A Lifetime of Fencing in the Yorkshire Dales

Matt Hey, of Ilkley in West Yorkshire, has been fencing, installing gates, concreting, and maintaining farm land since he was 15 years old. With sixty years’ experience in the industry, he knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to farm maintenance.

Growing Up

Whilst still in school Matt spent his spare time helping out on his cousins’ farm until the age of 15. His training then took him to a farm in Penrith, where he received a good education in stock and animal farming, before returning home to the Yorkshire Dales and starting up as a Service Contractor. 

Too Many Customers, Too Little Time

The day a colleague recommended the Easy Petrol Post Driver was an eye-opener.

Matt works 7-days a week on his patch, which runs from Ilkley to Kinsley. He talks fondly of his customers for whom he works long days, puts in a lot of hard work, however every now and then they want the “job done yesterday”. With this in mind it pays to have the best tools to get the work done to a high standard, and quickly. The day a colleague recommended the Easy Petrol Post Driver was an eye-opener.

“The [Easy Petrol] Post Driver is great for 3-4” stakes, and knocks in 7-foot Scaffold Poles as if there’s no tomorrow. I can use it for 3-4” Steel gate Posts then hang the gates there and then. Its light and easy to carry.”

Ground Conditions in the Dales

Matt explains that normally the ground in the Yorkshire Dales makes fencing a nightmare. There are only 3 inches of soil; below is gravel and it can be impossible to knock posts in, especially around sheep pens that you can’t reach with a tractor. However, the [Easy Petrol] Post Driver has changed all that. “Posts always seem firmer when they’ve been driven in with the machine.  I’ve also used it on steep banks and wall top wiring. It doesn’t damage the post top like a tractor post driver can. Plus, the engine’s a Honda which speaks for itself, its easy to start and won’t let me down.” 

End of the Day

“When I’m worn out at the end of the day and get a last-minute call from a customer asking me to fix some fencing or a gate, I know I’ll be able to get it sorted quickly with my Post Driver. Then on Sundays it helps me get a good 3 hours fencing done and be home in time to go to church at Bolton Abbey, where I work as the warden.

Thank you ever so much to Matt for taking some time out on a chilly Winter afternoon to talk to us. If you have any questions or would like to talk to us about your own story, please contact us on info@petrolpostdriver.com or call 0114 269 9119.