# Best way to remove fence posts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923 "2008-04-11T18:22:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/1 "2008-04-11T18:22:38Z")
And suggestions on a the best way to pull old split-rail fence posts out of the ground? They are only 3 feet above the ground so I can’t imagine they are in that deep. Just try to wiggle them back and forth, dig around them if necessary? I have about 20 to remove this spring. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/2 "2008-04-11T18:28:05Z")
You can use a vehicle like a truck, SUV, tractor, or ATV to help. Assuming that they aren’t encased in concrete, you just nudge them enough to force them half-way over. You should be able to remove them by hand after that. Don’t break one off though. That is even worse. Assuming that they are just stuck in average dirt, you can just rock them back and forth hard by hand. That will take a good amount of physical energy but it will eventually work as well. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/3 "2008-04-11T18:30:29Z")
They’ve sure come up easy when I’ve run over the darn things! I’d be surprised if you could just wiggle them free, and I’ll bet they’re buried deeper than you think. According to [e-how.com](http://e-how.com): Step 1: Remove the dirt from around the post. Step 2: Measure up about a foot from ground level and drive a nail halfway into each face of the post. Step 3: Put a stack of bricks or concrete blocks at the edge of the area you dug out. Step 4: Lay a heavy piece of lumber across the bricks - this will act as a lever to pull the post up out of the ground. Step 5: Wrap a strong rope around the post under the nails (the nails will hold the rope in place). Step 6: Tie the ends of the rope to the lever. Press down on the other end of the lever. You, and maybe another person, might have to stand on it. Personally I’d dig one up the old fashioned way just to get an idea of how deep they’re buried. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/4 "2008-04-11T18:34:54Z")
If you rock them back and forth and you still can’t remove the post try pouring a bucket of water around the loosened soil and rock it some more. This method has worked for me in getting out metal posts, I would imagine it would work for wood posts too. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/5 "2008-04-11T21:38:34Z")
Find a rancher or farmer with a good “Sheepherder’s jack”, one of those long, skinny car jacks that stand about 5 feet high with a 3 foot handle. Get a cable choker. Wrap the choker around the pole and attach it to the jack, then just lift the pole out using the jack. Trust me, working on a ranch made me hate the job, but I got good at it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/6 "2008-04-11T22:54:52Z")
I’m all for heavy equipment. If you can get your hands on a tractor or a bobcat with a bucket, you wrap a chain around the post, attach to the bucket and yank. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/7 "2008-04-11T23:21:04Z")
[QUOTE=Reloy3] Find a rancher or farmer with a good “Sheepherder’s jack”, one of those long, skinny car jacks that stand about 5 feet high with a 3 foot handle. Get a cable choker. Wrap the choker around the pole and attach it to the jack, then just lift the pole out using the jack. Trust me, working on a ranch made me hate the job, but I got good at it. [/QUOTE] The tool he references is also known as a Hi-Lift jack, used by many folks besides farmers. They do a dandy job of post removal. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/8 "2008-04-11T23:49:11Z")
[Post Popper](http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1988) and a length of chain. It is made for t-posts but works fine for split rail as well. It has a slip hook so you just take your chain and wrap it around the post. As long as its tight enough it should grip on there pretty well. Then just lift. If your downward force is pushing the base of the post popper into the ground put a 2x4 under it to distribute the weight a little more. I have removed hundreds of full tie posts this way and it works fine. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/9 "2008-04-11T23:52:30Z")
Blast 'em out! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/10 "2008-04-12T00:06:00Z")
We removed a bunch last year with the rock and yank method. A few were so old, the bases splintered and stayed in the ground, but most came out cleanly. We’ve got another dozen to go - maybe this year… ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/11 "2008-04-12T02:54:38Z")
[QUOTE=Ol’Gaffer] [Post Popper](http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1988) and a length of chain. It is made for t-posts but works fine for split rail as well. It has a slip hook so you just take your chain and wrap it around the post. As long as its tight enough it should grip on there pretty well. Then just lift. If your downward force is pushing the base of the post popper into the ground put a 2x4 under it to distribute the weight a little more. I have removed hundreds of full tie posts this way and it works fine. [/QUOTE] I was going to mention the Post Popper, but since you beat me to the punch, behold the [heavy artillery](http://www.airpostdrivers.com/post-pullers.htm). Pricey to buy, but you can probably rent one easy enough. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/12 "2008-04-12T05:08:34Z")
Lever them out with a rope or chain. Wrap the rope or chain around the post a couple of times so when leverage is applied it tightens up. Wiggle the posts a little to start them off. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/13 "2008-04-12T05:11:26Z")
[QUOTE=DesertDog] I was going to mention the Post Popper, but since you beat me to the punch, behold the [heavy artillery](http://www.airpostdrivers.com/post-pullers.htm). Pricey to buy, but you can probably rent one easy enough. [/QUOTE] Cool. I wish I knew how to write out the Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor grunts. That thing is definitely worth a “ohurh, ohurh, ohurh!” ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/14 "2008-04-12T10:57:36Z")
I made one out of a 8’ piece of channel steel and 4’ of chain with a hook on it. The chain is welded (or drill and bolt it on) onto the end. You just wrap the chain around the post, hook the chain back onto itself, put a rock or large log near the post, lay your puller on top of it and push down on the end. Fulcrums rock! I made this in my basement in about 15 minutes to pull out fence posts at my bosses’ house. Took me 20 minutes to pull out 15 posts that were set 2 1/2 feet into the ground. No effort, no sweating, no labor. Just - pop! and they’re out. The rocking the post back and forth method is so old school. I mean, seriously, dude… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/15 "2008-04-12T12:28:20Z")
Take off and nuke’em from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Purgatory\_Creek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Purgatory\_Creek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purgatory_Creek)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/16 "2008-04-12T18:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] And suggestions on a the best way to pull old split-rail fence posts out of the ground? They are only 3 feet above the ground so I can’t imagine they are in that deep. Just try to wiggle them back and forth, dig around them if necessary? I have about 20 to remove this spring. [/QUOTE] I hate to mention this, but if you’re in Minneapolis and they were properly installed, there could be 4 feet of pole underground with a big ol’ wad of concrete attached to it. My brothers ripped out a similarly buried chain link fench using just brute strength, shovels, and a Johnson rod. Got any brothers? ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/17 "2008-04-12T18:54:21Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] The tool he references is also known as a Hi-Lift jack, used by many folks besides farmers. They do a dandy job of post removal. 😉 [/QUOTE] Any serious offroader would have a Hi-Lift jack. [QUOTE=Purgatory Creek] My brothers ripped out a similarly buried chain link fench using just brute strength, shovels, and a Johnson rod. Got any brothers? [/QUOTE] What the hell is a Johnson rod? isn’t that redundant? I should think most brothers would come equipped with a Johnson rod. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/18 "2008-04-12T20:21:14Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] What the hell is a Johnson rod? isn’t that redundant? I should think most brothers would come equipped with a Johnson rod. [/QUOTE] That’s a _different_ Johnson rod. 😉 I’m going to presume that **Purgatory Creek** was not speaking of a Johnson rod-that being a part on steam locomotives which determines timing and amount of steam delivered to the pistons, but instead a [Johnson bar](http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001295.php)-a very handy tool for maneuvering and prying heavy loads. ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/19 "2008-04-12T23:11:16Z")
If you have a leveling bar (~5 foot long iron bar with a chisel-type end, about 20 lbs), after you rock the post a bit, stab the bar into the post near the bottom, then roll a large log to use as a pivot to lever the post out. If stabbing isn’t solid enough, you can screw a 2x4 to the post and plant the bar under that. S^G ---
**Author:** ![Purgatory\_Creek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Purgatory\_Creek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purgatory_Creek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923/20 "2008-04-13T00:32:01Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] That’s a _different_ Johnson rod. 😉 I’m going to presume that **Purgatory Creek** was not speaking of a Johnson rod-that being a part on steam locomotives which determines timing and amount of steam delivered to the pistons, but instead a [Johnson bar](http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001295.php)-a very handy tool for maneuvering and prying heavy loads. [/QUOTE] Closer to what **Satellite^Guy** is describing above. The name must be another one of those Minnesota things. > [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Darryl Lict** > _What the hell is a Johnson rod? isn’t that redundant? I should think most brothers would come equipped with a Johnson rod._ I’d imagine they are suitably equipped since they’re not my sisters :D. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-remove-fence-posts/444923.md?page=2)