Shaver hydraulic post drivers

[ericalbers]

I'm looking at getting a Shaver HD10 or HD12 post driver, anyone know if the HD10 will do rail road ties?
I see the HD10 does 8 3/4"x10 foot long and the HD12 does 10 7/8" x 10', anyone know a good average dimension for a railroad tie?

Thanks!

[Old Vet]

I am not sure about the sahver but the ones that are used around here will if you sharpen the end. The ones around here will drive a 10 inch cedar post with a sharpen on one end.

[palani]

Save your money and buy an auger or hand digger. Pounding them in opens up fibers in the wood near ground level and lets water rot the post. Generally a 40 year treated post might last 8-10 years by pounding them.

[Jalopy]

Depends on your location. In good soil pounding works okay. I have not seen anyone pound RR ties with a tractor mounted post driver. I know shavers are good but I can't help with details on size to get. Good Luck. JLP

[Darren]

Railroad ties are 6"x8". I agree with the suggestion to look at a post-hole auger. You won't have to sharpen the ties.

[Bret4207]

I've never seen any driver that can drive a tie. I use a good sized Shaver and it'll drive a 10" cedar post easy enough, it's sharpened of course. I've also drive 6x6 treated with it, again- sharpened.

[poorboy]

6"x8" ANd they come in 7" x9" also (most common)..They will drive a tie in hard clay with only a minimun sharpening of them..been there done that! Have driven 8" round corner post with one , agasin with minimal sharpening..We have a very hardpan about 12" to 14" down here and the hydraulic post driver will do the job..

[Stephen in SOKY]

I always set crossties for pull/gate posts and drive line posts.