Ground Hog ModelONE Operator's Manual

IMPORTANT MANUAL

DO NOT THROW AWAY

ModelONE

ONE-MAN HAND-HELD EARTH DRILL

Operator’s Manual

P.O. box 290, Sn Bernardino, CA. 92402
Phone [phone] Fax [phone] [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] www.groundhoginc.com

WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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This symbol means DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION. Personal injury and/or property damage

may occur unless instructions are followed carefully.

WARNING ~ THIS POWER TOOL CAN BE DANGEROUS!

This tool can cause serious injury to the operators and bystanders. The warning and safety instructions in
this manual must be followed to provide reasonable safety and efficiency in using and storing this earth drill.
The operators are responsible for following the warnings and instructions in this manual and the earth drill.

Read the entire Operator’s Manual before using this earth drill! Restrict the use of this earth drill to
persons who read, understand, and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the
earth drill. If you have not read and understood the warnings and instructions in this manual and on
the earth drill, you are not qualified to operate this earth drill!

This product contains and/or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,

birth defects or other reproductive harm. This statement is made in compliance to California
Proposition 65.

DANGER

• Keep body parts, foreign objects and clothing clear of rotating auger.

• Always use supplied auger attachment pin for attaching auger bit to earth drill.

• Coming into contact with buried utilities while digging can cause severe injuries
or DEATH.

• Contact appropriate utility representatives to determine if/where electrical
cables, gas lines, water lines, etc. are buried BEFORE operation.

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WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS cont’d...

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• Always wear the proper clothing and protective gear for
the job. Eye and ear protection, hard hat, boots gloves and
dust masks are some of the items that may be required.

• Keep hair, fingers and all other body parts away from
openings and moving parts. Always wear long pants,
boots, and gloves. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry,
short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Secure hair so it is
above shoulder length.

• Do not operate this earth drill indoors. For outdoor use
only.

• Do not operate this tool when you are tired, ill, or under the
influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.

• Always assume the digging location contains underground
utilities or obstructions. Contact appropriate utility
company to determine if/where electrical cables, gas lines,
water lines, etc. are buried BEFORE operation.

• Be sure of your footing and physical capabilities and
always use extreme caution while operating this tool.

OPERATOR SAFETY

TOOL SAFETY

• Inspect the entire earth drill before each use. Replace
damaged or worn parts.

• Check for fuel leaks and make sure all fasteners are in
place and securely fastened. Repair or replace as needed.

• Replace auger blades that are severely worn, missing or
damaged in any way before using this tool.

• Use only the supplied auger attachment pin and make
sure that it is properly attached.

• Be sure the auger bit stops turning when you release the
throttle.

• Use only accessories or parts as recommended by Ground
Hog, Inc.

FUEL SAFETY

• Refuel outdoors only and where there are no sparks and
flames.

• Store fuel in a container approved for gasoline.

• Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel, or the earth drill,
or while using the earth drill.

• Clean up all fuel spills before starting engine.

• Move at least 10 feet away from fueling site before starting
engine.

• Stop engine before removing fuel cap.

• Store the earth drill and fuel in an area where fuel vapors
cannot reach sources of combustion like water heaters,
electric motors, switches, furnaces, etc.

DIGGING SAFETY

• Always assume the digging location contains buried
underground utilities or obstructions. Call 811 to determine if/
where electrical cables, gas lines, water lines, etc. are
buried BEFORE operation.

• Always be sure that the area you are going to drill in is clear
of potential hazards such as pipes, rocks, wire, boards, or
any other materials that could possibly entangle itself around
the auger bit, or cause unstable footing before using the
earth drill.

• Keep others including children, animals, bystanders and
helpers outside a 15 foot hazard zone from the earth drill.

• Hold the earth drill handle bars firmly with both hands.

• Keep firm footing and balance. Do not over-reach.

• Keep all parts of your body and clothing away from the
auger bit and other moving parts.

• Inspect the digging site. Soil conditions, job specifications
and operator experience may dictate that a different earth
drill or method be used to do the job.

• Do not leave holes open or unmarked.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

• Maintain this earth drill according to recommended
procedures included in this manual.

• Disconnect the spark plug wire before performing
maintenance. See engine manual.

• Stop engine before removing fuel cap.

• Use only genuine replacement parts as recommended by
Ground Hog or the engine manufacturer.

TRANSPORTATION AND STORING SAFETY

• Always shut off the fuel valve and engine before transporting
or storing.

• Always allow the engine to cool before transporting or
storing.

• Store earth drill and fuel in an area where fuel vapors cannot
reach sources of combustion like water heaters, electric
motors, switches, furnaces, etc.

• Always secure this earth drill with tie downs or similar
restraints when transporting.

• The earth drill shall be stored in a manner that prevents it
from falling, rolling, or tipping over.

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INTRODUCTION

It is your responsibility as the operator of this piece of equipment to know what
specific requirements, precautions and work hazards may exist on each job. You
must read and understand all of the information contained in this operator’s
manual and inform any person who might be assisting you to also read this
manual.

NOTE: This machine is designed to drill holes in soil. It is not intended for any
other purpose.

The rotation of the auger or drill bit on any type of earth drill will cause a
counter rotation of the handle bars while drilling a hole. The force exerted on the
operator will vary according to the type of soil, the diameter of the auger and the
condition of the machine.

In the event that the auger bit should encounter an object that stops the rotation
suddenly, the digging force will be transmitted directly to the operator. For this
reason, the operator must have secure footing and control of the machine and be
mentally and physically prepared to react to this force.

Because the ModelONE is a hand operated, portable type machine, it is limited
in what it is capable of doing. The job site, soil conditions, job specifications and
operator experience may dictate that a different tool or method be used to do the
job.

NOTE: It is not recommended that engines of higher horsepower be installed on
this machine. Consult the factory before making any modifications.

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KEY POINTS OF THE ModelONE

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HANDLEBAR

OUTPUT SHAFT

GEARBOX

THROTTLE

FUEL CAP

THROTTLE

STOP SWITCH

Front View

Top Vi e w

RIGHT HAND SIDE

LEFT HAND SIDE

STARTER ROPE

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

DANGER

Determine that the earth drill is in its original,
factory configuration and has not been modified,
or damaged and is not missing parts in any way. If
th e re ar e a ny que sti o ns ab o ut po s sib le
modifications made to the earth drill, do not use it
until the modifications have been corrected using
only genuine replacement parts as recommended
by Ground Hog or the engine manufacturer.

STOPPING THE ModelONE

Move the stop switch on the handlebar down to the “OFF“
position to shut the engine off.

DANGER

• Keep bystanders clear when starting and using
the earth drill.

• Never connect or disconnect the auger bit while
the engine is running.

• Do not operate this earth drill indoors. For
outdoor use only.

WARNING

Hitting a buried object such as a rock, could cause
a sudden side thrust against the operator. Injury
could occur if the operator is not prepared to deal
with this condition.
If an object is encountered while the auger is
turning, the handlebar could be jerked from the
operator causing injury and cause damage to the
machine.

STARTING WITH AUGER ATTACHED

1. After the engine has been allowed to warm up, and
everything is operating as it should, shut the engine off and
attach the auger bit using the correct auger attachment pin
(part # RD-PIN).

2. Position the earth drill so the controls are in your right hand
and on your right side.

3. Following the procedures outlined in the engine manual
supplied with the machine, start the engine. If the engine
does not start after 3 pulls of the starter rope, disconnect the
auger from the machine and determine the cause. When the
machine is in operating condition again, follow the procedures

DRILLING

1. Position the earth drill so the controls are in your right hand
and on your right side.

2. Firmly grasp the handlebar and place your legs in a slightly
open stance, with your left foot forward of your right foot.

3. Keep your arms close to your upper body.

NOTE: Do Not extend your arms away from the earth drill or

lean over the earth drill. These positions may not allow the
operator to react and control the earth drill properly in the event
of a kickback.

4. Keep the left side of the handlebars closer to your body for
better control of the earth drill.

5. Slowly squeeze the throttle lever. Use caution here as the
auger will start to turn and dig at this point.

NOTE: The more that you squeeze the throttle lever, the faster
the auger will turn.

6. Keep your back in an upright position and bend at the legs
as the auger digs the hole.

7. Do not attempt to drill the hole in one pass, you could bury
the auger and get it stuck. Drill to a depth of approximately six
inches and lift the auger to spin the dirt off. Do not lift the auger
completely out of the hole. Repeat this procedure until you
have reached the required depth.

WARNING

Do not move the earth drill if auger is rotating. Be
sure the engine is off or at an idle before moving the
earth drill.

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STARTING THE ModelONE

1. Move the stop switch up to the “ON” position.

2. Start the engine following the procedures outlined in the

engine manual supplied with the earth drill.

3. With auger bit removed, start the earth drill at the job site
and allow it to warm up. While the machine is running,
check the controls to be sure that everything is working
properly.

4. Never connect or disconnect the auger bit while engine is
running.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS cont’d...

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ModelONE

WARNING

Never connect or disconnect the auger while the
engine is running.

WARNING

The earth drill shall be stored in a manner that
prevents it from falling, rolling, or tipping over.

WHEN NOT IN USE

• Do not lay the power unit on its side with auger bit attached.

• Detach auger bit when not in use.

• Store the earth drill and fuel in an area where fuel vapors

cannot reach sources of combustion like water heaters,
electric motors, switches, furnaces, etc.

• Always shut off the fuel valve and engine before storing or

transporting.

• Always shut off all stop switches when not in use.

• Keep children, bystanders and animals clear of earth drill at

all times.

• Secure the earth drill in a manner that will not allow it fall, tip

over, or roll.

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