Rotted Telegraph Pole - How to Remove?

[NomdePlume]

Have an old telegraph pole gate post which has rotted at ground level and collapsed - given where it is (and the massive lump of concrete it was set in), I really need to put a replacement in the same place. Can anyone suggest how to remove the rest of it which is below ground level? I’ve had the chainsaw in the hole, but it was tough going and I‘ve gone as deep as I can with it. Tried hammering in pointed crowbars to split it, but that’s a waste of time.

 

[Fendt516profi]

Swan vestas

 

[Sharpy]

Get a long post with the same diameter and get it driven in with a good post driver. I wouldn't point the end.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Swan vestas

I’d try burning it out too

 

[Ollie.mclean]

You'll probably have to bust the concrete first. Depending how big you're talking, a decent heavy pointed bar and lots of sweat. I usually look for the smallest width of concrete between post and ground, keep going at that in the same spot till it splits, then keep busting it out in sections. Once you've got some out and there is a void for it to break away into it becomes easier. Then when you have a clean hole, break up the removed concrete with a sledge hammer, put your new post in the hole and back fill with soil and the broken concrete, ramming it firm in 4-6" layers evenly around the post. This way the water can drain away from the post and should last a lot longer than concreted in...if it doesn't it'll be easier to replace than this one!

 

[milkloss]

We had one in the yard....... airline and propane bottle sorted it in a few hours.

 

[Dry Rot]

Probably too late, but I'd try chipping the concrete away to expose as much of the remaining post as possible, put a racket strap (old worn ones that have gone a bit soft work best) with a timber hitch (Google) over the stump and try to extract it vertically, either with a fore loader or lift arms. The timber hitch tends to grip but the strap will inevitably slip a bit, but it does work.

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you drill down as far as possible through the centre of the post and fill the hole with saltpetre and light a fire on the top, the wood will smoulder away until it's all burnt, but I've never tried it and I don't suppose it's quick! Saltpetre also helps the wood rot.

 

[startinghandle]

Probably too late, but I'd try chipping the concrete away to expose as much of the remaining post as possible, put a racket strap (old worn ones that have gone a bit soft work best) with a timber hitch (Google) over the stump and try to extract it vertically, either with a fore loader or lift arms. The timber hitch tends to grip but the strap will inevitably slip a bit, but it does work.

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you drill down as far as possible through the centre of the post and fill the hole with saltpetre and light a fire on the top, the wood will smoulder away until it's all burnt, but I've never tried it and I don't suppose it's quick! Saltpetre also helps the wood rot.

Is saltpetre still available?
We used it when aplying salt to pig 40 years ago
Isn't it one of the ingredients in gunpowder?

 

[startinghandle]

Have an old telegraph pole gate post which has rotted at ground level and collapsed - given where it is (and the massive lump of concrete it was set in), I really need to put a replacement in the same place. Can anyone suggest how to remove the rest of it which is below ground level? I’ve had the chainsaw in the hole, but it was tough going and I‘ve gone as deep as I can with it. Tried hammering in pointed crowbars to split it, but that’s a waste of time.

Is post used for hanging gate and how big or for slamming

 

[Fendt516profi]

 

[Goweresque]

Get a long post with the same diameter and get it driven in with a good post driver. I wouldn't point the end.

If the post driver has a rock spike a few passes down through the remainder of the post would break it up well, and help driving in the new one.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would try tipping diesel in the hole (with a touch of petrol too) and burning it out, if it doesn't work all you have lost is 1/2 gal of diesel

 

[Alchad]

I can usually pull old gate posts out by wrapping a chain around it, making a simple knot and lifting with the front end loader. The chain grips into the wood as you lift. Try and pull as straight up as you can.

Alchad

 

[NomdePlume]

Thanks all - what’s left is broken off below ground, some crumbly and wet, some was hard enough to make the chainsaw struggle, it’s not going to come out with a strap or chain around it. Burning might be the last resort.
How much depth does a light 8ft galv gate really need?

 

[Dry Rot]

Is saltpetre still available?
We used it when aplying salt to pig 40 years ago
Isn't it one of the ingredients in gunpowder?

It is indeed. Potassium nitrate. Bought some recently in an attempt to make my own smoke bombs to smoke out rabbits. Didn't work.

Get a 360. Do it right, do it once.

 

[Clive]

Have an old telegraph pole gate post which has rotted at ground level and collapsed - given where it is (and the massive lump of concrete it was set in), I really need to put a replacement in the same place. Can anyone suggest how to remove the rest of it which is below ground level? I’ve had the chainsaw in the hole, but it was tough going and I‘ve gone as deep as I can with it. Tried hammering in pointed crowbars to split it, but that’s a waste of time.

ask a harvest student to park next to it, they are experts at removing gate posts

 

[farmerm]

or thermite

 

[Bobthebuilder]

If it’s only for an 8ft galv gate knock in a bit of 4” square box section into old post and concrete around space left

 

[milkloss]

It is indeed. Potassium nitrate. Bought some recently in an attempt to make my own smoke bombs to smoke out rabbits. Didn't work.

Get a 360. Do it right, do it once.

mix of sugar, saltpetre and a handful of ground pepper all cooked in a drinks can till molten and stirred....strip of mag in the top to ignite.

 

[Paddington]

A local blacksmith made me up a barbed harpoon about 3ft long which I bashed into the stump of a gatepost, then pulled it out with the loader (after standing the tractor on its nose a couple of times).