DIRTY HAND TOOLS 90 Post Hole Diggers Instruction Manual
- June 17, 2024
- DIRTY HAND TOOLS
Table of Contents
DIRTY HAND TOOLS 90 Post Hole Diggers
This safety alert symbol identifies important safety messages in this manual. Failure to follow this important safety information may result in serious injury or death.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: Read and thoroughly understand all instructions and safety information before assembling or operating this post-hole digger. Failure to do so may cause serious injury or death. Do not allow anyone to operate this post-hole digger who has not read this manual. As with all power equipment, a post-hole digger can be dangerous if assembled or used improperly. Do not operate if you have doubts or questions concerning safe operation. Call our customer service department at 720-287-5182, 1-877-487-8275, or visit www.dirtyhandtools.com if you have any questions or concerns about the safe operation of this equipment.
INTENDED USE
Do Not Use the post-hole digger for any purpose other than digging post holes
in soil when connected to a 3-point linkage system and power take-off of a
tractor. Any other use is unauthorized and may result in serious injury or
death.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
When operating this post-hole digger you must wear safety gear including
goggles or safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, and tight-fitting gloves (no
loose cuffs or drawstrings).
CAUTION
Do Not wear loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught by moving parts of
the post-hole digger including the auger and driveline. Keep clothing and hair
away from all moving parts when operating.
GENERAL SAFETY
Failure to follow warnings, cautions, assembly, and operation instructions in the Operation Manual may result in serious injury or death.
Read the Operation Manual before operation.
- Do not permit others who have not read and understood the complete Operation Manual to operate this equipment.
- Keep all people and pets a minimum of 10 feet away from the work area when operating this post-hole digger.
- Do not operate the post-hole digger when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
- Do not allow a person who is tired or otherwise impaired or not completely alert to operate the post-hole digger
- Always check with authorities for underground utilities before digging holes. Serious injury or death could result from contact with gas or electric lines.
- Read the tractor’s operation manual concerning the proper attachment and use of 3-point equipment and safety.
- Always make sure that all safety shields are in place and securely fastened. Do not operate if any shields are missing.
- Make sure that the auger point and cutting edges are intact and in good working condition before use.
DANGER
- ALWAYS OPERATE THIS POST-HOLE DIGGER FROM THE TRACTOR SEAT. Only one person should operate the digger.
- DO NOT ATTACH THE POST-HOLE DIGGER TO THE TRACTOR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.
- DO NOT OPERATE THE POST-HOLE DIGGER WITH ANYONE IN CONTACT WITH ANY PART OF THE IMPLEMENT, PTO DRIVELINE, OR AUGER.
- SERIOUS INJURY CAN RESULT FROM ENTANGLEMENT WITH MOVING PARTS.
DANGER
- Make sure that the tractor brake is set before deploying the post-hole digger.
- Do not manually deploy the auger.
- Do not manually position or force the auger into the ground.
- Turn off the tractor engine before leaving the seat of the tractor.
- Do not move the tractor with the power take-off in the ON position.
- Do not exceed the 540 RPM PTO operating speed.
- NEVER OPERATE THE POST-HOLE DIGGER WITH THE AUGER MORE THAN 6 INCHES ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. Operating the post-hole digger in an elevated position may cause the PTO driveline u-joints to bind resulting in equipment damage and operator injury.
- ALWAYS turn off the post-hole digger if a rock or other obstacle is encountered during operation to prevent damage to the gearbox and possible operator injury. Shear bolts could become welded to the input shaft of the drive shaft if left running after being sheared.
- ONLY PERFORM MAINTENANCE such as lubrication, adjustments, and repairs with the tractor engine turned off, the PTO disengaged and the auger point resting at ground level.
- ALWAYS replace shear bolts with the correct shear bolt size and grade (SAE Grade 5). Never use a shear bolt that is longer or larger than what is specified in the operation manual for that post-hole digger model.
SAFETY DECALS
Make sure all safety warning decals are attached and in readable condition. Replace missing or defaced decals. Contact Dirty Hand Tools at 1-877-487-8275 for replacement decals .
Assembly Instructions
Step 1: Fill the gearbox with lubricant.
The gearbox is shipped without lubricant. Fill the top hole with EP90
lubricant or equivalent. The gearbox holds 25 fluid oz. (0.7 liters). Fill to
the bottom of the plug on the side. Do not overfill as this can cause damage
to the seals. Check the oil level every 50 hours of operation.
Step 2: Attach the boom.
Attach the boom to the top link mounting bracket on the tractor using a top
link pin and a lynchpin through the hole on the bottom of the boom. The top
link pin and lynchpin are not provided.
Step 3: Connect the A-frame.
Connect the A-frame to the tractor’s 3-point lift arms using the draw pin
assembly provided, with a nut and lock washer. Attach the A-frame to the boom
after selecting the desired hole for adjustment using the A-frame pin and a
lynchpin. The size of your tractor and auger will determine which hole will
work best.
Step 4: Attach the gearbox.
Attach the gearbox to the boom using the gearbox draw pin provided with the
gearbox and secure with the cotter pins provided. The input shaft shied and
the output shaft shield is already attached to the gearbox.
Step 5: Attach the auger.
Attach the auger to the output shaft on the bottom of the gearbox using 1/2
in. hex cap screws, 1/2 in. lock washers, and 1/2 in. hex nuts provided.
Step 6: Attach the driveline.
Attach the driveline to the gearbox input shaft using 5/16 in. hex cap screw,
5/16 in. lock washer, and 5/16 in. hex nut. For Model 110, attach the
driveline to the gearbox input shaft using a 3/8 in. hex cap screw, 3/8 in.
lock washer, and 3/8 in. hex nut. Insert 1/4 in. x 3/8 in. set screw into the
hole on the yoke that aligns with the 3/16 in. groove on the gearbox input
shaft.
ATTENTION
The 5/16 in. hex cap screw (3/8 in. for Model 110) provides shear
protection. Only use a Grade 5 3-in. bolt to avoid damage to the gearbox or
auger. The universal joint should be greased with chassis lube every week.
Grease the sliding drive shaft members with moly grease at the beginning of
each season of use. All post-hole diggers are equipped with quick-release
universal joints on the PTO end for a 1-3/8 in. splined shaft.
Step 7: Attach the tractor end of the driveline.
Attach the tractor end of the driveline to the tractor PTO shaft. Push the
spring-loaded pin in the splined yoke and slip it onto the splined PTO shaft
of the tractor. Release the pin and push until it locks securely.
Note: it may be necessary to obtain a 1-1/8 in. to 1-3/8 in. sleeve spline adapter if the tractor has a 1-1/8 in. spline shaft.
Step 8: Check the tightness of all bolts and nuts.
Stabilizers should be kept tight to avoid side sway of the post-hole digger.
See Figure A for reference in assembling the post-hole digger and attachment
to the tractor.
- Note: The boom angle can be adjusted on the tractor for proper hole digging and ground clearance by moving the A-frame to a different mounting hole.
- Note: If the 7/8 in. diameter pull pins are too small for the holes in the lift arms, bushings should be used to obtain the correct fit for operation.
Operating Instructions
WARNING: Read and thoroughly understand all instructions and safety information before assembling or operating this post-hole digger. Failure to do so may cause serious injury or death.
Step 1: Lower auger.
After attaching the post-hole digger to the tractor, before engaging the
power, slowly lower the auger to the ground at the desired angle for hole
digging.
Step 2: Engage PTO.
Engage the power take off and start digging at a slow speed lowering the auger
slowly as the hole is dug.
Step 3: Increase speed.
Increase the speed as the auger goes deeper into the ground. The type of soil
will determine the proper auger speed. Very hard or compacted soil may require
operation at varying speeds to be the most efficient in digging.
CAUTION
NEVER ALLOW THE TRACTOR’S ENGINE TO RUN WHILE MANUALLY DISLODGING AN OBSTACLE.
If a rock or other obstacle is encountered that is too large for the auger to
displace the post-hole digger will begin to vibrate. Slowly withdraw the auger
from the hole completely. Turn off the tractor’s power and remove the obstacle
manually. Slowly lower the auger into the hole and engage the power to
complete digging the hole.
Step 4: Removing the auger.
After the desired hole depth has been reached, spin the auger at a high speed
to clear the hole of the soil. Reduce the speed before withdrawing the auger
from the hole.
Step 5: Disengage PTO.
Disengage the power take-off after withdrawing the auger from the hole and
move to the next desired hole location.
WARNING
ALWAYS PERFORM MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS WITH THE TRACTOR’S ENGINE POWERED OFF, PTO DISENGAGED, AND THE AUGER TIP RESTING ON THE GROUND.
- Before operation check all safety shields. Replace shields that are worn or broken before operating the post-hole digger.
- When the self-sharpening points on the auger show excessive wear it is important to replace them.
- Check the oil level after every 50 hours of operation. Use EP90 lubricant or equivalent and fill to oil level plug. Always use the same replacement lubricant type.
- Universal joints should be greased with chassis lube once a week during the operating season. Grease the sliding drive shaft members with moly grease at the beginning of each season.
- To remove the auger from the gearbox output shaft, remove the two 1/2 in. x 3 in. hex cap screws.
- To remove the drive shaft from the gearbox input shaft, remove the shear pin bolt and 1/4 in. set screw.
Post Hole Digger Parts List
Item # | Part # | Description | Qty |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 100551 |
101197
| Tube, 3 Pt A Frame Round, Model 100 Tube, 3 Pt A Frame Round, Model 90| 1
1
| 101314| Tube, 3 Pt A Frame Round, Model 110| 1
2| 100549
101203
| Boom, Model 100
Boom, Model 90
| 1
1
| 101309| Boom, Model 110| 1
3| 100608| Gearbox Covered Assembly| 1
101302| Gearbox Covered Assembly, Model 110| 1
4| 100607| Gearbox Draw Pin| 1
101317| Gearbox Draw Pin, Model 110| 1
5| 100603| PTO Driveline Assembly| 1
106263| PTO Driveline Assembly, Model 110| 1
6| 102120| Draw Pin Assembly, 7/8 in. – 14 x 1-5/8 in., G8| 2
7| 102351| Lynch Pin, 3/8 in. x 1-3/4 in.| 3
8| 102150| Top Link Pin, 3/4 in. x 4-3/4 in., G8| 1
9| 100575| Hex Nut 1/2 in. – 13| 2
10| 100609| Hex Bolt, 5/16 in. – 18 x 3 in, G5| 1
11| 100574| Hex Bolt,1/2 in. – 13 x 3-1/2 in., G5| 2
12| 100610| Hex Nut, 3/8 in. – 6, G5| 1
13| 100576| Lock Washer, 1/2 in.| 2
14| 100130| Flat Washer, M8| 3
15| 100611| Lock Washer, 3/8 in.| 1
16| 100084| Manual Cannister| 1
17| 100125| Hex Bolt, M8 x 1.25 x 20MM, G8.8| 3
Auger Diameter | Number of Cutting Edges |
---|---|
6 in. | 2 |
9 in. | 2 |
12 in. | 4 |
18 in. | 4 |
24 in. | 6 |
Item # | Part # |
--- | --- |
1 | 100618 |
2 | 100620 |
3 | 100619 |
4 | 100574 |
5 | 100059 |
6 | 100581 |
Warranty & Specifications
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We, the manufacturer, reserve the right to change the product and/ or
specifications in this manual without notification. The manual is for
information usage only and the pictures and drawings depicted herein are for
reference only.
Warranty Repair and Service
Do not return this product to the store for warranty issues or repair. Call
our customer service department at
720-287-5182,
1-877-487-8275, or visit
www.dirtyhandtools.com for the location of the nearest service center.
Record the information below for future reference.
- Model No.
- Serial No.
- Date of Purchase
- Place of Purchase
Specifications
Dirty Hand Tools® is a brand of 1100 W 120th Ave., Suite 600 Westminster, CO 80234 • 720-287-5182
For Service or Questions
References
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