Question on how to install 4x4 pressure treated posts.........

 


I need to install two pressure treated 4x4s in my yard that I plan to
hook a cable to as a dog run.  This way he can safely chase rabbits from
my garden area.  The posts are 10' long.  My soil is mostly clay.  How
deep should I dig the post holes for this length post?  Also,  I plan to
fill the holes with sacrete concrete mix.  The bags are 80 lb. each at
the local hardware store.  How many bags will I need for each post?  Any
other tips or ideas about this installation would be most helpful.

Thank You :)  Rich from PA

 

On 7/22/2010 5:12 PM, EVP MAN wrote:

I would plant them four feet deep.  I passed by a pallet of Sacrete at
work today, and noticed they were 80 pound bags (it may come in
different sizes, too).  I'd plan on at least half of the 80 lb. bag for
each post, maybe more.  Four feet down in clay, and then mixing Sacrete
- you're talking about *real* work!.  Note that all of this is merely my
opinion - there is certainly more than one way to skin a cat . . er, post.

Tony M.

 

EVP MAN wrote:

I take it you will run a wire between the posts and the dog's lead will run
up and down the wire on a ring.  Is that right?

I need more information.

So why are the posts 10' long?  Why is this a starting point?
How high do you want to run the wire off the ground (often it would be on
the ground unless along a fence or wall)?
How big is the dog?  (The bigger the dog the deeper the posts need to be
sunk)
How are you digging the holes?  (The looser the hole the more concrete you
need)

David

 

On Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:28:29 +1000, "David Hare-Scott"


Wooden posts should never be set in concrete... they won't be able to
dry so they will rot.

If you live where the ground freezes dig the post holes at least a
foot deeper than the frost line and fill with six inches of gravel.
Set the post and add another 6" worth of gravel, then back fill with
earth, tamping well and so that the earth is built up around the post
by 4" above grade.  Concrete is used with metal posts, never with
wood.  Nowadays a better choice is to use those composite posts made
from recyclables.

 


Yes,  I will run a cable between the posts and attach the dogs lead to
the cable.  The dog is small at about 25 lbs.  I'm using 10' posts
because I'm 6' 3" tall and want to clear the cable with my head while
mowing lawn.  Our frost line is down around three feet here in my area.
I decided to set the posts in concrete because I figure pressure treated
lumber shrinks quite a bit when it dries out.  This way I can lift the
posts out and have a 4" square in the concrete.  And if I ever need to
replace the posts,  I can just lift the old ones out and set the new
ones in.  Figure it would save me the work of digging new holes the
second time around in the future.

Rich