Gas-powered post drivers are excellent tools that can cut your fence building time in half. They can be used for other projects too, like putting signs up, for example. There are many different types of post drivers available and the cost varies a lot.
You don’t want to waste money on an expensive tool that you don’t need, but you equally don’t want to get stuck with a cheap driver that is just as much hard work as a manual one. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing a gas-powered post driver, with some of my recommendations.
What is a Gas-Powered Post Driver?
A Gas-Powered post driver is a specialized tool used for driving fence posts into the ground. It operates using a gasoline engine that powers a hammering mechanism. This tool is designed to speed up the process for installing posts without the need for manual hammering or digging holes.
It’s particularly useful for building fences, signposts, or any structure that requires a sturdy post hammered down and into the ground.
To use a Gas-Powered Post Driver, you place it over the top of a post and start the engine. The engine activates a hammer inside the tool, which repeatedly strikes the top of the post, driving it into the ground. This process is much faster and less labor-intensive than manual methods. The tool’s portability allows it to be used in various locations, even where there’s no access to electricity.
10 Best Gas-Powered Post Drivers
1. Titan PGD2875 Homeowner (Lightweight Pick)
- Horsepower: 1.3 HP
- Engine Type: 4 Stroke
- Barrel Size: Drives up to 3” diameter posts (with 1” and 2” adapters)
- Weight: 28 pounds (Super Lightweight Pick)
- Beats Per Minute: 1500 to 2000
The Titan PGD2875 Homeowner is one of the best gas-powered post drivers for general use. While it might not be adequate for professional use, it’s more than capable of handling light duty work around the home. The 4 stroke engine puts out 1.3 horsepower and drives posts at 1500 to 2000 beats-per-minute. It can drive posts up to 3” in diameter and it has 1” and 2” adapters for smaller posts too.
That range of sizes is suitable for most fences you’re likely to build in your yard. You can easily drive lots of posts in a short space of time, but it does struggle a little on especially hard ground. It’s worth checking the state of the soil before you get started and if you are having trouble, consider wetting the ground. It’s very loud too, so make sure you wear ear protection.
While this isn’t the most powerful post driver out there, it’s robust and it can easily handle standard fence posts. But the best thing is that it’s very lightweight and easy to handle, so anybody can use it. It’s also a more affordable option than some other post drivers.
2. Titan Post Drivers PGD3200
- Horsepower: 1.3 HP
- Engine Type: 4 Stroke
- Barrel Size: Drives up to 3.25” diameter posts
- Weight: 45lb
- Beats Per Minute: 1850
If you are installing a big fence and you need to drive thicker posts, this Titan Post Drivers PGD3200 is ideal. It is more geared towards commercial work, though it still has the same 4 stroke engine with 1.3 horsepower. It drives posts up to 3.25” at 1850 beats-per-minute. It’s designed for use over long periods and the built-in dampening springs minimize the vibration and make it more comfortable to use. You won’t notice the difference if you are installing a small fence but when you are using it for a long time, it’s worthwhile. It weighs 45lb, so it’s easy to maneuver.
This post driver is quite a bit more expensive than the Titan Homeowner version but it’s better suited to big jobs and if you see yourself using a post driver regularly, it’s worth the extra money.
3. Earth Series 32.7cc Gas Powered T-Post Driver
- Horsepower: Not specified, but smaller engine
- Engine Type: 2 Stroke
- Barrel Size: Adjustable for different sizes (49 mm and 69 mm)
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Beats Per Minute: 1700-2230
The Earth Series 32.7cc Gas Powered T-Post Driver is an excellent affordable option, costing less than half what a high-end post driver does. It has a small engine, which makes it nice and lightweight, but it’s still powerful enough to drive fence posts quickly. The 2 stroke engine drives posts at a rate of 1700-2230 beats-per-minute, which just goes to show that a smaller engine doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise on performance.
It comes with adjustable sleeves so it can drive a range of different sized posts, and it has some excellent added features like dampening springs too, which is good considering the price. It also has a great see-through fuel construction so you can tell when you are running low on fuel.
The post driver offers excellent value because, even though it has a smaller engine, it still gives you an excellent driving rate and has all of the features that you expect to find on more expensive models.
4. Titan Post Drivers PGD2875H
- Horsepower: Similar to the Homeowner model
- Engine Type: 4 Stroke (Honda engine)
- Barrel Size: Drives 1”, 2”, and 3” diameter posts
- Weight: 28lb
- Beats Per Minute: 1500 to 2000
This Titan Post Driver is similar to the Homeowner model in terms of power and driving capacity. However, it uses a Honda engine, known for reliability and superior performance. It comes with adapters for 1”, 2”, and 3” fence posts and drives at 1500 to 2000 beats-per-minute.
The design is geared towards all-day use with a durable engine, comfortable handles, and dampening springs. It’s also incredibly light at just 28lb, so it is very easy to handle for long periods. Just make sure that you wear ear protection because it does get very loud.
5. Rhino GPD40 Fence Pro Honda 4-Stroke 35.8cc Gas Powered Post Driver
- Horsepower: Not specified
- Engine Type: 4 Stroke (Honda engine)
- Barrel Size: Drives up to 2.5” diameter posts (with 1” and 2” sleeves)
- Weight: 38lbs
- Beats Per Minute: 1720
If you need a heavy-duty gas-powered post driver, this Rhino GPD40 is ideal. It weighs slightly more than other similar tools (38lbs) but you get more power as a result. It’s a good option if you are working with bigger posts. The driver is powered by a reliable Honda 4 stroke engine, which has been rigorously tested for quality. It drives posts at a rate of 1720 beats-per-minute, so it makes short work of all standard fence posts.
However, it only drives posts up to 2.5” so make sure to check the size of the posts before you get started. It also comes with sleeves for 1” and 2” posts.
The Honda engine in this model will last for years to come without dropping in performance, and you get great speed and efficiency from it. If you are willing to pay more for a premium option, this is the one to go for.
If you don’t need something quite this powerful but you still want a well-built tool, try the next model down, the GPD30. It has all of the same excellent features and Honda engine, but it’s slightly lighter. It will still be powerful enough to handle most DIY projects and the design makes it nice and easy to handle.
6. JACKCHEN 52CC Gas Powered T-Post Driver (Value Option)
- Engine cc: 52cc
- Engine Type: 2 Stroke
- Weight: 50lbs
The JACKCHEN 52cc Gas Powered T-Post Driver is the best value option out there. It has everything you need to get started with your project right away, including all of the tools and accessories you need to put fuel in. But just because it’s cheap, that doesn’t mean you’ll compromise on performance as it still has a 52cc gas-powered engine in it.
It doesn’t have dampening springs like you find on more expensive tools, but the rubber handles have a nice ergonomic design that helps you stay comfortable when working for long periods. It also has an adjustable throttle switch so you can change the power depending on the post material and the ground you are driving it into.
You may not want to buy an expensive post driver if you’re just putting up one fence in your yard. In that case, this is the perfect choice because it’s affordable, but still performs well.
7. XtremepowerUS Gas-Powered 2-Stroke T-Post Fence Post Driver
- Engine cc: 52cc
- Engine Type: 2 Stroke
- Barrel Size: Drives up to 3” diameter posts
- Weight: 40lbs
- Beats Per Minute: 700-1350
This Xtremepower 52cc Gas-Powered Post Driver is a powerful tool that can handle any posts of up to 3”. The 52cc engine gives between 700 and 1350 beats-per-minute, which is not as fast as some of the other drivers on this list, but it is more powerful, so it will easily handle all standard fence projects.
Often, more powerful drivers are heavier and clumsier to handle but that isn’t the case here. It’s still nice and lightweight and drives steel posts with ease. It’s less effective on wooden posts, especially in compacted ground, but with a bit of patience it gets the job done. It also comes with a handy carry case for added portability.
8. Titan PGD3200X Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Post Driver
- Horsepower: 1.3hp
- Engine Type: 4-stroke (Honda)
- Barrel Size: 3 ⅛” diameter and 2 ½” solid industrial grade poly adapter sleeve. Additional sizes available – ½”, ¾”, 1″, 1 ¾”, 2″, 2¼”
- Weight: 45lbs
- Beats Per Minute: 1850
When building a tall fence or an especially short one, post drivers can be a bit awkward to use. You can get around that problem with this Titan PGD3200X Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Post Driver, complete with an extension kit. The post driver is fitted to the adjustable extension so you can reach tall posts with ease, without breaking your back holding it over your head. You can drive posts of all sizes from ½” all the way up to 3”, so if you’re looking for a post driver that can easily meet all of your needs, this is the one to go for.
It drives posts in at 1850 beats-per-minute, even when attached to the extension, so you can finish your fence in no time. You may not need the extension if you are working with fence posts that are 6 feet or less. However, anything larger than that and you should consider this driver to make life easier for yourself.
9. REDIboss78 Post Driver
- Engine Type: Honda gx35 engine
- Barrel Size: 3 1/8” and a 2”
- Weight: 35 lbs (Lightweight)
- Beats Per Minute: 1820
The REDI-DRIVER BOSS Gas Powered Post Driver uses a quality Honda engine to drive posts at a rate of 1820 beats-per-minute. Reliability is one of the biggest selling points of this tool and it has one of the longest warranties of any post driver. You get 3 years warranty on the parts of the driver and 1 year on the engine itself.
This isn’t the cheapest post driver that money can buy but it is very powerful, capable of fixing posts very deep into the ground with ease. It’s lightweight and easy to use too.
10. Skidril 4 Stroke Light Impact Post Driver G15D
- Horsepower: 1.5 Horsepower
- Engine Type: 4 Stroke
- Barrel Size: 1-7/8″, 2″ and 2-7/8″
- Weight: 42 Pounds
For a normal fence project in your yard, you only need a basic post driver that can handle reasonably sized posts. You don’t necessarily need to pay a lot for an industrial post driver with lots of advanced features. The Skidril 4 Stroke Light Impact Post Driver is simple, affordable, and gives excellent performance.
While it won’t be up to the task of fencing off huge areas or driving in ten foot tall posts, it works brilliantly for anything up to 2-7/8″” as long as you are working on reasonable ground. If it is rocky or especially hard, you may need something a bit more powerful.
Considerations to Make When Buying a Gas-Powered Post Driver
Weight
It’s like picking up a heavy backpack. If the post driver is too heavy, it’s hard to carry and use. Lighter ones (about 30-40 pounds) are easier to handle. But if you’re working with big fence posts, you might need a heavier one (around 50 pounds). Just remember, heavier means harder to move around.
Power
These tools come with different engine sizes, measured in ‘cc’ (like 35cc or 50cc). Think of it like a bike – some have more power to go faster. A smaller engine (2 stroke, 1-2 horsepower) is good for normal jobs and cuts your work time in half compared to doing it by hand. For really big jobs or super big posts, choose a 4 stroke engine. It’s stronger but costs more and is heavier.
Speed/Efficiency
The speed of the post driver is often a better indication of how efficient it is than the size of the engine. Remember, a gas-powered post driver doesn’t rely solely on brute force so speed is more effective than power. When comparing different gas-powered post drivers, always look at the beats-per-minute.
Anything over 1500 is good, but some go up as far as 2000 or higher. Ideally, you should find a lightweight post driver that gives you good beats-per-minute and still has a relatively small engine. If you are driving in large posts, you’ll need a post driver with 2000 beats-per-minute or more.
Post Drive Size
This is about how big the posts the driver can handle. Small drivers work with posts up to 2 inches thick, but bigger ones can manage up to 4 inches or more. If you’re making a tall fence with wide posts, you’ll need a bigger post driver. Some come with special sleeves to fit different post sizes.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.