6 Best Fence Post Pullers Unrollers For Removing Old Posts That Save Your Back
Our guide to the 6 best fence post pullers and unrollers covers the top tools for removing old posts. Learn how they use leverage for easy, back-saving work.
That old fence line isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a project you’ve been putting off for a reason. Pulling stubborn, deeply-set posts by hand is a recipe for a strained back and a wasted weekend. The right tool transforms this dreaded chore from a brutal test of strength into a manageable task.
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Why a Good Post Puller is a Farm Essential
A fence post puller is about more than convenience. It’s a fundamental tool for land management and personal safety. Trying to wrestle an old, waterlogged cedar post out of dense clay soil with a shovel and a prayer is how you lose a whole Saturday and injure your back.
The real cost of not having a proper puller is measured in projects that never get started. That overgrown pasture you want to reclaim, the garden you want to expand, or the property line you need to redefine—all of it hinges on efficiently removing what’s already there. A good tool makes the first, most brutal step achievable.
Think of it as an investment in your own physical capital. Your body can only handle so much strain. Using mechanical leverage instead of brute force means you have the energy left over to set the new posts, run the wire, and finish the job.
Hi-Lift Jack: The Multi-Purpose Farm Classic
Nearly every farm has a Hi-Lift or farm jack kicking around, and for good reason. Its primary job might be lifting a tractor or truck, but with a short length of chain and a hook, it becomes a surprisingly effective post puller. You simply wrap the chain around the base of the post, hook it to the jack’s lifting mechanism, and start pumping the handle.
The beauty of the Hi-Lift is its versatility. You’re not buying a tool for a single task. It can winch, clamp, spread, and lift, making it one of the most valuable tools you can own. For pulling the occasional stubborn post, it’s often good enough.
However, it’s not a perfect solution. A Hi-Lift can be unstable on soft or uneven ground, and the setup takes a moment. For a long fence line with dozens of posts, the process of repositioning the jack, chain, and base for every single post becomes tedious. It’s the reliable multi-tool, not the specialized speed demon.
SpeeCo T-Post Puller for Simple Leverage
If you’re dealing primarily with metal T-posts, a dedicated T-post puller is a game-changer. These tools are brilliantly simple, using a long handle and a fulcrum to provide immense leverage with minimal effort. You just hook the pulling head under a nub on the T-post, place the foot on the ground, and pull back on the handle.
The main advantage here is speed. There’s no chain to wrap or hydraulic jack to pump. You can walk down a fence line and pop out post after post in a matter of minutes. They are lightweight, require no setup, and are relatively inexpensive.
The tradeoff is its specialization. A T-post puller is completely useless for round wooden posts, square posts, or anything that doesn’t have the specific nubs of a T-post to grab onto. It’s the perfect tool for its one job, but it only does one job.
Rhino Post Puller: Heavy-Duty Manual Power
Sometimes a T-post puller isn’t enough and a Hi-Lift is too clumsy. The Rhino Post Puller and similar heavy-duty manual pullers fill that gap. They operate on a leverage principle but are built with a wider, more stable base and a jaw-like gripping mechanism that can bite into wood or metal posts of various shapes and sizes.
This is your go-to for pulling old 4x4s or 5-inch round wooden posts that have been in the ground for a decade. The mechanical advantage is significant, allowing a single person to generate enough force to break even the most stubborn posts free from compacted soil. It offers far more power and stability than a farm jack.
While incredibly effective, these tools are heavier and more expensive than a simple T-post puller. They are a dedicated piece of equipment. If you’re only pulling a few posts a year, it might be overkill, but for clearing an old, sturdy fence line without a tractor, it’s an investment that saves your back.
Titan Skid Steer Puller for Major Projects
When the scale of the job moves from a weekend task to a major project, you bring in the heavy equipment. A skid steer post puller attachment is the ultimate solution for speed and power. These hydraulic pullers grab the post with powerful jaws and yank it straight out of the ground with zero physical effort from the operator.
This is the tool for clearing hundreds of feet of old fencing, removing deeply-set corner posts concreted into the ground, or handling large-diameter posts that manual pullers can’t budge. The efficiency is unmatched; what would take a day by hand can be done in an hour.
The obvious consideration is that you need a skid steer or a tractor with compatible front-end loader hydraulics. This isn’t a tool you buy on a whim. It’s an attachment for a machine you already use for other major farm tasks, making it a logical extension of your existing capabilities for large-scale land clearing.
The Wire-Popper for Taming Old Barbed Wire
Secure your property with this durable, 50-foot barbed wire. Made from rust-resistant, galvanized steel with sharp, 4-point barbs for effective deterrence.
Pulling the post is only half the battle. First, you have to deal with the wire, and old, rusty barbed wire is dangerous stuff. The clips holding it to T-posts can be a nightmare to remove. This is where a simple tool like the Wire-Popper shines.
It’s a specialized tool designed to slide over a T-post and, with a quick pull, use leverage to pop the wire clips right off. It saves your hands from cuts and your patience from fraying. Trying to do this job with pliers is slow, frustrating, and often results in torn gloves and bloody knuckles.
This tool is a perfect example of how a small, inexpensive, purpose-built device can save an incredible amount of time and aggravation. If you have more than a hundred feet of old T-post fencing to remove, it’s practically a necessity.
Tarter 3-Point Winder: Tractor-Powered Work
Once the wire is free from the posts, you’re left with long, tangled, and hazardous strands. Rolling it up by hand is a terrible job. A 3-point wire winder that attaches to your tractor’s PTO (Power Take-Off) turns this task into a clean, controlled, and fast operation.
The winder spins a spool, pulling the wire in and creating a tight, dense roll that is easy to handle, transport, and store for recycling or disposal. It allows you to pull entire quarter-mile stretches of wire without it becoming a tangled mess. This is particularly crucial for old, brittle barbed wire that’s prone to snapping.
Like the skid steer puller, this is an implement for those with a tractor. For the hobby farmer with long perimeter fences, it’s an investment that makes a multi-day cleanup project a single-afternoon task. It’s about working smarter, not harder, especially when dealing with hundreds of feet of dangerous wire.
Choosing Your Fencing Tool: Key Considerations
There is no single "best" tool; the right choice depends entirely on your situation. Don’t get sold on the biggest and baddest if your needs are simple. Walk through these questions to find your fit.
First, evaluate your most common task. Are you pulling 50 metal T-posts from a soft pasture, or three massive, concreted-in corner posts?
- For T-posts only: A simple SpeeCo-style lever puller is fastest and cheapest.
- For mixed or large wood posts: A heavy-duty manual puller like the Rhino or a versatile Hi-Lift jack is necessary.
- For major clearing projects: A skid steer or tractor attachment is the only practical option.
Second, consider the equipment you already own. Your existing tools are your biggest asset. If you have a tractor with a 3-point hitch or a skid steer, powered attachments offer a massive leap in efficiency that may be worth the cost. If you’re working with hand tools, a versatile Hi-Lift jack you can use for other jobs might be a smarter buy than a specialized puller.
Finally, balance your budget against your time and physical health. A $40 T-post puller might be all you need. But if a $200 heavy-duty puller prevents a $500 chiropractor bill and saves you ten hours of grueling labor, its value becomes clear. The goal is to find the tool that fits the intersection of your land, your equipment, and your budget.
Investing in the right fence removal tool isn’t a luxury; it’s a smart decision that pays you back in time, energy, and a healthy back for years to come.
