The Fastest and Easiest Way to Remove a Fence Post (that works every time)

In this video, you'll learn the best way to remove a fence post and the concrete footing. This is the fastest, easiest fence post removal method that works every time, with no expensive tools, and very little digging.
This will even work when the fence post has rotted off at the base.
The secret to pulling a fence post, even if it's in hard packed or rocky soil, is to use a hi-lift jack and a steel chain.
First, wrap the steel chain around the concrete footing. You may have to dig a few inches down, but not far.
Then, hook the chain to the high lift jack and start jacking it up. The post should easily pop right out of the ground, allowing you to repair or replace the broken post without having to spend all day digging.
I also cover a few other methods that you could use to remove a fence post that is set in concrete, and I talk about why I don't recommend those methods.
Video on how to repair a fence post: • How to Fix a Broken Fe...
Learn how to generate a six figure income fixing fences (and many other home repairs) at www.handymanstartup.com.

[@TheBeligerentBum]

I had 4 rotted out fence post with concrete stuck in the ground. I spent hours trying to dig it out and then my wife found this video. Next day we went out and bought a $60 farm jack and some chain. I had all 4 post pulled in an hour and a half. It was 100% worth buying the jack and this video saved me a lot of pain. Thanks!

[@jorgesoriano8906]

I would’ve charge them 60$ to take em out and in less then an hour

[@ernestanderson3726]

@@jorgesoriano8906 , if you're around Chicago, I have 4 of them that need to come out. $60 it is!!

[@manninc2000]

@@ernestanderson3726 Since Jorge never replied I just yanked two out today. $47 at Harbor Freight for the jack. Kankakee county here.

[@tonysnowtexas8906]

@@manninc2000 we only use sledge hammers to remove them here in Houston

[@gavinriley]

@@tonysnowtexas8906 that doesn’t sound like the best way lol

[@haroldprice1030]

I can vouch for this video. Several years ago I bought that same heavy lifting jack expressly for that same exact purpose he demonstrating and it definitely does the job.

[@wannabelikegzus]

Just wanted to say thanks for this! I had to pull 21 4x4 posts today, and I was able to do it all in under two hours, by myself, because of this video (didn't have to dig anything, because the posts were still unrotted).

[@lgd1974]

I've seen a dozen of these videos, and yours was the clearest and best. Thank you.

[@amos616]

Thanks! The ones I'd seen before used a wood jig drilled into a wood fence post but we have metal poles. This works so much better pulling with the chain on the cement directly!

[@smiles813]

Thanks for taking the extra time to teach some other methods and the reason this method is the best. Great tutorial.

[@xrdang]

Thank you for posting this video. Using your instructions I just removed an old concrete post that's been an eyesore for many years.

[@gsm7983]

"A TON " of information, thanks. best one yet. & , no music . Nice.

[@eldiaeshoypodcast550]

This definitely is a time saver as well as labor cost! Thank you for sharing!

[@DanuserCompany]

Thanks for sharing. I like how you show and compare the different methods.

[@kennethbranscum2738]

Thank you, sir. I was leaning towards the spare rim method prior to seeing this video.

[@jkwo2007]

My case was the rotted and broken post. I used the chain as yours, a piece of 4X4 over the cement footing and the floor jack, instead of the farm jack. Ratcheting or hydraulic force, the same idea. Your video proves I was on the right track. Thanks.

[@rubenfuentes9145]

2 minutes and 15 seconds in you got a subscriber lol. I have rarely seen someone go over other methods and give you the cons right off the bat. Love it! Great vid!

[@Canosa612]

Thanks for the good video. The last one with the car jack was the best.

[@ratkocosic89]

Great video and great method for removing posts. Worth every penny using the jack

[@Pizzamays]

Just removed 6 post so quickly thanks to this method (have a few more to go). It’s gonna save us a ton of money for the fence install. Thanks a ton!

[@StayHandy]

Glad it helped

[@qasmb1546]

How long did it take you?

[@Pizzamays]

Probably about an hour. So each post took about 10 mins to wrap the chain, crank up the post, take the chain off, and transfer to where we were storing to toss them.

[@qasmb1546]

@@Pizzamays That's pretty impressive.

[@manninc2000]

Huge thanks for this video. Spent two hours trying to dig out two posts that were side by side before seeing this video. Quick trip to harbor freight and Farm and Fleet and boom out in like 30ish minutes.

[@StayHandy]

Great to hear!

[@davevarga]

Thank you, great instructional on different approaches to pull out a concreted post!

[@contentedspirit9022]

Just found this and LOVE that last method. I've got lots of these to dig up and replace. Definitely going to use this method. Thank you!

[@haroldwitmer1150]

Contented Spirit o

[@mrharlemike28]

Great informative video! I love that you covered all the options for removing the post. Definitely subscribed!

[@StayHandy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@f-puppet4059]

Just the video I was looking for. Thank you!!!

[@africancichlids3011]

Deff the best way to go with the jack. Thanks for the vid

[@Bob_Adkins]

Too much work. Just duct tape a mailbox to it, and someone will knock the post down within 2 days.

[@walterthekidd3106]

Bob, Now you're using your head. That's the easiest way yet. Sometimes you just have to think a little to come up with a good plan. Great idea Bob..

[@marksmith1744]

Good one Bob!

[@noopsspoon5250]

Thanks Bob

[@ldsphotodude49]

You sound like a Red Green kinda guy! Lol

[@TP.111]

LMAO! Even if it's in the BACKyard, that method should STILL work!

[@sproket5228]

brilliant. worked perfectly for me. thanks for the terrific idea.

[@FuzzballToday]

Thx for this video..A old lady needs help sometimes and this really helps out getting rid of a old swingset in the backyard! Thx

[@craigatteberry7151]

Thanks! The hi-lift jack worked great! Worth the investment on the jack and chain.

[@billchessell8213]

Just what I was looking for Dan, post rotted out to the concrete Thanks!

[@wahinenuiloa]

Best video on this topic! Simple steps and relatively safe process.

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hatchfly]

Good video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Engineerboy100]

Great idea, there is also a Fence Post popper that works well using this method, cheaper than a house jack. Thanks for posting.

[@Moni-ud4ql]

Darn. If I only had such a chain and a high lift jack. Doh. I got so excited. You covered every angle too.

[@RockyJayyy]

Yeah me too

[@TheNinjaLife]

Awesome video. very informative and well broke down. thanks

[@jimgriffiths9071]

Nice one Dan! I like it!

[@thomasnichols9839]

I’m going into the fence repair business as there seems to be no one in this field that is affordable. So needles to say I am looking up all the secrets of the trade to get all my tools and supplies. This video gave me a ton of insight as to what I may be into. I purchased a farm jack and chain. Wish me luck. Thank you much for sharing this trick. It out of all that I have found seems to be the best of most choices I have with my budget. I’ll let you know how I’m doing.

[@bigears5809]

Really enjoyed this Dan ... thank you

[@ab_ab_c]

Connect two 5 ft long 2x4s to the top of the jack post using a 6" bolt & nut to act as 2 legs of a tripod (your jack post serving as the 3rd leg of the tripod) & then your jack won't lean while lifting the post out of the ground. Very good vid! Thanks for sharing!

[@davischil4577]

You rock man! Great idea and great video, thanks for sharing!!

[@Digmen1]

I liked the way you explained all the other methods. I dont wont to hire that jack as I only have a few post to remove so, I wil ltry the method where do dig just one side and see if that works.

[@robh.6940]

Great video. Answered my question.

[@luisbernardez4853]

Dude, all I can honestly say is thank you!!!

[@marathonrunner2590]

Sir, You did an OUTSTANDING job of explaining everything. Your approach was professional and could easily be understood by all viewers. Kudos all around!!! Please accept my best wishes for continued success. All the best........

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregorybower9498]

Thanks. Well done, and very useful.

[@dryerventcleans]

Perfect solution after digging for an hour I found this 5 minutes later it was out. Thank you so much

[@skirch9790]

Great video Dan. Start podcasting again please.

[@gadget850]

Works like a charm. I also pulled some metal posts and used vice grips to prevent the chain from slipping. And now an associate at Tractor Supply knows what a farm jack is.

[@seniorpastorbobgcv9501]

Excellent presentation! Thank you

[@kalasingabaya]

Thank you much, we were trying to figure out how to do the and come across this video, gonna use this method and will let you know how it went.

[@anthonyhyte9198]

I have done it the leverage way and you are right, it is brutal-your jack idea is how I will fix the next rotted post that comes along=thanks for sharing.

[@SilentWolfFarts]

Cool I will have to give it a try this summer

[@annestudley8235]

That was great information - thanks a lot for that. However, how would I replace a post that is being used in a T-bar trellis with a perennial vine being supported by it without destroying the vine?

[@PipeScholar]

Awesome video! love the way you tackle problems

[@Pipsquacky]

Thanks for the helpful video!!

[@roberthall3301]

Great idea! Thanks

[@waynedavis4802]

now i have a broken post almost under a cement curb. i have a farm jack plus a steal digger. now would i pullout this headache that I been looking at for three years. by the way your video is excellent, keep up the great ideas.

[@josephlongoria7250]

You are a genius. I love this idea

[@roger_is_red]

liked that video! Will be trying that

[@joegasparro934]

Your idea worked best for Canadian soil. Thanks

[@StayHandy]

Glad it helped

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

Damn, what a time saver - thanks! I've dug em up completely before, takes hours

[@StayHandy]

I’ve tried digging them too. Not fun.

[@bluveiner43]

Have been using this method for years.With some variations.

[@enushalu2548]

Seriously good explanation of remove a dead fence post !

[@StayHandy]

Thanks!

[@kgband]

The tire method works great!

[@alecbotash2427]

Definitely thumbs up ! Thanks for video !

[@StayHandy]

Thanks for watching!

[@RequiumFrost]

What if your posts and secured in the ground with the new expanding foam product? Would you still recommend using the chain, or would it shred the foam under the pressure of the jack?

[@ReubenHarrisJr]

Great info sir! Thanks

[@marcinligeza7501]

In Toronto, our pier footings go 4 feet deep. We pull out posts with a chain on an excavator bucket. That's the best method for multiple posts.

[@richardvonstein5697]

Nice solution. Thanks.

[@huzursa3449]

Very nice explanation

[@andrewclark2794]

Great idea; thanks.

[@adrianomeneses6683]

Thanks i like the jack method

[@dallasmore6703]

Pretty Cool! Good Job Boys!

[@georgecorbett9832]

Good ideas, and he is pretty cute looking also!

[@yassirc3681]

Worked like a charm. Thanks.

[@StayHandy]

Glad it helped

[@paulluongo2756]

Good idea.... Definitely worth trying... Thank You..m

[@derekgrier1624]

Good method, here in UK, as he mentioned, wood posts are usually rotten at the base so the only way is to either break out the post with a heavy breaker or my preferred method is to break out half the concrete then loosen the stump with a few knocks of a lump hammer and extract with log grips/tongs. You are left with a slot for the new post and only need half the amount of Postcrete or just plain cement as the post is held in place

[@jiritichy7967]

Worth considering.

[@alcatailmp]

Imagine this guy trying to explain to his kids the birds and the bees. It would entail 4 different ways, the messes they create, and the best way he prefers - all backed up with some whiteboard diagrams...

[@dougskroback9358]

Thank you for the information. I had an old fence that I was replacing. I had someone to offer to and clean up some brush that had grown up. Also clean up and haul away. He asked for $1,000. After seeing your video I went down to the local farm store and bought the Jack ($100.00). It took my wife and I a day and a half to do it. Thanks

[@StayHandy]

Glad it worked out for you!

[@asharamisal4382]

Great video!

[@dmaninthewall]

Thank you Dan Perry you’re a genius

[@cranstjs]

We did the method in another video with farm jack from Harbor Freight (it's not the best jack quality wise but it works). I had a scrap 8" 4 x4 block. I used that with two 8" long 1/2" bolts with washers and nuts. Drilled 5/8" clearance holes through block. Then drilled one hole into post, secured bolt loosely, then second hole marked with block in place slight drill to mark, then move and drill through. Then with both bolts in place, put nuts and washers on finger tight, mount about a foot or two off the ground. Set the jack under the block and start lifting. It is still hard when a full 50 lb bag of cement and clay soil is in place to do it. Luckily we were two people and we both had to put full weight on the arm to push the jack (two of us at about 200 lb each. You get the picture). It's like freeing the post from Oden's grip. (These were 4 x 4 wooden posts.) It took the two of us to drag the pole with concrete to another spot as well. Yeesh. Have fun.

[@cindymurray12]

Wow…thank you so much!

[@dogh2o921]

My Hi-Lift is an extreme model with the a second hook at the top. You can use this same procedure for pulling out deep rooted shrubs but uses two chains, one at the root ball and one anchored elsewhere with a steel stake or heavy vehicle. One last trick is to anchor the top with a chain to keep the jack from wanting to pull into the work. This is mostly for more dangerous and critical work. You can even use it to square framed walls.

[@mendezangel110]

Great video! Gonna try this.

[@StayHandy]

Let me know how it goes!

[@nunurbuisness5578]

I used a 2×4 with a log to leverage mynpost out. I only had 1 posfvtovremove and no car Jack thank you do much

[@gregorymorris10]

Any advice/recommendation for my situation? Here is my dilemma. The previous genius (sarcasm) of an owner set a wooden post bordering beside, on three sides, a 1.) wall, 2.) concrete driveway, and 3.) tree with gnarled, encapsulating roots. I am having a hell of a difficult time digging away at even a side or two. Should I continue pounding away at the concrete with a sledge hammer or is there another solution?

[@mauricelee7299]

Thanks. I am definitely going to try this. I need to remove about 4 post and I think I can do it with this method

[@StayHandy]

Let me know how it goes!

[@natewoodard34]

good video thanks

[@leesmith2200]

How did you arrive at your force measurements? Please show your calculations.

[@chargermopar]

Fastest way for me, get skid steer, auger and chain. I use the chain the same way as you.

[@rgg4530]

Good information

[@javiermalo01]

Thank you, very useful!

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful.

[@babehopeee]

Good method i will start using that from now on instead of digging all that dirt

[@adrianlouviere7650]

good job. Thanks

[@Motor908]

love the idea

[@jimmyjones2896]

Screwdriver and a shop vac worked awesome for me in clay and rocky soil.

[@woodman1701]

This is how I was trained. I’ve since moved on. Now I use two jacks on both sides. Use a hose to blast the water into the dirt (straight down) around the concrete to soften the soil. It acts like WD-40 for the concrete. Push the hose as deep as possible into the dirt. Let it soak more than a minute like that each time. You can use one jack but it tends to snap posts. Two jacks (chains) can wrap the base of the wood post without having to wrap the concrete. Save yourself the digging. If post snaps then dig around the now soft dirt around the concrete. Use one jack for concrete as it’s hard to get two chains on them. Alternatively if replacing a fenceline only pull the corner posts. The inline posts just cut them off and leave the concrete. Don’t forget to call 811 first.

[@johnabbott1999]

what thickness chain would you use 6mm tough enough ?

[@pipebandrudiments]

beautiful

[@evasetyo2314]

Thank you, Its very helpfull

[@StayHandy]

Your welcome!

[@ERMAC4482]

I just bought a 42 inch High Jack ,that should work ? Also how long of a chain , I just bought one with slip hook and grab hook that is 4 feet long.I got bombed with the Derecho that just hit Iowa .

[@happyshoe1]

Wow, this is AWESOME! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!