Remove a Rotten Fence Post in MINUTES !

[@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.

[@TomLavender-o8l]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Saved me so much time and effort today. I was sceptical at first but followed the instructions exactly and was able to remove a 4x4 stump, then just slotted in a new post. Thanks so much.

[@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 👍👍👍👍

[@emadavazpour3358]

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

[@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

[@getbalmed3376]

​@domusardet4961 This is late to the party, but I'm doing this job now. How did you deal with the rotten one? Just drill it out and remove the debris?

[@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.

[@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. 👍👍👍

[@tw1sted1nc]

Love the application of simple tools and smart thinking

[@yoganandag1640]

One of the best ways of removing rotten fence posts.

[@NeilBeresford]

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

[@matthewporter6890]

Thanks for sharing - going to give this a go - I have 21 fence posts to sort out - half of them are rotten at the base - And I really took a lot of care to slope the concrete away from the bottom - but 10 years later so I can't complain!

[@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!

[@dougwoodberry5925]

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

[@myhighlife5457]

Top idea. I don't even need to change a post. I watched just for the knowledge. And im glad I did. Thank you!

[@JamesMontana]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HousewerkRecords]

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

[@JamesMontana]

Sorry to hear that

[@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

[@TimMcGee-h6c]

Bob’s your uncle! I love you Brits! Seriously though, I have never seen that method and it is brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers mate!

[@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.

[@wilyc0y0te]

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

[@johnniesmith6872]

Thank you so much for this its a life saver and it's stopping rogues around by me ripping off the elderly .

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@twoshedsjackson6478]

I just tried this, on two stumps of posts that had been in situ for 20+ years. Both were badly rotten, one was rotten all the way to the bottom and almost HALF of it had just disappeared along it's length (It was still firmly stuck in there). I could only get ONE screw in (the other screws just pulled straight out). Because of the serious rot it took longer than a few minutes (but still much quicker than digging out the concrete) but eventually, they both came out. And the new posts went in the existing post holes. One more to do. Thanks for a really helpful video. Edit: The third one wouldn't budge, not even to a 5 ton stump jack. It was only three years old (modern posts for you) and barely rotted below the surface, I had to break up the concrete.

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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

[@richardmortimer8317]

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

[@JamesMontana]

Glad it helped!

[@randymarcell]

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

[@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...

[@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?

[@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

[@nigelthorne3554]

Excellent idea, I have pulled posts with rope tied to screws before but it had to get the ropes to stay on, your idea is brilliant. Thanks

[@ThomasBrown-f3w]

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

[@mikehopkins4040]

Did this today using a chain screwing through the chain deep into the post worked a treat.

[@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..😃

[@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.

[@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.

[@peterbarratt7911]

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

[@georgescott7311]

James, tried it and it worked like a hot damn! Thanks so much.

[@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.

[@tonyfulton9966]

Having spent many frustrating and back-breaking hours digging out posts using a breaker I’m definitely going to give this method a try.

[@JamesMontana]

Hope it helps

[@samsimpson3573]

Thanks again it has to help.

[@raven9802]

@@JamesMontana I like that idea, very useful thanks. To add another way, maybe you could just use a large bolt down into the old post, through a piece of chain, then put the bar through the chain to lever it out. If you didnt have a large crow bar you could use the old post as the lever. I used to do rock gardens, and move half ton rocks by hand. We used to use a scaffolding pole with the flat end for leverage.

[@high-voltage73]

Thanks a Million Mate!! Ive 4 of these to pull out in the garden. I dug one out already and it was a nightmare.

[@BigGuy8059]

I used a farm jack to do the same thing after spending hours digging the first post out because it had so much concrete around it. I wanted to replace the wood posts with steel chain link fence posts. They slip right it, and then you need a very small amount of concrete to set them. 12 more posts took the same amount of time that first post took, once I started working smarter. A shop vac is great for cleaning the rotten bits of wood out of the holes.

[@Retaile23]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 👍

[@nyqer6636]

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

[@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.

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for sharing, I'll give it a try here in Florida.

[@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.

[@alanwilliams4835]

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

[@KronkBoy4766]

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

[@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 👍

[@geoffreyworley5853]

Great video clear concise and easy to understand

[@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!

[@rexrexford5249]

Excellent video of a terrific technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@OpPoseidon]

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

[@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.

[@miketucker7466]

I’ve been doing this for years - I made a plate but might well buy a made one. It saves so much time

[@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. 👍

[@stevebarnes766]

Thanks for sharing this removal method!!

[@daraMgodfrey]

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

[@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 !

[@GdaySport]

Having recently done my front fence, I found my posts were rotten right down to the bottom. I managed to just get my hand down inside the perfect 4" square concrete hole and scoop it out. I have the back fence to do shortly, so will definitely remember this trick if they are not completely rotten! Thank you.

[@vanhalkr]

Where can I buy the tool?

[@JJamJ]

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

[@JamesMontana]

Always!

[@captainwiffwaff6201]

I’m in tears I wish I had watched this yesterday just spent 3hrs digging out a post

[@JamesMontana]

Oopsie

[@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 !

[@damienroberts7895]

Thanks for this! Very informative and helpful!

[@joelobozzo]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@peterjhillier7659]

Thanks for sharing, I have two Posts to remove, I've seen a Video by a Chap in America who used a Post Jack but they are over £75ea so your Option looks much Cheaper, mind I fancy I'll have to replace the Concrete, so I'll still have to break up the Concrete with my Bar as I've done in the Past.

[@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.

[@kurtmitchler5790]

Bob's my dad, but great tip!! Need to pull several posts soon, I may try my fence stake puller which works vertically w chain.

[@christopherbentley7289]

This might not have been directly applicable to my case, which is a half-blown-down fence post during Storm Eunice, but it was still very interesting, thanks. I wasn't looking for anything at the time. I just happened to spot this video on the KZbin homepage.

[@JamesMontana]

KZbin thinks people need to see this right now for some reason lol

[@Sheeeeeeeeeeeeiiitt]

Thanks for the tips from Florida.

[@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?

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

This successful method reminds me of the absolutely enormous mobile crane, the world's largest, used at the demo of Earl's Court Exhibition Centre. It took the place of James pulling out each individual concrete column foundation. Never thought of this use of a crane's power before.

[@sammywifigseventy1505]

Excellent, tried it out and it worked first attempt.

[@gordonthompson8600]

Great advice 👍 I've spent hours trying to get those things out in the past 😊

[@kevinmilner7479]

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

[@jamesovenstone188]

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

[@JamesMontana]

No problem!

[@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?

[@markjakymiw3415]

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

[@howardtennant5766]

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

[@pemj7360]

Hi mate just been watching your video. Excellent 👍. Regards the concrete. I use to use large eye bolts bolted to the concrete and a farm jack and lifted the whole lot out in one go . . Or a tripod poles and a hoist . No braking your back no sore hands . Plus if you do things right you can reuse the eye bolts again. I use to do fencing. For a living. Old tricks making life easy . Keep up the great work 👍

[@mantisman760]

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

[@weejohnbb]

I like the fly sound fx.

[@dannykrinkle4726]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 ,

[@gypsygem9395]

Saw this in my feed and watched because I've got fence posts i need to remove... Great video! Does it work with agricultural fence posts that are straight into the ground rather than concreted in?