GENERAL SAFETY

1. Read and understand the Operator’s Manual and all safety signs before operating, maintaining or adjusting the Post Pounder.

2. Provide a first-aid kit for use in case of an accident. Store in a highly visible place.

3. Provide a fire extinguisher for use in case of an accident. Store in a highly visible place.

4. Wear appropriate protective gear. This list includes but does not limit.

       -A hard hat
       -Protective shoes with slip resistant soles
       -Heavy gloves
       -Wet weather wear
       -Hearing protection
       -Respirator or filter mask

5. Install and secure all guards before starting

6. Do not allow riders.

7. Wear appropriate ear protection for prolonged exposure to excessive noise.

8. Stop tractor engine, lower machine to the ground, place all controls in neutral, set park brake, remove ignition key and secure or lower hammer before servicing, adjusting, repairing, unplugging or filling.

9. Clear the area of people, especially small children, before operating the unit.

10. Be aware of height restriction ie. overhanging trees, overhead wire, etc.

11. Review safety related items annually with all personnel who will be operating or maintaining the Post Pounder.

THE KEY TO SAFETY

Remember, YOU are the key to safety.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BLACK CAT POST POUNDER. You must ensure that you and anyone else who is operating, maintaining or working with the Post Pounder be familiar with the operating and maintenance procedures and related safety information contained in this manual. This manual will take you step-by step through your working day and alerts you to all good safety practices that should be adhered to while operating the Post Pounder.

Good safety practices not only protect you but also the people around you. Make these practices a working part of your safety program. Be certain that Everyone operating this equipment is familiar with the recommended operating and maintenance procedures and follows all the safety precautions. Most accidents can be prevented. DO not risk injury or death by ignoring good safety practices.

BLACK CAT POST POUNDER owners must give operating instructions to operators or employees before allowing them to operate the Post Pounder, and at least annually thereafter per OSHA( Occupational Safety and Health) regulation.

It is the operator’s responsibility to read and understand All Safety and Operating instruction in the manual and to follow these. All accidents can be avoided.

* 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.


THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICE ON THE EQUIPMENT IS A SAFE OPERATOR.

 

SAFETY WARNINGS
 

1. Never put hands or fingers between Hammer Weight and Post.

2. Once tractor is positioned, set brake securely and put transmission in Park.

3. Never stand directly in front of Post Pounder while operating.

4. Do not hold post by hand, always use safety Post Holder.

5. Be sure hydraulics are bled of air before operating.

6. Always wear eye and ear protection while operating.

7. Failure to heed the above may result in personal injury or death.
 

EQUIPMENT MATCHING
 

1. The Post Pounder is designed to connect to the standard tractor 3 pin linkage.

2. Horsepower:
We recommend using 50 horsepower Tractor or higher & 4WD on steeper hills.

3. Tractor weight:
We recommend the tractor have sufficient weight to provide stability for the unit during field operation or transporting. It is recommended that each tractor have suitcase weights on the front of it. This will provide the required weight on the front for turning and extra traction if equipped with front wheel assist.

4. Hydraulic Connection:
The Post Pounder control valve is connected to the tractors hydraulic system or P.T.O. hydraulic system. If setting up your on P.T.O. hydraulic system, you must ensure a mainline relief valve is incorporated in the system. It is important that there is no restriction in the oil return line to allow the hammer to fall freely. Generally the oil return line is connected directly to the hydraulic tank filler inlet.
 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONNECTING POST POUNDER TO TRACTOR
 

Step 1. Read and understand Operator’s Manual.

Step 2. Ensure there is sufficient space to assemble the Post Pounder safely.

Step 3. Clear the area of bystanders, especially small children.

Step 4. First ascertain what type of Hydraulic system the tractor uses; (Open Center or Closed Center Hydraulics.) Most tractors are open center. Some brands such as John Deere use a closed center system.

Step 5. Set the Post Pounder valve to the appropriate system as indicated in Section XII Control Valve Set-up.

Step 6. Check wire rope clamps and all bolts are tight.

Step 7. Stand the Post Pounder up, using an adequate means of support, e.g. Front End Loader, Hoist.

Step 8. Connect tractor lower link arms to the Post Pounders linkage pins, and secure with lynch pin clip.

Step 9. Connect the high pressure hydraulic line (3/8” hose) from the Post Pounder valve bank to the tractor rear remote’s.

Step10. Return the low pressure hydraulic line (3/4” hose) from the Post Pounder valve band to the hydraulic reservoir of the tractor. This can be done by replacing the tractors oil filler plug with one or more of the fittings supplied with the Post Pounder. Alternatively, the low pressure hose can be returned through the tractor’s remote valve return hose/pipe by adding a tee* in the line (* not supplied).

Step 11. Position the tractor remote lever so that oil flows continuously through the Post Pounder valve bank.

Step 12. Bleed the top link ram by moving the in-out lever several times fully opening and closing the ram. Then connect the top link ram to the tractor.

Step 13. The Post Pounder can now be left to stand unsupported while coupled to the tractor.

Step 14. Bleed the air out of the angle adjustment and side shift (if fitted) rams by using the appropriate lever (right-left) on the valve before attempting to move the tractor.

Sep 15. Lift the Post Pounder using the tractors linkage arms to enable the fitting of the weight. Connect the rope and lift the weight using the left lower lever on the valve bank. Slide the post cap up to the weight and hook the chain to the weight.

Step 16. Check that the hydraulic lines are routed clear of all moving parts, re-route where necessary. Be sure all components are clipped, taped or tied securely in place.

Step 17. Check that the safety guard is installed and secure.

Step 18. Check instruction safety decals are in place on side of the beam facing control valve and are clean and legible.

Step 19. Check hand safety decals are in place on the three outer sides of the hammer and are clean and legible.

Step 20. Grease the rope and mast thoroughly using a petroleum based grease such as Power Up Thixogrease before commencing to hammer any post.
 

DAILY PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST
 

Efficient and safe operation of the Black Cat Post Pounder requires that each operator reads and understands the operating procedures and all related safety precautions outlined in this section. It is important for both personal safety and maintaining the good mechanical condition of the Post Pounder that this checklist is followed.

Before operating the Post Pounder and each time thereafter, the following areas should be checked off:

1. Tractor is of sufficient weight to be stable with Black Cat Post Pounder fitted. Generally require a 50 plus horsepower.

2. Ensure that the Black Cat Post Pounder is properly attached to the tractor 3 point hitch or drawbar and that mechanical retainers such as lynch pins are installed.

3. Check that all hydraulic fittings and connections are tight and in good condition.

4. Check wire rope clamps are tight and wire rope is in good condition and well lubricated. (Lubrication should be carried out quarterly or before seasonal use.)

5. Check for damaged, worn, missing parts and replace if necessary.

6. Check safety decals are in place on beam and hammer, and that they are clean and legible. Replace missing or illegible safety decals.

7. Check safety guard is in place and is secure.

BLACK CAT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
 

1. Read Operator’s Manual before operating the post pounder.

2. Position the tractor with Black Cat Post Pounder at location where post is to be driven in.

3. Apply brake securely and put transmission into “Park” (manual, gear lever in neutral).

4. Lower Post Pounder to ground with tractor link arms.

Note: On uneven ground, adjust ‘adjustable legs’ such that Post Pounder sits firmly on ground.

5. Adjust to link ram and angle adjust ram so that bubble in level indicates central.

6. Operate main ram to lift Hammer and Holder above height of post.

7. Position post, if posts are not square on top face, make sure that the highest point of post is up against the beam, and in the center of it. If the high edge of the post is on all the outside edges of the hammer it puts many tons of sideways twisting thrust on the beam, and this can also bend the beam.

8. Lower Hammer and Holder onto post and unhook Holder chain from Hammer.

9. Lift Hammer a short distance, then drop by pushing lever to max lower position. Repeat short strokes to start post.

Note: Stand at 45 deg. to Hammer weight; NOT IN FRONT.

10.) Once post has started, hammer should be raised no more than 24" and dropped. Repeat until post is at required height.

Note: For posts of small cross-section it may be necessary to limit the height the Hammer is dropped from to prevent the post breaking up under impact load.

11. Hook Holder chain on to Hammer and lift off post.

12. Lift Post Ponder off ground with tractor link arms and move away from post such that the hammer can be lowered before moving to next location.

Note: The Hammer weighs 550 lb. and must be kept near the bottom of the beam at all times while the tractor is in motion. If this is not done the beam can be bent and the tractor capsized.
 

STORAGE SAFETY
 

1. Store the Post Pounder in an area away from human activity.

2. Do not permit children to play in or around the stored machine.

3. Make sure the unit is sitting, or blocked up firm and solid and will not tip or sink into a soft area.

4. Brace Angle Adjustment Ram.

5. Disconnect hydraulic hoses then 3 pin linkage before driving the tractor away.

6. Rest weight and post cap on Post driven firmly into ground when storing for long periods.
 

POST POUNDER RECONNECTION TO TRACTOR
 

Step 1. Clear the area of bystanders, especially small children.

Step 2. Make sure there is enough room and clearance from obstacles to safely back up to the Post Pounder.

Step 3. Back up slowly and align lower linkage arms with your Post Pounder. Make connection with linkage pins and secure these with lynch pin clips.

Step 4. Connect hydraulic hoses to tractor. Set tractor controls such that oil flows to the Post Pounder valve.

Step 5. Operate Top Link Ram to ensure it is bled of air, then connect Top Link Ram to Tractor and secure with clip.

Step 6. Remove bracing from Angle Adjust Ram. Operate Auxiliary Rams to bled of air before moving Tractor.

Post Pounder Transportation Safety
 

1. Make sure you are in compliance with all local regulations regarding transporting equipment on public roads and highways.

2. Be sure all bystanders are clear of the machine.

3. Ensure that the machine is securely attached to the tractor and all retainer pins are installed.

4. Be aware of any height restrictions on route ie. overhead wires, bridges, etc. If a hinge is fitted, hinge beam to reduce height of the Post Pounder. Otherwise it may be necessary to remove the Post Pounder from the tractor and lie it down on a trailer for transportation.
 

MAINTENANCE
 

LUBRICATION
 

ALWAYS ENSURE WIRE ROPE IS WELL LUBRICATED

Lubricate Wire Rope and hammer slide with a petroleum based grease such as Thixogrease manufactured by Power Up.

(Note: Poor lubrication of Wire Rope will cause excessive wear and premature failure.)

Grease beam pivot pin and on side shift slide, monthly or before seasonal use with Multi purpose grease.

 

ROPE REPLACEMENT
 

1. Lower hammer to ground to take load off rope.
2. Disconnect the hydraulic supply.
3. Unbolt rope from hammer.
4. Pull rope tight and mark length.
5. Release cable clamps and disconnect rope from rope mount.

6. Pull hammer end of cable to remove cable.
7. Thread new rope through top pulley housing then through beam and ram pulley housing as required.
8. Clamp hammer end of rope at marked position.
9. Pull rope tight round cable eye and clamp in position.
10. Cut off excess rope and gas weld strands at end together or clamp with jubilee clip.
11. Reconnect hammer and hydraulic supply.

If the rope is broken and are unable to mark the length then set the length as follows.

1. Make a temporary connection to top rope mount at full length.
2. Mark rope with tape or chalk 1 foot above hammer eyelet.
3. Attach a light rope to the hammer eyelet.
4. Reconnect hydraulic supply and extend main ram to ram stop.
5. Keeping rope tight adjust length such that mark comes up to first pulley in top pulley housing.
6. Clamp and reconnection as above.

CAUTION: Take care not to bump controls and possibly catching fingers between rope and pulley etc.

NOTE: The 1 foot is to allow for the extra travel due to the momentum of the hammer when lifted at speed.