The Fastest and Easiest Way to Remove a Fence Post (that works every time)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, you'll learn the best way to remove a fence post and the concrete footing. This is the fastest, easiest fence post removal method that works every time, with no expensive tools, and very little digging.
This will even work when the fence post has rotted off at the base.
The secret to pulling a fence post, even if it's in hard packed or rocky soil, is to use a hi-lift jack and a steel chain.
First, wrap the steel chain around the concrete footing. You may have to dig a few inches down, but not far.
Then, hook the chain to the high lift jack and start jacking it up. The post should easily pop right out of the ground, allowing you to repair or replace the broken post without having to spend all day digging.
I also cover a few other methods that you could use to remove a fence post that is set in concrete, and I talk about why I don't recommend those methods.
Video on how to repair a fence post: • How to Fix a Broken Fe...
Learn how to generate a six figure income fixing fences (and many other home repairs) at www.handymanstartup.com.
I had 4 rotted out fence post with concrete stuck in the ground. I spent hours trying to dig it out and then my wife found this video. Next day we went out and bought a $60 farm jack and some chain. I had all 4 post pulled in an hour and a half. It was 100% worth buying the jack and this video saved me a lot of pain. Thanks!
I would’ve charge them 60$ to take em out and in less then an hour
@@jorgesoriano8906 , if you're around Chicago, I have 4 of them that need to come out. $60 it is!!
@@ernestanderson3726 Since Jorge never replied I just yanked two out today. $47 at Harbor Freight for the jack. Kankakee county here.
@@manninc2000 we only use sledge hammers to remove them here in Houston
@@tonysnowtexas8906 that doesn’t sound like the best way lol
Works like a charm. I also pulled some metal posts and used vice grips to prevent the chain from slipping.
And now an associate at Tractor Supply knows what a farm jack is.
NGL, I was expecting this video to be time waste, but in actuality it covered precisely and fully what I was after, thanks man!
Just wanted to say thanks for this! I had to pull 21 4x4 posts today, and I was able to do it all in under two hours, by myself, because of this video (didn't have to dig anything, because the posts were still unrotted).
I can vouch for this video. Several years ago I bought that same heavy lifting jack expressly for that same exact purpose he demonstrating and it definitely does the job.
2 minutes and 15 seconds in you got a subscriber lol. I have rarely seen someone go over other methods and give you the cons right off the bat. Love it! Great vid!
Huge thanks for this video. Spent two hours trying to dig out two posts that were side by side before seeing this video. Quick trip to harbor freight and Farm and Fleet and boom out in like 30ish minutes.
Great to hear!
I've seen a dozen of these videos, and yours was the clearest and best. Thank you.
I’m going into the fence repair business as there seems to be no one in this field that is affordable. So needles to say I am looking up all the secrets of the trade to get all my tools and supplies. This video gave me a ton of insight as to what I may be into. I purchased a farm jack and chain. Wish me luck. Thank you much for sharing this trick. It out of all that I have found seems to be the best of most choices I have with my budget. I’ll let you know how I’m doing.
Just removed 6 post so quickly thanks to this method (have a few more to go). It’s gonna save us a ton of money for the fence install. Thanks a ton!
Glad it helped
How long did it take you?
Probably about an hour. So each post took about 10 mins to wrap the chain, crank up the post, take the chain off, and transfer to where we were storing to toss them.
@@Pizzamays That's pretty impressive.
Connect two 5 ft long 2x4s to the top of the jack post using a 6" bolt & nut to act as 2 legs of a tripod (your jack post serving as the 3rd leg of the tripod) & then your jack won't lean while lifting the post out of the ground.
Very good vid! Thanks for sharing!
Perfect solution after digging for an hour I found this 5 minutes later it was out. Thank you so much
Thank you for the information. I had an old fence that I was replacing. I had someone to offer to and clean up some brush that had grown up. Also clean up and haul away. He asked for $1,000. After seeing your video I went down to the local farm store and bought the Jack ($100.00). It took my wife and I a day and a half to do it. Thanks
Glad it worked out for you!
Watched this video three weeks ago. Finally got the jack and a couple of young men in line to do the lifting. They put aside 2 hours to help. Without knowing what they were doing, and taking instruction from me, the first post took perhaps 15 to 20 minutes to get out of the ground. After figuring it all out they had the second harder post out of the ground so fast I missed it. We got two Halco Master Posts in the ground and the concrete removed in an hour and 20 minutes. This including my not being ready to go when they arrived. This is the MOST HELPFUL video I have ever run across on TH-cam. I now have a high lift jack for the four wheel drive, and I can say without a doubt it is the best money I have ever spent. Thank you!
Oh YES!……I’ve been digging for hours with absolutely NO MOVEMENT AT ALL!
Heading straight back to where I work at Tool Station to grab the stuff I need……post……you’re about to lose the battle!💪🏽🤛🏽
Thank you so much😁
Thank you for posting this video. Using your instructions I just removed an old concrete post that's been an eyesore for many years.
My son and I just completed removing two posts using a high jack as in the video. We discovered several things.
1. The concrete around the post tends to crumble when the chain is tighten around it.
2. In order to reduce the jack from leaning toward the post, it’s best to have the chain pulled directly above where it’s attached to either the post or concrete.
3. It’s best to remove at least a foot of dirt from around the concrete.
4. It’s best to attach the chain to the post, even if you have to remove some concrete from around the post
5. Because the high jack doesn’t have a large base, it’s best if it can be attached on a larger base to better stabilize it.
Removing one foot dirt around the concrete??? Oh ma'am pls. That's a lot of work. You don't need to dig around the post at all. Why don't you wind the chain around the base of post directly instead winding it around the concrete? Much more easier and faster. Tried, confirmed.
I bet two jacks and two chains . You on one side, your son on the other . Post comes straight out ?
I just used my pressure washer and cut the dirt using the pressure washer done in in 4 minutes.
@@crosisskebbel3513 Nice, good thinking. Prob messy af though.
@@emrahgokcebayram2538 That only works if you have a post sticking out of the concrete. Mine are snapped off flush with the concrete. The wood left in the concrete is rotten and soft - which is why we're replacing the post. Our soil is wet clay, so the jack will just sink into the ground. Her tips are going to make this actually work in my yard.
This is how I was trained.
I’ve since moved on.
Now I use two jacks on both sides.
Use a hose to blast the water into the dirt (straight down) around the concrete to soften the soil. It acts like WD-40 for the concrete. Push the hose as deep as possible into the dirt. Let it soak more than a minute like that each time.
You can use one jack but it tends to snap posts. Two jacks (chains) can wrap the base of the wood post without having to wrap the concrete. Save yourself the digging.
If post snaps then dig around the now soft dirt around the concrete.
Use one jack for concrete as it’s hard to get two chains on them.
Alternatively if replacing a fenceline only pull the corner posts. The inline posts just cut them off and leave the concrete.
Don’t forget to call 811 first.
My case was the rotted and broken post. I used the chain as yours, a piece of 4X4 over the cement footing and the floor jack, instead of the farm jack. Ratcheting or hydraulic force, the same idea. Your video proves I was on the right track. Thanks.
Thanks! The ones I'd seen before used a wood jig drilled into a wood fence post but we have metal poles. This works so much better pulling with the chain on the cement directly!
Great video! A few tips, especially if you don’t want to dig down below the concrete and leave the smallest width holes possible.
1) if the Jack base sitting over the concrete it won’t budge, might snap a chain or connecting piece. I like to take 2’ length pieces of old fence post and lay them on either side of the post (about 12-18” away from the side of the post) with the one end even with the post then lay another 4’ piece across the other two. The idea is to create a raised platform above the bottom of the post and clear of it’s concrete, I can then set the Jack on top of the 4’ platform, and closer to the post to get a more vertical pull without concern that the concrete will catch on the Jack base.
2). Much easier if you brace the Jack on the opposite side of the post you are pulling to minimize the Jack lean and post lean. If the post if shorter than 42” you can use a single brace (2x4 or one of the cutoff posts around 6’). If the post is taller than the Jack, I use two 2x4s (or two old cutoff posts), one on each side of the Jack with a long bolt between, if using old posts no spacers are required, if using two 2x4s you’ll want some sort of spacers between the Jack post and the 2x4. The bracing keeps the Jack from tilting into the post, and the post itself from bending away from the jack. If not braced, I’ve had older (aka rotted) posts snap off.
3) If you have a rotted post you can either dig down some and if there’s enough post left you can wrap chain around it and try again; you can dig down below the concrete and wrap the chain around it and try the Jack again or I’ve used a hitching ring (it has a ring, a base with 4 mounting holes) and used four 1/4”x4” hex headed lag screws to mount the ring to top of the broken post and pulled the broken post out. I e used it straight on top of the rotted post & I’ve used a sawzall to get an even top on the post to mount the hitching pin. The hitch pin I used has a 400 lb load rating (works but I’d prefer a 800+ lb load rating).
4) I’ve had some posts the just pulled straight out of the concrete, for these you can dig down below the concrete and use the chain or I’ve used the hitching ring mounted to the top of the concrete with 1/4”x3” hex headed concrete screws.
Too much to read. Make your own video
Bought the farm jack at HF, the chain at Home Depot and also the bolt to drill thru the post if I had to use that method to pull the post out. Went out to do the job thinking I'll be out of there in no time flat! And make some easy $$. Bad news! Post was all rotted so couldn't drill a bolt through it to anchor the chain on and the concrete was buried deep along next to a utility cable line so I couldn't anchor the chain on it.
So I had to hammer and chisel that darn concrete out gently around the cable line. Took hours! Anyway, glad I got it done but learned 3 things next time I bid a job like this:
1) call the company that marks the freaking utility lines
2) check to see if the post is rotten
3) If rotten, then see if I'm able to dig around it to access the footing of the concrete
I'm not hand chiseling any more concrete footings!
Wedge and Feather, my friend.
Imagine this guy trying to explain to his kids the birds and the bees. It would entail 4 different ways, the messes they create, and the best way he prefers - all backed up with some whiteboard diagrams...
Great idea, there is also a Fence Post popper that works well using this method, cheaper than a house jack. Thanks for posting.
Too much work. Just duct tape a mailbox to it, and someone will knock the post down within 2 days.
Bob, Now you're using your head. That's the easiest way yet. Sometimes you just have to think a little to come up with a good plan. Great idea Bob..
Good one Bob!
Thanks Bob
You sound like a Red Green kinda guy! Lol
LMAO! Even if it's in the BACKyard, that method should STILL work!
Thanks! The hi-lift jack worked great! Worth the investment on the jack and chain.
Sir, You did an OUTSTANDING job of explaining everything. Your approach was professional and could easily be understood by all viewers. Kudos all around!!! Please accept my best wishes for continued success. All the best........
Glad it was helpful!
Thx for this video..A old lady needs help sometimes and this really helps out getting rid of a old swingset in the backyard! Thx
Thanks for taking the extra time to teach some other methods and the reason this method is the best. Great tutorial.
I screwed 3 3 1/2" wood screws into a 2x4 into the wood post and used the farm jack. Within 6 or 7 jacks, the post was out. It was buried 2 feet down with concrete. I took out 4 of them within 10 minutes.
Can u send a video
"A TON " of information, thanks. best one yet. & , no music . Nice.
Great video. I found if you attach the chain to the post your wasting your time time. The post will break almost every time. This looks like it will work great.
Number 2 does not require buying a $60 to $100 hi-lift jack. A digging bar and post hole digger and the second technique works great. If you are setting fence posts, you already need the post hole digger and digging bar. I can do a post in less than 30 minutes, even in hard soil.
This definitely is a time saver as well as labor cost! Thank you for sharing!
The problem I had is that my posts were not buried in concrete. They were just dug into the soil 24-36”. When I used the jack, it would free up and elevate the post, but would then the post would slide back down. I was able to get them out by a series of a couple of freeing jack lifts, then digging around the base, working the post top back and forth til I was able to lift them out of the clay-heavy soil. Hard work!
Good method, here in UK, as he mentioned, wood posts are usually rotten at the base so the only way is to either break out the post with a heavy breaker or my preferred method is to break out half the concrete then loosen the stump with a few knocks of a lump hammer and extract with log grips/tongs.
You are left with a slot for the new post and only need half the amount of Postcrete or just plain cement as the post is held in place
Worth considering.
Fantastic video suggestions. Many thanks. I will try the car jack method to try to remove my 20 year old 8”x8” 8 foot long gatepost. I think the post must be at least buried 3’ down with concrete.
Wish me luck!!
I have two fence posts that need replaced. I checked youtube to see what techniques were available. I tried this method a few years ago, and my daughter and wife couldn't believe how well it worked. However I didn't have a high-lift jack, so I rented one ($9.00 for one day). Also, it's a good idea to get a utility-locator service out before doing work like this -- it may be required in your area.
Great tip!
I didn’t even need to dig! I had hard Georgia clay and rotted posts, but I just wrapped the chain tight and used the Jack. They pulled right off the concrete. It did take two rounds of the Jack for some of the posts, but way faster than digging. I tried digging the first one out to test
Damn, what a time saver - thanks! I've dug em up completely before, takes hours
I’ve tried digging them too. Not fun.
In Toronto, our pier footings go 4 feet deep. We pull out posts with a chain on an excavator bucket. That's the best method for multiple posts.
I would like to add that pulling the posts creates a vacuum. You can break the vacuum by pouring water into the hole. It works like a charm. The force required is greatly reduced. Slick as snot as they say! And I miss these old jacks, but as someone below suggested, get a farm jack from Tractor Supply.
Nice! I was looking for an excuse to by a rock bar. Thanks buddy, the previous owner of my house installed 4 fence posts in the middle of the yard without putting an actual fence in. Gonna use this method after reading the success rate in the comments
Enjoy the new tool!
Best video on this topic! Simple steps and relatively safe process.
Glad it was helpful!
Your idea worked best for Canadian soil. Thanks
Glad it helped
Dude, all I can honestly say is thank you!!!
Thanks for sharing. I like how you show and compare the different methods.
Seriously good explanation of remove a dead fence post !
Thanks!
Just the video I was looking for. Thank you!!!
Thanks. I am definitely going to try this. I need to remove about 4 post and I think I can do it with this method
Let me know how it goes!
Great informative video! I love that you covered all the options for removing the post. Definitely subscribed!
Awesome! Thank you!
Worked like a charm. Thanks.
Glad it helped
Thank you much, we were trying to figure out how to do the and come across this video, gonna use this method and will let you know how it went.
I saw a guy and his wife take out a broken post with a ring and a u-hook on a plate of metal and drilled 4 screws attaching it to the post then used leverage to get the post out. Worked well.
We did the method in another video with farm jack from Harbor Freight (it's not the best jack quality wise but it works). I had a scrap 8" 4 x4 block. I used that with two 8" long 1/2" bolts with washers and nuts. Drilled 5/8" clearance holes through block. Then drilled one hole into post, secured bolt loosely, then second hole marked with block in place slight drill to mark, then move and drill through. Then with both bolts in place, put nuts and washers on finger tight, mount about a foot or two off the ground. Set the jack under the block and start lifting. It is still hard when a full 50 lb bag of cement and clay soil is in place to do it. Luckily we were two people and we both had to put full weight on the arm to push the jack (two of us at about 200 lb each. You get the picture). It's like freeing the post from Oden's grip. (These were 4 x 4 wooden posts.) It took the two of us to drag the pole with concrete to another spot as well. Yeesh. Have fun.
I liked the way you explained all the other methods. I dont wont to hire that jack as I only have a few post to remove so, I wil ltry the method where do dig just one side and see if that works.
Great video and great method for removing posts. Worth every penny using the jack
For all of those who are watching this when you have concrete set at the topsoil and not buried 3 ft deep as frost line standard is, you would not need to dig all that out to pull out that you could have just attached it to the post and pulled it out without even digging. I built fencing for a pool and fence company when I was younger for 5 to 6 years and without a doubt the tire and Jane Cole method is by far the most efficient and quickest. If you don't have a vehicle then yes you will have to go another means put this video is overkill because they would not need to dig all that out to pull that out.
I dunno about all that math. But 2 people with a 3ft grafter either side, both get a good grip on the post & tug together pops right out 👌 6 years fencing never had a issue
Very informative science class. But, as for pulling a fence-post out easily, the guy who posted showing how to do it with a couple of 2x4's, a couple of bolts, and a farm jack.....that was much easier and didn't require one iota of digging. I pulled up 15 in my yard with that method in just one morning. But, everybody likes things a certain way, and for those who prefer this method, I consider that you've done a service by being helpful.
It's still too much work of screwing bolts, cutting woods etc. This method is easiest and fastest one. But one correction is required. You can wind the chain directly around the base of the post. You don't need to dig around it and wind around the concrete. That's unnecessary work.
Thanks i like the jack method
This was awesome! I can't believe there are 498 jerks out there who disliked this. Very informative, very straight to the point and helpful. Thanks man!
Handy tip: if your post is broken off near ground level, you can drive a long lag screw into the center of the post with a chain loop attached and then use another post as a lever to pull it up.
Thanks for the tip.
Only if the wood is not rotten below ground level. Most of my posts are.
Screwdriver and a shop vac worked awesome for me in clay and rocky soil.
Can a chain just be sunk into the concrete when the post is installed for future removal
I managed to break a fence post off at the base using this method. This method works much better if you dig at least a 1-foot deep hole on the opposite side of the post from where the jack is placed.
What if your posts and secured in the ground with the new expanding foam product? Would you still recommend using the chain, or would it shred the foam under the pressure of the jack?
Take a 3 foot length of 1/2" copper pipe and solder a female
garden hose end to it and connect that to your hose. Turn on the water
and push the pipe easily through the soil all around and loosen the post. You can also use one of those flower watering wands and take off the end and your left with a rigid pipe.
You are a genius. I love this idea
I used a 2×4 with a log to leverage mynpost out. I only had 1 posfvtovremove and no car Jack thank you do much
I did it thank you! The hardest part was taking the concrete massed 4x4 to the rubble pile. Any suggestions?
Great!
Dan,
Nice example of various methods. You forgot skip loader with a chain. You forgot to mention that conditions / conditions / conditions is key. How many posts, what type, what are they set in (sand, soil, rock). What materials/tools do you have on hand to work with & what would you have to purchase or rent . Dig on one side, pull back (leverage) and pop the bottom into the empty hole. Simple but not for 20 posts .
Good method i will start using that from now on instead of digging all that dirt
If you ever find yourself around Bend, OR, Sir I owe you a beer. Worked like a charm.
Glad to hear it! I was in bend last summer. I love it there.
One risk with this method is the chain breaking. I purchased a jack such as the one shown and found that it had 7,000 lbs. of lifting force whereas the chains I found at Home Depot were on the order of 3,900 - 5,200 lbs. of tensile strength. The chain shown in your video looks to be more of the 3,900 lb. variety. If the jack is stronger than the chain, the chain could break, causing injury or worse.
I tried the 2'nd method before looking here. I had a 10' 4" X 4", and a heavy stump, I used a chain. My first attempt just didn't work real well. Then we dug in out some, wrapped a chain around the fence post, making two loops, one on each side for a " handle", which gave us something good to pull up with. Your last method may work. Where did you find that type of old style jack at ? Thanks, John
I have not seen a jack like that since the 1980's... lol, where did you even find that? I usually dig a little around the post, use a demolition hammer, it breaks up the concrete in less than a minute, and then just pull the post out. Very simple :-)
What do you recommend when the post has been broken off at the base, and the 36” concrete footing is situated in clay ?
start digging
36 inches is a lot of footing! - especially for something set in clay. Maybe it’s less? Anyway, give the chain/jack method a try before you dig that huge hole.
Thanks for the good video. The last one with the car jack was the best.
This idea seems great! I do have a question. Can’t I just make my new post holes a few feet away from my old post? And cut the old post as low as possible . Reason I ask this is because I have a pretty big backyard. 1/2 acre and repeat that process will require a lot of energy. What do you think?
You can as long as the distance between posts doesn’t exceed 8’
Thank you for your time .
Thank you, great instructional on different approaches to pull out a concreted post!
You rock man! Great idea and great video, thanks for sharing!!
Tried this today and largely failed - four concrete footings, all really soft, and the 'crete would begin to rise then break off below ground. As in mentioned below, i went without using my go to solution because the 'crete was so soft (normally use the Ross Root Feeder to inject the soil with water as deeply as possible). I'm thinking it might have helped but I'm in trouble now as these puppies are ~40 inches down. Looking for other solutions short of blasting caps!
old vid. Make a jig to put AROUND the fence post that keeps the top of the jack from wanting to go forward. Think that would help a lot.
Nice solution. Thanks.
brilliant. worked perfectly for me. thanks for the terrific idea.
Have been using this method for years.With some variations.
I just pulled mine with my shop crane. And put some water while pumping the piston
That's a cool idea.
Great method--but who has this type of jack laying around anymore? Wish I did, they were so much better than the silly scissor jacks today. Miss the "X" Lug nut wrench too
Our new property had a chain link fence around the property due to dogs. The chain link fence was not even on the property lines. It was off by like a foot. So, now that the new privacy fence went up we have a property lines of cement through out the whole property. The previous owners added cement on the bottom through the whole chain link fence. That will be a fun project removing on a 3/4 acre lot.
Excellent presentation! Thank you
Very nice explanation
It's a great video w some physics. I bought a lift jack. Didn't work. Central Texas bedrock too dense 6" down. Sledge hammer and chisel, grinder w/ masonry blade, steel chain and hi lift, shovel.. tons of patience & persistence 😥
Good idea.... Definitely worth trying... Thank You..m
Wow, this is AWESOME! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just what I was looking for Dan, post rotted out to the concrete Thanks!
Great video! Gonna try this.
Let me know how it goes!
Adding alot of water to the ground around the post makes it easier to pull up, as shown in other youtube videos.
The water creates suction which can be more di
Adding water doesn’t work well in clay soil though
Water makes the soil expand/swell and lock the post in. Dry soil is best.
Agreed - my go to solution is to use a Ross Root Feeder and inject the soil with water as deeply as possible
Awesome info I want to try that way sometime soon , im Renting a mini excavator works great , steep learning curve for new operators high risk , if you do go lightest one you can get so less risk of damaging grass don’t turn only long turns turning severely damages the grass , ask service provider to put into trek hoe mode instead of back hoe mode , easier to operate for most people . If you can’t toe it to your home or job , some will deliver for you some will not , or simply call a tow truck for delivery and pickup . If you tow it yourself make sure your tire pressure is good before taking off , I’ve hauled thousands of pounds of dirt and machines and if you will know real quick if your tires are low because if they are and you take off you will see in your rear view mirror smoke and fire fly litterally off the rim and possibly hit a car , just getting the mahcine saftley to the job is half the battle . Excavator will pull the post out in less than 5 seconds