The Easiest Way to Pull Cement Posts

Cement is a powder-like substance consisting of limestone or clay that is mixed with water, sand or gravel to form concrete. When concrete dries it becomes very hard. Many builders elect to use concrete around posts or fence posts because concrete makes them sturdy and dependable. One drawback of cement posts is that they are difficult to pull from the ground. With the proper tools and following a few steps, you can pull cement posts and possibly reuse them if they are in decent condition.

3-foot piece of chain with hook end
Concrete block
Shovel
6-foot pry bar

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the fence from the post by removing staples, nails or metal ties holding it in place.
- 2
  Dig down 8 or 12 inches all around the post using a shovel.
- 3
  Push the post back and forth to loosen it. If it does not move, dig down deeper around the entire area of the post. Repeat the back-and-forth push procedure until the post begins to move 3 or 4 inches in each direction.
- 4
  Wrap a hook chain around the post and connect the chain to itself using the hook end.
- 5
  Place a concrete block on its side horizontally beside the post.
- 6
  Insert the pry bar through the chain approximately 1 foot and across the concrete block to the other side of the post. Use a 6-foot pry bar to act as a lever.
- 7
  Pry the post up as high as you can and readjust the chain and bar to get more leverage. Repeat this process until the cement post is loose enough to remove.

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