A post-pounder is a tool used to drive fence posts into the ground. They come in manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic options and can accommodate posts of different materials and sizes. Professional tools require more maintenance but can deliver over a thousand strokes per minute.
A post-pounder, also known as a fence post driver or post knocker, is a tool used to drive fence posts into the ground. Typically, post-pounders consist of a metal tube with one closed end and one open end. For stability, most post tools of this nature have handles or grips on either side of the tube. The open end of the post rider is slid over a fence post and repeatedly slammed into the post to drive it into the ground. Hammers are sold by weight, pile diameter, and power options, including manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
Post-pounder hand tools are usually weighted with concrete or solid steel at the closed end to provide additional driving force. Users hold handles or side grips to lift the heavy hammer, then slam it against the top of the fence post. Most hand loaders are intended for use with metal T-posts, such as those used for cattle, horses or electric fencing in agricultural settings. Other suitable applications for a manual post-pounder include kennel posts, traffic signs and other small projects.
Large fence projects require a hydraulic or pneumatic post pounder. Electric or hydraulic drives run on gas, propane or other fuel. Pneumatic post-pounds use an air compressor to power the tool. Instead of manually lifting and slamming the post, motorized pile driver users just need to place the tool over the post and hold it straight. In the case of air tools, the air pressure drives the post against the fence post, driving the steel post deeper and faster than a hand tool.
Hydraulic and commercial grade air post-pounder tools are capable of driving nearly any type of fence post. While small hand and pneumatic impact wrenches are usually limited to drive posts with a diameter of 2 inches (5.08 cm) or less, larger tools can accommodate much larger posts. Additionally, commercial post drivers can also accommodate posts of different materials such as steel, wood, or composite. Internal pistons push the posts into the ground, instead of lifting the entire implement.
Professional and commercial grade post drive tools have more wearable internal parts and require more maintenance. Lubricants such as piston oil and hydraulic fluid require regular monitoring and refilling. Maintenance and parts aside, the ability to deliver more than a thousand strokes per minute and accommodate poles up to 4 inches (10.16 cm) in diameter makes up for the extra maintenance. Automatic stability control in the form of internal balancers allows for hands-free operation.
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