OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST
(OWNER RESPONSIBILITY)
____ Review and follow safety rules and safety signs on
pages 3 through 11.
____ Check that post hole digger is properly and
securely attached to tractor.
____ Make sure driveline
locking balls operate freely and are seated firmly in tractor PTO spline groove.
____ Lubricate all grease fitting locations. Make sure
PTO shaft slip joint is lubricated.
____ Check to be sure gear lube runs out the small
check plug on side of gearbox.
____ Check that all hardware is properly installed.
____ Check to ensure blades are sharp and secure and
cutting edges are positioned correctly.
____ Check that all shields and guards are properly
installed and in good condition.
____ Set tractor PTO gear select lever for 540 rpm
operation.
OPERATION
This Post Hole Digger was designed for
•Set tractor brakes. Take tractor out of gear. Shift to “Park” (if applicable).
•Do not allow anyone to stand behind, or to the side of a rotating auger.
•Lower auger point slowly to the ground with the PTO disengaged.
•With the auger point lowered to the ground, set the engine speed to idle, then engage the PTO. Make sure the auger point is on the ground before engag- ing the PTO.
•Increase the speed as required so dirt is conveyed from the hole. Refer to Owner’s Manual for sugges- tions on PTO speed.
•Under no circumstances should the PTO be run in excess of 540 RPM.
•In some types of soil, it may be necessary to hold back against the auger screw suction by moving the hydraulic control lever to “HOLD” or “RAISE” position to keep the auger from screwing into the ground.
•NEVER use body weight to help the auger penetrate the ground. When the ground is too tough to penetrate with your cutting edges and point, sharpen or replace them and try again. These are replaceable parts and must be in good condition to penetrate. (Optional Hydraulic Downpressure Kit is available – order #170810.)
•If you have difficulty penetrating hard ground, refer to Owner’s Manual
•When the auger has been lowered about a foot or so into the ground, raise the auger almost out of the hole to clear the dirt, then drill deeper and raise the auger again. Repeat this procedure until the desired hole depth is reached.
•Do not shovel dirt away from a rotating auger as the shovel can be caught and thrown by the auger.
•Disengage the
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE ASSEMBLY, OPERATION, TRANSPORT, MAIN- TENANCE, AND STORAGE OF THIS EQUIPMENT BE AWARE, CONCERNED, PRUDENT, AND PROPERLY TRAINED IN SAFETY.
The post hole digger auger is
DIGGING A HOLE: Position the tractor so that the auger point is placed where the hole is to be. Lower the auger so that the point touches the ground. The point of the auger should be approximately 3” back of center of the gearbox. As the auger works into the ground, this slight angle will straighten, due to the pivoting action of the boom downward. If the auger has a side tilt, correct with the lift arm adjustment on the tractor hitch.
If the auger tilts too far forward or to the rear, it may be necessary to move the tractor slightly. Be careful not to bend the auger.
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