Section 1: Transportation & Handling Guide >   Section 2: Installation Guide >  Section 3: Curing Time Guide >

How the posts are packed and strapped

Australian Concrete Posts Pty Ltd [ACP] fence posts are stacked in two rows and strapped into packs. They are strapped with metal strapping onto two timber gluts underneath for ease of storage and transport. This method minimises damage to posts during moving and handling. The Fence Posts are in packs of thirty, and the Strainer Posts are in packs of six.
Australian Concrete Posts Pty Ltd [ACP] strongly recommend that all handling of the concrete posts be done using mechanical aids, such as, forklift or tractor with forks to lift and manoeuvre the posts from truck to delivery site. This method must also be employed when the packs have been unstrapped and opened.
The pack weight must be observed when using lifting machinery to offload, to make sure that the machinery is capable of lifting the pack weight. See the table below for product codes and approximate pack weights.

Stacking the packs onto ground

Due care and attention must be given when restacking packs and when the strapping is removed. The ground conditions to stack or store a pack of concrete posts should be stable and even ground. The packs must be stacked level and straight and the load bearers should line up. See pictures opposite and below as a guideline.

Off-loading should be carried out by authorised, competent and trained personnel. Ensure the area is clear of obstructions and away from members of the public and other trades. Due consideration to manual handing should be taken in handling both the concrete fence posts and strainer posts.

Manual Handling of posts 

Safe Work Australia (www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au) can provide guidance on manual handling.
1. We recommend you handle the posts as little as possible to prevent fatigue and injury.

2. As the posts are all over 20kg we recommend you complete a thorough risk assessment before attempting to manually handle the posts. Wherever possible, use a mechanical aid for the heavy lifting and moving the posts.

3. At least two people should be used when handling the concrete fence posts.

4. When placing the posts on the ground beside the prepared holes we recommend you DO NOT drop or throw the posts onto the ground, as this may cause a fracture through the concrete post.

Safety and risk assessment

Due to the potential of the concrete posts shattering when being installed or being handled we recommend you do a thorough risk assessment before installation begins. Ensure the area you’re working in is clear of obstructions and other people. Ensure workers use the appropriate personal protection equipment. We recommend as a minimum; head protection, eye protection, hand protection, foot protection and long trousers to avoid incidents and injury from any debris during installation. By taking the appropriate personal protection you are able to minimise injury. Ensure other people around you are also aware of the dangers and are also using appropriate PPE.

ACP GUIDE: ALWAYS ENSURE YOU UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATE THOSE RISKS BEFORE HANDLING THE [ACP] CONCRETE FENCE POSTS.

Driving Caps for Concrete Posts

ACP prestressed concrete posts are driveable with a standard post driver. Percussion drivers, pneumatic drivers and standard thumper are all able to be used to drive the concrete post. Thousands of posts are driven into the ground across all sorts of ground across Australia. The variations between locations, conditions and machines it will re-quire a bit of patience and trial and error to get it just right for your fence line. In short, ACP recommend a thick dense rubber material be used to cushion the direct impact on top of the post when driving them in.

Choose the correct driving cap for your machine

For a drop hammer, thumper style, use the ACP Driving caps. For a percussion style, pneumatic, vibrating style driver, you will need a manufactured driving head for your specific machine. ACP Driving Cap is NOT designed to be used with a percussion driver.

Driving cap for drop hammer drivers

ACP have developed a driving cap is suitable for a drop hammer style driver. The cap is simply placed on top of the post when the hammer comes down. The ACP Driving Cap holds a layer of 20mm rubber in place. The layer of rubber padding inside minimises impact on post. Refer to the table below for hammer head weights and heights.

Driving caps for percussion drivers

A percussion driver is much more violent on concrete posts. Order a driving cap for your machine from manufacturer or have one custom made for your machine by a fabricator. Take the time to get the settings right before you bash the posts and you will save plenty of time in the long run. The percussion driver requires MORE rubber or plenty of high impact polyurethane in the post guide cap to minimise the impact on the post. Usually the rebound pressure should be turned right down on the driver as well. You will perhaps need a few trials to get the right balance and pressure. MORE INFO CLICK HERE

Recommended method to hit in a concrete fence post

1. Drill a pilot hole about 150 to 200mm (6 to 8 Inches) wide to the depth you require the post to be placed into the ground

2. Ensure the pilot hole is vertical.

3. In drought conditions wet the post or the ground with about a litre of water. (Old fencers trick to make the concrete post slide into the ground easier).

4. Place the driving cap with the appropriate rubber over the post to prevent the metal driver hitting the post.

5. Gently tap the post into the ground using small strokes of the driving hammer. Refer to the table below that shows the recommended height the driver hammer should be lifted to depending on the hammer head weight.

What about in rocky country?

In some circumstances you are able to hit the posts directly into the ground without using a pilot hole. This will depend on numerous factors like soil condition, how wet the soil is, if there are rocks, your experience at driving the concrete posts into the ground and the way you use your driving hammer. Therefore, we recommend you use a pilot hole which is drilled vertically to the depth you require the concrete posts put into the ground.

If you’re in rocky country, then by using a pilot hole you can judge the depth the post can go into the ground by the depth of the pilot hole drilled. Remember concrete is not like timber where you just hit the post into the ground and cut the top off and drill the holes. You have to think backwards and cut the bottom of the post off, to the required length before hitting into the ground. Therefore, measure how deep the pre drilled hole is and cut the bottom of the post off. Cutting the post to the desired length is easily done using a concrete cutting blade on a grinder.

Pulling the wire

1. [ACP] recommend pulling one wire strand at a time.

2. When pulling the wire through the holes we recommend you brace the first fence post to help keep it stable.

3. Ensure the wire roll is level with the hole you are pulling the wire through.

4. Pull the wire through at a gentle and even pace. This will eliminate the wire whipping or becoming stuck.

5. When pulling more than one strand at a time, (not recommended) ensure the wire coils unravel in the same direction helping to eliminate them getting tangled.

Read the section above on handling the posts for safe methods of transport and handling.

ACP GUIDE: ALWAYS ENSURE YOU UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATE THOSE RISKS BEFORE HANDLING THE [ACP] CONCRETE FENCE POSTS.

CURING TIME OF CONCRETE POSTS

Use this document as a guide of when the prestressed concrete posts are ready to use or drive in the ground.

Australian Concrete Posts Pty Ltd [ACP] fence posts are made with Boral premixed concrete which is poured at 40MPA. When the concrete posts are made, each batch is marked with the date of manufacture.
For the optimum strength of the concrete post, they must be allowed to “cure” for at least 28 days from date of pouring. Therefore, the posts are NOT ready to be driven or hit with a post driver or hammer, until that minimum 28 days has passed, however, posts can be augured in and earth rammed.
Threading and tensioning wire through the concrete post BEFORE the minimum 28 day curing time is also not recommended.
Unlike timber fence posts, with a concrete fence posts, the longer the time passes from date of manufacture, the stronger the post will become.
The date of manufacture of the post is written in crayon in the following format and can be seen on the side of each strapped pack. The Fence Posts are in packs of thirty, and the Strainer Posts are in packs of six.

YY/MM/DD = YEAR M = MONTH D – DAY PICTURED ON RIGHT: Date of manufacture is in black crayon on the top of each pack of posts.

Use these quick links to download the pdf files of leaflets and documents.

ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS AND LAND MANAGERS

AUSTRALIA – FEDERAL

https://www.awe.gov.au/

NEW SOUTH WALES

NSW RURAL ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY
https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/

LOCAL LAND SERVICES NSW
https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au

HUNTER CATCHMENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxeeO-TxMHE

QUEENSLAND

QLD RURAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/primary-producers

QLD HEALTHY LAND AND WATER
Dedicated to improving and protecting SEQ environment.
https://hlw.org.au/

QLD GRAZING SUPPORT PROGRAMS
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/agriculture/sustainable-farming/reef/reef-regulations/producers/grazing/support-programs

VIDEO – Understanding Erosion on Grazing Lands
https://youtu.be/jOSXemkWWxIhttps://youtu.be/jOSXemkWWxI

PODCAST – GRASS  – A Totally Green Solution
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/news-media/podcasts/grass-a-truly-green-solution

GRAZING (GRASS) Program
GRAZING RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (GRASS) PROGRAM FACT SHEET

FITZROY BASIN ASSOCIATION – HELP FOR GRAZIERS, GROWERS AND LAND MANAGERS
https://www.fba.org.au

FITZROY BASIN ASSOCIATION FARM ADVISORY SERVICES
FBA’s farm advisory services seeks to connect farmers with specialists in profitable, productive and sustainable land management. If you’re looking to innovate and don’t know where to start we can link you with the right service providers and share the cost*.
https://www.fba.org.au/services/graziers/

FITZROY BASIN ASSOCIATION ASSISTANCE
Property planning, one-on-one visits and training and financial assistance to implement property improvement works. 
https://www.fba.org.au/community-and-volunteers-funding-and-assistance-register-your-interest/

BARRON RIVER CATCHMENT CARE for WET TROPICS REGION OF NORTH QLD
For healthy land and waterways.
http://barronrivercatchment.org.au/

WET TROPICS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 
To protect, conserve, present, rehabilitate and pass on the World Heritage Area to future generations.
https://www.wettropics.gov.au/

GREENING AUSTRALIA – LANDHOLDER REGISTRATION FOR ASSISTANCE
https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/landholder-registration/