I would like to make a post (or two) to protect my heat pump which is very close to our driveway.

I was thinking of something like I have seen protecting fire hydrants and such. They appear to simply be a concrete post about 4" or so in diameter, likely reinforced with rebar

I can wing it, but I was hoping for suggestions by someone who knows about such things. Am I correct about the construction? Suggestions for a form to use? How much rebar?

(for some reason I think I would prefer a concrete post better than a steel post set in concrete)

Thanks!

Large carboard tube for a form perhaps or even large PVC pipe that you fill with concrete and use rebar inside.

PWD77 - You can take ply wood and make any size post you want , yes they do put rebar in concrete posts, If you make it leave one side of the form off so rthat you can pour it a lot easier and make it look better,when you pour it take a hammer and lightly tap on the sides to make it to not have any honey combs in the concrete( HOLES),;;Use at least 3/4 inch rebar in the post ( 4 pcs.) running vertical, Make you some kind of bracket to hold them in place until you pour and hold them inside the form at least 3/4 inch, Good Luck And GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.

A 4" or larger PVC pipe, 2' in the ground, filled with concrete should do it. You can put in a rebar but the tensile strength of the pipe should be sufficient. Nothing short of a fair size oak tree is going to stop a speeding vehicle but this should take care of the bumping, scraping type accidents. The PVC can be painted and should last forever.

This is great, thanks for all the feedback

I'm leaning toward a 4" PVC with rebar for the quick-n-easy approach

I bought about 6' of 8" diameter aluminum pipe from a scrap dealer, dug a hole and then filled the pipe & hole with concrete. Round the concrete off at the top of the open pipe to give a nice finished edge. Put a circle of reflective tape aroudn the top to reduce the chance of cars hitting them. It looks nicer than PVC or bare concrete and was not too expensive.

I use them as posts on either side of our cottage driveway, so I can put a chain across in winter.