How to Use a Post Driver Attachment for Skid Steer?
Table of Contents:
1. What is a Post Driver?
2. What is a Hydraulic Post Driver?
3. Hydraulic Post Drivers - How to Use Them?
4. Quality is of the Essence
Nowadays, privacy and security are one of the most precious things one can have. The simple aspect of fencing our property makes us feel safe. Even if it is a short wooden fence, its installation is one of the first steps we take whilst building our house. It is probably also one of the tasks we would love to save money on by doing it ourselves, rather than delegating it to a contractor. A very smart move!
All you need is a skid steer and a post driver attachment. It would also be handy to know how to properly operate the machine. It is where we come with help. We present you with an ultimate guide on post driver attachments and how to operate them.
What is a Post Driver?
A post driver, post pounder, post knocker, or fence driver, is a piece of equipment allowing you to drive fence posts into the ground. The key to performing this operation is to place posts firmly in the ground and make your fence last forever. Easy? It only seems so! The posts must be rooted into the ground so no outside element causes your fence to fall over.
The post driver does the job perfectly by driving posts deeply and evenly in the ground and at the same time not damaging the posts. You can either use a manual post driver or a hydraulic one. The latter makes all the difference so today's article will look into details of how to use it.
What is a Hydraulic Post Driver?
The hydraulic post driver is an attachment thanks to which you can use your tractor, skid steer, or even an excavator to help you drive fence posts. Performing the job with manual post drivers is also possible, however very demanding and time-consuming.
Thanks to the the hydraulic pressure from your skid steer you can cycle the driver. Every time the post driver cycles, it drives to the post into the ground by pounding on it. Thanks to the enhanced power of hydraulic post driver you can drive various types of posts, whether they are small or large. And you will do so only by setting the posts and operating the machine. All the manual labor is taken off your shoulders (literally!).
Hydraulic Post Drivers - How to Use Them?
Now that we know what the post drivers are, we can move on to how to operate them. There are a few simple rules and best practices regarding the use of post driver attachments We list them below to give you a quick start to post driving.
Preparation
To start with, you need to carefully plan the installation of your fence. The preparations consist of the assessment of the soil conditions, planning the layout of the fence, and choosing the type of posts.
Soil Conditions
If the soil you plan to install the fence on is sandy or loamy, you can operate quickly and effortlessly. However, the surface made of clay or rocks might need some additional work in the form of pre-drilling or using extra equipment. Determine the type of soil by driving a stake. It will give you information about the moisture level and resistance. It is also necessary to remove rocks or any other elements that may affect the operation.
Fence Line
To make a sturdy and durable fence, you must be precise in your measurements and markings of the fence position. The best approach is to use tape to mark the perimeter of the fence. Also, use flags to mark the places of the post placement.
The Type of Posts
Choosing the fence type is not only a matter of aesthetics but also practicality. Metal posts provide weather resistance and therefore durability, which is why T-posts and U-posts are the most frequently used types of fence posts. They are also easy to work with. Considerations for selecting fence posts should include:
Safety Precautions
One of the oldest and smartest rules regarding the operation of any equipment is: 'safety comes first'. Using a post driver is no exception. Follow a few below steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your surroundings.
- Clear the area of the undesired objects, which can cause damage to equipment and cause health hazards.
- Inspect whether the skid steer and the post driver attachment are in good working condition.
- Follow manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of the attachment.
- Make sure you use appropriate safety gear, such as closed-toe footwear, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, hard hat. Using adequate PPE mitigates the risk of incurring injuries, such as foot injuries, blisters, eye injuries, hearing damage, or head contusions. Wearing loose clothes by an operator is inadvisable.
- Operators should also ensure that any persons in the surrounding of the operation area stay at a safe distance.
Post Driver Set-Up
If you want your job to go smoothly, efficiently, and to be precise, you must devote time to appropriately set up your machine and the attachment. You should perform a power source check. It consists of checking whether the attachment is appropriately connected with the skid steer and that all hydraulic systems function properly.
Post Alignment
To ensure appropriate alignment of the posts position them vertically to the ground where they are to be installed. Then, while driving, use the level to ensure they stay in a precise vertical position to the ground.
Post Driving Process
Once all preparation steps are done, we can move on to the actual post installation process.
Once your hydraulic post driver attachment is connected to its power source and the posts are in the places of installation you should position the driver over the first fence post. Activate the attachment and start insetting the post, whilst monitoring the depth and alignment. Once the desired depth is reached, stop driving, recheck the positioning, and secure the post (if needed). Repeat the process with subsequent fence posts until all of them are in the designated places.
Maintaining Your Post Driver
Unlike many might think, the use of the machine and attachment does not finish with finishing your fence post driving. A major factor in the appropriate use of post driver is its proper maintenance. Only by performing the necessary maintenance tasks you can prolong the life of your equipment and its reliability.
Before every use, you should check whether your attachment is in an appropriate condition. Look for any signs of damage, wear, or cracks. If any occur, repair the equipment and replace the faulty parts. After every use, you should make sure the equipment is clean and store it indoors to prevent the occurrence of corrosion or rust.
There are also the tasks you should perform routinely. These are eg., keeping your machine clean of debris and mud and lubricating all moving parts, which prevents friction and corrosion.
Periodically, you should schedule professional inspections (the manufacturer will indicate the recommended frequency).
Quality is of the Essence
Lastly, you should remember that no maintenance activities or checks will assure the safety, durability, or proper operation of poor-quality equipment. Always purchase your attachments from a trusted and reliable supplier. Reliability does not only mean a good post driver purchase. It means the support and guidance that only rare suppliers can provide. Browse the skid steer post driver section in our shop and get in touch to discuss your project needs and how we can assist you.