How To Keep Corral Posts From Rusting

How To Keep Corral Posts From Rusting FENCING Miscellaneous 33-4-7 "It's something we do on our ranch to make metal corral posts last longer. It keeps the posts from rusting and is relatively inexpensive to do," says Darol Dickinson, Barnesville, Ohio, who recently sent FARM SHOW photos of a metal corner post set inside a concrete-filled piece of flexible plastic pipe. The concrete extends about 6 in. above ground, which keeps the post entirely out of any mud, rain water, urine or fecal matter. "Metal posts rust the fastest right at ground level, where water stands and the acetic acid of livestock fecal material causes a chemical acceleration," says Dickinson. "Underground posts rust, too, but not as fast as at ground level. My post-setting method adds years to the life of a metal pipe corral." He buys 10-ft. lengths of 4-in. dia. plastic sewer line for about $5 apiece and cuts them into 14-in. lengths. He digs holes 8 in. deep and sticks the 14-in. sections of sewer pipe into it. He fills the pipes with concrete almost to the top, then pushes the metal posts into the cement. Then he pours more cement into the sewer pipe until it's flush with the top. "You can also use cardboard tube-type forms used for footings. However, plastic works better because it's cheaper, lasts longer, and looks better. "A 10-ft. section of plastic sewer pipe is enough for about eight posts. The plastic actually protects the concrete from getting broken or chipped, which is another advantage." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Darol Dickinson, 35000 Muskrat, Barnesville, Ohio 43713 (ph 740 758-5050; darol@texaslonghorn.com).

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