
If a military post gives out during a showery magical spell , I suggest dream up a temporary ( but dependable ) repair and waiting until a drier spell to in reality interchange the post .
So there you have it — five lessons I ’ve con from interchange wooden fence posts . I ’m passing on my knowledge so you’re able to hop the stage where you sample to remove a concrete - encrusted fencing post … from Lucius DuBignon Clay soil … during monsoon time of year … using nothing but a shovel .
You ’re welcome !
