- Unearthing fence posts, typically buried in a cement encasement, can be difficult.chain fence image by Maksym Dyachenko from Fotolia.com
There are two steps to dismantling a chain-link fence. Removing the fencing is the easy part. Unearthing the posts, typically buried in a cement encasement, can be more difficult. The first tool you'll need to remove a post is a shovel. You may also need other tools, depending on how deeply it is buried and how much cement surrounds it, as well as how movable the soil is. - A shovel, a pair of gloves, and safety glasses may be all you need if the metal post is not stubborn. Start by removing the dirt around the encasement. Dampen the soil and try to loosen the post by rocking it back and forth. If the base shakes loose from the surrounding earth, simply pull out the post.
- If the post does not budge, you may need a chain and a construction vehicle or truck. If the post is not rusted or easily bendable, try to tie a sturdy chain around the base of the post. Connect the other end of the chain to a truck, a front loader, a Bobcat or other construction vehicle. Accelerate the vehicle or lift the vehicle arm slowly to avoid bending the post.
- If you're removing many fence posts, you may want to consider a piece of equipment commonly called a post puller. Post pullers are essentially leverage tools that utilize either the operator's body weight or hydraulics to generate power. Some popular choices are Handyman or Hi-lift jacks.
- You can also use a come along puller, another hand-operated leverage tool. There are several ways to create leverage using a come along. One method is attaching the come-along to two posts that are relatively close. Hook one end of the come-along to the top of one post and the other end to the base of the second post. Then crank the come along, which will pull the two ends toward each other. One of the posts, usually the one attached at the top, will come out of the ground.
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