Old fence posts don't come out easy. Around here they're usually set in concrete, and after a few decades the wood rots but the concrete isn't going anywhere on its own.
On a recent fence repair, I had a run of rotten posts to pull. Here's the setup: a farm jack, a length of chain, and a couple of solid blocks to stand the jack on. Wrap the chain low around the post, hook it to the jack, and start cranking.
The trick is patience. You crank a little, the post groans, you crank a little more. Then all at once it breaks free, and half the time the whole concrete footing comes up with it. That's actually the best outcome. It means the hole is clean and ready for the new post.
A few things I've learned doing this
- Wrap the chain as low as you can. The lower the pull point, the less likely the post snaps off at grade.
- If the post does snap, dig down beside the concrete and wrap the chain around the footing itself.
- Keep your hands clear of the chain. When a few hundred pounds of concrete lets go, it lets go fast.
- Use the right jack. A farm jack is built for this. A bumper jack or a come-along tied to your truck is asking for trouble.
Once the old post and concrete are out, the new post goes back in the same hole, plumb and tamped solid. Good for another few decades.
If your fence is leaning, wobbling, or missing boards, that's usually the posts telling you they're done. I do fence repairs and rebuilds across Simcoe County. Get in touch and I'll take a look.