How to cut down a rusted pole

PrettyPaisley · #1 04/13/10, 10:45 PM

How would you go about this? There is a pole, the diameter is about the size of a basketball goal, and it needs to go. Years ago I paid someone from 1-800-Got-Junk to come out and cut down one of those old timey satellite dishes (the big ones that were out before they were put on the sides of houses) and he used some sort of saw and kept having to replace the blades.

I don't know enough about saws to know what he was using, but I do know I probably can't do it with the saw I use on tree limbs. But would the chainsaw work? How do I get this obnoxious pole down?

Windy in Kansas · #2 04/13/10, 11:04 PM

A chainsaw would last about 30 seconds at most against a metal pole.

I expect the fellow was using a reciprocating saw. I'd use a torch but since you don't have one I wouldn't know what to recommend. An abrasive cut-off wheel on a grinder might work but would be slow. Maybe time for 1-800 Got Junk again.

**clovis** · #3 04/13/10, 11:17 PM

How tall is the pole? How thick is the material?

As long as the pole isn't to tall or heavy, making it unsafe for someone unskilled to do the job, you might consider:

1) A reciprocating saw. One popular brand name is Sawzall. You'll need a metal cutting blade.

2) A torch.

3) Cut off wheel on a grinder.

4) A hack saw.

5) If you have a tractor, depending on how the pole is planted in the ground, you might be able to push it back and forth, loosening it in the ground, and then pull it out.

6) Find someone on craigslist...posting an ad is free.

This job probably isn't that hard, but PLEASE BE SAFE WHILE DOING IT.

js2743 · #4 04/14/10, 12:50 AM

might be the best to take it out of the ground as its probably not over 2 feet in the ground. dig around it with shovel and push it back and forth to get it loose and pull it out of the ground.

tamsam · #5 04/14/10, 12:57 AM

Call the rental place and ask if the rent cutting torches. If not cut off saws. If the rent torches do you know someone who can use one. If no torch a cut off saw will work but it is hard to get it cut off flush with the ground. Next how tall is this pole? If more than 10 feet or so get a rope on it to pull it toward a clear spot and if using a saw cut the side away from the pulling side. If you use a cut off saw let me know and I will explain how to get it below ground level after cutting it as close to the ground as possible. Good luck. Sam
PS What part of NC are you in?

wogglebug · #6 04/14/10, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by js2743

might be the best to take it out of the ground as its probably not over 2 feet in the ground. dig around it with shovel and push it back and forth to get it loose and pull it out of the ground.

Agreed. Also saturate the ground around the pole with water to soften it - trickling hose overnight or dig a small trench then dump buckets of water in it and let it soak before you do the major digging. You may find it has been set in concrete, but even if so that's where you want to cut it off, rather than at ground level.

foxtrapper · #7 04/14/10, 06:33 AM

You can cut it off flush with the ground, or even a bit below it, with a little 4.5" grinder. They are dirt cheap at places like Harbor Freight, and cheap at places like Lowes. A darn handy and useful tool.

Otherwise, dig it out. Having the concrete blob and bit of pipe there are generally not nice. Even if cut off at ground level, it makes for a darn hard spot in the lawn, and somehow kids and such know instinctively to fall on it and clonk themselves harder than they would otherwise.

7thswan · #8 04/14/10, 07:16 AM

I'm trying to think of something nifty to use the big satellite thingy for. Our little satellite has been put on that big pole. 2 lilac plants are going to be planted between it and the house

Cascade Failure · #9 04/14/10, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by js2743

might be the best to take it out of the ground as its probably not over 2 feet in the ground. dig around it with shovel and push it back and forth to get it loose and pull it out of the ground.

I'm willing to bet it is a bit deeper than 2 ft and probably set in concrete. It sounds like PP is describing an old C-band dish. Some of them could catch quite a bit of wind and required a hefty base. I do agree though that I would try to dig down on one side then pull it out.

Got a tractor or a truck?

**Cabin Fever** · #10 04/14/10, 08:10 AM

I'd wrap a logging chain as high up on the pole as I could reach on a ladder. Attach the other end of the chain to a tractor or 4x4 pick up with the tranny in l4WD-Low. Pull

Critter Keeper · #11 04/14/10, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thswan

I'm trying to think of something nifty to use the big satellite thingy for. Our little satellite has been put on that big pole. 2 lilac plants are going to be planted between it and the house

Use it for the roof of a small shed.

jeff1981 · #12 04/14/10, 08:32 AM

Maybe you could barter or pay a local excavating contractor to pull it out of the ground for you with a backhoe. It would only take them a moment or two- and around here a home cooked meal or a fresh pie often gets chores like that taken care of.
Jeff

ronbre · #13 04/14/10, 11:18 AM

we had to cut through a similar pole..we used metal blades on reciprocating saw..took a bit of pressure and time..but it did the job

Windy in Kansas · #14 04/14/10, 12:13 PM

I don't know how tall the pole is but an 18 inch diameter pole will be heavy and you may need a tractor loader or other to hold it because of the sheer weight it is apt to be.

PrettyPaisley · #15 04/14/10, 12:53 PM

Okay-sounds like a big job.

I'm near Charlotte. Like really way closer than I'd like to be.

I could post on CL, and I think I'll ask around for someone with a backhoe. I have no tractor, yet.

And I'm sure it is set in concreted and it's about 18 feet in the air. I don't want to kill someone trying to do it myself.

Thanks!

Darren · #16 04/14/10, 06:00 PM

Really rusty metal isn't cut easilly with a torch. You can do it, but you basically have to get the heavy rust off first. If the diameter is as large as you say, I'd list it, as Clovis wrote, on Craigslist. Someone may be able to use it as a culvert.

Cascade Failure · #17 04/15/10, 07:50 PM

Hey PrettyPaisley!

Please clarify something for me. When you said the pole is the diameter of a basketball goal did you mean that the pole you want to cut is...

a) about the size of a basketball hoop?

or

b) the size of a pole used used to hold up the backbooard and hoop; about 4 inches?

If you mean (a), what was the size of the old sat dish? It was either a massive dish or built with quite a bit of overkill.

PrettyPaisley · #18 04/15/10, 10:04 PM

Cascade-it's the size of the pole that holds up the basketball backboard, so about 4 inches. And the satellite dish was one of those monstrosities that were so popular in the 80's.

We have someone coming out with some sort of machine to dig a trench and run some electricity to a building out back. I think I'll ask him to pull it down when he gets here.

Cascade Failure · #19 04/16/10, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the update; it was what I suspected. I have installed some pretty large dishes and none used larger than an 8 inch pipe.