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18
Troubleshooting
602378 REV AA
12/18/2018
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSES & SOLUTION
PTO driveline failure
Operator raising post hole digger too high above ground when PTO is
engaged – causes excessive PTO joint operating angle.
PTO is engaged while moving between holes. (Auger swings, which
causes excessive PTO joint operating angle.)
Improper use of a hard shear bolt – use
Grade 2
bolt per instructions.
Driveline has not been properly lubricated.
Engaging tractor PTO with engine at high rpm.
Digging holes too deep so that PTO driveline contacts ground.
Operating at high rpm.
Use of auger extension can require post hole digger to be lifted high,
which can cause excessive PTO joint operating angle.
PTO driveline “galls” or “friction
welds” to input shaft of gearbox
Tractor is a “low profile model” (one that is low to the ground). Due to the
low height of the tractor, the digger must be raised higher to have the
bottom of the auger clear the ground. Generally, low profile model tractors
can only use 30" long augers (standard auger length is 42"). Use a
different tractor or purchase 30" long augers.
No lubrication on input shaft of gearbox to allow yoke of PTO driveline to
turn freely on input shaft when shear bolt is sheared. Always keep input
shaft greased.
Gearbox failure
No oil in gearbox.
Oil not changed per instructions.
Shear bolt has been replaced with a harder bolt – replace with
Grade 2
per instructions.
Bent output shaft is due to operator moving tractor when auger is in hole.
Gearbox overheating
Low on lubricant – fill to proper level.
Improper type lubricant – replace with proper lubricant.
Auger bolts shear on gearbox
output shaft
Shear bolt on input shaft has been replaced with a harder bolt – replace
with Grade 2 bolt as per instructions.
Tractor stalls
Auger is encountering rocks or roots or other foreign object – remove
object or change hole location.
Tractor idle is not set correctly – tune tractor engine.