In article ,
Martin Brown wrote:
On 15/05/2020 12:02, JoeJoe wrote:
a 4 x 4 treated wood post that was in place for around 15 years has
rotted and needs replacing.

It is a 2.4m one - 60cm under ground, set using a couple of bags of
postcrete. Unfortunately the post has rotted right at the ground level.

Once I free the post from the rest of the fence I am certain that I will
be able to simply snap it at the point where it meets the concrete.

They invariably rot at or near ground level - usually slightly below
where it is almost continuously damp and well provided with oxygen.

Is there an easy way to remove the lump of concrete so that a new post
can be easily set in its place without having to dig a very large hole
around it and pull it out?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

PS: I do not have access to any heavy machinery.

How good are you with a pick axe and sledgehammer?
You will almost certainly have to smash it to bits to get it out.

Use of a scaffold pole as a lever and my most brutal chisels and crow
bars is my method of choice. It just takes time.

It is really that or a mate with a mini-digger.

We inherited some gateposts sunk into concrete. I was able to get all the
timber out of the holes and drop new posts in. This was 30 years ago and I
can't remember how I did it. The holes were 4"x4", so probably was able to
get my hand in.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle