1316
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
Never locate auger by putting hands on auger,
gearbox, or boom when there is any sign of rotation
on the driveline or auger or if the tractor is running.
WARNING!
Do not shovel dirt away from a turning auger, as the
shovel can be caught by the auger and thrown. Do
not allow anyone to stand behind or to the side of an
operating auger. ALL persons should be at least 25
feet away.
CAUTION!
Engage the tractor PTO with the engine at idle (or below
1000 engine RPM). As the auger penetrates the ground,
lower the unit slowly with the 3 pt. hydraulic system. DO
NOT LET THE AUGER SCREW ITSELF INTO THE
GROUND! Auger must dig with the dirt breaking up and
being carried to the top by the auger flighting.
Once the hole is dug to the desired depth raise the
auger while rotating to bring the dirt out of the hole.To get
a clean hole, it is sometimes best to lower the auger into
the hole with the auger turning and then, when at the bot-
tom, stop the rotation and raise the auger while not turn-
ing. This brings the dirt up with little left in the hole.
For best results, allow the digger to dig about half the
required depth, then lift it partially out of the hole to
remove dirt and then re-enter hole and finish to the
desired depth.
A Grade 2 (
5
/
16
”x 2
1
/
2
”) shear bolt is included with your
post hole digger. If the shear bolt shears, replace only
with a soft, Grade 2 shear bolt. DO NOT USE A HARD
SHEAR BOLT! Use of a hard shear bolt could result in
damage to the gearbox or other post hole digger parts
and voids any warranty.
Do not run the digger while transporting, as damage to
the PTO shaft could occur.
DO NOT LET THE DIGGER DIG SO DEEP THAT THE
PTO SHAFT IS RUNNING IN THE DIRT.
Once the auger is digging a hole, the tractor cannot be
moved. Make sure brake is set securely. If the tractor
does move while the auger is in a hole, damage to the
gearbox or auger can result (not covered by
warranty).
Cutting edges and screw type center point are replace-
able. They should be sharpened or replaced when worn.
In hard digging conditions, a fishtail type center point is
more aggressive and is recommended.
NOTE: Be sure auger is completely retracted from
the hole before attempting to move the tractor.
NOTE: If you have a rocky or large root soil condition, it
is recommended that a heavy duty auger by used.
If you encounter rocks or roots that catch the auger and
cause shear bolts to break, then remove the auger from
the hole and use a large, heavy pry bar to break up the
obstructing rock. A large root may have to be chopped to
remove.
NOTE: Please refer to the drawings (Figures B through
D) as to the proper mounting pattern for the cutting
edges. Correct mounting of the cutting edges will assure
a complete cut of earth by the auger.
Remain on the tractor seat while operating the post
hole digger. Assisting the machine by hand can
result in possible injury or death.
WARNING!
NOTE: Be careful when raising the auger as high
as your tractor’s 3 pt. hitch can go. This can put
the PTO shaft universal joints at an extreme
angle and cause damage to the PTO shaft! It is
best to raise the auger just enough to clear the
hole when the PTO is engaged.
It is recommended NOT to raise the auger while
it is running more than six (6) inches above the
ground.
On the implement end of the PTO shaft there is a hole
in the yoke just forward of the
5
/
16
” shear bolt (see Figure
A). This hole is for the
3
/
16
” diameter x 1
1
/
4
” long roll pin
(#2504011). When this roll pin is driven in this hole, the
center of the roll pin engages into the groove on the front
of the gearbox input shaft. This prevents the PTO
assembly from coming off if the
5
/
16
” shear bolt should
shear. When replacing the shear bolt, use only a soft,
Grade 2 shear bolt. DO NOT use a hard bolt!
Attach the gearbox (Ref. #7) to the boom using the
gearbox pin (Ref. #17) and secure it with the two cotter
pins (Ref. #18). The gearbox should be placed so that
the large shaft is pointing toward the ground and the
small shaft is pointing toward the tractor.
NOTE: The gearbox is shipped WITHOUT lubricant, so
it will be necessary to fill it before use. With the gearbox
in a level position, fill to the side inspection hole with a
good 90 wt. gear lubricant. Check often and add lubricant
if necessary.
Clean tractor PTO stub shaft and the inside of the
splined driveline yoke. Pull the spring loaded ring from
the end of the yoke and slip the splined driveline yoke on
the splined PTO shaft of your tractor. Release the spring
loaded ring and push the yoke on until it locks in place.
(The spring loaded ring holds locking balls that lock the
tractor end of the PTO driveline on the tractor PTO shaft.)
Make certain the tractor PTO shield is in good condition
and securely fastened onto the tractor.
Slowly raise and lower the digger without the auger on.
Watch to see that the PTO driveline and/or shields do not
separate or get into a bind. Check to see if gearbox end
will lower to the ground. If it will not go all the way down,
then either change the hole location between the yoke
and boom or check to see if the PTO shaft is bottoming.
NOTE: If your tractor PTO shaft has a 1
1
/
8
” spline, it will
be necessary to obtain a 1
1
/
8
” to 1
3
/
8
” sleeve spline
adapter. If tractor is equipped with a 1
1
/
8
” to 1
3
/
8
” spline
adapter extension, it may be necessary to cut the PTO
shaft off in length. Check this before putting the auger on
or digging a hole. To check, raise and lower the post hole
digger with the tractor BEFORE putting the auger on.
NOTE: The use of a PTO extension could require that the
PTO driveline be shortened a considerable amount. If
this is done, the driveline halves may separate when the
post hole digger is raised to transport position.
If the PTO driveline needs to be shorter, remove the
driveline from the tractor and digger gearbox. Lower the
digger (without the auger on) until the input shaft of the
gearbox is in line with the PTO stub shaft of the tractor.
(This should be the shortest distance required for the
driveline.)
Pull the two telescoping halves of the PTO driveline
apart. Connect the tractor end to the tractor and the gear-
box end to the digger gearbox (but NOT with the two
halves together).
Hold the two driveline sections parallel to each other
and mark each end as to how much too long they are.
Then raise the digger to transport position and again
hold the two driveline halves parallel to each other and
check for a minimum of 6” (15 cm) overlap. If driveline
has less than 6” overlap, do not use. Contact your deal-
er. If at least 6” of overlap is provided, then proceed in
cutting the driveline.
Figure 1
1. If driveline must be cut to a shorter length, clamp
driveline in a well padded vise to prevent damage to
the shield. Cut off shield where marked. Using cut-off
section of shield as a guide, cut shaft the same
amount. (Figure 2)
Figure 2
INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
Do not install a longer bolt or other longer fastener!
A protruding fastener is more likely to grab loose
clothing and can cause serious injury or death.
WARNING!