How to remove a fence post
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Here, I show you exactly how I easily remove old fence posts and their cement footings. This is a common repair that needs to be done when a post is rotted and the fence has blown over.
This is a strategy I use to pull 4x4 fence posts out of the ground to replace the fence posts using a high lift-jack.
It's a cheap and effective way to remove the fence post even if it is buried in hard, rocky, dirt.
In order to repair the fence properly, the post and the cement footing need to be removed a new post needs to be installed with a cement footing.
Great video. I used your method to remove 6 chainlink fence posts with ease! This saved me $600. My neighbor was quoted that price to remove the fence.
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.
if only i see ur video three months back, me n ma son work'd for 3 days solid diggin' n haulin cement'd posts out...great idea. keep up the good work
Awesome! you're a genius ...the company I work for actually digs them out by hand with great effort
Absolutely the best way. Done it many times. HOWEVER... you wasted a ton of time digging out that moat around the post. No need to put the chain around the concrete. Wrap the chain around the post several times, and the friction of the chain around the post will pull it right out. Have one that wants to slip on you? Just drill-drive a couple of screw into the post to help with the friction hold. ZEREO digging required.
Dan your way saves some labor. I don't have rocky soil. Here in heavy clay soil with a garden hose and a deep tree root water spike I have taken out metal post in cement, and t-post that have been in ground for 20 years. Try it sometime.
Great tips Dan. I need to remove some posts in my backyard this summer. We are replacing them with 4x4 cedar posts to do a privacy fence. I'll be using your technique:) Thanks!
Shocker! 2022 farm jacks, hi-lift jacks, bumper jacks or whatever you want to call them are no longer around $50. I just got mine from Tractor Supply for $99 and they only go up from there on Amazon. Thanks for putting this up!
will be taking the same approach. Appreciate the tip.
Man talk about cutting time in half!Great job!
The easiest way I found to remove fence post cement is to wrap on end of the chain around the fence post cement and hook the other end to the tow bar of your pickup truck, then just pull it out you still have to dig a little around the cement to get the chain around. I pulled one out yesterday that had double cement..
great idea....i would have put a block under the jack base and a 4x4 or 6x6 at the top of the jack between the jack upright and the post, so it didn't fall into the post to be removed.......good idea
Awesome technique! I am dealing with a clothesline post that is approx. 2.5 inch pipe set in concrete over a FOOT across!! It's really frustrating, especially as a girl!
You had me right up to where you brought out the high lift jack, or "Widowmaker" is what they are referred to where I live. Dangerous little contraption, especially if you don't have enough hair on your chest and forget not to wrap your fingers around the handle, if that thing springs back before the ratchet engages, there goes some fingers. I agree with the others, work smarter not harder, just get or make a post puller, 30 seconds or less to pull a post.
You are spot on,from an old coal miner from Scotland!
Thanks for the info American dude......will be taking my fence post out soon
He's clearly Mexican..
OMG - I experienced my first ever concrete post removal today ... and it was carnage. I dug for 3+ hours and still never got to the bottom of this old split rail post. Then there's the giant question - how the hell do I yank end estimated 150-lb concrete mass straight up and out a hole nearly 3-feet deep? That prospect alone terrified me! And then some of my smart ass know-it-all neighbors suggested I somehow hook up a chain to the back of my range rover and yank it out. Sure, uh-huh - what could go wrong do that, right. Can't wait to head out to buy a 48" Farm Jack ($100 @ Harbor Freight) and 3/8-in 13-foot towing chain ($40 @ Harbor Freight). I'm also going to experiment with using some anti-tipping poles to keep that jack from pulling to one side. Wish me luck! But thanks for showing me an option that anyone can do on his/her own.
In the coal mines in Scotland we used a device similar to this jack it was called a Sylvester--same principle but was used only for pulling not lifting as you notice the guy is using his weight to push down on the lever---always stay behind the lever as one slip and the lever can hit you in the face with the built up energy in the tool,its very dangerous and can lead to serious injury of the face and head or worse!
Thank you very much. Need to remove/replace our mailbox post (concrete @ bottom: ugh). Thanks for sharing.
You can do it. Here's another tip: When digging the hole around the post, don't worry about digging a big hole. The wider you make your hole the easier it is to dig around.
I got this trick from an old movie, they were pulling stumps with a team of mules...Dig down enough to attach a chain to the concrete plug. Run the chain straight up to the tip of an A frame. The A frame has to lean at a 45 degree angle away from your truck. Then run a chain to a 4wd. Put it 4 low. With a little bump, it will pop straight up like a carrot.
Sounds like a fun way to pop a post!
Hey, hi. Nice job on your video. Just asking for my Grand Daughter.... Why would you just not cut the post as close to ground level as you could..... drill a few holes in the top.... add some fuel components, set it on fire .... burn to the base, and then cover it with dirt? ... Like I said, it's for my Grand Daughter.
Why not also shake the post back & forth a few times to loosen it up?
double half hitch with the chain on the post no digging required
Good job Big Dan!
Great idea.. Liked the video.
Awesomeness
The chain kept slipping on my concrete. Then the concrete broke. Any suggestions?
great video, but how thick is that chain 6mm ?
Very smart idea. Thanks.
What if the post is broken at the concrete ground level. Could you still pull up the below ground post by wrapping the swivel end of the chain around the concrete and the other end around the high lift jacket and pull it out?
Great video. Was wondering if a engine hoist would work too? Thanks.
How about 3" diameter metal fence posts, 4 feet deep in concrete? They are on a slatted chain link fence engineered for high winds. Any ideas? Would like to save the posts, without cutting them off at ground level.
What if the fence post was broken off already? How would you brace the hi-lift then?
How long is that jack?
have you seen the hi low jacks with the tripod on them i think it woud be might easyer
Dan Have you seen the ez crank post puller....heckuva lot easier and much faster
Haha the Dog doesn't want the pole pulled. "awww meen not my pee pole bro"
Nice.
No, I haven't. I'll have to look into it, though.
I know this is probably a stupid question, but how tall is that lift jack? I have 2 fence posts that was cut, but not underground and it is popping up now.
Cool. Thanks.
where do you buy the jack?
What size chain did you use?
Your welcome!
Nice.... But Rather than using the chain, why not screw a 2x4 block to the post and then use the jack catching the bottom of 2x4? That would probably work.... Gonna give it a try as I have a bunch to remove from my backyard and no chain
Good idea. I actually tried this and the 2x4 broke instantly. You'd be amazed at how much force is required to pop one of these suckers. However, if you had soft soil, the 2x4 method could maybe remove the fence post.
If the post is rotted off at the top of the concrete..I just took an old wedge, set it on top of the old post, and hit it a couple times with my splitting maul and the concrete broke in chunks for easy removal.
Can you rent one from like Home Depot?
What size (diameter) chain link do I need? Would d shackles work instead of a slip hook?
He is using a chain hook which does not slip if if used properly.
you got that right!
just lag bolt a couple 2x4s to the post then hook up the jack to the 2 x 4 then jack it up shazoom
your welcome!
What sizes chain hooks and lenght was used in this video anyone know ??
Colin Graham I got a 5 ft cable
Thanks, good tip. Also, it becomes easier when you add some muscle on your frame...hehe.
there's no need and digging a hole at all just wrap your train around the post about 3 times and double hook it and the postal pull out why do people think that you have to dig the hole then get to the concrete
GOOD
Texas tooth puller.
Slip hook/grab hook
I'd much rather hook up to my pickup and start driving pull it out that way lol sadly that's not always possible PS don't connect the chain to your bumper bad idea ;)
I'd just back the tractor up to it and pull it.
you should have put wood under the jack
Is that a 48" or 60" Hi-Lift Jack? I want to order one online and can't tell whether to get the 48" or 60" one. Which one do you recommend?
+vivajalisco100 The only one I've used is the 48" Hi-Lift Jack in the video. It works well.
Add water and it will be easy.
Damn bigbear, that sounds terrible!
2'?! Code must be a joke where you live, 48" out here, use post hole diggers, dig down one side of the plug till you get to the bottom,shave dirt around half plug with spud/digging bar, clean the hole and just pry the plug into the hole you just dug. Then put your big boy pants on and pick it up out of the hole----5mins or less
48" is ridiculous. 2' is plenty. I've never seen a fence post blow over without breaking the post and I live in an extremely windy area.
48 is below frost line....if you live in an area that has a freeze thaw cycle, even without a freeze thaw cycle in the area 32" minimum to ensure a strong footing to detour heaving, falling out of plum and loose footings
You're a dipshit.
Cool part is there is not across the board standard for depth x width. Its city controlled, it will vary city to city.