How to Reuse a Fence Post

Attach a fence post puller by its chains to the fence post. Depress the lever so that it will apply vertical pressure to the post and pull it from the ground.

Remove any existing concrete footing by laying the post on the ground and striking it with a hammer or maul with great force. Striking the concrete will cause it to crack and fall off the post. Turn the post to reach all areas so there is no concrete left.

Metal T and U-posts will generally pull out by hand, as they are not set in concrete. Wiggle the post side-to-side and front to back to loosen the ground surrounding them, then pull straight up using both hands.

A tractor or backhoe is the easiest method to pull posts. Wrap a chain around the post and around the tractor or backhoe bucket and lift straight up.

Reuse posts that have been pulled up by placing them in a weaker area of the fence to strengthen it, such as where an animal has put stress on the fence in an attempt to get to grass on the other side.

Replace metal T or U-posts with reused wooden posts to also increase your fence line's durability.

Reuse wooden posts as horizontal supports for fencing corners. An H-shaped corner made from wooden posts bound together with high-tensile wire and nails will bear much more stress than a single corner post. Wooden posts also make sturdy fence rails for building a heavy-duty privacy fence.