What are they worth???

[oz in SC]

Well obviously to this guy NOTHING...

Someone is giving away around 25 telephone poles locally,25 feet long or so...

I was thinking(dangerous I know) that cut into suitable lengths might make good fence posts up on the land.

What do y'all think?

Of course I would have to find some way of MOVING them as well....

[bob clark]

in good shape , proby 25.00 each

[oz in SC]

Would it be worthwhile to load them up and take them several hundred miles to our land???

I can probably borrow a trailer to load them on and get them there...

Is using them as fenceposts a good plan?

Thanks.

[bob clark]

you should get 75 posts worth 5.00 ea.=375.00. what are your expences?

[oz in SC]

Hmmm,well honestly fuel....and the good graces of a friend who owns a trailer...

I will go by tomorrow and look.

Thanks again.

[sweetbabyjane]

Hi Oz,
All our corner posts are made out of telephone poles. They are big and strong, and coated in creosote so they don't rot. If that guy was giving them away where we are he wouldn't have them very long! Around here you have to buy them from the utility company.

You don't really need them for every post though, just the corners and maybe for braces if you have plenty. Get you an auger that goes on the back of a tractor to dig all those holes.

Aren't you lucky!
SBJ

[Mike in Ohio]

You could also use them for making bridges if you have a need.

Mike

[longshadowfarms]

Fence posts and bridges for sure! I'm so jealous! Cut them first if they are too long to move. Wish we had a pile like that for a bridge across the river that goes through our property. THey make great corner posts as mentioned but can occasionally be challenging to get a hole big enough.

[michiganfarmer]

they are great for building barns, and tool sheds. if they are free it would be worth it to me to haul them 200 or 300 miles. Im sure they would work for fence posts, but they are prety large in diameter

[raymilosh]

If you are wanting a barn or a pole building, I'd suggest you get them for that purpose. They're long, strong and rot resistant. If all you need is a fence, they'd be good for that use, too. If I were me, I'd jump on the offer and get them as fast as i could. If you have no easier way of putting them on a trailer, bring an electric winch or a come-along and drag them on. or pull up next to them and make a ramp of planks and roll them on over the side. Use your inginuity. Take your time. Be safe. Be prepared to have tar on everything you're wearing and on the trailer. Bring kerosene for cleaning up the tar. If they're near NC, let me know...i would be interested if they're close enough.
ray

[Fire-Man]

If these poles have any size to them at all------------You would have to get a Real Heavy Duty trailer to haul them on or make more than one trip. I just hauled 14 at 20ft on my 7000lb trailer---------Glad I didn't have far to go or run into D.O.T.----I was over loaded----a couple of them were the larger poles, but still not giants. I saw them on a non-windy day in long clothes and gloves and face mask---collect the sawdust with a tarp then burn it. My Dad built a 40x40 open shed using light poles as pillars---its been up since 1973 and still appears to be as strong as ever. If I were you and they were close by where you need them--I sure would go get them, but Before I would haul them several hundred miles---I would check with the electric company where you are Going to---To see what they would cost there-----If you could get them for a few bucks a piece------sure would beat hauling them hundreds of miles.

PS--Another thought---If you are going to be going to your land alot, Get the poles to where you are----cut them into fence post lengths you will need----haul a few post on every trip------Just my Thoughts. Randy

[tricklecreek]

just an idea for shorter distance, I took a runnnig gear and extended it with a longer piece of well casing to make a longer trailer to get some 10 miles home then cut as needed. that gear was rated for 8 tons, cost 50 bucks at auction handy to have around

[thebugguy]

Funny you should bring this up, Oz...

Tomorrow morning the local electric co-op is coming by my property to take out the electric service to an old cabin site at the far far end of the property and to put in a new transformer and meter on an existing pole for our new barn/house. Apparently, they'll be climbing the old poles (maybe a dozen or so total), removing the hardware, and spooling up the 1/2 mile of wire from the front of the property. They asked me if I wanted the poles, and I said sure- so I guess they're going to saw them off at the base and let 'em fall where they may for me to pull around at my leisure.

I've done a little bit of research on the web, and you might want to take a closer look at the poles before you go cutting into them or using them on the inside of any structure. Apparently you can tell the tree species and preservative chemical treatment of the pole by interpreting the sign branded onto each one. I'm no expert, but some treatments (particularly the older ones) were/are pretty nasty, and the reccommendation of wearing a mask and collecting the saw dust is a good one. Apparently, some utility companies are becoming so worried about the potential liabilities of these chemicals that they are no longer selling or giving away poles- too afraid of future lawsuits!

Personally, I'll probably use some of mine as pilings for a dock (or two) I'd like to build. I also like the idea of using them as fence corner posts- might do that. I may even use a couple as bases for a funky, high treehouse for my daughter and nieces... Regardless, I'm going to be careful cutting them up and disposing of the dust...

[Snakeoil]

Using them as corner post is excellent, they will last a lifetime.

[freeinalaska]

Originally Posted by bob clark

in good shape , proby 25.00 each

Hmmm....a 25 ft class 4 or 5 utility pole is worth $200 to $225 bucks a piece up here, less I'm sure in the lower 48, but way more than $25. Check the poles for a metal "brand" on the side of the pole 10 feet from the bottom. This will tell the class.

I'm rather curious about the risks associated with creosote treated poles, having been installing, climbing and drilling holes in utility poles for close to twenty years. It was also interesting was the first hits I got from an internet search were from law firms looking for class action participants. I'm sure our industry has reason to downplay the risks, but still are there that many creosote related health problems out there?

As for the poles. I would figure out how to get them. At worse the make great fence posts.

[Kenneth in NC]

My dad built a car shed out of some 15 years ago and it's still as good as new.


Kenneth in NC

[Jolly]

Corner posts, H-posts, pole barns.

If you know what you are doing, you can even set them back up as telephone poles with nothing more than a tractor, some chain, a shovel, and a set of post-hole diggers with 10 foot handles.

[Barb]

Hmm, I seem to have a post floating off in space somewhere. I'll try again.

Telephone poles are not line posts. They are CORNER posts. Use t-posts for line posts. Corner posts are cut into 8 foot lengths. They are set deep to hold against all the tension that will be on them. You can set them deadman method (cheaper) or with brace posts. Posts here are from $12 to $16 per depending on diameter of post- used telephone pole post cost, not new cost. To get an accurate cost call in the area where you are moving to. Once you are settled you are not going to want to go far for fencing materials so the price is the price where you will be heading.

Remember you are buying a USED pole. It was replaced either for underground wire, routine replacement after so many years or it was tested and found to be starting to rot. Before you cut your posts look carefully for rotten spots

They are HEAVY so you will not be able to move them all at once.

Personally I would not have them inside a building of any kind. (at least not many) In the heat they STINK.

Barb - 1960 acres and miles of fence

[Ramblin Wreck]

I'd get them before the guy changed his mind!!