You guys that are having a hard time pulling the super stakes...drill down beside them, on either side, with a 9/16" masonry drill bit to loosen up the soil. They'll pop right out then. Even in frost.

Thanks for the tip!

Nice tip Al thanks

No worries Artrapper. The closets resemblance on the market would be the Iowa Stakes made by Sterling fur in Ohio. They would work well also. I haven't checked in a while what all they make or sell.

Mine were cut square from 1/2" black pipe stock and we punch pressed one end, welded a nut in the middle, and ferruled 3/32" cable to the nut in varying lengths.

Mark

Do you think welding a nut on the side has any advantage over just drilling a hole below the depth of the driver head. And then just running the cable through the hole then pushing It out through the top of the anchor then crushing on a stop.

I've had the best luck with super stakes, 18" of chain. For me they drive better that wolfs in rocky ground

Those who use wolf fangs Is there a reason the ears are bent over like that?
That anchor was my design and I found that by leaving the ears sharp and pointy they held better.

Would the cable get injured by the driver rod Beav?
I'm trying to picture the rig you're describing.
The nut is welded but as is everything, not 100%.
I always give a tug to test, and set the anchor.

I just drilled a hole the size of the cable through the anchor. The hole was below the depth of the driver. Once you put the cable through the hole and shoved It out through the driver hole. You crushed on a stop. Then pull the cable back Into the anchor body. No damage to the cable.

Gotcha. Never did that. It may be slick.
These super stakes are so rugged and so slick and fast, and versatile to boot...
I use the dickens out of them.

I do have to watch the S-hook bottom however. In gravel composition, they take a beating.
I could never use a piece of flat stock or round stock in most of my ground, except the SandHills of Nebraska perhaps.

Hope all is well in WI Beav!

Mark

Helps kick them horizontal when you set them.

I'm not understanding you.
Once that wolf fang has been driven 14" Into the ground I don't see It ever becoming horizontal bent tips or not.

Maybe I'm a little slow this morning, but once you pull up on the trap after driving the stake in, doesnt the stake go horizontal? Once you first pull up on it there is definitely an inch of play and then it is rock solid. And when you try and pull them out with a stake puller, every stake has come out horizontal.

In rock hard frozen January Nebraska soil I like the super stakes or earth anchors on cable, and they dont come home with me in february. I only use them where I'm hoofing it in about 1/2 mile or more to save weight. Otherwise I double stake with rebar if less than half mile walk in.
Pilot holes are a must and you need a big hammer in frozen ground.
Wolf fangs are like a real heavy version of berks and pilot hole a must in winter. I like those in softer soil or water sets. I use them on snares too. They often dont come home either in February just clip the cable just below the ground level chip it down a bit to get low and cut them free.
I tried pulling in winter...and that's why I quit using chains too. I'd rather be out cable and an anchor than leaving chain and anchor in soil.
I have a couple pond dams that must have a couple dozen anchors and cable in ground there. No one is going to plow those up (pond dams) and they are cut low so not an issue for mowers either. A little iron back in soil I guess.
Jim

I didn't say the anchor didn't turn In the ground when pulled. I was asking the reason for the bent over tips on those anchors.

And I'm betting In most heavy clay soils those anchors don't go to far In a horizontal position. I'm sure there Is some movement past the vertical position but going to a horizontal position Is a bit of a stretch. In light soils and sand I'm sure there Is more movement.
I just want to understand the bent over ends.

You know I developed that anchor and I really could care less If some one copied It. And the ones I built worked just fine without the tips being bent over. Just asking.

Sorry beav I reread everything and see what you were saying now.

Hey don't be sorry I'm just looking for an answer.

Chained Super Stakes all day!

I've used chained superstakes for a few years. Once in a while, the s-hook would break while driving. I started using cold shuts to attach the chain to the end.

Still use rebar when the ground gets frozen hard.

What is a cold shut? I dont think i am familiar with the term.