Use and Care Manual

8
Driving a Post
• Be sure to use all personal protective equipment as outlined in the Safety Warnings section of
this manual.
• Start the engine safely as outlined on the previous page.
• Take a firm stance with weight evenly distributed on both feet. Keep both feet securely planted
at a minimum of shoulder width apart. ALWAYS maintain a solid balance while driving posts.
• Lift the post driver onto the post, then ensure that the driver is level with the post and the post
is centered up in the barrel of the post driver. To keep the driver square to the post, use the
correct adapter sleeve. If not aligned properly, you could cause damage to the machine or
your post. See Figure 1.
Figure 1: Post driver level/square example
• Pull down on the machine handles to apply approximately 10-12 pounds of down-pressure to
help the internal hammer mechanism remain in the correct operating position. Once you are
confident that the machine is being held level and the post is centered, gently engage the
throttle trigger until the hammer action is felt.
• When you are sure the post is moving down into the ground correctly, depress the throttle
trigger fully, and drive your post down to the desired depth. ALWAYS keep both hands on the
driver and maintain the 10-12 pounds of down-pressure while driving the post into the ground.
• Be sure the barrel of the driver does not come in contact with the ground. This will take the
down-pressure off the machine and may cause unnecessary damage to your driver.
• When the post is at the desired depth, fully release the throttle trigger and gently slide the
machine off the post. Move to the next post and repeat the above procedure. ALWAYS fully
release the throttle trigger to stop the hammer action prior to removing from the post. You can
leave the engine idling, there is no need to repeatedly turn the engine on and off.