Things You'll Need:
- Suede work gloves
- Leather work boots
- Box wrench set
- Slotted screwdriver
- Locking grip pliers
- Pliers
- Hammer
- Tool belt
- Shovel
- Helper
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Step 1
Suit up for success. Wear work gloves and boots for protection. Place all hand tools in the pockets and slots on a tool belt around your waist for easy access.
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Step 2
Remove the gates. Pull up the hook latch and open the gate. Ask your helper to hold the gate as you remove the nuts from the bolts holding the hinge clamps. Turn the nuts counterclockwise with a box wrench. The bolts have squared fittings under the heads that sink into square slots in the clamps to keep them from rotating while you turn the nuts. Use a hammer to tap the hinge point out of the hinge strap on the stationary fence post, if it does not freely come out once the clamps are loose. Remove the bottom two clamps and leave the top one secured. Tap the top hinge point out of strap. Remove all gates in the same way.
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Step 3
Remove the chain link netting. Unscrew the bolts holding the tension bands on the terminal posts. Use a box wrench on the nut and pliers or a slotted screwdriver on the bolt as you turn the nut counterclockwise. Untwist all metal ties holding the netting to the top rail or posts with locking grip pliers while your helper holds the fence fabric to keep it from folding over. Avoid breaking the metal ties and keep them in a bucket. Take off the chain link netting in sections and pile them on a tarp in the order they come off for storage. Secure the screws in the tension bands and keep them in the bucket with the ties.
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Step 4
Take off the top rail. Use permanent marker to number the sections of the top rail in order. Start from one corner and number each section all the way around the fence. Unscrew the railing end caps from the brace bands. Pull the top rail through the caps on the posts and slip them apart at the joints. The joints are either held with sleeves or wedged to fit together. Store the top rail sections tied together. Put the brace bands back around the terminal posts and replace the screws.
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Step 5
Dig a six-inch radius around the fence posts. Remove the top sod and continue to dig at this width until the post is free to fall over. Deposit all dirt into a wheel barrel for storage. Bend your knees and grip the post with both hands. Pull up as you stand to an upright position. Keep your back straight and perpendicular to the ground as you lift. Posts are usually buried about a foot and a half deep with concrete poured in to keep them planted. The concrete will stick to the post bottoms. Store the posts together on their sides.
