Remove a Rotten Fence Post in MINUTES !

In this video i show you my method of how to remove a rotten fence post and this is absolutely the easiest way to do it. Often you may need to concrete in a fence post directly where the old one was and if the post has snapped off, removing the rotten broken off bit of post, will make if far easier to remove the concrete .
You may even be able to just slot in a new fence post, into the existing concrete hole. Saving hours of back breaking work and money !
Dont let post removal take you hours.
I hope that this video helped you in some way, and if it did, please leave a comment for me in the comments section. I love to hear from people who gained value from any of my videos. I always respond to comments, so would be great to hear from you guys ! 👍
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LINKS to the tools and equipment used in the video -
360 degree Rotating Ceiling Hook - amzn.to/3ZghNoi
Coach Screw with Hexagon Head M10 x 200mm 10 pk -amzn.to/3zYGXfF
Coach Screws Zinc Plated M12 x 200mm - 5 Pack - amzn.to/2Spmu2E
Staple on Plate Galvanised M6 x 50mm - amzn.to/3ja3d0h
Disclaimer - All links are an affiliate link and I may receive a very small commission if the item is purchased through the link, but it does not cost you anything. This helps support my channel and enables me to keep posting free content on a weekly basis.
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Thanks for watching and if you enjoyed the content, please LIKE and SHARE the video and please consider SUBSCRIBING to my channel www.youtube.co... to see more similar content in the future. This would mean a lot to me and be greatly appreciated 😊
📢 Follow us on facebook at:
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For business inquiries contact me at [e-mail]
🌎 Also check out our website at www.mountainfencing.co.uk
📢Thanks for watching my videos, I enjoy making them, would be great to have
you as a subscriber.
Have a nice day !
James 👋
#howtoremoveafencepost #removearottenfencepost #howtopullapost #fencepostremoval

[@JamesMontana]

Here's a link to the hook - amzn.to/3ZghNoi

[@smlowenstein]

Link is broken. Does not identify the part. Can you repost with a good link? Love the video! Thanks, Steve

[@jsalavar]

The link does not match the hook that you used

[@tarabarnett6014]

That one doesn’t swivel. Have you got a link to one that swivels?

[@eliashassan9447]

Where do I get the pole you use as a lever?

[@dougstucki8253]

Just use some chain instead of the fancy shmancy eye plate.

[@stevieb6173]

I m a gardener and sometimes get asked to take an old post out for a new one , and when your on your own like I am then this method is , pardon the pun groundbreaking ,, thanks so much mate 👍👍👍👍

[@jaminewton2528]

Looks like a brilliant idea! Trying to find a fencer to replace 3 timber posts for over a year. Lost my Husband but think I might try this. He would have done it for anyone else in need. Thanks

[@KenFullman]

If the fence posts are sound above ground you can just screw a block of wood to the side of the fence post then use a spade in a similar manner to achieve the same thing. Just put a brick (or another block of wood) beside the post and then screw your block to the post so it's slightly lower than the top edge of this brick. Then use your spade, to lever the post out of the ground.

[@robinscott7816]

The screws will hold really well in rotten wood.😂

[@Hamish_A]

​@@robinscott7816The rot is almost always just at ground level, hence the long screws.

[@domusardet4961]

We're replacing a dozen 4x4s - a third of them were rotting but had enough sound wood for the bolts to grip & came out of the ground as easy as on this video. Only a 5th (half encased in cement) was too rotten to work

[@emadavazpour3358]

That my friend was GENIUS...Using physics laws and human genius. Thank you .. wish I knew this earlier today

[@vazza7504]

After watching him pull the old post out, why am I going crazy for a cadbury's Flake?????? Great video, save all that digging. 👍👍👍

[@Poz100]

Thanks James - I had 2 fencing guys tell me that breaking in to my Indian Sandstone paving to remove the broken fence post was the only solution. I’d have an ugly square of concrete surrounding the new post! I followed your video to the letter and the 3” x 3” 2ft deep post lifted out easily with my 93kg self standing on the end of a 30” breaker bar. Thanks for the video!

[@doranvee5944]

I have been struggling. Chipping away with a chisel on one cement side. Covered in sweat. Smashed hand. I came inside to find your video! Thank you! The video is perfect saving me hours. I have 4 posts to put in.

[@chrisluke7739]

Having just had 3 of my fence posts snap this video could have just made my life so much easier thank you.

[@JamesMontana]

Sorry about the posts. Hope it helps

[@NeilBeresford]

Thank you James, you have saved me more than hours of labor, you are a star!

[@johnwarner3809]

This is a fantastic tip, I have spent nearly 2 hours getting a wooden post out of the ground that has snapped. I mistakenly presumed it would all be rotten in the ground, thanks for the tip it's brill.

[@justinnieves984]

@ Hour 2.5 now. Came here for this haha

[@richardmortimer8317]

A storm took out 3 posts today at ground level. This trick worked an absolute treat. Many thanks!

[@JamesMontana]

Glad it helped!

[@wilyc0y0te]

Fantastic video - simple, straight to the point and effective!

[@Bibsy1]

Ansolutely Brilliant! Coming to you from Virginia, USA! Thanks

[@colingee6687]

For years. I have attached both ends of a short chain with lag bolts to the top of the rotted wood post and used a large farm jack to lift the post out of the ground. This works for posts that are buried 3 to 4 feet below the surface and set in concrete.

[@dougwoodberry5925]

Definitely intuitive and excellent method to removing a rotted fence post. Many thanks for sharing.😊

[@tw1sted1nc]

Love the application of simple tools and smart thinking

[@HousewerkRecords]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing this mate. I’m off to B&Q. Storm Eunice has ruined my fence. 👍

[@JamesMontana]

Sorry to hear that

[@jarmstrong2843]

If you have a post that is anchored with cement, good luck getting it out of the ground using this technique. I tried using a similar technique with two posts. One post had 100 lbs (45 Kg) of cement and the other 200 lbs (90 Kg). Both very difficult to remove in a confined area. I ended up using a large 54” tall truck jack capable of lifting a 5000 pound load with a chain and large lag screw put into the wood. It came out easily with that.

[@daveglowa9546]

Exactly,and when I install post i always flare the bottom, never had to remove but I would go your way

[@daniellewis3270]

Another method is to use an M24 x 150 coach screw, fibre slings and a 1.5 ton pull lift. You can use the snapped post, supported and still attached to the fence panel.

[@AlexSmith-oq6ju]

Or just crack the concrete on 1 side 2 at most which if your dealing with a rotten post at least 10 years old even 10 yr old postcrete will crack .

[@colourful_mindz8458]

Storm Arwen in November 2021 knocked over a large 18 post section of our perimeter fence. After using cargo straps attached to the adjacent trees to keep it upright since, we eventually got round to replacing the posts in April 2022. After waiting a few weeks for the metal eye to arrive we used this method to remove the post stumps. It worked on 15 of the 18 posts. Thank you.

[@matthewsellers82]

Great idea. I add bitumen sealant around the base and especially those top few inches where, as you say, posts always fail. Costs pennies and adds years to the post's life

[@johncone9516]

A tip, before you postmix a new post in the ground. Wrap the end of the new post with clingfilm, this stops the postmix from gripping the timber and it makes it easier to get them out of the ground when needed.

[@hanktothehendrix]

Wouldn't that trap moisture inside the bottom of the post...leading to rot?

[@darryljohnson2895]

Thank you, I have been trying to figure how to get this broken post out... You are the Man, again thank you for sharing...

[@disklamer]

Improved purchase power with this super easy secret in SECONDS! Well done. I don't have a fancy eye like that but I reckon two long lagbolts through a bit of chain should provide a decent handle, and you can use a post as lever.

[@tomcolmer]

thanks for this video, bought the cheap hook off eBay and used an SDS long drill bit I had as I didn't fancy buying a Digging bar and easy as anything I got a pain in the arse located fence post out in a couple minutes. so I'm ready to fix it now

[@tinaj4557]

Thank you so much for this video! Based on this, my husband made a similar device using a metal plate, eye hook and 8 inch lag bolts. It worked perfectly and saved us tons of time and trouble!!

[@JamesMontana]

Thankyou for your comment and letting me know how it went. So glad you found it helpful. It works a treat doesnt it.

[@randymarcell]

Hallelujah. I just pulled out a post that was rotted at the ground level. You gave me an answer

[@martinwarm4041]

Just found this video..the thought of replacing 18 rotten posts in concrete in my garden was depressing me 😒. I'm going to use your technique now! brilliant..😃

[@WhoStoleMyAlias]

Good bit of information. We tend to go quite a bit deeper into the (soft) ground here though, as otherwise the wind will cause you to end up with a ramp rather than a fence. For a 1.8m fence it is common to use 2.7m posts, so that is one third under ground and you need considerably more force than you showed here to get the first bit of movement. The method that works for me is to drill a hole sideways through the pole (yes that requires a little digging in the top soil if the pole is already snapped) through which I feed the handle bar of a tubular box wrench. Then a chain goes on connected to both sides and I use a jack to pull the post out either with or without the help of an additional bar depending on where I can stand the jack.

[@ThomasBrown-f3w]

That’s a great way to get the post out without any mess and as quickly as I’ve seen

[@billweeks349]

This is a great video!!! I always struggle getting the rotten posts out of the ground. This video enabled me to do it easily! Thank you!!!

[@timdale4047]

Very good. Wish I'd known about this b4 having to dig a broken fence post out and reset in concrete. Was a total ball ache.

[@gavinhyde5754]

Nice video, and a great tool. I'm in house renovations and when we erect timber fencing we use nails/screws on each face of the post underground so the post is bonded with the postcrete. Apologies if any of the owners of property that we have renovated are watching this video to remove posts easily.

[@JamesMontana]

Yes this wont work if you have done that haha

[@532bluepeter1]

Maybe stop doing that. Fence posts do not rise out of concrete of their own volition.

[@Trev5]

@@532bluepeter1 I will only now install concrete slotted posts, with 6" concrete gravel boards... Modern fence posts, even though they are pressure treated just don't last...

[@532bluepeter1]

@@Trev5 very wise. Wooden posts are doomed from the start

[@niknoks7638]

Brilliant mate 👏 .....after the recent storms my 4x4 post snapped just above the concrete path and I was going to kango it out and make a bloody mess! Next step Amazon 😉

[@JamesMontana]

Nice one! Hope it helps

[@davidsnyder2328]

I Did a similar trick with a length of chain, a single bolt and removable link. WOrked like a charm.. Thanks for the idea.

[@OpPoseidon]

Maaaaatteeeee wish I’d have watched this before spending 5 hours with a breaker bar! Thanks for the vid!

[@LouinVB]

I use a single large lag bolt through a chain. I use the new replacement fence post as a lever to lift the broken stub out. I sometimes use a "water drill", a 4'-5' piece of metal electrical conduit attached to the end of a garden hose. With water running I force the conduit tube parallel to the fence post or concrete to "drill" the dirt out & loosen the soil's grip. Works great.

[@junglerock8058]

Got an acre completely fenced around it with 4X4 posts in 1985. Guess what this is starting to be like. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

[@segunjohnson4184]

I was looking for a way to get a fence post that's surrounded by concrete slabs out and came across this...Great tip thanks so much!

[@jeffmartin2973]

I thought no way that’s coming out. The screws would never be held by rotten wood. Amazing. Good vid. Perfectly length of time.

[@germainemaxwell4530]

Hi, When it comes to DIY I would have to improve considerably to reach the standard of 'useless' finally I have found a video that shows me something even I can do, and something I need to do. Thank you very much for this very helpful tip. Max

[@JamesMontana]

Have a bit more faith in your ability. Im sure your better than you think. Im glad to of helped though.

[@ahmetkarayol2547]

There are metal fence armors to increase life span.

[@JamesMontana]

@@ahmetkarayol2547 you mean metposts ?

[@ahmetkarayol2547]

Metal or plastic stuff covers underneath ground level and protects from rotten of post.

[@JamesMontana]

@@ahmetkarayol2547 yeah i have seen the plastic ones. Bitumen works just as well too 👍

[@FlyingScud]

Brilliant. Posts always rot where they go into the ground, but where there is no oxygen below ground they dont rot. When replacing posts use a PostSaver Post Protector plastic sleeve - another genius idea.

[@valeriaholliday4906]

Where does one purchase a post saver plastic sleeve?

[@jamesmccambridge7013]

You have just saved me hours of brute work, you'r a genius james

[@JamesMontana]

Thanks mate. Its so satisfying when it works perfectly and pulls the posts right out isnt it !

[@wayneschirmeriii6487]

Thanks for the tip. Attempting to fix my in-laws side gate and one of the 4x4s has rotted off at the cement line. Something like this should work.

[@stieg003]

Easier modification: use two long lag bolts (similar to what he used) to fasten a loop of very heavy chain to the top of the rotten post. The loop of chain must be big enough so that a 4x4 fence post can slip into it. Then use your new fence post as an 8 foot lever to lift the post out of the ground. No need to buy a plate or saw the top of the rotten post. The 8 foot fence post acts as an incredibly powerful lever (use another fence post, or two, as a fulcrum). I’ve done this successfully many times. The only cost is the lag bolts and the chain!

[@beerye3750]

I just removed a rotting 4x4 post from the footing with a farm jack and bolted two 2x4s to the top of the jack like a tripod, so it pulled straight up. Used two 3/8" crows feet and two 3/8" threaded eye hooks with 12" screws to attach to post. Plan on filling old 4x4 hole with concrete and floating a 2 3/8" galvanized post in there.

[@peterbarratt7911]

Just ordered the swivel ring to use on a job in the morning. Cheers PBGS

[@damienroberts7895]

Thanks for this! Very informative and helpful!

[@daraMgodfrey]

I was given a quote of $800 to have this done--Thank you!

[@joelobozzo]

Love the heavy duty ceiling hook idea with the long screws! Would be great to use that with a trail Jack

[@Retaile23]

I've used a farm jack with much success. Great video!

[@FreqyBiker]

After the one-two knockout known as Storms Dudley & Eunice, I've a feeling this video is about to blow up. Now if you'll excuse me.. I'm off to get some stuff- one fence posts, two panels and a gate need some TLC once I've finished work

[@JamesMontana]

Haha it is a little bit

[@sarahdutton1291]

If your posts have been in for years jusr remember old boys used to have a fave trick of banging some nails in around the post so the concrete stayed firm around the post. They loved doing it.

[@MrChrissy1r]

This is a method I've used for decades, I made my plate with a ring, and manage to get a really nice old builders bar. It's basically levers and fulcrums.

[@Charlie_Crown]

Thats a great tip, the picture at the start told you all you needed to know, never occurred to me to do that 👍

[@bmiller1958]

Very helpful!

[@dannykrinkle4726]

Learned something new today... never heard "Bob's your uncle" before!

[@markjakymiw3415]

Great tips - my broken posts are in a brick wall - thanx

[@JJamJ]

Nice job! Always use concrete posts in the 1st place I guess😉

[@JamesMontana]

Always!

[@barbaratg5230]

So easy. I could even do this myself Well done

[@JamesMontana]

Thankyou. Its incredibly easy !

[@nyqer6636]

Unbelievable mate, thanks for, been trying to drill one out today for two hours. Off to DIY shop.

[@stevepreston3151]

Wish i had seen this before its such a neat idea, I’m in the trade for over 40 years and never ever thought of doing that .

[@howardtennant5766]

Cleaver Boy best idea I've seen for a while 👍👍👍

[@HerbiePotts]

Wish I'd seen this video before spending a day (failing) digging out 2 rotten posts. Next day pulled out remainder in about 30 mins. Thanks

[@lindsayheyes925]

My crew uses a 5 ft bar with a spike on the end. Wet the soil, drive the spike into the side of the post from the side below ground level, push down on the free end of the spike and out it pops. Concrete post or shrub? Hire a manual hydraulic post extractor. That works for a dead hedge plant with intertwined roots without killing its neighbours - all the roots come out and it works the soil so you can immediately mix in some compost and plant replacements to fill the gap in the hedge. And we make the job much, much easier with an electric wheelbarrow which massively increases our endurance. It's all about working smart, not working hard.

[@stuartporter5428]

I have a beautiful fence with 7 snapped posts after the storms earlier this year. The posts are surrounded by a wall, which I don't want to rebuild. I'll try this method and it will hopefully save me demolishing and rebuilding the wall. Thanks !

[@ahmetkarayol2547]

Perfect method. I was thinking to drill down the rotten part. That piece can be removed by utility/farm jack easier. Thanks

[@JamesMontana]

Yeah a farm jack and chain really helps getting them out

[@weejohnbb]

I like the fly sound fx.

[@mrchin7562]

That's a lot simpler and easier than I expected

[@weejohnbb]

Brilliant, I'm going to tackle this when my ring plate comes in. I have two broken and I'm sure plenty more in the future. Thank you for taking the time to make and upload your videos.

[@ronmccairns5437]

Great idea

[@tatewakinew]

Was afraid whether I can use this approach - bottom snapped part of the post was very rotten and I could not really make a flat area at the top - but worked nicely even without that. Thanks!

[@nopriors]

Lever and fulcrum. Thank you Archimedes

[@Sean006]

What a brilliant idea. Good to see you're a Brit too. I tried to do something similar but my ironmongery wasn't up to the job. You're obviously put a lot of thought into the job. Finding a plate with a swivelling eyebolt was genius. 👍

[@TheEulerID]

Engine hoists are good for that as well as pulling hedges up too.

[@kevinmilner7479]

Great video Wish I’d known about it years ago would have saved me a lot of hard work

[@M.C.F.C]

You just cured my headaches. Cheers for that

[@JamesMontana]

Youre welcome mate. Its saved me many times 😁

[@chieveley]

Thanks a really great video. Straight to the point and proven to work. Any links to where I can get the swivel eye unit please?

[@sammywifigseventy1505]

Excellent, tried it out and it worked first attempt.

[@vapoureyes]

If your using the same concrete hole it would be a good idea to steep the bottom of the new post into old diesel or engine oil and leave it to seep through the wood and that will give more protection.

[@Trev5]

Great tip 👍 The number of times I've had to chip away at the concrete fence post boot....

[@TRINI123A]

Going to try this! Brute force sucks!

[@jamesovenstone188]

I`ll be renewing some posts in the summer. Thanks for this very useful tip.

[@JamesMontana]

No problem!

[@dominiclund9236]

I'm here watching this after spending hours drilling and a pry bar and pick etc 😂 was thinking there must be an easyer way. I'll give this a go next time 😂

[@thomasrogers4534]

Top tip, the galvanised straps hammered in also a top tip.

[@Dickielarter1466]

That's good to know James,the amount of trouble I've had getting these out sometime has been a nightmare, nice work 👍

[@JamesMontana]

I look back and remember, sometimes its taken me half a day just to get out 1 post. Wish i had this back then !

[@Dickielarter1466]

James,on Tuesday it me at least 3 hours to get concrete out of a hole ,half of that was the post,definitely going to try this, I've seen people using Jack's to lift them out also but you have to descent ground to put the jack on

[@JamesMontana]

@@Dickielarter1466 yeah i made a video on how to jack out a post. But i have another idea in mind for getting out the concrete plugs and ill be making a video on it soon.

[@etherx8604]

@@JamesMontana please post a link to your video on how to jack out a post

[@studebaker4217]

I've used the lower half of old post concrete twice, for good reason, and found the new post is just 'off' the vertical both times. It's not a sinecure, but I had to make a judgement on value of the old stuff as the best ballast.

[@MediaMAC871]

Awesome, will try tomorrow. Thank you

[@DY-uh1xr]

Here in Canada we concrete our post in,that system u got won't work,but a jack all and a chain works just fine

[@davidweeks4533]

Found this video very helpful ,If only I,d know before-would have saved lot of work,I made an eye plate out of an old super market trolly wheel ,took wheel out ,put thicker bolt in cost nothing brilliant ,thanks David 88 and an still do a days work ,

[@KronkBoy4766]

Thanks Mate. I will definitely try this. Looks like the way to go to make it a cheap easy job. 👍

[@alanwilliams4835]

Absolutely brilliant video I’ve got one to do you have saved me hours

[@mantisman760]

You could get loads of those in a chandlery. Cheap as you can get. It's a great idea. Nice one .X

[@sandrastaples4301]

The eye plate you describe is no longer available from Amazon and info ftom website states no date for when back in stock,great info video

[@JamesMontana]

Thanks for letting me know

[@grahamtaylor905]

I've just got two out in five minutes using this technique. I could only get a smallish eye plate with 6mm holes, and I got 15cm screws from Screwfix. A bit of rope through the loop and over a long beam, and sorted. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this. I'd been hammering away at the concrete for hours and was about to give up.

[@texasgemtree]

I really love this idea.

[@cusecrypto3914]

Great idea!!!!

[@eddieington6243]

Excellent video James, thanks for sharing this tip when you could've kept it to yourself.

[@JamesMontana]

No problem. I hope it helps

[@pareshvpatel6058]

Very helpful

[@victoryfirst2878]

We used a spare tire with the work truck pulling up vertically. Easy peasy and done.

[@katabatica]

Good tip!