We have decided to move our fence charger and thus need to either move old rods or buy new grounding rods. I don’t mind the $$ of buying new, but I really don’t want a bunch of unnecessary grounding rods sticking up for no reason. And it’s a hazard. I always stick a yellow post cap on every rod, but you know horses and their penchant for trouble…
Problem is, I can’t get the darn things out of the ground. Anybody got a gizmo we could attach to a chain and use our tractor to pull them up?
I’ve got a metal plate on a short chain with a hook that goes on the edge of an FEL bucket. The plate has a hole in it shaped like T-post. That might work.
I’ve also got a hand-operated T-post puller for use in places were you can’t get an tractor.
If you can figure out a way to grab the rod I would think a car jack would work.
G.
You can pull a post by pushing a bottle jack into it and pumping it while pushing.
You can half hitch any kind of chain around it and pull it up by the chain, with a jack or tractor.
You can dig them up with a shovel too.
I agree with you, never leave anything sticking up there, where someone or a car tire may hit it, get hurt on it.
A large ground clap wrenched on as tight as possible. Wrap a small chain of sufficient strength below it. Attach to the loader arm and pull slowly. Assuming you have a loader. Or drill a hole big enough that won’t compromise the rod walls, put a long bolt through it making a “T” and then wrap the chain below it.
I’ve tried what Bluey suggested. The chain just slips off the rods I used.
Or dig down down 3-4+ feet and pull it out. It will be a big hole. Use a post hole digger on either side. This is a lot of work if it is grounded well with multiple rods. I use 3 rods per charger.
Dig a hole X inches deep around the rod/s, take a grinder with a metal cut off wheel and cut it off below grade.
I just use a chain with a slip hook. Wrap the chain a few times around the rod below the hook. After the last wrap drop the hook on the chain tail…then pull the tail with the loader. You’ll need about 6 inches of exposed ground rod for this. The chain tightens as you pull. Use a shovel to dig around to expose the rod.
Wait until after a rain and wiggle it back and forth vigorously! I can usually pull them out that way.
[QUOTE=kcmel;8582376]
Wait until after a rain and wiggle it back and forth vigorously! I can usually pull them out that way.[/QUOTE]
The standard 6 foot rods? You much have the grip and strength of Superman!
If you can pull straight up with the loader is should be easy enough. If you can’t figure out a chain wrap that pulls itself tighter under tension it might help to leave the clamps that attached the wire to the rods clamped hard on them, or have a helper hold the other end of the chain so it stays under tension rather than flopping while you walk back to the tractor
[QUOTE=tangledweb;8582518]
If you can pull straight up with the loader is should be easy enough. If you can’t figure out a chain wrap that pulls itself tighter under tension it might help to leave the clamps that attached the wire to the rods clamped hard on them, or have a helper hold the other end of the chain so it stays under tension rather than flopping while you walk back to the tractor[/QUOTE]
“have a helper hold the other end of the chain so it stays under tension rather than flopping while you walk back to the tractor”
This is a very good tip
We didn’t have a tractor.
Clamp a pipe wrench to the rod a couple inches above the ground level so that the handle runs parallel to the ground.
Slide a long 2x4 under the pipe wrench handle, then lift one end.
Physics.
A t-post puller would probably be effective, providing you attach something to the rod to give the puller purchase. A clamp, as suggested above. Or, MacGuyver something like a couple few laps of rope attached with construction adhesive. Just something that stops the puller from slipping. Most of the pressure will be on the rod itself, rather than a direct upwards pull on whatever that <something> is.
I dug mine out with a shovel when I took down my last electric fence.
Well, more accurately, I requested that the college student who, on occasion, helps out around the place dig them up with a shovel. I think he found it very hard to believe me when I told him that he couldn’t just wiggle them and then pull them out, because I saw him trying, before giving up and getting the shovel.
Whatever method you use, remember the old trick for loosening t-posts before lifting: give the rod a few whacks on the top end with a hammer to loosen the compacted earth around it. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it really helps.
As well as tipping a bucket of water around them to soften the ground.
The two people approach sounds workable…and a pair of vice grips. I’ll let you all know how it works out, we have time today to give it another pull.
[QUOTE=SuzieQNutter;8585910]
As well as tipping a bucket of water around them to soften the ground.[/QUOTE]
Dry ground/dirt contracts, wet expands and creates more of a “suction”. If the rods are driven close to their full length of 6 feet it would take a lot of water to have any effect.
I agree with Susanne giving a couple of wacks with a mini mall or sledge hammer helps loosen.
If one has a tractor and no loader they can use the rear 3 point hitch. Get a couple of feet of wire rope and use wire clamps. Use 2 or three, make sure one of them is big enough so you can loop from the bottom one back up and through a second one to keep it from slipping through. It will only lift a a foot or 2 and the clamps will have to be moved. But will make pretty short work of it. Or attach to the hitch on the back of a truck/car. But the rod will get bent. No big deal they only cost a few dollars.
Wire rope clamps look like this;
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Security/d200/Shackles+%26+Chain/sd2612/Wire+Rope+Clamp/p27050
[QUOTE=gumtree;8582395]
The standard 6 foot rods? You much have the grip and strength of Superman![/QUOTE]
Ha ha, hardly! I am persistent though:). There are sometimes ones I can’t move and have to partially dig out.
RODS ARE GONE!!! Thanks to all those who contributed. The solution was:
2 people, chain, FEL, pipe wrench. Worked like a champ!
[QUOTE=LLee;8586650]
RODS ARE GONE!!! Thanks to all those who contributed. The solution was:
2 people, chain, FEL, pipe wrench. Worked like a champ![/QUOTE]
Good for you!
Thanks for the update, may help someone else in the same pickle.
Good idea to never leave something sharp sticking out there, where someone may trip or step on it.
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