The 5 Best Gas Powered Post Drivers – [Reviews & Rankings]

Arguably the most difficult part of installing a fence is driving the fence posts. However, a gas-powered post driver is much less physically taxing than using a manual or pneumatic post driver. The best gas-powered post drivers can help speed up fence installation and minimize the physical burden of manual post driving.

A gas-powered post driver, sometimes referred to as a post pounder or fence driver, is a handheld device that uses a combustion motor (Source).

Whereas a manual post driver requires physical striking, a gas-powered post driver uses powerful vibrations similar to a jackhammer. The vibrations create a clean and precise hole that firmly plants the post without causing damage to it (Source). 

Gas-powered post drivers are relatively lightweight and portable. Many of them are adaptable and have a large barrel that allows you to drive many different post diameters. Some gas-powered post drivers even have vibration-reduction technology that minimizes recoil for a smoother operation. 

Whether you’re setting up a construction site, or installing more permanent fencing, a gas-powered post driver can help automate installation. It’s also more consistent and does less damage than using a manual or pneumatic post driver.

Prior to purchasing a gas-powered post driver, you’ll want to consider the width of the barrel and what size posts it can accommodate. You’ll also want to consider its horsepower and beats per minute. 

Make your fence installation process more efficient with these top-rated gas-powered post drivers. 

What is a Gas Powered Post Driver?

This is a tool that is powered by a gasoline engine and is primarily used to drive posts into the ground during fence installation. As you may be aware, erecting fence posts is the most cumbersome and demanding part of the project.

However, these hand-held tools are meant to install posts as tall as 10 feet in a matter of seconds and with minimal fatigue to your body. As compared to manual and pneumatic models, gasoline-powered fence post drivers are highly portable, versatile and rather powerful.

Also referred to as post knockers, pounders or fence drivers, are relatively easy-to-use, and will save you a considerable amount of time and money in labor costs.

How Does a Gas Powered Post Driver Work?

Gas-powered post drivers use a combustion motor to drive your post into the ground with ample power. The motion of these post drivers is best described as really fast tapping. Gas post drivers accurately vibrate the post into the ground, instead of smashing it down.

Comparing the Top 5 Post Hole Drivers

1. Titan PGD2875 Gas-Powered Post Driver – The Best Overall

This Titan Gas powered post driver is designed to offer you the best blend of performance and lightweight construction. Weighing about 30 pounds, it is one of the lightest gas-powered units in the market.

This makes the tool easy to operate and control in the field. The portable, light-duty gas-powered post driver is powered by a 4-stroke engine. The engine delivers 1.3 horsepower and a speed of between 1,500 and 2,000 beats per minute.

Despite being so powerful, the self-contained tool is rather lightweight and easy to maneuver. Drives posts in half the time of a manual driver. It is fitted with a 3¼”-inch barrel that may be used to drive posts with a diameter of up to 3”.

It comes with 1” and 2” adapter sleeves for driving posts, rods, or rebar smaller than 2” in diameter. Additionally, you will also get a servicing tool kit with every purchase.

2. Skidril 2-stroke Gas powered post driver – The Best Two-Stroke Gasoline Post Driver

This happens to be the most powerful gasoline post driver in its category, with its 2-stroke engine delivering about two horsepower. You will find this model relatively easy to start and operate.

This may be attributed to its lightweight and ergonomic design. The powerful 2-cyclone gasoline engine used on this diver only has a few moving parts. This, in addition to the fact that it does not require any hoses, which makes it rather easy to maintain.

With this unit, you will be able to drive posts as large as 4”. However, it comes with multi-chuck and air cushioning dampening for reduced recoil effect. Having been in business for more than 30 years, the Skidril manufacturer has gained valuable experience in making performance tools within the affordable range.

3. Rhino GPD40 Fence Pro Honda 4-stroke 35.8cc Gas Powered Post Driver – The Most Powerful Gas Powered Post Driver

Weighing a mare 38 pounds, this Rhino gas powered post driver is one of the lightest, yet powerful post drivers in the industry. If you are looking for the unmatched USA quality in your post driver, this is the unit you should get.

It features a larger body, hammer, and anvil. These combine to deliver about 30 percent more hitting power, as compared to other models within the same class.  It is powered by the legendary GX35 4- Honda industrial engine that has been proven to be very effective at powering such tools.

The driver is equipped with a 2” chuck sleeve that may be used to drive T-posts as well as the smaller round posts.It features an ergonomically designed handle with an integrated throttle.

For improved versatility, the tool may be coupled to 1-3/4″ or 1″  chuck adapters. The unit is suited for use in such applications as erosion control, agriculture, livestock management, sign installation, and rental tent installation.

4. Titan PGD3875, 4″ Barrel Post Driver – The Most Portable Gas Powered Post Driver

This 50-pound Titan gas powered post driver is renowned for its powerful hammering effect and remarkable portability. You will find this unit rather easy to lift, move, and carry down the fence line.

As compared to manual post drivers, the PGD3875 driver will reduce post-installation time by about half. As opposed to the Titan PGD2875 reviewed above, this model has a larger capacity.

It is capable of driving posts as large as 3.5” into the ground in a matter of seconds. The model comes with 1”, 2”, and 3” adapter sleeves to help you drive an assortment of post sizes more effectively.

The unit may also be used to drive rebar and rods sized less than 3” as well. The unit also comes with a service tool kit as well as a protective storage case.

5. BSTOOL 2-stroke 52cc Gasoline Petrol Post Driver – The Best Self-Contained Gas Hammer Post Driver

Though made of metal, this unit weighs just 28.7 pounds, hence is an easy to use self-contained post driver. The 2-stroke gasoline engine used on the tool delivers about 2.3 HP of power.

The industrial hummer post driver cones with two post driving heads, a 55 mm and a 70 mm head. This makes it ideal for driving Y-posts, T-posts as well as ground rods. The tool is fitted with vibration-absorbing springs, allowing for a stable operation experience.

Featuring a heavy-duty driver casting and adjustable interlocking controls, you will find the model customizable to the project you are undertaking. The plastic and rubber handle of the driver adds to its ergonomics while the sponge in the handles reduces its recoil force.

Such aspects are meant to reduce fatigue on the user. The model runs on mixed oil for improved efficiency, delivering a variable speed of 1,300 to  30,000 BPM.

How Much Does a Gas-Powered Post Driver Cost?

The best gasoline-powered post drivers cone at different price points. The price of these units mainly depends on their power, speed, capacity as well as make and model.

Rather than opting for the cheaper models, it is advisable to choose one that offers the best return on investment. Most gas-powered post drivers cost between $200 and $350.

If you are looking for a perfect blend of affordability and functionality, you should get the models priced between $400 and $600. High-end gas powered post drives can cost as much as $1,500.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Post Driver

Driving a post into the ground requires a sizeable amount of force. Most of the leading gas post driver brands use a hammer-mechanism in their models.

As such, two different models may have the same engine, but still, function differently.

While shopping for the best gas powered post driver, here are some of the important aspects you need to consider:

Post Size Capacity

Each of the leading gasoline-powered post divers in the market come in different designs and function differently. As such, the tools have varying capacities as far as the weight and size of the posts are concerned.

This mainly depends on the chuck adapter size of your preferred gas pounder. If you intend to use the tool on different pole sizes, it is advisable to go for one with a chuck that accommodates a myriad of post sizes and weights. Some of the most versatile models are capable of driving 1-5⁄8″ to a 4″ x 6″ H posts.

However, most of the smaller, affordable units are only designed to work on single post size. For enhanced versatility, some of the modern drivers can take up different chuck adapters, allowing you to drive an assortment of post sizes. Others come with handle extension kits, allowing you to install taller posts without the need for a ladder.

Soil Type

The texture and moisture content of the soil you will be driving the posts into will also determine the type of equipment you require. To drive average-sized fence posts into moist medium weight soil, the less powerful gas post drivers will suffice.

If the soil is heavy, compacted, and or dry, you will have a harder time driving a post into it. In such a case, you will need a larger, more powerful post driver model. It is almost impossible to drive a post into solid granite, even with a powerful driver.

In such a case, it helps to drill a 1-inch hole into the soil before trying to drive the post in. either way, more horsepower is better as it offers more versatility. You may also go for a model that features variable speed settings.

Need for Maintenance

Gas-powered post drivers are powered by engines, hence need to be serviced and repaired from time to time. Maintaining a multidirectional post driver comparatively simple, you only need to keep it well-lubed. You need to get a model that is affordable to maintain and with replacement parts that are readily available.

Number of Posts

How many posts will you be using the tool to drive? If you regularly install fences that require a large number of posts and do not mind heavier drivers, you should get a large-sized fence post pounder.

In this regard, you need to check the time it takes the tool to drive a single post. Some of the best gasoline-powered post drivers are capable of driving one post in 30 seconds.

Others will accomplish the same in two to three minutes. If you need to install many posts, you should get one that is faster to save time.

Depth of the Drive

Depending on the type of fence you are installing, differe3nt projects will require you to drive posts to different depths. Most of the leading gas powered post drivers are capable of driving posts 2-inch posts up to three feet deep.

If you need to drive the posts deeper than that, you should consider investing in more powerful drivers, particularly the ones that offer variable depth settings. Most of the larger post driver models are capable of driving a 2-inch post up to 10 feet deep.

Top Gas Powered Post Driver Brands

Although powered by gasoline engines of almost the same capacities, different brands produce units of varying qualities and performance levels. Rather than having to test every tool you can lay your hands on, it is advisable to only buy products by reputable manufacturers.

In this regard, these are some of the leading gas powered post driver brands you should consider:

Titan International

Established in 1968 by John Geberth, this company has been on the front-line in incorporating cutting-edge technology into their products over the years. Performance, quality, and value have been at the core of everything Titan has produced since its establishment.

Every gasoline-powered post driver model produced by this brand offers a perfect blend of power, economy, and speed. Although some Titan gas post drivers are quite costly, they have been proven to offer great value for money and enhanced portability.

SKIDRIL

If you would rather get an affordable post driver, you should consider buying a model by the Skidril post driver manufacturer. Just like the Gas-powered post driver 2 – stroke and the recently unveiled G2XD gasoline-powered post drivers, all models by this provider are reliable and comparatively durable.

As a matter of fact, Skidril is among the leading manufacturers of innovative and lightweight construction tools. With such compact and lightweight tools, you will experience minimal fatigue.

Rhino Tools

Founded in 1975, the Rhino tools company has been on the Frontline in manufacturing some of the high-quality, high-performance hydraulic, pneumatic and gas-powered tools.

Products by the manufacturer, including the leading Rhino gas powered post drivers, boast of unmatched performance levels and innovative designs.

Over the years, the USA-based manufacturer has been producing reliable, affordable and efficient tools for the fencing, agricultural, construction, rental, electrical, forestry, public works, landscape, rigging construction, and dock building industries.

Ready to Use a Gas Powered Post Driver on Your Next Project?

Gasoline-powered post drivers cone in a myriad of size, weight and power options. Try to get a fence post pounder that is powerful enough to drive different sized posts to different depths. One that features an assortment of adjustable settings and Chuck adapters will offer you more versatility.

Like the five pneumatic post drivers reviewed above, your preferred fence post driver should also feature quality construction and be relatively easy to use. Regardless of your specific requirements, this guide will help you choose the best gas-powered post, driver.

If you prefer to do manual hole digging for posts, you can find the best tool options here.