Post knockers…. Thoughts and opinions

Bob the beef

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Scot Borders
I have been pondering buying a post knocker for a couple of years. Working on my own on an all grass livestock unit I have plenty fencing to do. Looked at telehandler mounted models and was put off by the possible long term damage to the handler, and lack of weight. Have looked at basic tractor mounted models £2/3k (Malone multec etc) and just think they have severe limitations on my type of terrain. So that leaves mid range tractor mounted models in the £5/6k price bracket. Don’t really want to spend that kind of money but have come round to thinking for working on my own it may be necessary . Have looked for months for something decent 2nd hand and found nothing. Looking for other’s thoughts?
 
i have a parameter mounted to the jcb pivot steer fairly old knocker and loader but its very accurate for putting post in. very cheap to do just plug the hydraulics into the headstock and away you go. never had much damage to the loader, its a fair light knocker but because its mounted to the loader you can start off with a good drop wack and that gets you going with strainers , post are easy
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
You need to spend as much as you can afford to get a useful machine. The basic ones are pretty limited as you've said, so you need that mid range knocker. The type of knocker will depend on your ground, if your on easy going soil forever land then a simple machine with a lighter weight will do. If your on hard, shaley upland stuff you'll need a heavier weight and rockspike /auger to get posts in adequately.
Sometimes you'll get posts in well in mid winter but same knocker on same ground in the summer will struggle, so your timing will also dictate what how well the knocker will perform.

Realistically Protech are the only one making a range of ok mid range knockers.
 

Al R

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Wales
I bought a Protech P220+, got it on a old manitou 524 which handles it well, knocked in 38 posts by myself centre of a stone hedge in an hour last year. Put in plenty of gate posts and none have moved yet. I’ve got a 350kg weight, hydraulic side tilt and a rock spike 👍🏻
 

Bob the beef

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Scot Borders
i have a parameter mounted to the jcb pivot steer fairly old knocker and loader but its very accurate for putting post in. very cheap to do just plug the hydraulics into the headstock and away you go. never had much damage to the loader, its a fair light knocker but because its mounted to the loader you can start off with a good drop wack and that gets you going with strainers , post are easy
How heavy is your hammer? Would need min 300kg here
 

Bob the beef

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Scot Borders
You need to spend as much as you can afford to get a useful machine. The basic ones are pretty limited as you've said, so you need that mid range knocker. The type of knocker will depend on your ground, if your on easy going soil forever land then a simple machine with a lighter weight will do. If your on hard, shaley upland stuff you'll need a heavier weight and rockspike /auger to get posts in adequately.
Sometimes you'll get posts in well in mid winter but same knocker on same ground in the summer will struggle, so your timing will also dictate what how well the knocker will perform.

Realistically Protech are the only one making a range of ok mid range knockers.
Protech better than Wrag?
 

Chieftain

Member
Mixed Farmer
Protech are certainly a high quality machine, knocked in hundreds of posts with a P200S and the adjustability makes it so easy even if you get a post going in wonky. Especially working on sand, they're the only way to sensibly get the posts in the ground when it's as dry as concrete. Only thing that's been replaced on it is the weight rope and the pad that rests on the post.

Would take caution using one by yourself though, heard of someone smashing their hand to bits being in a rush and holding post on top when dropping the weight onto it. Good to have two men to have one on the controls and one holding the post/watching it goes in upright.
 

spin cycle

Member
Location
north norfolk
anyone use one of these?

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Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
I've a Knight Kinghitter. Bought it 2nd hand off a fencing contractor back in 2008 after several years debating it... it's done a hell of a lot of work and the pins are worn but it beats swinging a Mel every single time.

Consensus between brother dad and I is we should never have debated it. It is one of the best things we've ever bought! Using it today in fact repairing a gateway.


It's got a 300kg weight. We do not pinch any holes any more or have a rock spike - it sends in anything and everything in. Just have to know what you're doing
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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