I was at my Texas place last weekend.
Was planning to install T-Posts as part of a trap.
I was using a Post-Pounder, because that's all I have to work with (no tractor, etc).
It was extremely difficult to install the T-Posts by pounding.
QUESTION: Has anyone used a 3/4 or 1-1/4 inch auger to predrill holes then install the T-Post.
If so did it significantly reduce the difficulty of pounding the posts into the ground.
Note: The ground on my place is a mix of coarse sand and clay and rather hard but not impossible to drive posts into. It just took about 10 minutes of hard pounding for each post.

Bob-Do you have one of the manual t-post drivers? I don't know if it's the same as a post pounder you mention. I don't recall your exact location, but if you are close enough, you are welcome to come get one of ours and use it as long as you like.

Bobby,
The Post Pounder is a manual one, a tube with loop handles and a welded in steel at one end.
My place is in East Texas in Cass County, about 15 miles South of Atlanta Texas.
Thanks for the offer too. If you are close, I will seriously consider borrowing, since those Pounders are near indestructable.
Bob Nisbet

The description of the post pounder sounds like the drivers we have here. They are fairly heavy and get good momentum. I'd say it takes only a minute or so to drive in the 6' tees in the sandy loam and blackland/clay soil we have here. I have 2 of them, and you are welcome to them at any time, the only problem being I am fairly far from your area as I am in Lavaca County in south central TX.

I don't wish to sound like a smart so-and-so, but take a 5-gallon bucket with about 3 gallons of water with you. Pour about a pint or so into the ground exactly where you want the post to go, then use the driver. You should be past the spade with about four good licks.

My uncle grew up on a farm and although he had a job, he has owned a farm almost all his adult job. He told me about this, and it works like a dream!

Doubless doesn't look like your being a smart anything, just giving common sense advice.

Bob, nothing wrong with you not being aware of the water trick, that comes from experience driving posts in not real ideal conditions.

If you ever need to pull those posts, you can use some water and get them out of where you put them.

Water doesn't do a lot of good if you have limestone rock near the surface....

Clarence

No, nor will it work inm an area with a lot of sand stone or granite either.

But since the OP stated this:

quote:

Note: The ground on my place is a mix of coarse sand and clay and rather hard but not impossible to drive posts into. It just took about 10 minutes of hard pounding for each post.

Since limestone/sand stone and granite not being listed, the water idea sounds feasible.

The most easiest way to set T-post in any type of soil is to get a nice large ice chest, fill with your favorite adult beverage, top with plenty of ice, next you need a nice comfortable chair, my favorite is one that reclines a little, find a very shady spot close to where the T-post are to be set and then find you a couple of undocumented migrant farm workers, set back and watch how easy the post get set.

Seriously, the water trick will work very well in sandy/clay soils.

The location for the post installs is about a mile from where I have to park my truck, then walk.
I may have to use a 2 wheel hand truck to haul posts etc to the install site. It will be a real pain!
I may just need to try the augur hole thing before heading out to the remote location. If it doesn't work, then I'll try hauling water.

Swifter 220: Please, let's not further the misconception that we in Texas are largely dependent on extra-legal labor. The method of setting posts you are describing is appropriately labeled an "exchange student internship".

It is true, however, that if such internships were suddenly curtailed that the Texas economy would screech to an immediate halt.

quote:

The location for the post installs is about a mile from where I have to park my truck, then walk.

Just some questions here. Is this a lease or do you own the property?? Is there some form of physical barrier preventing you from being able to drive closer??? Have you gave thought into trying to bait the pigs into a more convinient location to access???

Stoncreek


Sorry, I was not being more politically correct.

Should have remembered about the foreign exchange student internship program.

Exchange students are also known as "future democrat voters" around here--

If you plan on putting in many t-posts around there check out propanehammer.com haven't used one myself but know a couple guys that swear by them. Ground here in AZ is as hard as it gets and the water trick doesn't work here.

Sure wish I'd had one of those things as a kid building fence around the pastures!!
Vids show everything except the price.
Wonder if the local rental places might have 'em.
That's where I'd start looking.
Sounds like just the trick you need for your problem ground.
Let us know how you get along with it and what it cost, ok?
George

They also make a pneumatic post driver that runs off of compressed air. Boss bought a used one recently, works really well.

At the bottom of page http://propanehammer.com/products.php the price is $1995.
At $10/hr that will buy a lot of "help" from in front of Home Depot.

Mark

Air powered drivers are about 1/3 that price, but not as cheap as Manuel Labor @ $10.00 an hour.

if you have the auger, drill as deep as you can and pour in the water...

limestone? well.. h2so4 ..