Tearing apart a deck is tough work, and because no two decks are perfectly alike, it helps to have a variety of deconstruction tools at your disposal. So even though we have digging irons, pry bars, and several other different types of decking-removal tools on hand, we were still eager to give Crescent Tool’s new Bull Bar a try. It’s heavier than a few of the other tools that we own, but that should help keep it from bending or breaking any time soon.
The Bull Bar’s key feature is an indexing head that rotates 180 degrees, allowing the user to select the best angle for maximum leverage and access. In the open position, the head can generate leverage to pop large planks from joists, while the closed position provides for shorter pulls and faster action when you’re working in confined spaces.
The gap between the double forks is wide enough to straddle a pair of 2-by joists, and at the center of the jaw is a nice built-in nail puller, which can come in handy for initially working over a deck before pulling up any boards.
The tool’s greatest drawback might be its shorter, 44-inch-long handle—but that short handle is also a tremendous advantage, especially when coupled with the adjustable head, when you’re working in confined spaces. This feature alone makes it a versatile option for removing decking and well worth adding to our toolbox.
Matthew Breyer, CGR, owns Breyer Construction and Landscape, in Reading, Pa. breyerconstruction.com
