Post Drivers and Lifters

Post Drivers & Post Lifters — Buying Guide

Having the right post driver makes the difference between a straightforward fencing job and hours of frustrating, back-breaking work. Whether you’re installing a handful of star pickets for a garden border or driving hundreds of posts for a large rural fence run, the right post driver tool will save you time, energy, and potential injury.

Types of Post Drivers

• Manual star picket driver (Y-post driver): A heavy steel tube with closed ends, slid over the top of a star picket and driven downward with force. Simple, reliable, and no power source required — the most widely used post driver for DIY and light commercial fencing across Queensland. Typically weighs 5–10kg for effective driving momentum.
• Manual T-post driver: Similar to a star picket driver but designed to fit over T-shaped fence posts used in some rural fencing systems
• Petrol or hydraulic mechanical post driver: Tractor or skid steer-mounted drivers for large-scale rural fencing projects — significantly speeds up post installation on long fence runs

Types of Post Lifters / Post Pullers

• Star picket lifter / fence post puller: A lever-action tool that grips the post near the base and uses mechanical advantage to extract it from the ground — far easier and safer than digging or using a vehicle. Essential for temporary fencing and post removal without damaging the post.
• Hi-lift jack method: For larger timber or concrete posts, a hi-lift jack with post-pulling attachment provides the leverage needed to extract deep-set posts

Choosing the Right Post Driver Weight

Heavier manual post drivers provide more momentum per blow, making them faster and more effective in hard or rocky soils — common in parts of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and inland South East Queensland. A 7–10kg driver is suitable for most applications. In very soft or sandy coastal soils, a lighter driver may be sufficient and easier to work with over extended periods.

Post Driver Safety Tips

• Always check for underground services (electrical cables, water pipes, telecommunications) before driving posts — contact Dial Before You Dig on 1100
• Wear gloves and safety glasses when driving posts to protect against metal debris and chipping
• Take regular breaks when using a manual driver for extended periods — repetitive overhead lifting is fatiguing and can cause strain injuries
• When driving star pickets in hard soils, wet the soil around the post location to soften the driving zone

Frequently Asked Questions

How heavy should a manual star picket driver be?
For most users and soil conditions, a 7–8kg manual post driver provides a good balance of driving power and usability. Heavier drivers (9–10kg) are better for hard clay or rocky soils but are more fatiguing to use over long periods.

Can a post lifter remove star pickets from concrete?
A post lifter is effective for extracting star pickets from soil. Posts that have been concreted in place will require the concrete to be broken up first before the post can be pulled — a post lifter will not overcome a concreted-in post.

Do you deliver post drivers to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast?
Yes — we offer Australia-wide delivery including to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and South East Queensland. Orders are dispatched promptly from our warehouse.

Order Post Drivers & Post Lifters Online — Australia-Wide Delivery

Discount Landscape Supplies stocks manual post drivers and post lifters suitable for residential, rural, and commercial fencing applications. Order online with fast dispatch to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and all of Australia. Contact our team if you need advice on the right tool for your project.