6 Best Pto Driven Post Drivers For Fencing That Old Farmers Swear By
Find the right PTO post driver for your farm. We cover 6 models that seasoned farmers swear by for their proven durability and fencing efficiency.
There’s a moment in every big fencing project, usually after the third post, when you stare at the long, empty fence line and your back starts to ache just thinking about it. You can spend a week with an auger and a tamping bar, or a weekend with a manual post pounder, and end up with a sore body and a wobbly fence. A tractor-mounted PTO post driver changes that entire equation, turning one of the most brutal farm jobs into a task you can actually finish in a day.
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Why a PTO Post Driver is a Fencing Game-Changer
A PTO-driven post driver isn’t just about saving your back, though it certainly does that. It’s about building a better, stronger fence in a fraction of the time. Instead of digging a hole and tamping soil back in, a driver pounds the post directly into undisturbed ground. This creates a far more solid and secure set, as the post is held tight by compacted earth all the way down.
This method fundamentally changes the integrity of your fence. Posts set this way resist frost heave better and stand up to pressure from livestock more effectively. You’re not just putting a stick in a hole; you’re driving a permanent anchor into the ground.
The efficiency is what really sells it. A job that takes two people a full weekend with an auger can be done by one person in an afternoon. That’s not an exaggeration. It allows you to tackle larger projects, repair storm damage quickly, or finally get that cross-fencing done you’ve been putting off for years.
Shaver HD-10: The Gold Standard for Durability
When you see an old, sun-faded post driver still working perfectly after thirty years, there’s a good chance it’s a Shaver. The HD-10 is legendary for being overbuilt in the best way possible. Its design is brilliantly simple, relying on heavy steel and straightforward mechanics rather than complex hydraulics.
This simplicity is its greatest strength. There are fewer hoses to burst, fewer seals to fail, and fewer adjustments to get wrong. It just works. The spring-loaded driving action delivers a powerful, consistent blow that drives 8-inch posts into tough ground without complaining. It’s the kind of tool you buy once and pass down to the next generation.
Of course, that bombproof construction comes with a higher price tag and significant weight. You’ll need a capable tractor to handle it safely. But if you value reliability above all else and plan on building miles of fence over your lifetime, the Shaver HD-10 is the benchmark against which all others are measured.
Rhino PD-55: Power and Precision for Tough Ground
If your property is more rock than soil, the Rhino PD-55 is a name you need to know. These drivers are engineered to handle the kind of compacted, stony ground that would laugh at an auger. They use a powerful hydraulic hammer system that delivers rapid, forceful blows to shatter and displace difficult soil.
What sets the Rhino apart is its focus on control. Many models come with hydraulic tilt adjustments (fore/aft and side-to-side). This is a massive advantage when you’re working on a hillside or uneven pasture, allowing you to drive each post perfectly plumb without having to level the tractor itself. This precision saves an incredible amount of time and frustration.
The trade-off for this power and adjustability is a reliance on your tractor’s hydraulic system. You need to ensure your tractor has the required flow and pressure to run the driver effectively. But for those facing truly challenging ground conditions, the Rhino’s ability to put a post where you want it, straight and true, is worth every penny.
Danuser SM40: The Versatile Hammer Post Driver
The Danuser SM40 operates a bit differently, and that’s its secret weapon. Instead of a heavy weight being dropped, the SM40 is a true hydraulic hammer. This design allows it to strike with incredible force and speed, making it exceptionally good at driving posts into almost any condition, including solid rock or asphalt.
Its versatility is what makes it stand out for a hobby farmer. With the right attachments, the SM40 isn’t just a post driver. It can drive T-posts, break up concrete, or even be used as a tamper. This turns a single-purpose implement into a multi-tool that can earn its keep on various projects around the farm. If you need to bust up an old concrete pad one day and build a fence the next, the Danuser is your machine.
This performance comes from a sophisticated hydraulic system. It’s not a simple drop-weight. That means it’s crucial to match it to a tractor with adequate hydraulic flow. For the farmer who needs one tool to do many tough jobs, however, the SM40’s unique blend of power and multi-function capability is hard to beat.
Worksaver HPD-22: A Compact and Reliable Choice
Not everyone is running a 75-horsepower tractor or fencing a hundred acres. The Worksaver HPD-22 is designed for the rest of us. It strikes a perfect balance between power, size, and affordability, making it an ideal choice for compact and utility tractors.
This driver is a no-nonsense, reliable machine. It uses a proven drop-hammer design that is easy to understand and maintain. While it may not have the brute force of the bigger units for 10-inch corner posts in solid clay, it has more than enough power for the standard wood and T-posts used in most farm fencing applications. Its lighter weight also makes it easier to handle and less demanding on your tractor’s three-point hitch.
The real value of the Worksaver is its accessibility. It brings the game-changing efficiency of a PTO driver within reach for smaller operations. It’s a practical, hardworking tool that does its job without requiring a massive tractor or a huge investment, proving you don’t need the biggest machine to build a great fence.
E-Z Pro Post Driver: Simple Design, Solid Results
The E-Z Pro lives up to its name with a design that prioritizes simplicity and function. It’s a classic gravity drop-hammer driver, but with smart engineering that makes it highly effective. The design often features an external guide track, which makes it easy to see what you’re doing and service the machine.
This driver is a workhorse built for functionality, not frills. It typically forgoes complex hydraulic tilts in favor of a robust, fixed frame that gets the job done. The beauty of this approach is reliability—fewer moving parts and hydraulic circuits mean fewer potential points of failure out in the back pasture.
For farmers who want a straightforward tool that drives posts efficiently day in and day out, the E-Z Pro is a fantastic option. It’s a testament to the idea that a well-executed simple design can often outperform a more complicated one. It’s a solid, dependable choice for getting posts in the ground without a fuss.
Kencove PD85: A Fencer’s Favorite for All Posts
Kencove is a company that lives and breathes fencing, and their PD85 post driver reflects that deep understanding. This machine is packed with features that fencers actually need. It’s designed to handle a huge range of post sizes, from skinny T-posts all the way up to 8-inch round or square wood posts, often without needing special adapters.
The design emphasizes visibility and control from the tractor seat. You can clearly see the post and the bubble level, ensuring each post goes in straight. Many models also include practical features like post holders and toolboxes, small touches that make a big difference over a long day of work. It’s a tool built by people who have clearly spent a lot of time on the business end of a fence line.
The PD85 is a fantastic all-arounder. It has enough power for most soil conditions and the versatility to build any kind of fence you might need on a hobby farm, from woven wire for sheep to high-tensile for cattle. It represents a thoughtful combination of power, versatility, and user-friendly design.
Choosing Your Post Driver: Key Factors to Consider
Picking the right post driver isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for your farm. A machine that’s perfect for your neighbor might be completely wrong for you. Thinking through a few key factors will save you a lot of headaches and money.
Start with your equipment and your land. The wrong choice can be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst.
- Tractor Size and Hydraulics: Your tractor must be able to safely lift and handle the driver’s weight. Check the driver’s hydraulic flow requirements (GPM) and make sure your tractor’s auxiliary hydraulics can meet them. A driver starved for flow is a weak driver.
- Soil Type: This is non-negotiable. For soft loam, most drivers will work. For hard-pan clay or rocky ground, you need a heavy-hitting hammer-style driver like a Rhino or Danuser.
- Post Types and Fence Scale: Are you only driving T-posts, or do you need to sink 8-inch railroad tie corner posts? Make sure the driver’s head and hitting plate can accommodate the largest diameter posts you plan to use. Consider how many feet of fence you’ll realistically build per year.
Finally, think about the long-term. A post driver is a major investment, but one that should last for decades. A cheaper model might save you money upfront, but if it can’t handle your soil or breaks down frequently, it’s a poor value. Balance your budget with the reality of your workload and choose the simplest, most robust machine that meets the demands of your specific property.
Ultimately, a PTO post driver is an investment in your time, your body, and the quality of your infrastructure. Choosing the right one transforms fencing from a dreaded chore into a satisfying project. By matching the machine to your tractor, your soil, and your goals, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re buying decades of strong, straight fences.
