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Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
#6151343
01/24/16 04:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313
tx hunter
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313 |
Started work on our first feeder pen today and it went a little slower than we'd hoped. Encountered a LOT of rock when trying to drive the t-posts. Used a rock bar and shovel most of the day and only got half of the pen put up. Hopefully I can get the other half tomorrow. I've read where some use a hammer drill with a 1-1/2" bit to get through the rock. Any thoughts? Thanks
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151375
01/24/16 05:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,830
BigPig
THF Celebrity
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Wade Dews, REALTOR ® Rendon Realty, LLC Frontline Real Estate Team www.RendonRealty.comWadeDews@gmail.com 214-356-2410 Up to 1% for closing costs for First Responders & Veterans Proudly partnered with Assist The Officer Foundation https://atodallas.org/
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151428
01/24/16 09:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
Veteran Tracker
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We use one of these to drive t-posts. You just need a portable gas compressor. It will break through most of the rocks we run into. Only issue we ever have is the clamp holding the t-post works loose so we have to stop it and retighten. Makes it really easy to drive posts.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151553
01/24/16 01:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 116
DaveTexas
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 116 |
I've done a few I did not want to have to rent any heavy equipment, generators or compressors to place mine.
I ended up using a hand held rotary hammer/hammer drill that just plugs in to a portable generator. Bosch and Dewalt make specific Rock bits you can get online. home depot will not usually have what you need for bits
The 5/8" bits cut through solid rock like butter (good for re-bar) The 1 1/2 " bits for the T-post work but its more work and I would not want to place a long fence using it. I was placing my t-post in solid rock not just rocky ground. rocky ground would be much easier.
Going into solid rock took me about 5-10 minutes for each 1 1/2 inch hole and about 5 seconds for each 5/8" hole for the 1 1/2 " holes I ended up making a 5/8" pilot hole then make the 1 1/2/" hole and that made it easier If you have a dirt/rock mix then placing the 1 1/2 " holes would take just a few seconds.
I found that the 1 1/2" bits take a SDS max hammer drill not a regular SDS drill. The 5/8" drill bits use a standard SDS hammer drill/rotary hammer
I ended up using the 5/8" for rebar to anchor down my feeders and also for most of the post for the feeder pens with just a few t-post. The rebar worked great for me in solid rock as post for the feeder pen. If you have a lot of dirt and rock mixed then I would stay with t-post.
If you have the equipment as shown above in the previous post, then that is the way to go for many t-post in a rocky/soil type ground. But I have found the 5/8 rebar works really well if in solid rock
Let me know and I can send you a link to the drill bits I use.
Last edited by DaveTexas; 01/24/16 02:45 PM.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: stxranchman]
#6151603
01/24/16 02:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,655
bigdavehunting
Pro Tracker
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This is the same thing I did with my pen but wired in three places on each end to connect them. It takes longer to put it together and a second person is needed. This works extremely well. The nice thing about it, you get to take your pen with you if you need to move it.
Last edited by bigdavehunting; 01/24/16 02:37 PM.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: DaveTexas]
#6151604
01/24/16 02:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266
bass101
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266 |
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: BigPig]
#6151607
01/24/16 02:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
looked like you didn't make much progress
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: Toxarch]
#6151611
01/24/16 02:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
We use one of these to drive t-posts. You just need a portable gas compressor. It will break through most of the rocks we run into. Only issue we ever have is the clamp holding the t-post works loose so we have to stop it and retighten. Makes it really easy to drive posts. won't work in rocks
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: DaveTexas]
#6151616
01/24/16 02:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
I've done a few I did not want to have to rent any heavy equipment, generators or compressors to place mine.
I ended up using a hand held rotary hammer/hammer drill that just plugs in to a portable generator. Bosch and Dewalt make specific Rock bits you can get online. home depot will not usually have what you need for bits
The 5/8" bits cut through solid rock like butter (good for re-bar) The 1 1/2 " bits for the T-post work but its more work and I would not want to place a long fence using it. I was placing my t-post in solid rock not just rocky ground. rocky ground would be much easier.
Going into solid rock took me about 5-10 minutes for each 1 1/2 inch hole and about 5 seconds for each 5/8" hole for the 1 1/2 " holes I ended up making a 5/8" pilot hole then make the 1 1/2/" hole and that made it easier If you have a dirt/rock mix then placing the 1 1/2 " holes would take just a few seconds.
I found that the 1 1/2" bits take a SDS max hammer drill not a regular SDS drill. The 5/8" drill bits use a standard SDS hammer drill/rotary hammer
I ended up using the 5/8" for rebar to anchor down my feeders and also for most of the post for the feeder pens with just a few t-post. The rebar worked great for me in solid rock as post for the feeder pen. If you have a lot of dirt and rock mixed then I would stay with t-post.
If you have the equipment as shown above in the previous post, then that is the way to go for many t-post. But I have found the 5/8 rebar works really well if in solid rock
Let me know and I can send you a link to the drill bits I use. this is the best way that I have found
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151620
01/24/16 02:44 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,146
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,146 |
From what I've seen on rocky areas the professional use a rock drill first then the automatic driver. Of course this helps them get a straight line. The larger SDS drill will do the same benefit for the feeder pen, get a drill extension for getting deeper. Having a converter hooked up to the battery would eliminate a generator.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: Dalee7892]
#6151651
01/24/16 03:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
WNPHNTR
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 306 |
puffer bit drill If you happen to have access to a tractor or skid loader, you can rent one of these and you'll have the job knocked out in no time. This is what we use when putting in tough stretches of fence. Called a puffer bit. [url=https://youTu.be/a7t1LRYz2-U][/url]
Last edited by WNPHNTR; 01/24/16 03:09 PM.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151687
01/24/16 03:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2007
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This is what we used. Basically a hammer drill/puff auger, made by Atlas Copco. Wet ground will clog the holes in the bit though. Takes about 1 to 2 minutes per hole. [video:youtube] [/video] [video:youtube] [/video] [video:youtube] [/video] [video:youtube] [/video] [video:youtube] [/video]
Last edited by deerfeeder; 01/24/16 03:32 PM.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151691
01/24/16 03:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 12,356 |
Also use this in softer ground. [video:youtube] [/video]
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151878
01/24/16 05:38 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,146
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
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Ohhhhh, all these fancy toys, just me and my fence post driver and a drill, In the construction industry they have a bolt with course thread design to attach items in concrete, use a hammer drill and driver, they are about 1/2" dia. Different lengths. Weld plate (10" square) to bottom of T post or pipe with holes in corners. Another idea same as above but with epoxy and all thread cut to length.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6151965
01/24/16 06:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,800
TexasKC
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,800 |
Seeing this stuff makes me appreciate my sandy soil. I'm too danged old to be fighting rocky ground like that.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: Dalee7892]
#6151986
01/24/16 07:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356 |
Ohhhhh, all these fancy toys, just me and my fence post driver and a drill, In the construction industry they have a bolt with course thread design to attach items in concrete, use a hammer drill and driver, they are about 1/2" dia. Different lengths. Weld plate (10" square) to bottom of T post or pipe with holes in corners. Another idea same as above but with epoxy and all thread cut to length. Not fancy toys, when you are building feed pens for money, you get them done asap. Those in the pics just HAD to be octagon shaped pens. Same with the BellTec, when you have miles of fence to put up and only a few days to do it, it's worth it to get the holes punched asap.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: colt45-90]
#6152012
01/24/16 07:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062 |
We use one of these to drive t-posts. You just need a portable gas compressor. It will break through most of the rocks we run into. Only issue we ever have is the clamp holding the t-post works loose so we have to stop it and retighten. Makes it really easy to drive posts. won't work in rocks I guess you missed the part where I said it does.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6152042
01/24/16 07:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,604
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,604 |
Guess my old hand powered twist auger is too old school, but it works well
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#6152115
01/24/16 08:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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Guess my old hand powered twist auger is too old school, but it works well My grandpa had one of those and extensions to go deep. My dad had me out helping with that when I was about 6 or 7. I have looked and looked at antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, etc. to find one, but haven't come across one yet. They are great tools for dirt.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: deerfeeder]
#6152131
01/24/16 08:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,604
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,604 |
Guess my old hand powered twist auger is too old school, but it works well My grandpa had one of those and extensions to go deep. My dad had me out helping with that when I was about 6 or 7. I have looked and looked at antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, etc. to find one, but haven't come across one yet. They are great tools for dirt. This is one for rock, has an auger rock bit about the size of the t=post, little smaller. I've got those twist types for dirt too, one of the few that will work in muddy ground
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6152152
01/24/16 08:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I have taken a piece of heavy rebar that was 3/4" or larger and put a point on it. Then drive it in the ground with a sledge hammer for a starter hole. Works pretty good in rocky ground that is not solid rock for setting T-posts.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6152223
01/24/16 09:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161
SouthWestIron
Veteran Tracker
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One of my rancher friends way out in West Texas/Eastern New Mexico favorite sayings is " it beats digging post holes in the rock!"
Last edited by blazin; 01/24/16 11:18 PM.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)]
#6152291
01/24/16 10:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,356
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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This is one for rock, has an auger rock bit about the size of the t=post, little smaller.
That sounds like work.
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Re: Drivin t-post in rocky ground??
[Re: tx hunter]
#6152865
01/25/16 02:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313
tx hunter
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313 |
Thanks for all the ideas guys I'll keep em in mind for the next pen.
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