Thanks for the ideas. The customer was concerned with cutting off stakes and leaving, also we are placing new plastic peds over the locations. The stakes are not 36" but most are buried 12" below grade. I found a small company in Indiana that makes a specific tool for removing old peds. Phone guy told me about him. He allowed me to try at a couple locations. Well worth the money. Attachment connects directly to ped. pulls entire thing out of the ground. No Sweat.
This is CABL.com posting #316880. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mbuA8