5
Safety
(continued)
•
Only properly trained people should operate this equipment. Do not allow anyone who
has not read this entire manual and understood the safety rules, safety signs, and
operation instructions to use this digger.
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Never allow children to operate or be around this post hole digger.
•
Do not allow riders on the digger or tractor at any time. There is no safe place for any
riders.
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This post hole digger is designed for use only on tractors with 540 RPM power take-off.
Never attach or attempt to operate this digger with any unit exceeding 540 RPM power
take-off.
•
Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which can hinder alertness or coordination
while operating this equipment. Consult your doctor about operating this machine
while taking prescription medications.
•
Consult local utility companies to make certain there are no buried gas lines, electrical
cables, etc. in the work area before beginning operation.
•
Before beginning operation, clear the work area of objects which might be picked up
and thrown by or entangled in the auger.
•
Before you operate the digger, check over all pins, bolts, and connections to be sure all
are securely in place. Replace any damaged or worn parts immediately.
•
Do not operate the digger without all safety shields and guards in place.
•
Never replace the shear bolt or the auger retaining bolt with anything other than the
specified length bolt in this manual. A longer, or protruding, fastener is more likely to
grab clothing or gloves, which can result in serious injury or death.
•
Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, and clothing away from all moving and/or rotating parts.
•
Never place yourself between the tractor and the digger while the tractor is running.
•
To prevent entanglement and possible serious injury or death, never use body weight to
try to push the auger into the ground.
•
Worn edges or a slightly rounded point can seriously affect auger penetration. Check
for wear before each use, and replace as necessary.
•
Never position the auger point by hand or with any tool when the tractor is running.
•
Never position the auger point by putting your hands on the auger, gearbox, boom, or
driveline.
•
Do not shovel dirt away from a rotating auger, as the shovel can be caught and thrown
by the auger.
•
Do not walk or work under a raised digger unless it is securely blocked or held in
position. Do not depend on the tractor hydraulic system to hold the digger in place.
•
A heavy load can cause instability of the tractor. Use extreme care during travel. Slow
down on turns and watch out for bumps. The tractor may need front counterweights to
counterbalance the weight of the digger. It is recommended the tractor be equipped
with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) and a seat belt be used.
•
Use stabilizer bars, adjustable sway chains, or sway blocks on your tractor lift arms to
keep the post hole digger from swinging side-to-side. Adjust as tight as practical for
best performance.
•
Do not operate the digger on steep hillsides. When digging on uneven or hilly terrain,
position the tractor with the post hole digger uphill. With the post hole digger downhill,
the tractor could tip when attempting to pull the auger from its hole.
