Post Puller

Abstract

A post puller comprises a winch-and-cable mechanism attached to a sliding post gripper. Winding the winch cable on the drum of the winch raises the post gripper which travels along a vertical shaft supporting the winch thereby pulling the post from the ground. A lever acting on a ratchet wheel is sued to rotate the winch drum. The post gripper is designed to engage both conventional wooden posts and metal T-posts. One of the embodiments uses a steel cable to connect the sliding post gripper to the winch while another embodiment uses a strap. A foot operated embodiment utilizes a pulley to redirect the force from the winch which is mounted at the base of the post puller. A wheeled embodiment is also disclosed. Removable forks may be inserted in the sliding post gripper to allow a user to lift other items besides posts.

1 . A post puller comprising: 
 a base for supporting the post puller on the ground;    a substantially vertical shaft connected at a first end to the base;    a post gripper in sliding engagement with the shaft;    a winch mounted on a second end of the vertical shaft;    a cable attached to the post gripper and the winch such that winding the cable on the winch pulls the post gripper up the vertical shaft;    a stand-off proximate the second end of the vertical shaft for preventing contact between the winch and a post being pulled from the ground by the post puller; and    a cable guide disposed on said vertical shaft for maintaining alignment of the cable with the winch.    
   
   
       2 . The post puller according to  claim 1  wherein said winch is a lever-actuated winch.  
   
   
       3 . The post puller according to  claim 1  wherein said post gripper further comprising a chain adjustably disposed on said post gripper for wrapping around a post.  
   
   
       4 . The post puller according to  claim 3  further comprising a hook disposed on an end of said chain.  
   
   
       5 . The post puller according to  claim 1  further comprising a handle moveably connected to said winch wherein movement of said handle affords a mechanical advantage to a user.  
   
   
       6 . The post puller according to  claim 1  wherein said post gripper is formed from a U-channel steel channel.  
   
   
       7 . The post puller according to  claim 1  wherein said winch further comprising a ratchet wheel, a first pawl for communicating motion and a second pawl preventing backward motion.  
   
   
       8 . A post puller comprising: 
 a base for supporting said post puller on the ground;    a substantially vertical shaft connected at a first end to the base;    a post gripper in sliding engagement with said vertical shaft;    a ratchet means disposed on said vertical shaft for providing a mechanical advantage to a user;    an attachment means connected to said post gripper for transmitting a force from said ratchet means; and    a stand-off disposed on a second end of said vertical shaft for preventing contact between said ratchet means and a post being pulled from the ground by said post puller.    
   
   
       9 . The post puller according to  claim 8  wherein said ratchet means is a winch.  
   
   
       10 . The post puller according to  claim 8  wherein said attachment means is a strap.  
   
   
       11 . The post puller according to  claim 8  wherein said attachment means is a composite cable.  
   
   
       12 . The post puller according to  claim 8  wherein said attachment means is a steel cable.  
   
   
       13 . The post puller according to  claim 9  further comprising a lever arm moveably connected to said winch.  
   
   
       14 . The post puller according to  claim 13  wherein said winch is mounted to said base and further comprising a pulley mounted on said second end for redirecting said connecting means; and a foot operated pedal disposed on a free end of said lever arm.  
   
   
       15 . The post puller according to  claim 8  further comprising at least one wheel moveably disposed on said base for moving said post puller.  
   
   
       16 . The post puller according to  claim 15  further comprising a handle disposed along an upper section of said vertical shaft for maneuvering said post puller when rolling.  
   
   
       17 . The post puller according to  claim 8  further comprising at least one removable lifting platform removeably disposed on said post gripper for lifting.  
   
   
       18 . The post puller according to  claim 8  further comprising a chain adjustably connected to said post gripper for frictionally engaging a post.  
   
   
       19 . The post puller according to  claim 18  wherein said post gripper has at least one adjustment slot disposed therein.  
   
   
       20 . A post puller comprising: 
 a vertical shaft having a first and second end;    a base attached to said first end;    a sliding section slidably connected to said vertical shaft;    a winch disposed on said second end of said vertical shaft;    a connector disposed between said winch and said sliding section; and    a frictional grip adjustably disposed on said sliding section.