Farm Star 500 User Manual
OWNER’S/
OPERATOR’S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
500
CAUTION
For Safe Operation
Read Rules And
Instructions Carefully
SINO LEEINGLES, PIDAAYUDA
A AIGUIEN QUE SI LO LEA
PARA QUE LE TRADUZCA LAS
MEDIDAS DE SEGURIDAD.
STANDARD DUTY 3-PT. MOUNTED
POST HOLE DIGGER
Safety Instructions Assembly & Mounting
Tractor Preparation Maintenance
Operating Instructions Repair Parts
STATEMENT
OF POLICY
It is the policy of Farm Star to
improve its products where it is
possible and practical to do so.
Farm Star reserves the right to
make changes or improvements
in design and construction at any
time, without incurring the obligation to make these changes on
previously manufactured units.
CAUTION
THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY UNDERSTOOD
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO BEGIN ASSEMBLING THIS MACHINE
1. Select an area for assembly that is clean and free of any
debris which might cause persons working on the
assembly to trip.
2. Do not lift heavy parts or assemblies. Use crane, jack,
tackle, fork trucks or other mechanical devices.
3. Preview the assembly instructions in your operator’s
manual before proceeding further.
4. If the assembly instructions call for parts or assemblies to
be blocked up, use only blocking material that is in good
condition and is capable of handling the weight of the
assembly to be blocked. Also insure that the blocking
material is on a clean, dry surface.
5. Never put hands, or any part of body, under blocked up
assemblies if at all possible.
6. After completing assembly, thoroughly inspect the
machine to be sure that all nuts, bolts, hydraulic fittings
or any other fastened assemblies have been thoroughly
tightened.
7. Before operating the machine, thoroughly read the
operation section of your operator’s manual.
8. Before operating, read the maintenance section of your
operator’s manual to be sure that any parts requiring
lubrication, such as gearboxes, are full, to avoid any
possible damage.
9. Before operating equipment – If you have any
questions regarding the proper assembly or
operation, contact your dealer or representative.
T o the Owner/Operator/Dealer
All implements with moving parts are potentially hazardous. There is no substitute for a cautious, safe-minded operator who recognizes the potential hazards and follows reasonable safety practices. The manufacturer has designed this
implement to be used with all its safety equipment properly attached to minimize the chance of accidents.
BEFORE YOU START!!
Read the safety messages on the implement and shown in your manual.
Observe the rules of safety and common sense!
THIS SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL IDENTIFIES IMPORTANT
SAFETY WARNING MESSAGES. CAREFULL YREAD EACH
WARNING MESSAGE THAT FOLLOWS. FAILURE TO
UNDERSTAND AND OBEY A SAFETY WARNING, OR
RECOGNIZE A SAFETY HAZARD, COULD RESULT IN AN
INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS AROUND YOU.
THE OPERATOR IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
SAFETY OF HIMSELF, AS WELL AS OTHERS, IN THE
OPERATING AREA OF THE TRACTOR AND ATTACHED
EQUIPMENT.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION!
Working with unfamiliar equipment can lead to careless injuries. Read this manual, and the manual for your tractor,
before assembly or operating, to acquaint yourself with the machines. It is the implement owner’s responsibility, if this
machine is used by any person other than yourself, is loaned or rented, to make certain that the operator, prior to
operating:
1. Reads and understands the operator’s manuals.
2. Is instructed in safe and proper use.
The use of this equipment is subject to certain hazards which cannot be protected against by mechanical
means or product design. All operators of this equipment must read and understand this entire manual, paying
particular attention to safety and operating instructions, prior to using. If there is something in this manual you
do not understand, ask your supervisor, or your dealer, to explain it to you.
THIS SYMBOL MEANS
– A TTENTION!
– BECOME ALERT!
– YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
UNDERSTAND SIGNAL WORDS
Note the use of the signal words DANGER, WARNING
and CAUTION with the safety messages. The
appropriate signal word for each has been selected
using the following guidelines:
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation
that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
This signal word is to be limited to the most extreme
situations typically for machine components which, for
functional purposes, cannot be guarded.
If you have questions not answered in this manual or require additional copies or the manual is damaged, please
contact your dealer or the manufacturer directly.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury, and includes hazards that are
exposed when guards are removed. It may also
be used to alert against unsafe practices.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury. It may also be used to alert
against unsafe practices.
2
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)STANDARD DUTY
Safety of the operator is one of the main concerns in designing and developing a new piece of equipment.
Designers and manufacturers build in as many safety features as possible. However, every year many
accidents occur which could have been avoided by a few seconds of thought and a more careful approach to
handling equipment. You, the operator, can avoid many accidents by observing the following precautions in
this section. To avoid personal injury, study the following precautions and insist those working with you, or for
you, follow them.
In order to provide a better view, certain photographs or illustrations in this manual may show an assembly
with a safety shield removed. However, equipment should never be operated in this condition. Keep all shields
in place. If shield removal becomes necessary for repairs, replace the shield prior to use.
To prevent injury or death, use a tractor equipped with a Roll-Over Protective System (ROPS). Do not paint
over, remove or deface any safety signs or warning signs on your equipment. Observe all safety signs and
practice the instruction on them.
Never exceed the limits of a piece of machinery. If its ability to do a job, or to do so safely, is in question -
DON’T TRY IT.
Do not modify the equipment in any way. Unauthorized modification may impair the function and/or safety and
could affect the life of the equipment.
In addition to the design and configuration of this implement, including Safety Signs and Safety Equipment,
hazard control and accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, prudence, and proper
training of personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance, and storage of the machine. Refer also
to Safety Messages and Operation Instructions in each of the appropriate sections of the Tractor and
Implement Manuals. Pay close attention to the Safety Signs affixed to the Tractor and the Implement.
Replace any CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or instruction safety sign that is not readable or is missing.
Location of such safety signs is indicated in this booklet.
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.
Review the safety instructions with all users annually.
This equipment is dangerous to children and persons unfamiliar with its operation. The operator should be a
responsible adult familiar with farm machinery and trained in this equipment’s operations. Do not allow per-
sons to operate or assemble this unit until they have read this manual and have developed a thorough
understanding of the safety precautions and of how it works.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
Replace safety signs that are missing or have become illegible.
Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign should also display the current sign.
Safety signs are available from your Distributor or Dealer Parts Department or the factory.
Be sure that the installation area is clean and dry. Be sure temperature is above 50˚F (10˚C).
Decide on the exact position before you remove the backing paper.
Remove the smallest portion of the split backing paper. Align the sign over the specified area and carefully
press the small portion with the exposed sticky backing in place.
Slowly peel back the remaining paper and carefully smooth the remaining portion of the sign in place. Small
air pockets can be pierced with a pin and smoothed out using the piece of sign backing paper.
How to Install Safety Signs:
SAFETY SIGNS
Safety is a primary concern in the design and manufacture of our products. Unfortunately , our efforts to provide
safe equipment can be wiped out by a single careless act of an operator. It is the operator’s responsibility to
read and understand ALL Safety and Operating instructions in the manual and to follow these. Accidents can
be avoided.
Know your controls and how to stop tractor, engine, and implement quickly in an emergency. Read this manual
and the one provided with your tractor.
In addition to the design and configuration of equipment, hazard control and accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, prudence and proper training of personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance and storage of equipment.
Train all new personnel and review instructions frequently with existing workers. A person who has not read
and understood all operating and safety instructions is not qualified to operate the machine. An untrained
operator exposes himself and bystanders to possible serious injury or death.
Working with unfamiliar equipment can lead to careless injuries. Read this manual, and the manual for your
tractor, before assembly or operating, to acquaint yourself with the machines. It is the implement owner’s
responsibility, if this machine is used by any person other than yourself, is loaned or rented, to make certain
that the operator, prior to operating:
1. Reads and understands the operator’s manuals.
2. Is instructed in safe and proper use.
SAFETY TRAINING
Do not allow children to operate this machine.
4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)MODEL 500 POST HOLE DIGGER
PREPARATION
Personal protection equipment including hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and gloves are recommended
during assembly , installation, operation, adjustment, maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving the implement.
Do not allow long hair, loose fitting clothing or jewelry to be around moving parts.
PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO LOUD NOISE MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS!
Tractors with or without implements attached can often be noisy enough to cause permanent, partial hearing
loss. We recommend that you wear hearing protection on a full-time basis if the noise in the Operator’s position exceeds 80db. Noise over 85db on a long-term basis can cause severe hearing loss. Noise over 90db
adjacent to the Operator over a long-term basis may cause permanent, total hearing loss. NOTE: Hearing loss
from loud noise (from tractors, chain saws, radios, and other such sources close to the ear) is cumulative over
a lifetime without hope of natural recovery.
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 is within twenty-five feet (25’) of the digger when it is started. Do not operate the
digger with another person near, or in contact with, any part of the digger, PTO driveline, or auger. Serious
personal injury or death may result if any attempt is made to assist digger operation by hand.
Most accidents occur because of neglect or carelessness. Keep all helpers and bystanders twenty-five feet
(25’) from an operating digger. Only properly trained people should operate this machine. It is recommended
the tractor be equipped with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) and a seat belt that is used. Always stop
the PTO, set brake, shut off the tractor engine, remove the tractor key, and allow auger to come to a complete
stop before dismounting tractor. Never leave equipment unattended with the tractor running.
All things with moving parts are potentially hazardous. There is no substitute for a cautious, safe-minded
operator who recognizes potential hazards and follows reasonable safety practices. The manufacturer has
designed this digger to be used with all its safety equipment properly attached, to minimize the chance of
accidents. Study this manual to make sure you have all safety equipment attached.
If a safety shield or guard is removed for any reason, it must be replaced before the machine is again operated.
Always use, and maintain in place, all power take off guards furnished with the tractor as well as the power
take off guards and shields furnished with the digger.
Clear area of stones, branches or other debris that might be thrown or entangled, causing injury or damage.
Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.
Make sure driveline spring-activated locking pin or balls operate freely and are seated firmly in tractor PTO
stub shaft groove.
Ensure that all safety shielding and safety signs are properly installed and in good condition.
OPERATIONAL SAFETY
5
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
OPERATIONAL SAFETY (continued)
This digger is designed for use only on tractors with 540 RPM power take off.
When the use of hand tools is required to perform any part of assembly, installation, adjustment, maintaining,
repairing, removal, or moving the digger, be sure the tools used are designed and recommended by the tool
manufacturer for that specific task.
Never place yourself between the tractor and digger while implement is in operation.
Do not walk or work under a raised digger or attachment unless it is securely blocked or held in position. Do
not depend on the tractor hydraulic system to hold the digger or attachment in place.
Aheavy 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 counter-weights to counter-balance the weight of the digger.
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.
Do not allow riders on the digger or tractor at any time. There is no safe place for any riders.
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.
Consult local utility companies to make certain there are no buried gas lines, electrical cables, etc., in the work
area before beginning operation.
Never allow children to operate or be around this digger.
Do not allow anyone who is not familiar with the safety rules and operation instructions to use this Post Hole
Digger.
Do not operate 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.
Never replace the shear bolt OR auger retaining bolt with any length other than what is specified in this
manual. A longer, or protruding fastener is more likely to grab loose clothing or gloves which can result in
serious injury or death.
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.
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.
6
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
OPERATIONAL SAFETY (continued)
Inspect the entire machine periodically as indicated in the Maintenance Section of this manual. Look for loose
fasteners, worn or broken parts, pinched hydraulic hoses, and leaky or loose fittings. Make sure all pins have
cotter pins and washers. Serious injury may occur from not maintaining this machine in good working order.
Take all possible precautions when leaving unit unattended: Disengage PTO, set parking brake, stop engine
and remove key from ignition. Park in level area.
To prevent rapid wear of U-Joints and possible failure of drivelines, never lift auger point more than 12” off the
ground with PTO operating.
To prevent possible instantaneous driveline failure, never move digger from hole-to-hole or transport while
auger is rotating. This could lead to injury from flying pieces of the failed driveline.
Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, and clothing, away from all moving and/or rotating parts.
To prevent entanglement and possible serious injury or death, never use body weight to try to push auger into
the ground.
Worn edges or a slightly rounded point can seriously effect auger penetration. Check for wear before each use,
replace as necessary.
Do not shovel dirt away from a rotating auger as the shovel can be caught and thrown by the auger.
Do not operate the Post Hole Digger without all safety shields and guards in place.
Always use care when operating a Post Hole Digger.
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
Good maintenance is your responsibility. Poor maintenance is an invitation to trouble.
Follow good shop practices.
- Keep service area clean and dry.
- Be sure electrical outlets and tools are properly grounded.
- Use adequate light for the job at hand.
Before working on this machine, drive to a level area, disengage the PTO, lower implement (or if working
underneath, raise and block securely), shut off the engine, set the brakes, and remove the ignition keys.
7
Safety is a primary concern in the design, manufacture, sale, and use of Post Hole Diggers. As manufacturers of Post
Hole Diggers, we want to confirm to you, our customers, our concern for safety.
Our current production machines include, as standard equipment, guards or shields for auger adapters, drivelines,
input shafts, and safety signs. Older machines can be retrofitted to add these new guards or shields and, or course,
safety signs. If you have an older machine which does not have current standard safety equipment, please contact
your dealer about bringing your machine up to the current level of safety.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
MAINTENANCE SAFETY (continued)
Never work under equipment unless it is blocked securely. Never depend on hydraulic system to keep implement in raised position.
Always use two people to handle heavy, unwieldy components during assembly, installation, removal, or
moving the digger.
Personal protection equipment including hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and gloves are recommended
during assembly , installation, operation, adjustment, maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving the digger. Do
not allow long hair, loose fitting clothing or jewelry to be around moving parts.
Keep all persons away from operator control area while performing adjustments, service, or maintenance.
Always use personal protection devices such as eye, hand and hearing protectors, when performing any
service or maintenance.
Periodically tighten all bolts, nuts and screws and check that all cotter pins are properly installed to ensure unit
is in a safe condition.
When completing a maintenance or service function, make sure all safety shields and devices are installed
before placing unit in service.
Never use your hands to locate a hydraulic leak on attachments. Use a small piece of cardboard or wood.
Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate the skin. Openings in the skin and minor cuts are
susceptible to infection from hydraulic fluid. If injured by escaping hydraulic fluid, see a doctor at once.
Gangrene and death can result. Without immediate medical treatment, serious infection and reactions can
occur.
Where replacement parts are necessary for periodic maintenance and servicing, genuine factory replacement
parts must be used to restore your equipment to original specifications. The manufacturer will not claim
responsibility for use of unapproved parts and/or accessories and other damages as a result of their use.
If equipment has been altered in any way from original design, the manufacturer does not accept any liability
for injury or warranty.
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