Built from the kind of practical thinking that only comes from years spent on the land, the PostMate is a classic example of Kiwi ingenuity solving a very real on-farm problem
Designed and developed in Matamata, the loader-mounted post puller is quickly gaining attention among farmers, fencing contractors and rural operators looking for a faster, safer and smarter way to remove fence posts.
The idea began in the workshop of inventor Warren Storey, whose background in hands-on farm problem solving sparked the concept. Like many in the rural sector, Warren had seen firsthand the risks and frustrations that came with traditional post removal methods – often involving chains, loaders and multiple people working in close proximity to moving machinery.
Determined to find a better way, he set about designing a safer and more efficient system. After years of refining and real-world testing, the result was PostMate – a purpose-built attachment that allows operators to safely remove and manoeuvre posts directly from the cab of the machine.
Recognising the product’s potential early on, Harry Newey and Shawn Watson joined forces with Warren to help bring the invention to market. Together, the trio have worked to patent the design and expand PostMate’s reach, with the product now finding its way onto farms and contracting operations both around New Zealand and internationally.
At the heart of the system is a unique chain-and-toothed spool mechanism that tightens its grip as the load increases. Whether tackling timber posts, concrete strainers, round or square profiles, the PostMate is designed to hold securely under pressure without slipping.
Compatible with most standard farm loaders and telehandlers, the unit is capable of pulling posts as quickly as the loader can move, with the company claiming up to four times the speed of traditional methods. Just as importantly, it significantly reduces the need for workers to operate under raised loader buckets or around tensioned chains.
Built from reinforced steel and designed specifically for demanding rural conditions, the PostMate has been engineered with durability front of mind. The company is also now looking beyond the farm gate, with larger-scale models currently being developed for civil and infrastructure applications.
This year, PostMate is also part of the prestigious Fieldays Innovation Awards, giving rural visitors the chance to see the Kiwi-made invention up close and discover how the system is reshaping one of farming’s more tedious jobs.
See the PostMate in action at the Fieldays Innovation Hub, Site 32. (Don’t forget to vote for your favourite innovation!)
