Sub-Surface Post Remover With Hydraulic Foundation Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to securely lift buried fence posts with or without concrete foundations, requiring multiple people and extensive manual digging, and lack portability for single-user operation.
Innovation Solution
A portable frame with a fluid-powered cylinder and piston system, equipped with a grapnel or steel rope attachment, allows for secure gripping and lifting of sub-surface poles, including concrete foundations, using compressed air or hydraulic fluid to extend the piston and remove posts efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual digging is used to remove posts with concrete foundations, then removal is possible, but it requires several people and takes several days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder system to generate lifting force for removing posts with concrete foundations. The hydraulic system provides sufficient force to lift heavy foundations without requiring manual digging, thereby increasing productivity while reducing the number of people needed for the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical digging with an automated hydraulic lifting system. The post remover device uses hydraulic power to lift and extract posts with foundations, substituting human labor with a mechanical system that operates more efficiently and requires fewer operators.
2Force
If existing lifting apparatus is used, then lifting force can be applied, but the apparatus cannot securely connect to buried posts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dynamic lower arms that can pivot and adjust during the lifting operation. These arms are designed to engage with the post and foundation, providing secure connection while accommodating the forces applied during extraction. The dynamic design allows the connection mechanism to adapt to the loading conditions, ensuring reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower arms are constructed from composite materials that combine strength and flexibility. This allows the connection mechanism to securely grip the post and foundation while withstanding the high lifting forces applied during removal operations.
3Weight of moving object
If existing stake puller design is used, then portable operation is achieved, but the device cannot lift buried posts with foundations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a hydraulic cylinder system that provides high lifting force in a compact package. The hydraulic mechanism enables the device to lift heavy posts with concrete foundations while maintaining portability, as hydraulic systems can generate substantial force from relatively small components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the functional capability beyond surface-level stake removal by designing lower arms that can engage with buried portions of posts and their foundations. This dimensional extension allows the portable device to access and lift objects that are partially or fully embedded in the ground.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables single-person operation to easily extract fence posts and concrete foundations, even when broken, with high lifting forces up to 18,500 lbs., reducing manual labor and time required for removal.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to pressurize a fluid. In addition, a fluid cylinder is also mounted on the frame. The cylinder is configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the pump
Implementation Method 2
preferably the fluid is air or hydraulic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-surface pole removal frame having a main bar extending downwardly from a handle bar and fixedly attached to a rectangular solid plate and connected to a pivotable work lever connected to an attachment member, first and second main struts extending downward at an angle to a first and second horizontally extending foot on opposite sides of the base, that form two triangular openings, such that the pole remover stands upright in a stable configuration with both feet on the ground, the solid plate provides a mount to secure a lifting mechanism with a flexible synching loop or grapnel, and a wheel assembly mounted to a rear portion of the frame, wherein the mount on the base is wedge shaped, wherein the wheel assembly is fixedly attached with two poles connected to the rear portion of the solid plate, wherein the struts are rigid tubular metal.