Section 2: Operating Procedures
SA10 Hydraulic Post Hole Digger 317-433M
6/2/22
20
Operating Instructions
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Auger point should be on the ground before engaging
hydraulics to start drilling. An auger not resting on the
ground can swing erratically and damage equipment or hit
•
Care should always be taken when first starting to drill a
hole. The auger, when first entering the soil, can hit a solid
object causing damage to the auger and/or auger to swing
erratically and hit a bystander.
•
Always stop auger from rotating 1 to 2 feet (30.5 to 61 cm)
before it is out of the hole. This will keep the auger from
wobbling with an unbalanced dirt load.
IMPORTANT:
Do not reverse auger rotation when
raising it up. This will dump soil back into the hole.
IMPORTANT:
If auger stalls while digging, raise
auger to free it. Continue normal digging operations
by lowering the auger slowly into the hole.
IMPORTANT:
If auger starts to screw itself into the
soil, stop auger rotation immediately and raise auger
to free it. Continue normal digging operations by
lowering the auger slowly into the hole.
IMPORTANT:
If the auger can not penetrate an
obstruction, raise the auger out of the hole and
manually remove the obstruction or dig a new hole
nearby.
IMPORTANT:
hydraulic relief valve to protect the equipment. This
valve will open in a stalled situation to allow oil to
bypass. Check your power machine Operator’s
Manual to see if it is equipped with a relief valve.
Operate one loader function at a time.
Operating two or more functions at the same time
(lift cylinders, tilt cylinder, engine speed, and power
machine position) can lead to damaged equipment.
IMPORTANT:
pressure on the auger while in the ground. This can
damage the auger and drive components.
IMPORTANT:
Before digging, rotate auger hitch
plate horizontal. The auger, when first entering the
soil, could hit a solid object causing the auger to
swing wildly and damage equipment. Care should
always be taken when first starting to drill a hole.
1. Tilt top of loader hitch fully back and raise loader
arms up until auger point is at a transporting height.
2. If the loader arms or the auger blocks the operator’s
view, readjust loader arms to an acceptable
transporting height while keeping in mind that the
lower the arms are positioned, the safer the traveling.
3. Stop tractor on the uphill side of the hole to be drilled
and where the ground surface is level from side to
side to greatly improve balance and down force.
4.
Refer to Figure 2-4 on page 21:
When possible, tilt
auger hitch plate (#1) to be parallel to the ground.
5. Maker sure auger rotation is stopped and then lower
auger until its point is on the ground.
6. With engine running at a slow speed, start auger
turning clockwise looking down from the top.
7.
Experiment with auger speeds when you first start
digging. Increase engine speed to increase auger
speed and decrease engine speed to reduce auger
speed. Run at higher auger speeds when digging in
soft and/or sandy soils and at lower auger speeds
when digging in hard, rocky, or frozen soils.
8. Increase engine speed to desired digging speed.
9. Periodically, adjust auger position by easing forward
or rearward to keep the auger vertical while drilling.
10. Apply down pressure to assist ground penetration.
Excessive down pressure can stall the auger. If auger
speed slows or stops, reduce down pressure.
11. After penetrating the ground approximately
24" (61 cm), stop auger rotation and raise it up to
remove soil and debris from the hole.
12. Lower auger back down and continue digging
approximately another 24" (61 cm) into the ground.
13. Raise auger up again except this time keep auger
turning to lessen the strain on the equipment.
14. Stop raising auger when within 12"-24" (31-61 cm) of
being out of the hole and then lower the auger to
continue digging.
15. Repeat procedure until the hole is at its final depth.
16. Allow auger to turn several more revolutions at its
final depth. With auger still turning, raise auger up to
within 12"-24" (31-61 cm) of being out of the hole.
Stop rotation and raise auger out of the hole.
17. Roll tilt arms into a low carry position when
transporting from one digging site to the next. Be
careful watching out for people, obstructions, and
uneven terrain.
IMPORTANT:
Normal auger operating speed is from
36 to 65 rpm. Never exceed rated gallons per minute
or the equipment can be damaged.
IMPORTANT:
Be careful not to move forward or
backward while digging except to keep the auger
vertical. Damage to the auger, hydraulic motor,
auger frame, and/or loader can occur.