Farm Star 500 W - Manual (Page 6)

Cutting edges and screw type center point are replaceable.
They should be sharpened or replaced when worn.
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.
If auger becomes lodged below ground, DO NOT attempt to
lift auger out of ground by hydraulic lift power alone. Turn
tractor off and disconnect PTO driveline from the tractor.
Reverse the rotation of the auger by several turns. This can be
accomplished by using a large pipe wrench and screwing the
auger backwards until it clears. Extreme rocking or lifting loads
while trying to clear stuck augers can cause auger, gearbox, or
boom failure.
Do not attempt to free the auger while the PTO is
connected. Disconnect the PTO driveline from the tractor
before attempting to free the auger.
Underground utilities - Contact appropriate agencies to
determine if hazardous items are buried under the digging
site BEFORE DIGGING! Be certain underground utilities
have been called to locate underground electric, gas, tele-
phone, and other lines. Check your telephone book for
calling instructions. Be sure post hole digger operator is
properly informed. WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT DIG!
Never exceed the recommended auger capacity of the post
hole digger. The Model 500 standard duty digger is
designed for use with augers up to 12-inch diameter. Use
of an incorrect auger or auger extension can cause equip-
ment damage, loss of operator control and personal injury.
M M A A I I N N T T E E N N A A N N C C E E
Before servicing the machine, disengage the PTO, engage
the parking brake or place the transmission in “Park,” shut
off the tractor and remove the key.
1. Make certain the safety and instruction decals are at-
tached to the post hole digger boom. If they are lost,
damaged, or painted over, order replacements.
2. Check gearbox periodically and maintain correct oil
level. Use good 90 wt. gear lube. Oil should be
changed every 200 operating hours. Drain and flush
gearbox when performing oil change.
O O P P E E R R A A T T I I O O N N
This Post Hole Digger was designed for one-man operation
from the tractor seat. It is the responsibility of the operator to
see that no one else is within twenty-five feet (25’) of the digger
when it is started.
• Set tractor brakes.
• Take tractor out of gear. Shift to “Park” (if applicable).
• Lower auger point slowly to the ground with the PTO
disengaged.
• With the auger point lowered to the ground, set the en-
gine speed to idle, then engage the PTO. Make sure
the auger point is on the ground before engaging 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 ex-
cess of 540 RPM.
• In many types of soil, it may be necessary to hold back
against the auger screw suction by moving the hydrau-
lic control lever to “HOLD” or “RAISE” position to keep
the auger from screwing into the ground.
• NEVER use body weight to help the auger pene-
trate the ground. When the ground is too tough to
penetrate with your cutting edges and point, replace
them and try again. These are replaceable parts and
must be in good condition to penetrate. (Optional Hy-
draulic Downpressure Kit is available - order #706080.)
• If you have difficulty penetrating hard ground, refer to
Owner’s Manual for suggestions.
• 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.
• Leave the power-take-off disengaged when traveling
between holes.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE
ASSEMBLY, OPERATION, TRANSPORT, MAINTENANCE,
AND STORAGE OF THIS EQUIPMENT BE AWARE,
CONCERNED, PRUDENT, AND PROPERLY TRAINED IN
SAFETY.
Operate the post hole digger only on a tractor with 540
RPM PTO shaft. The tractor’s engine speed should not
exceed 1200 RPM while digging.
On some tractors it may be necessary to remove the draw-
bar or slide it to one side. This will prevent the PTO drive-
line shaft from coming in contact with the drawbar. See
your tractor’s operator’s manual for details.
The post hole digger is free-swinging, and care should be
taken while transporting the machine. DO NOT transport the
post hole digger while the PTO is engaged.
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.
5 6
the 5 / 16 ” shear bolt should break. When replacing the shear bolt,
use only a soft, Grade 2 shear bolt. DO NOT use a hard bolt!
Do not install a longer bolt or other longer fastener! A pro-
truding fastener is more likely to grab loose clothing and
can cause serious injury or death.
Clean tractor PTO stub shaft and inside of splined yoke.
Depress the spring load snap pin on the snap coupler of the
splined yoke and slip on the splined PTO shaft of your tractor.
Release the pin and push it on until it locks into place. Make
certain the tractor PTO shield is in good condition and securely
fastened onto tractor.
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 adaptor. If
tractor is equipped with a 1 1 / 8 ” to 1 3 / 8 ” spline adaptor 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.
Slowly raise and lower the digger without the auger on.
Watch to see that the PTO driveline and/or shields do not sep-
arate 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: 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 tightly as
practical for best performance.
Attach guide handle to the side of the gearbox. It will be
necessary to bend the handle into the best position for operator
to reach from the tractor seat.
Slide the auger (Ref. #1) over the large shaft of the gearbox
and secure it with the two bolts (Ref. #5). The digger is ready
to use.
NOTE: Please refer to the drawings (Figures B, C, & 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
.
P P R R E E P P A A R R A A T T I I O O N N P P R R O O C C E E D D U U R R E E
• Thoroughly read and understand your Operator’s Man-
uals.
• Before beginning operation, clear area of objects that
wrap around the auger or might be thrown. Contact
local utility company to make certain there are no bur-
ied gas lines, electrical cables, etc., in the work area.
Check for ditches, stumps, holes, or other obstacles
that could cause the tractor to roll.
• Layout and mark where you want to dig your holes.
• ALL persons should be at least twenty-five feet (25’) a-
way. Clear the area of helpers, bystanders, especially
children.
• Do not allow anyone to stand behind, or to the side of
a rotating auger.
• To dig properly, your digger must be able to raise or
lower through the highest and lowest points of your lift
arm travel without binding against the tractor frame.
Check carefully BEFORE attaching the auger. If it
does bind, adjust the tractor 3-pt. linkage so that all
movement is free.
If you have ANY questions, regarding the proper operation
of this digger, contact your dealer or the manufacturer.
W A R N I N G !
C A U T I O N !
C A U T I O N !
If the auger tilts too far forward or to the rear, lift auger off the
ground and correct by using the post hole digger handle and re-
lower the auger. In some cases, it may be necessary to move
the tractor slightly.
KEEP ALL PERSONS AWAY FROM THE ROTATING AUGER
AND THE PTO SHAFT!
Engage the tractor PTO with the engine at idle (or below
1000 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 bottom, stop the rota-
tion and raise the auger while not turning. 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.
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.
Do not shovel dirt away from a turning auger, as the shovel
can be caught by the auger and thrown. Do not allow any-
one to stand behind or to the side of an operating auger.
ALL persons should be at least 25 feet away.
A Grade 2 ( 5 / 16 ” x 2 1 / 2 ”) shear bolt is included with your post
hole digger. If the shear pin breaks, 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.
Remain on the tractor seat while operating the post hole
digger. Assisting the machine by hand can result in pos-
sible injury or death.
Be sure auger is completely retracted from the hole before
attempting to move the tractor.
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).
C A U T I O N !
W A R N I N G !
C A U T I O N !
W A R N I N G !
C A U T I O N !
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
C A U T I O N !
C A U T I O N !
C A U T I O N !
W A R N I N G !