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Hay, Forage & Livestock EquipmentPost Drivers and Fence Builders
A post driver pushes fence posts into the ground faster and straighter than hand tools. Knowing the types and their limits helps you pick one that fits your tractor, your soil and the fence you plan to build.
Key points
- Pick a driver that your tractor or loader can carry and keep stable.
- Set and plumb corner and end posts first.
- Stay clear of the mast and weight, and wear hearing protection.
- Call 811 before driving any post.
- Hire a crew when the job is long, rocky or steep.
How does a post driver work?
Most post drivers use a heavy weight that rises and drops onto the top of a post, driving it down. Some are hydraulic, using a cylinder to raise and release the weight or to push it with force. Others use a spring or an air hammer. The design changes how loud the machine is, how fast it works and what power it needs.
A driver does not dig a hole. It displaces soil, so the post is held tight on all sides, which many builders prefer for steel T-posts and for wooden posts in softer ground.
What types of post drivers are there?
Hand drivers are a steel tube with handles that you slide up and down over a post. They work for short lines and light posts. Three-point hitch drivers mount on a tractor and are common on farms. Skid steer and loader attachments hang from a quick-attach plate. Truck or utility vehicle mounted units serve contractors who build many miles.
Each has a different reach, mast length and power need. Check your operator's manual for the hitch category, hydraulic flow and weight your tractor or loader can carry.
- Hand driver for short, light jobs.
- Three-point hitch driver for tractor work.
- Skid steer attachment for fast setup near a loader.
- Truck or UTV mounted unit for long lines.
How do you pick a driver for your tractor?
Start with what your machine can lift and power. A front-heavy driver on a light tractor can lift the rear tires, and a top-heavy mast can tip the machine on a slope. Ask the dealer to confirm that the implement is rated for your tractor and does not exceed the lift or stability limits.
Match the driver to your posts too. A driver sized for small steel posts may not handle large wooden posts.
How do you drive posts straight and at the right depth?
Mark your line with string or flags and drive the corners and ends first. Check the post for plumb with a level from two sides before and during driving. Posts drift when they hit rocks or hard layers, so stop early and reposition rather than forcing them.
Depth and spacing depend on soil, fence type and livestock. Your local extension or NRCS office can tell you what suits your area, and the fence maker publishes guidance for its products.
What hazards come with post driving?
Falling weights, pinch points and flying chips are the main dangers. Keep your hands and body clear of the mast and drive path, and never stand under a raised weight. Hearing protection matters, since driving is loud work.
Call 811 before you drive anything into the ground, and watch for overhead lines when you raise the mast. Never remove guards, and shut the machine down and relieve hydraulic pressure per the manual before adjusting anything.
Keep children and bystanders well away. A driver can throw a chip from a splintered post or a piece of loose hardware.
How do you keep a post driver in working order?
Grease the mast slides and pivot points on the schedule in the manual. Inspect hydraulic hoses and fittings for chafing or seepage, but never feel for a leak with your hand, because pressurized fluid can cause serious injury. Look for cracked welds on the mast and weight guides.
Wipe off mud and dirt after use, and store the machine under cover with the weight resting down. If the machine starts to hit weakly or stalls, stop and find out why.
When is it better to hire a fence crew?
If you have a long boundary, rough rock, steep ground or a tight schedule, a contractor with specialized machines may finish faster and straighter than you can. For a 30-acre pasture on level ground, owning or renting a driver often makes sense. For a few hundred feet around a garden, a hand driver may be all you need.
Ask any contractor about how they locate buried utilities and brace corners, and ask for references in your area.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.