Iron gate - can posts be removed without destroying them?

I have a nice iron driveway gate that I unfortunately need to remove. The gate comes off easily, of course, but I was wondering if it's possible to get the iron posts out without beating them up - so that they might be reused in another location. My guess is "no". The thing is, if I just cut them off at the base, I'll still be left with the ugly remnants of the concrete plug/post, covering with dirt won't work in this instance.

So, I guess my question boils down to - how do I remove an iron post with concrete plug? Backhoe? Or is there some way to remove a few inches of the concrete so that I can cover it with asphalt or something? One post is immediately next to the house too so there is little room to manuver.

Thanks!

 

Hire a backhoe to lift out the post and attached concrete. Carefully remove the concrete from the post with a sledge hammer. Fill the huge hole with dirt and plant whatever. Good luck with your project.

 

The easiest way is to dig a hole next to the posts that need to be removed and then pull the concrete ball into the new hole so it is easier to get out.