December 2003 2400 0324-2340-MTDC
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Manual Post Drivers for 8- to 10-Foot-Long Metal Posts

Gary Kees, Project Leader

The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) is testing various fence exclosures to keep deer, elk, and moose out of overgrazed aspen and willow tree groves. These exclosures involve constructing 7- to 8-foot tall fences using 10-foot-long metal T-posts (figure 1). Typical manual post drivers found at the local hardware or farm supply store require the operator to stand on a raised platform, a ladder, or in the back of a truck to drive 10-foot-long posts (figure 2). Doing so usually takes too long, is impractical in remote areas, and is unsafe in steep terrain.

[photo] Moose exclosure
Figure 1—This moose exclosure near the Middle Fork of Rock Creek in
Montana uses 10-foot-long metal T-posts driven 2½ feet deep
to support polypropylene mesh fencing.

[photo] Man on latter using fence post driver.
Figure 2—Standard fence post drivers require the operator to
stand on a ladder or raised platform to drive a 10-foot-long metal T-post.

Available Equipment

Mechanized drivers that mount on tractors or other mobile equipment are limited to relatively accessible terrain and are only cost effective on larger jobs. These drivers are typically powered by hydraulics or compressed air (figure 3).

[photo] Hydraulic fence post driver
Figure 3—A hydraulic fence post driver.

The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and State agencies, and is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this document is for the information and convenience of the reader, and does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

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USDA Forest Service, Technology and Development
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