Removing fence Strainer

[crofter 65]

Hi, I am needing to replace some rotten fence strainers, but first I need to remove the old ones and there to rotten to try and pull out with the tractor or digger, I was planning to try and dig out on the side of the strainer that there is no tension on but don't want to make the hole to big and then have a job packing it in again.
Anyone have a better or good idea how to do this?

 

[puppet]

1.Use a post knocker to batter new one against the wire to keep it tight, nail up to take the tension then cut the old one off at ground level.
2. Otherwise get the spade out to clear out round the base, chain as low as possible and a spike to hold it while pulling.
3. Cut off, soak base with diesel then set fire to it. Rest will pull out easier

 

[Kidds]

Next door dug a hole. Ended up using a cube of concrete to get the new one firm.
I wouldn’t under any circumstance dig the old one out if you plan the new one to be in the same place.

 

[milkloss]

If they are rotten then you could drive a new post through the old stump. You’ll need a post driver though.

 

[Grouse]

Post knocker and a new creosoted strainer next to it or through the old post as above

 

[ARW]

Knock a new strainer post in on top of the old one, cut the point off to make it flat. Or you dig round enough to get a chain on to pull it out. Do not concrete strainers in, they rot quickly in concrete then you have a bigger problem
Or knock a new one in slightly to one side

 

[Paddington]

Got a local blacksmith to make me a 3ft long "harpoon" with a decent barb on it. The harpoon is hammered into the stump before being pulled out with the loader. I have used this with varying degrees of success, if the strainer is rotten you get a chunk of wood out of the centre, if the strainer is better than you thought, the tractor stands on its nose.

 

[Jameshenry]

Galvanised box barrier and drive in on top of the broken post

 

[Grouse]

As ARW mentioned above don’t concrete them in or they rot quicker. The only way to avoid this is 2 or 3 coats of bitumen.

I replaced a gatepost last year which I painted twice with bitumen and set in concrete in 1984, it was only replaced as the top rotted out. I thought 35 years wasn’t too bad !

 

[Dry Rot]

Dig down and pull out. If that leaves a big hole, put very large stone at the heel of the new post and repack the soil, then an equally large stone near the top at the fence side. Nail a foot of fence post across a rebate at the foot of the new post to stop it turning. Sections of railway sleeper work as well if there are no large stones.

I did that with some posts here over 30 years ago before the land was drained and the bottom of the hole was filling with water. The posts are still good. It's all sand here.

 

[crofter 65]

Thanks for the replies, since I don't have a driver I think I will have to dig them out and Pack with stones, thanks again.