Thinking I'd like to have a power driver for driving T posts. I'm getting too old and stove up to do it with a manual driver any more.

I've seen a couple in the $400 range are supposed to work pretty well, but...

Anybody got any experience with one?

Brands/Sources/Prices?

Get the grandson over with his Mini whenever you need to drive T-posts
Problem solved and you dont need to spend money on something that sits around and rarely gets used and will be worth nothing to anyone later

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Get the grandson over with his Mini whenever you need to drive T-posts
Problem solved and you dont need to spend money on something that sits around and rarely gets used and will be worth nothing to anyone later

If it was a one-time deal, and/or he wasn't 100 miles away, that'd be the solution.

I'm thinking of at least two projects, possibly 3, all at different locations.

I rent one for the day. The 400 dollar ones aren’t as good but might work for what you want to do. I only have experience with the rentals.

quote:

Originally posted by dar185:
I rent one for the day. The 400 dollar ones aren’t as good but might work for what you want to do. I only have experience with the rentals.

Hmmmm. Hadn't thought about renting. I'll look into that, thanks!

EDIT: $100/day! Wouldn't take long to pay for one at that rate.

Do you have a tractor?
Have you searched Youtube for innovated solutions?
With all your plunder I cannot imagine you don't have something on hand to help you.
Some kind of hyd. press?

THIS. I know you have a tractor or access to one. I just start them with a quick hammer tap and then push with the bucket. Easy peasy. I do this for horse fences all the time. Anything hydraulic can work. These are my wifes fence lines for horses and we move them all they time. Depending on what's closest I push them with buckets, backhoe buckets, excavator bucket, forks, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
THIS. I know you have a tractor or access to one. I just start them with a quick hammer tap and then push with the bucket. Easy peasy.

True, as far as it goes.

Access is one issue, transporting the tractor 25/30 miles to the other project is another.

Doable tho.

Here’s what my wife asks. Where’s it gonna live? It has to go somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Imabmwnut:
Here’s what my wife asks. Where’s it gonna live? It has to go somewhere.

The post driver? (Which, BTW I've decided against...) All sorts of room to stash it, it's not all that big.

A manual driver, a length of 4" pipe capped on one end with handles welded on the sides can be surprisingly effective, and much less cost/weight/hassle than a powered driver. Beats the hell out of using a sledge.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
A manual driver, a length of 4" pipe capped on one end with handles welded on the sides can be surprisingly effective, and much less cost/weight/hassle than a powered driver. Beats the hell out of using a sledge.

I have one I've used for years, but it raises hell with my shoulders. Came to the conclusion that the powered driver wouldn't be much of an improvement in that department.

This is what we use at work to drive sign posts for the city. We have used it for driving t-posts through asphalt for temporary fencing. See if you can rent one. I have arthritis in my shoulders so driving posts with a sledgehammer is out. https://rhinotool.com/product/multi-pro/

Rent a college kid??? Have him use your old t-post driver.

Pay him in beer.

 
I read somewhere (Garage Journal?) about using a rotary hammer or hammer drill to drive 8ft. ground rods.

Do you have a 3 point wood splitter?

How about some minor modifications to use it for driving stakes?

Problem is the ground you’re driving into. No hammer feature then the ground needs to be pretty soft and clear of stone.