How to put in posts for post and rail?

[kit279]

I've got some fencing to repair around one of our paddocks - we are missing about 30ft of post and rail fencing so I'm happy to do it myself by hand.

As I don't have a tractor with a post rammer attachment, I'm wondering what the best way to put in the posts is? I estimate I'll need to put in 5 or 6 posts in total and I don't plan to concrete them unless really necessary as in my experience they last longer without the concrete. Is there a good gadget I can use to help? Or should I prepare myself for a lot of digging?!

 

[*hic*]

It depends on your ground!

You can buy or borrow a heavy metal sleeve with handles on designed to ram the posts into the ground, it's fairly hard work though and you need a couple of strong men who look good in shorts to do the work really whilst you provide tea or beer and watch the action.

 

[moosea]

You can hire a fence post bumper. Also try to get hold of a 'hole maker' - large heavy iron rod, sharpened at one end.

Use the hole maker by repeatedly dropping it into the ground and wiggling it until you have a reasonably large hole then put in post and use bumper to bash it in the rest of the way.

Hard work but probably won't take more than a few hours and posts should be nice and firm.

 

[china]

a post rammer. They are heavy though! about 20 kgs i would guestimate! and not very easy to use if you arnt very tall! and they make your arms hurt after a while! but if you dont have a tractor you dont have much choice ;-) oh and we had a tractor but we didnt use a proper rammer! we used the bucket! someone braze stood and held it while the bucket was lowered down and pushed the post in, once it was in the ground abit the person could let go and let the tractor do the work!
http://www.rosesofdevizes.co.uk/uploads/pages/images/Auger post Rammer_325.jpg

 

[Puppy]

I've done this for several posts in a little part of my field. My friend came to help me and I borrowed his hammers.

We used a big metal spike to stick in the ground and roll in a circle to start the initial hole. Then we used posts that were already sharpened at the end going into the ground. You want a post hammer (google it) to go on the top of the fence post. Then one person holds the post hammer and the other one uses a sledge hammer to hammer on the top of it. You wouldn't want to do more an half a dozen between the two of you as I can remember how darn achey I was afterwards - your arms and hands really feel it! We used 8ft poles and put them into the ground about 2ft each, so no need for concrete. It meant the posts were perfect for my cribber not to be able to wreck and they are still there, hmmm, about 6 years later. I'm mighty glad YO hired the equipment and did the rest of the field though, it is hard work!!

If you want a hand let me know and I'll come over. Might be able to borrow the tools from my friend as well

Doh, spent so long typing, others have already replied!

 

[Rob Lakeside]

At lakeside I have miles of Fencing with a 100 acres, my invaluable tools,
Ditching spade will dig a deep hole 450mm+, making the use of the rammer easy.
Good quality nails 4-5" long and a 5-10lb hammer to put these in.
Finally Quick release clamps great if you have no-one to hold the rails up for you.

Weather/ soil conditions help, if the fields are water logged posts go in easily than in drought conditions.
So if you can wait till october please do so.